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

Should you visit Athens or Trieste?

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 Trieste. 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.

Trieste

Trieste is a cultural, historic, and dynamic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Trieste?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Athens than Trieste. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Athens is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Trieste attracts visitors for its beaches. Athens is more touristy than Trieste 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. Trieste is famous for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

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

Athens is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Trieste offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Athens or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Trieste has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Is Athens or Trieste Better for Beaches?

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

Trieste offers a nice beach destination. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Trieste to see the historical old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Trieste?

Athens is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Athens or Trieste Better for Families?

Both Athens and Trieste are very good 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.

Trieste is a very family-friendly place to visit. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

Is Athens or Trieste Better for Couples?

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

Trieste is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

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 Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Trieste. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Is Athens or Trieste Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Trieste are very good places to visit.

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

Trieste is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

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

Athens and Trieste both offer very good 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 Trieste is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

Is Athens or Trieste a more walkable city?

Athens and Trieste 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.

Trieste is very walkable. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Athens?

How long in Athens or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Athens or Trieste. 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 Trieste.

Families should spend more time in Athens than Trieste. 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 Trieste 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 Trieste?

Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Trieste. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Trieste?

Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Trieste 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 Trieste?

Athens is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Athens has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic destination of Trieste. This 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Trieste?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Trieste. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Trieste. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Trieste because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Athens is a little warmer than Trieste in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Trieste this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Trieste during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Trieste. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Trieste in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Trieste. 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. Additionally, the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.

In the autumn, Athens is a little warmer than Trieste. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Trieste averages at about 16°C (60°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 Trieste. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Trieste. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Trieste in the Winter?

Both Trieste and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Trieste for the museums and the cuisine.

In January, Athens is generally much warmer than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Trieste during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Trieste. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Trieste in the Spring?

Both Trieste and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Trieste in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Trieste. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Trieste. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Athens