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

Should you visit Athens or Sydney?

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 Sydney. 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. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sydney

Sydney is a energetic, outdoorsy, and adventurous 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Athens and Sydney: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Sydney?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sydney than Athens. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sydney is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Athens attracts visitors for its food and historical sights. Athens is famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Sydney is famous for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also well known for the Sydney Opera House.

How is Athens different from Sydney?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of world-class museums and attractions in both Sydney 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 Sydney that are not to be missed. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

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

Athens is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Athens is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sydney. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

Is Athens or Sydney Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is world-class in both Athens and Sydney.

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.

Sydney is a world class party destination. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Is Athens or Sydney Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney 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 Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Sydney Better for Beaches?

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

Sydney offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Sydney Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Athens offers plenty to see. 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.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Sydney Better for Hiking?

Sydney is great for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Sydney for the hiking trails. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Sydney?

Sydney 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 Sydney specifically to go shopping. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

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 Sydney Better for Families?

Sydney 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, Sydney is very family-friendly. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

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 Sydney Better for Couples?

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

Sydney is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

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 Sydney Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Athens and Sydney are world-class places to visit.

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.

Sydney is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Is Athens or Sydney Better for Students?

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

Sydney is a very popular place to visit for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

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 Sydney Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors in Sydney can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Public transit in Athens is fairly effecient and thorough. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Is Athens or Sydney a more walkable city?

Athens and Sydney are great 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.

Sydney is very walkable. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Sydney or Athens?

How long in Athens or Sydney?

Both Athens and Sydney have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Sydney has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sydney than Athens. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Athens 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 Sydney.

One day in Athens or Sydney?

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Sydney. 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 Sydney?

Athens is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sydney is a great place to explore. 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 Sydney?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. 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 Sydney?

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse big city of Sydney. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Sydney?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Athens has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Athens or Sydney in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Sydney. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Sydneyin January. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. Athens usually gets less rain in July than Sydneyin January. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Sydney in the Autumn?

Both Sydney and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sydney because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Athens is around the same temperature as Sydney. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Sydney averages at about 19°C (65°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sydney during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Sydneyin April. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Sydney in the Winter?

Both Sydney and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

In January, Athens is generally cooler than Sydneyin July. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Athens often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin July. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Sydneyin July. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Sydney in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Sydney. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Athens is cooler than Sydney in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sydney during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Sydneyin October. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sydney and Athens