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

Should you visit Athens or Vancouver?

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 Vancouver. 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. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Athens travel costs.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a diverse, friendly, and outdoorsy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Vancouver attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Vancouver travel costs.

Athens and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Vancouver?

You'll generally find more things to do in Vancouver than Athens. Vancouver is bigger than Athens, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Vancouver is better known for its hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Athens is more popular for its food, nightlife, and historical sights. Athens is well known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Vancouver is well known for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. Also, Vancouver is famous for Stanley Park.

How is Athens different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of terrific museums and attractions in both Vancouver 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 Vancouver that are not to be missed. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

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

Athens is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Vancouver is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Vancouver. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

Is Athens or Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Athens is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Vancouver is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Athens is a world class party destination. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Vancouver has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

Is Athens or Vancouver Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. However, Vancouver does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Athens can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Vancouver does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Vancouver is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Vancouver?

Vancouver 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 Vancouver specifically to go shopping. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

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 Vancouver More Beautiful?

Vancouver is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Vancouver attracts visitors from all around. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.

Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.

Is Athens or Vancouver Better for Families?

Both Athens and Vancouver 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.

Vancouver is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

Is Athens or Vancouver Better for Couples?

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

Vancouver is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

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 Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Vancouver is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Athens. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Vancouver is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around town.

Is Athens or Vancouver Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Vancouver 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.

Vancouver is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

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

Vancouver 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 Vancouver can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

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 Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Vancouver is a very easy city to get around on foot. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

Athens is very walkable. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Athens?

How long in Athens or Vancouver?

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

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

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

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Vancouver. 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 Vancouver?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Vancouver 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 Vancouver?

People visit Athens because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

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

Athens is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly big city of Vancouver. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Vancouver, 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. Even though Athens is in Europe and Vancouver is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Vancouver?

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

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 Vancouver in the Summer?

Both Vancouver and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

In the summer, Athens is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Vancouver. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Vancouver for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Athens is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Vancouver in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Vancouver. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Vancouver in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. Athens is much warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Vancouver. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Vancouver for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Athens is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Athens usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Athens