A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Chania vs. Athens for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Chania or Athens?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Athens, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a picturesque, historic, and idyllic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Athens

Athens is a vibrant, energetic, and historic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chania and Athens: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Athens?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Chania than Athens. While Athens is larger than Chania, Chania has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chania is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Athens attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty. Chania is famous for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also well known for The Venetian Harbor. Athens is famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy.

How is Chania different from Athens?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chania or Athens?

Athens is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Athens on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Chania. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

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

Foodies will find both Chania and Athens both to be world-class destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

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.

Is Chania or Athens Better for Nightlife?

Athens is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

People head to Athens just to party. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

If you're looking for night time activities Chania has a few options to choose from. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

Is Chania or Athens Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Chania. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Athens Better for Beaches?

Chania is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Chania offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Chania or Athens Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Athens is revered around the world. 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.

Chania is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Is Chania or Athens Better for Hiking?

Chania is great for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Chania for the hiking trails. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Athens?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Athens and Chania.

Many visitors go to Chania to go shopping. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Athens. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Chania or Athens Better for Families?

Chania and Athens are both great destinations for the whole family.

Chania is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

Athens is a very family-friendly destination. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Is Chania or Athens Better for Couples?

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

Chania is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

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 Chania or Athens Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Athens is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Chania is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

Is Chania or Athens Better for Students?

Athens is well known for students. However, Chania is not popular with students.

Athens is a great city to visit as a student. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Chania is not popular with students.

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

Athens is well known for its public transit. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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.

While Chania offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

Is Chania or Athens a more walkable city?

Chania and Athens both are great when exploring on foot.

Chania is a very walkable destination. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

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 Chania Worth Visiting? and Is Athens Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Athens or Chania?

How long in Chania or Athens?

Both Chania and Athens have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Chania. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 3-7 days is enough time in Athens.

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Chania. 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.

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chania or Athens?

Chania 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.

Athens 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 Chania or Athens?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chania. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Chania or Athens?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Chania. 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.

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Greece, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Greece.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chania or Athens?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania and Athens, 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 Chania or Athens?

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 Chania or Athens in the Summer?

Both Athens and Chania during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chania for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Chania is around the same temperature as Athens in the summer. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Athens fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chania. In the summer, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Athens. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Athens receives 357 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in July than Athens. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Athens receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Athens in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Athens. Many visitors come to Chania in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Chania is around the same temperature as Athens. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chania in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Athens averages at about 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Athens during autumn. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Athens receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chania usually receives more rain than Athens. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Athens receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chania or Athens in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chania as well as Athens. Most visitors come to Chania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Chania is generally a little warmer than Athens. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 12°C (54°F), and Athens fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the winter, Chania often gets less sunshine than Athens. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Athens receives 143 hours of full sun.

Chania receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chania usually gets more rain in January than Athens. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Athens receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Athens in the Spring?

Both Athens and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Chania because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year.

Chania is around the same temperature as Athens in the spring. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Athens fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Athens during spring. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Athens receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chania usually receives more rain than Athens. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Athens receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Athens and Chania