A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mount Bromo vs. Atami for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Mount Bromo or Atami?

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

Should I visit Mount Bromo or Atami? 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.

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is a spectacular, breathtaking, and scenic volcano. Mount Bromo is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Atami

Atami is a overlooked, nostalgic, and authentic town. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Atami travel costs.

Mount Bromo and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mount Bromo or Atami?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Atami. Although Mount Bromo and Atami are popular destinations, Atami has more sights and attractions for tourists. Atami is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Mount Bromo attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Mount Bromo is more touristy than Atami and is known for its sunrise views and scenic setting. Atami is famous for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches. It is also well known for Kinomiya Shrine.

How is Mount Bromo different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mount Bromo or Atami?

Atami is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Atami is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Mount Bromo or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Atami is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Atami. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Mount Bromo. You'll find cheap noodle and rice dishes at the warungs in Cemoro Lawang. Some hotels have breakfast and you should pick up some food and water for the hike at a grocery store in town. There are also some stalls along the route, some that are open even at 3am to accommodate early hikers.

Is Mount Bromo or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Atami is a popular place for nightlife. However, Mount Bromo is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Atami has a few options to choose from. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

People don't go to Mount Bromo for the nightlife. The stars and the early morning hike are the only nightlife you'll find here.

Is Mount Bromo or Atami Better for Beaches?

Atami is a popular place for its beaches. However, Mount Bromo is not a beach destination.

Atami is a good option for a beach vacation. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Mount Bromo is not a beach destination.

Is Mount Bromo or Atami Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Mount Bromo. The setting is beautiful, and best experienced at sunrise, which means most people hike through the night. Some people take horses and most people organized guided tours.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mount Bromo or Atami?

Atami is a popular place for shopping. However, Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Atami. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Mount Bromo or Atami More Beautiful?

Mount Bromo is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Atami is not a destination known for its beauty.

Mount Bromo is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

Atami is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mount Bromo or Atami Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Mount Bromo or Atami.

Mount Bromo offers lots of family activities. It really depends on the age of your kids and their personality and adaptability as to whether this is a good trip for them. Many of the tours start in the middle of the night so you can see the spectacular sunrise. The trip can be a bit uncomfortable, but everyone is guaranteed an adventure!

Atami is a family-friendly place to visit. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Mount Bromo or Atami Better for Couples?

Mount Bromo is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Mount Bromo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic sunrises and stunning views make this a wonderful destination for couples. The surroundings are surreal and you will long remember the experience.

Atami is a good volcano for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Mount Bromo or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Mount Bromo and Atami are nice places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mount Bromo. Some backpackers choose to go without a guided tour, and this will let you save money. Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to the volcano.

Atami is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Mount Bromo or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atami is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its public transit.

While Atami offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Public transit is generally limited in Mount Bromo. Most people visit with a guided tour because this saves a lot of time and allows you to see the sunrise.

Is Mount Bromo or Atami a more walkable city?

Mount Bromo and Atami are nice when it comes to walkability.

Mount Bromo is somewhat walkable. The walk takes you across the sand and up some stairs. It's usually less than an hour.

Atami is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Mount Bromo Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Mount Bromo?

How long in Mount Bromo or Atami?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atami than Mount Bromo 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 Atami.

One day in Mount Bromo or Atami?

In Mount Bromo, many people enjoy the that this scenic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This volcano offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic town of Atami. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Mount Bromo or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mount Bromo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the overlooked destination of Atami. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Mount Bromo or Atami?

Mount Bromo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Mount Bromo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The authentic town of Atami offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Mount Bromo or Atami?

You'll find around the scenic destination of Mount Bromo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atami. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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