A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. San Diego for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Athens or San Diego?

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 San Diego. 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.

San Diego

San Diego is a fun-filled, hip, and dynamic coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Athens and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or San Diego?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Diego than Athens, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Diego is more popular for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and quaint atmosphere, while Athens is known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities. San Diego is more touristy than Athens and is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also home to The San Diego Zoo. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy.

How is Athens different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Diego 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 San Diego?

Athens is renowned for its historical sights. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal 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.

San Diego offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

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

Athens is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the San Diego area. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is Athens or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

Athens is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Athens is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

San Diego has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

Is Athens or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is great for its music scene. However, Athens is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Diego draws a good crowd. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or San Diego Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Athens is not a resort destination.

San Diego has a few great resort options. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in San Diego. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

San Diego offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or San Diego Better for its Old Town?

Athens is renowned for its old town. However, San Diego does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Athens is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

San Diego does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is great for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to San Diego for the hiking trails. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or San Diego?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and San Diego both offer plenty of good 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.

San Diego is a great destination for shopping. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is Athens or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego 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, San Diego is very family-friendly. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

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 San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

San Diego is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

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 San Diego Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Is Athens or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

San Diego is a very popular place to visit for students. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

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.

Is Athens or San Diego 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. However, San Diego is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Is Athens or San Diego a more walkable city?

Athens is great for its high level of walkability. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal 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.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

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

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Athens?

How long in Athens or San Diego?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than San Diego 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 San Diego?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of San Diego. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or San Diego?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

San Diego is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or San Diego?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Diego. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 San Diego?

Athens is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic destination of San Diego. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Athens much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and San Diego is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and San Diego, 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 San Diego?

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 San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego 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 beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than San Diego during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives more rain than San Diego. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or San Diego in the Autumn?

Both San Diego 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 San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Athens is around the same temperature as San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or San Diego in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Athens is cooler than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Diego. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or San Diego in the Spring?

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

In April, Athens is generally around the same temperature as San Diego. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Athens