A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Porto for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Athens or Porto?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Porto. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Athens

Athens is a energetic, historic, and ancient city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Porto

Porto is a dynamic, historic, and cultural port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Porto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Porto?

You'll generally find more things to do in Athens than Porto. Athens is bigger than Porto, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Athens is better known for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights, while Porto is more popular for its impressive beauty. Athens is well known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis. Porto is well known for its authentic old town and the local port wine.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Porto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Porto and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Porto?

Athens is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Athens from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Porto can be an interesting and educational experience. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Porto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Porto can be an enjoyable experience.

Eat your way through Athens, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

For foodies, Porto is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

Is Athens or Porto Better for Nightlife?

Athens is very popular for nightlife. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife and partying.

Athens is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Porto offers plenty to do in the evening. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Is Athens or Porto Better for its Old Town?

Athens is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its old town.

Athens has a world-famous historical area. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

Many visitors go to Porto to see the historical old town. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Porto?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Porto both offer plenty of notable spots.

Athens has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Porto is a great destination for shopping. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Athens or Porto Better for Families?

Both Athens and Porto are high quality family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Porto is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

Is Athens or Porto Better for Couples?

Porto is great for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Porto is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

Athens is a nice destination for couples. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Is Athens or Porto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Athens and Porto are first-rate places to visit.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Porto is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Is Athens or Porto Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Porto are high quality places to visit.

Many students visit Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Porto is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Is Athens or Porto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens and Porto both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Athens. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Public transit in Porto is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

Is Athens or Porto a more walkable city?

Athens and Porto are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

Porto is very walkable. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Porto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Porto or Athens?

How long in Athens or Porto?

In either Athens or Porto, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than Porto because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-5 days is enough time in Porto.

Families should spend more time in Athens than Porto. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Athens, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Porto than Athens. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Porto that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Porto if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Athens.

One day in Athens or Porto?

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Porto. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Porto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Porto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Porto?

Athens is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Porto. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Porto?

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic big city of Porto. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Porto, we can see that Athens is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Porto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or Porto?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Porto, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Athens or Porto?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Athens or Porto in the Summer?

Both Porto and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Porto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Athens is a little warmer than Porto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Porto averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Porto during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Porto. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Porto in the Autumn?

Both Porto and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Athens is generally a little warmer than Porto. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Porto. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Porto. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Porto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Porto. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Porto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Athens is around the same temperature as Porto in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Porto during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Porto. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Porto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Porto. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

In the spring, Athens is a little warmer than Porto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Porto averages at about 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Porto. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Athens usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Porto and Athens