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

Should you visit Athens or San Remo?

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 Remo. 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 ancient, vibrant, and energetic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

San Remo

San Remo is a historic, relaxing, and beautiful coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Athens and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or San Remo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Athens than San Remo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Athens is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while San Remo attracts visitors for its beaches and impressive beauty. Athens is more touristy than San Remo and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also well known for The Acropolis. San Remo is famous for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is terrific for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. 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 Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Athens is terrific for its restaurants. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, San Remo makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is Athens or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Athens is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Athens is a must-see party destination. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is Athens or San Remo Better for Beaches?

San Remo is great for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Many people visit San Remo for it's beautiful beaches. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or San Remo Better for its Old Town?

Athens is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Athens has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or San Remo?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and San Remo both offer plenty of nice 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 Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Athens or San Remo Better for Families?

Both Athens and San Remo are superb 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.

San Remo is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Is Athens or San Remo Better for Couples?

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

San Remo is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

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 Remo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is Athens or San Remo Better for Students?

Athens is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

Athens is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Athens offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

You'll find some public transit in San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.

Is Athens or San Remo a more walkable city?

Athens and San Remo are superb 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.

San Remo is very walkable. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Athens?

How long in Athens or San Remo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Athens or San Remo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Athens than San Remo 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 San Remo.

Families should spend more time in Athens than San Remo. 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.

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

Athens is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Remo. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Athens or San Remo?

Athens is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

San Remo 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 San Remo?

Athens is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Remo. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 San Remo?

Athens is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Athens has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of San Remo. This coastal 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and San Remo, we can see that San Remo 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 San Remo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Remo 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 Remo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or San Remo?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of Athens and San Remo, 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 Remo?

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 Remo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and San Remo. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Remo for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Athens is a little warmer than San Remo in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and San Remo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Remo this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Athens or San Remo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as San Remo. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to San Remo in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Athens is a little warmer than San Remo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and San Remo averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Remo. Athens usually gets less rain in October than San Remo. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or San Remo in the Winter?

Both San Remo and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Athens is generally a little warmer than San Remo. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than San Remo. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or San Remo in the Spring?

Both San Remo and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Remo because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Athens is a little warmer than San Remo in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and San Remo fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than San Remo. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Remo and Athens