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

Should you visit Athens or Wellington?

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 Wellington. 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. 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. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wellington is known for its beaches, hiking, and shopping. 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. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Athens are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Athens is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Athens is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Dining out in Wellington is an experience not to be missed. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Athens or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Athens is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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

Wellington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Athens or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is great for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Wellington for it's beautiful beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Wellington Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a good destination for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Wellington offers some nice hiking trails. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Wellington?

Wellington is great for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local 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 Wellington Better for Families?

Both Athens and Wellington are superb 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.

Wellington is a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Athens or Wellington Better for Couples?

Athens and Wellington both good destinations for a couple.

Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Wellington is a nice destination for couples. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Athens or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Athens is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Wellington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Athens or Wellington Better for Students?

Athens is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

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.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Athens and Wellington both offer superb 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 Wellington is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Athens or Wellington a more walkable city?

Athens and Wellington are superb 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.

Wellington is very walkable. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Athens?

How long in Athens or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Wellington. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

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

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

When visiting Athens, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wellington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Wellington?

When visiting Athens, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Wellington 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 Wellington?

Athens, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wellington?

Athens is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back destination of Wellington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Wellington?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Wellington. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Athens is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin January. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Wellington. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Athens is a little warmer than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Athens is around the same temperature as Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches.

In April, Athens is generally a little warmer than Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin October. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Athens