A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Saint-Etienne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Athens or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne. 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. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Athens and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than Saint-Etienne, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking. Athens is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also home to The Acropolis. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Athens are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Athens or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Athens has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Athens or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Athens offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Saint-Etienne?

Athens is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Athens. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Athens or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Athens is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Athens is very family-friendly. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Athens or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Athens is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Athens makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Athens or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Athens is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Athens or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Athens is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Athens is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Athens can get you to some places easily. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Athens or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Athens is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Athens?

How long in Athens or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Athens or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Athens than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

Families should spend more time in Athens than Saint-Etienne. 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 Athens than Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Athens that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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 destination of Saint-Etienne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Athens or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Saint-Etienne?

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Saint-Etienne?

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Visiting the old town is also a must. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the industrial destination of Saint-Etienne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Saint-Etienne?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Athens is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Saint-Etienne. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Athens