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

Should you visit Athens or Shanghai?

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 Shanghai. 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 historic, ancient, and vibrant 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a modern, cosmopolitan, and professional port city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Shanghai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Shanghai?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Athens than Shanghai. While Shanghai is larger than Athens, Athens has more sights and attractions for tourists. Athens is more popular for its nightlife and historical sights, while Shanghai is known for its shopping, big city activities, 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. Shanghai is popular for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Shanghai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of terrific museums and attractions in both Shanghai and Athens.

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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Shanghai that are not to be missed. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Shanghai can be an enjoyable experience.

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.

For foodies, Shanghai is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

Is Athens or Shanghai Better for Nightlife?

Athens is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Athens just to party. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Shanghai. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

Is Athens or Shanghai Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Athens is revered around 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.

Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Shanghai?

Shanghai 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 Shanghai specifically to go shopping. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

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 Shanghai Better for Families?

Both Athens and Shanghai are excellent 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.

Shanghai is a very family-friendly place to visit. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

Is Athens or Shanghai Better for Couples?

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

Shanghai is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

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 Shanghai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Shanghai. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

Is Athens or Shanghai Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Shanghai are excellent places to visit.

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

Shanghai is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

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

Athens and Shanghai both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Athens. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Public transit in Shanghai is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

Is Athens or Shanghai a more walkable city?

Athens and Shanghai are excellent 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.

Shanghai is very walkable. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

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

Should I spend more time in Shanghai or Athens?

How long in Athens or Shanghai?

In either Athens or Shanghai, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than Shanghai because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-5 days is enough time in Shanghai.

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

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

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Shanghai. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Shanghai?

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.

Shanghai 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 Shanghai?

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 Shanghai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Shanghai?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the trendy big city of Shanghai. This port 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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Shanghai, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Shanghai is in Asia, 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 Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Shanghai.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Shanghai?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Shanghai, 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 Shanghai?

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 Shanghai in the Summer?

Both Shanghai and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.

In July, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Shanghai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun.

Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in July than Shanghai. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Shanghai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Shanghai. 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 Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Athens is around the same temperature as Shanghai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Shanghai fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Shanghai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Shanghai. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Shanghai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shanghai. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets more rain in January than Shanghai. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Shanghai in the Spring?

Both Shanghai and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Shanghai. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shanghai and Athens