A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cape Sounion vs. Toulon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Cape Sounion or Toulon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Toulon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion is a spectacular, iconic, and impressive destination. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and museums.

Toulon

Toulon is a off-the-beaten-path, real world, and industrial port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Cape Sounion and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Sounion or Toulon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Toulon than Cape Sounion, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Toulon is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, and shopping, while Cape Sounion is more popular for its museums. Cape Sounion is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its link to Greek mythology and its stunningly beautiful sunsets. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. Also, Toulon is famous for The Old Town.

How is Cape Sounion different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toulon and Cape Sounion. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Sounion or Toulon?

Cape Sounion is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Cape Sounion that are not to be missed. The Temple of Poseidon is the main attraction here, but also nearby you'll find the Temple of Athena. The views, history, and connection to mythology fascinates most visitors who consider this to be a spectacular sight.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

Is the Food Better in Cape Sounion or Toulon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cape Sounion and Toulon offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Cape Sounion is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes as well as fine dining restaurants which are mostly located in hotels. Seafood is the cuisine of choice with many delicious Greek dishes available.

Toulon offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Cape Sounion or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Toulon is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Cape Sounion is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Cape Sounion is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some bars and lounges that are connected to hotels. If you're spending the night, these are nice places to enjoy a drink in a beautiful setting.

Is Cape Sounion or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Cape Sounion is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Cape Sounion is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cape Sounion or Toulon Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Cape Sounion and Toulon are notable choices.

Cape Sounion is a good option for a beach vacation. If you allow enough time, there are a couple of beaches where you can swim while enjoying views of the temple.

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Cape Sounion or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Cape Sounion does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Toulon is worth visiting. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Cape Sounion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Sounion or Toulon?

Toulon is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cape Sounion or Toulon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cape Sounion or Toulon.

Cape Sounion is a family-friendly destination. Kids who like mythology will appreciated a trip to the famed Temple of Poseidon. It dates back to the 5th century and is dedicated to the God of the Sea. Also nearby is the Temple of Athena.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Toulon. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Cape Sounion or Toulon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cape Sounion and Toulon make for a notable place to visit.

Cape Sounion is a good destination for couples to visit. Couples should definitely stay for the stunning sunset which provides dramatic oranges, pinks, and reds at the sun dips below the horizon.

Toulon is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Cape Sounion or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cape Sounion and Toulon are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cape Sounion. The Temple of Poseidon is an iconic site about an hour and a half outside of Athens. It appeals to all types of travelers, including backpackers and budget travelers.

Toulon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Cape Sounion or Toulon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Cape Sounion and Toulon.

Cape Sounion has some public transit options. There are local buses that travel from Athens to Cape Sounion and take between 2 and 3 hours.

You'll find some public transit in Toulon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Cape Sounion or Toulon a more walkable city?

Toulon is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Toulon is a very walkable destination. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

Cape Sounion is somewhat walkable. You can walk around the archeological site and the bus stops close enough that it is accessible.

For even more information, also check out Is Cape Sounion Worth Visiting? and Is Toulon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Cape Sounion?

How long in Cape Sounion or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cape Sounion or Toulon to fill your time. In our opinion, Toulon has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Toulon than Cape Sounion. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toulon than Cape Sounion 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 Toulon.

One day in Cape Sounion or Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Cape Sounion. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Toulon, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this real world port city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

A weekend in Cape Sounion or Toulon?

Cape Sounion is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Toulon is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cape Sounion or Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cape Sounion. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the real world destination of Toulon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Cape Sounion or Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the impressive destination of Cape Sounion. This destination offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Toulon is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Sounion and Toulon, we can see that Cape Sounion is more expensive. And not only is Toulon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toulon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toulon 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 Cape Sounion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Sounion than you might in Toulon.

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

Which is Bigger, Cape Sounion or Toulon?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Cape Sounion. When comparing the sizes of Cape Sounion and Toulon, 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 Cape Sounion or Toulon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Toulon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cape Sounion as well as Toulon. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cape Sounion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cape Sounion is a little warmer than Toulon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cape Sounion in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Toulon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Sounion this time of the year. In the summer, Cape Sounion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon. Cape Sounion gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets more rain in July than Toulon. Cape Sounion gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Toulon in the Autumn?

Both Toulon and Cape Sounion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cape Sounion for the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cape Sounion is generally a little warmer than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Cape Sounion average around 19°C (67°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Sounion. Cape Sounion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon during autumn. Cape Sounion gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Toulon. Cape Sounion gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Cape Sounion during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cape Sounion in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cape Sounion is much warmer than Toulon in the winter. The daily temperature in Cape Sounion averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Cape Sounion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon. Cape Sounion gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in January than Toulon. Cape Sounion gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Toulon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Sounion and Toulon. Most visitors come to Cape Sounion for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cape Sounion is a little warmer than Toulon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cape Sounion in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Toulon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In Cape Sounion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Sounion usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during spring. Cape Sounion gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Toulon. Cape Sounion gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Cape Sounion