A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Thiva (Thebes) vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Thiva (Thebes) and Pompeii can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Thiva (Thebes)

Thiva (Thebes) is a vibrant, historic, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a iconic, one-of-a-kind, and ancient archeological site. And you can't forget about the museums.

Thiva (Thebes) and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Thiva (Thebes). Although Thiva (Thebes) and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Thiva (Thebes) has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Thiva (Thebes) is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Pompeii is known for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Thiva (Thebes) and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Thiva (Thebes) is popular for its standing as one of the oldest cities in the world. It is also home to The Archeological Museum.

How is Thiva (Thebes) different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pompeii and Thiva (Thebes). Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

Pompeii is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Thiva (Thebes) is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Pompeii are among the most recognizable in the world. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Thiva (Thebes). The city is filled with archeological museums and sights that reflect its long-running history as one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Is the Food Better in Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Thiva (Thebes) is very good for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Thiva (Thebes) is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's a large city with restaurants that cater to locals and visitors alike. You can expect high quality ingredients at a fraction of the price that you'll find in more touristy areas.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Thiva (Thebes) is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Thiva (Thebes). The city is filled with lively cafes, bars, and pubs that spill out onto the city's vibrant squares.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

Thiva (Thebes) is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Thiva (Thebes) has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find all of the normal retail options around town. Many are in shopping centers and malls.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Thiva (Thebes) is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Pompeii is a very kid-friendly archeological site. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Thiva (Thebes) offers lots of family activities. Kids who are interested in history will appreciate the many archeological ruins and museums in the city.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Pompeii is a archeological site with good options for its romantic activities. However, Thiva (Thebes) is a city with minimal options for couples.

Pompeii makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Thiva (Thebes) is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's often overlooked as a honeymoon destination in Greece but the history of this long-running city is unique. Today it's a large city but you can still catch glimpses of its past.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pompeii is a archeological site with good options for backpackers. However, Thiva (Thebes) is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Pompeii is a good archeological site to visit for backpackers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Thiva (Thebes) is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really on the backpacker circuit so their aren't a lot of hostels in town.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii Better for Students?

Pompeii is a archeological site with good options for students. However, Thiva (Thebes) is not popular with students.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Thiva (Thebes) is not popular with students.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Thiva (Thebes) and Pompeii.

You'll find some public transit in Thiva (Thebes), but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses in the area.

While Pompeii offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Thiva (Thebes) is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Pompeii on foot is easy. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

Thiva (Thebes) is a somewhat walkable city. Some areas are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Thiva (Thebes) Worth Visiting? and Is Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Thiva (Thebes)?

How long in Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Pompeii than Thiva (Thebes). You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Pompeii that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pompeii than Thiva (Thebes) 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 Pompeii.

One day in Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

In Thiva (Thebes), you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Pompeii, you'll find museums. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

In Thiva (Thebes), you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Thiva (Thebes) has to offer.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

Thiva (Thebes) is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pompeii. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thiva (Thebes). Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Thiva (Thebes). One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the archeological site of Pompeii. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Thiva (Thebes) Expensive? and Is Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii?

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 Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thiva (Thebes) as well as Pompeii. Many visitors come to Thiva (Thebes) in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Thiva (Thebes) is a little warmer than Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thiva (Thebes) in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thiva (Thebes) this time of the year. In the summer, Thiva (Thebes) often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Thiva (Thebes) gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Thiva (Thebes) usually gets less rain in July than Pompeii. Thiva (Thebes) gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Thiva (Thebes) are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Thiva (Thebes) for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Thiva (Thebes) is generally a little warmer than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Thiva (Thebes) average around 19°C (67°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Thiva (Thebes). Thiva (Thebes) usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Thiva (Thebes) gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In October, Thiva (Thebes) usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Thiva (Thebes) gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Thiva (Thebes) during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Thiva (Thebes) because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums are the main draw to Pompeii this time of year.

Thiva (Thebes) is a little warmer than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Thiva (Thebes) averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Thiva (Thebes) often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Thiva (Thebes) gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Thiva (Thebes) usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Thiva (Thebes) gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thiva (Thebes) or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thiva (Thebes) and Pompeii. The activities around the city are the main draw to Thiva (Thebes) this time of year.

In the spring, Thiva (Thebes) is a little warmer than Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thiva (Thebes) in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Thiva (Thebes), it's very sunny this time of the year. Thiva (Thebes) usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Thiva (Thebes) gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thiva (Thebes) usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Thiva (Thebes) gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Thiva (Thebes)