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

Should you visit Athens or Saint-Tropez?

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-Tropez. 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 vibrant, energetic, and historic 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is a luxurious, glamourous, and opulent resort town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Athens and Saint-Tropez: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Athens. Although Athens and Saint-Tropez are both popular with visitors, Athens has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Athens is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Saint-Tropez is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also home to The Acropolis. Saint-Tropez is popular for its trendy beach clubs around the Bay of Pampelonne, as well as its popularity with celebrities and the extravagantly wealthy.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Saint-Tropez?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint-Tropez does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Athens are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Saint-Tropez does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint-Tropez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Athens is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Saint-Tropez is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food is all about the local flavors. You'll find plenty of local seafood as well as local organic meats, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, garlic, and truffles. Cheese is a common ingredient as well. There are many different soups and stews, and bouillabaisse is a common fish soup found in the restaurants around town. Daube is another popular stew that is made with beef. Ratatouille is a vegetable casserole that has made a name for itself both inside and outside of France. And, of course, you have to try the local salads and pastries. Because it's such a touristy area, there are many restaurants geared specifically to the tourists, many of which are overpriced.

Is Athens or Saint-Tropez Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is amazing in both Athens and Saint-Tropez.

The nightlife in Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Saint-Tropez is a world class party destination. It is a place to see and be seen, so if you're looking for A-list celebrities, glamourous yacht parties, and ritzy dance clubs, then this is your place. While the nightlife scene is filled with extravagance, there are still laid back clubs where you can sip a cocktail in style. The best season to come and party is during the summer months, but you'll still find plenty to do throughout the year.

Is Athens or Saint-Tropez Better for Resorts?

Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Athens is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Saint-Tropez for its luxury resorts. Luxury and extravagance is what this resort town is all about. If you have the money to spend, you'll have no trouble finding a glamourous villa or luxury hotel where you can relax, party, or soak up the French Riviera sun.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Saint-Tropez Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Saint-Tropez. The Gulf of Saint Tropez is one of the best places to snorkel and scuba dive along the French Riviera. There are wreck dives including the most famous, The Rubis, a submarine that is surrounded by marine life. Although you're not allowed to enter the vessel, there is still plenty to see. There are also plenty of dive spots that feature rock formations, schools of fish, and lobsters.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Saint-Tropez Better for Beaches?

Saint-Tropez is great for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Saint-Tropez for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are frequented by celebrities, so you'll find plenty of glitz and glamour by the water. For some of the best beaches, you'll want to head a little out of town. The most famous beach in the area is Pampelonne Beach which is popular with Hollywood celebrities during the summer months. Bouillabaisse Beach is the place to go if you want to look at the yachts, but for a more natural setting head to Graniers Beach.

Athens is not a beach destination.

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

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

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Saint-Tropez?

Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Saint-Tropez specifically to go shopping. Surrounded by luxury, shopping is a must in this glamourous resort town. There are international luxury brands as well as local designer boutiques. Whether you're looking for yachting clothes, cigars, jewelry, or perfume, this is one of the best shopping destinations along the Cote d'Azur. Art is a particularly popular item to purchase while you're in town.

Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Athens or Saint-Tropez Better for Families?

Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Saint-Tropez is very family-friendly. With great beaches, several amusement parks, waterparks, and even Marineland, there are an endless supply of activities for kids. There's also a zoo and nature reserve for wildlife enthusiasts. For adventure lovers, there are a number of different watersports to try and if the weather isn't cooperating, there are a few good museums and other indoor activities as well.

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

Is Athens or Saint-Tropez Better for Couples?

Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Saint-Tropez is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Whether you're honeymooning or taking a short getaway to the French Riviera, this is a great option for couples. You can take a stroll at sunset, relax on one of the beautiful beaches, dine on local seafood, and soak up the rich local culture. The romance and beauty of this French Riviera city make it a world class romantic destination.

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 Saint-Tropez Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Saint-Tropez is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Athens. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Saint-Tropez is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. For many backpackers it may seem cost prohibitive to visit the French Riviera, but for those with the money, it is well worth the splurge. You can save some money by staying outside of town or finding a vacation rental where you can cook meals. There are also hostels and rooms in local homes that come at a more reasonable price.

Is Athens or Saint-Tropez Better for Students?

Athens is a great destination for students. However, Saint-Tropez is not popular with students.

Athens is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Saint-Tropez is not popular with students.

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

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

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

While Saint-Tropez offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects many parts of the area.

Is Athens or Saint-Tropez a more walkable city?

Saint-Tropez is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Saint-Tropez is a very easy resort town to get around on foot. It's easy to explore many places on foot, passing by beautiful beaches, stunning views, impressive yachts, and glamourous villas.

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

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

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

How long in Athens or Saint-Tropez?

It's fun to spend time in either Athens or Saint-Tropez. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Athens due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-4 days is enough time in Saint-Tropez.

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

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

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

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Tropez. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Saint-Tropez?

Athens is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Saint-Tropez 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-Tropez?

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Tropez. Most people come for the beaches. 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-Tropez?

Athens is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the ritzy destination of Saint-Tropez. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Food and Culinary Tours in France, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Saint-Tropez, we can see that Saint-Tropez is more expensive. And not only is Athens much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Athens would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Athens 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 Saint-Tropez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint-Tropez than you might in Athens.

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-Tropez Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or Saint-Tropez?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Saint-Tropez. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Saint-Tropez, 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-Tropez?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Athens or Saint-Tropez in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Saint-Tropez. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Tropez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Saint-Tropez. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint-Tropez fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Tropez. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Tropez. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Tropez receives 366 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Tropez. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Tropez receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Saint-Tropez and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Tropez in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Athens is a little warmer than Saint-Tropez in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Saint-Tropez fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Tropez. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Tropez during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Tropez receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint-Tropez. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Saint-Tropez. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint-Tropez receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Saint-Tropez and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Saint-Tropez for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Athens is a little warmer than Saint-Tropez. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Saint-Tropez averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Tropez. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Tropez receives 150 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Saint-Tropez. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Tropez receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Saint-Tropez. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Saint-Tropez because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Saint-Tropez. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint-Tropez fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Tropez this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Tropez during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Tropez receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Saint-Tropez. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Saint-Tropez receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Tropez and Athens