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

Should you visit Athens or Taormina?

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 Taormina. 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. 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Taormina

Taormina is a beautiful, exclusive, and opulent town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Athens and Taormina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Taormina?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens. Although Athens and Taormina are popular destinations, Athens has more sights and attractions for tourists. Athens is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Taormina attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Athens is famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also well known for The Acropolis. Taormina is famous for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Taormina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

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

Athens is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Athens have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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, Taormina makes for a great culinary experience. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

Is Athens or Taormina Better for Nightlife?

Athens is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Athens is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Taormina offers plenty to do in the evening. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

Is Athens or Taormina Better for Resorts?

Taormina is great for its luxury resorts. However, Athens is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Taormina to choose from. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Taormina Better for Beaches?

Taormina is a good destination for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Taormina offers a nice beach destination. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Taormina Better for its Old Town?

Athens is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Athens has a world-famous historical 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.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Taormina?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Taormina 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.

Taormina is a great destination for shopping. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Athens or Taormina Better for Families?

Athens is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Athens or Taormina Better for Couples?

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

Taormina is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

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 Taormina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Athens or Taormina Better for Students?

Athens is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Athens is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

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.

Taormina has a few public transit options. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Athens or Taormina a more walkable city?

Athens and Taormina are very good 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.

Taormina is very walkable. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

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

Should I spend more time in Taormina or Athens?

How long in Athens or Taormina?

It's fun to spend time in either Athens or Taormina. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Athens due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-4 days is enough time in Taormina.

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

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

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.

Taormina might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Taormina?

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.

Taormina 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 Taormina?

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 Taormina. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Taormina?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Taormina, 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 Taormina?

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 Taormina in the Summer?

Both Taormina and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Athens is around the same temperature as Taormina in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Taormina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Taormina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives around the same amount of rain as Taormina. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Taormina in the Autumn?

Both Taormina and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Athens because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Taormina this time of year.

In the autumn, Athens is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Taormina averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun.

Taormina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Taormina. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Taormina in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Taormina. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Athens is generally cooler than Taormina. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Taormina. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Taormina in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Taormina. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Taormina in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Athens is around the same temperature as Taormina in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Taormina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Taormina. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Taormina and Athens