A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Setubal for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Athens or Setubal?

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 Setubal. 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.

Where Should I go: Athens or Setubal?

Athens

Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.

Setubal

Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.

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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Setubal or Athens?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Setubal is €149. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Athens and Setubal in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Athens €63
    Setubal €59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Athens €126
    Setubal €118
Compare Hotels in Athens and Setubal

Looking for a hotel in Athens or Setubal? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Athens


Hotels in Setubal


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Athens Hotel Prices and Setubal Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Athens €27
    Setubal €54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:


  • Airport Bus for Two
    €6.40
  • Metro
    €1.50
  • Metro
    €2.00
  • Metro from Airport to City Center
    €8.00
  • Taxi from Airport
    €35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens

Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Paros Private Helicopter Transfer Service: $3,439
  • Athens Airport to Volos Private Transfer: $297
  • Private Transfer from Athens to Kalabaka, Kastraki & Meteora: $289
  • Private Transfer From Athens To Meteora - Kalabaka: $287
  • Private Transfer through Athens Attractions at Night: $286
  • Private Return Transfer to Cape Sounio: $286
  • Athens Transfers: $286
  • Athens to Costa Navarino / Kalamata Private Luxury Transfer: $274
  • Private Transfer from Athens to Costa Navarino with 2h Stop: $271
  • "Quick Athens Highlights Tour: Airport or Cruise ship Transfers": $264
  • Private Transfer from Athens to Ancient (Archaia) Olympia: $262
  • Private Transfer from Athens to Kyllini: $262

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal

Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Serra da Arrabida Natural Park E Bike Tour with Transfers: $183
  • Comporta Melides Private Transfers to Multiple Destinations: $152
  • Transfer From Évora to Lisbon: $143
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $97
  • Sesimbra Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $54
  • Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Setubal?

Prices for flights to both Setubal and Athens change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Athens €64
    Setubal €60
Typical Food Prices in Athens

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:


  • Ice cream
    €3.00
  • Souvlaki
    €2.20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens

For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $48
  • Classic Athens Food Tour with Local Drink & Market Visit: $54
  • Cooking Class & Meal at a Roof Garden in Athens: $56
  • Athens's original vegan food tour: $64
  • Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $65
  • Street Food Tour - Sample the Food the Locals Love: $67
  • Acropolis Food Tour with a Local Friend: $74
  • Athens Traditional Food Tour: $78
  • Athens at Night Enchanting Walking Tour and Dinner Delights: $80
  • Around Greece in 5 Dishes: Dinner, Theater & Music: $82
  • Feast on LGBTQ+ Walking Food Tour: $82
  • Small Group Greek Traditional Food Tour in Athens 26+ Tastings: $83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal

For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Evora Cooking Class & Wine Pairings in Fatima’s Home: $220
  • Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrábida Wine & Food Tour: $228
  • Authentic Evora Cooking Class with Wine in Chef Sofia’s Garden: $279

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Athens €36
    Setubal €12

Tours and Activities in Athens

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.

  • "A Must-See" Anc. Epidaurus, Mycenae & Nafplion Premium Full Day Tour By Locals: $206
  • "All Day Tour Athens & Corinth:Highlights & Path of Apostle Paul": $295
  • "All day tour of Athens-8h:Exploring its most popular landmarks": $249
  • "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $171
  • "Delphi Full-Day Tour: Ancient Oracle and the Heart of the Earth": $295
  • "Discover Poros from A Scenic Island Tour": $295
  • "St. Paul’s Church & Greek Olive Oil Experience”: $194
  • 1 Day Hymettus Athens Private Hiking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $171
  • 1 Day Parnitha Athens Private Hiking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $171
  • 2 days Spanish guided tour in Delphi and Meteora: $286
  • 2-Day Delphi & Meteora Tour from Athens with Hotel & Guided Tour: $263
  • 2-Day Delphi and Meteora Tour from Athens: $237

Tours and Activities in Setubal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.

  • Évora : History, Heritage & Alentejo Wine — Private Tour: $147
  • Évora : Love at First Sight – Private Walking Tour with a Local: $79
  • Évora : Small-Group Cultural Walking Tour & Chapel of Bones: $79
  • Évora Private Food and Wine Walking Tour in the UNESCO Old Town: $183
  • Évora Private Walking Tour with Cathedral & Chapel of Bones: $113
  • Évora Roman Legacy: Ancient City & Archaeology — Private Tour: $124
  • Évora Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.71
  • Évora Walking Tour: $54
  • Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $29
  • Évora to Monsaraz Private Tour: Village & Local Pottery: $239
  • Arrábida Family and Group Kayak Adventure: $124
  • Arrabida Adventure Circuit: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Athens €23
    Setubal €10

Sample the Local Flavors in Athens

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:

  • Athens Party Pub Crawl w/ 1-hour Open Bar & VIP Nightclub Access: $21
  • The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl: $22
  • Athens Olive Oil and Herbs Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $23
  • Athens Exclusive Hellenic Wine Tasting Experience at Brettos: $36
  • Athens Rooftop Pub Crawl w/ Acropolis Views & Party: $40
  • Greek Wine Tasting and Pairing in Chalandri: $46
  • Athens Small Group Wine Tasting with a Sommelier: $51
  • Athens Wine Tasting and Wine tour at with Castle Visit: $56
  • 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $56
  • Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting: $56
  • Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $56
  • Athens bar crawl: $57

Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $74
  • Private Half Day Arrabida Tour with Wine Tasting in Sesimbra: $140
  • Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $148
  • Private Arrábida Wine Tour from Lisbon with Tastings: $165
  • Évora Walking and Wine Tasting Experience: $228
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting in Lisbon with an Award-Winning Sommelier: $299


When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Setubal, 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 Setubal Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Athens or Setubal?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Setubal, 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 Setubal?

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 Setubal in the Summer?

Both Setubal 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.

In the summer, Athens is a little warmer than Setubal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Setubal averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Setubal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Setubal during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives more rain than Setubal. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Athens 27°C (81°F) 
    Setubal 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Athens or Setubal in the Autumn?

Both Setubal 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.

In October, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Setubal. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Setubal fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Setubal. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 213 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Setubal. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Athens 19°C (67°F) 
    Setubal 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Athens or Setubal in the Winter?

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

Athens is cooler than Setubal in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Setubal fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Setubal during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

Setubal receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Setubal. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Athens 10°C (51°F) 
    Setubal 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Athens or Setubal in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Setubal. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Athens is around the same temperature as Setubal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Setubal averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. 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 Setubal. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 235 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Setubal. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Athens 16°C (60°F) 
    Setubal 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Setubal and Athens

Athens Setubal
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 25 mm (1 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)