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

Should you visit Athens or Sendai?

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 Sendai. 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. Athens is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Athens travel costs.

Sendai

Sendai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively 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, beaches, and shopping. See Sendai travel costs.

Athens and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Sendai?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Athens than Sendai. While Sendai is larger than Athens, Athens has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Athens is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Sendai is known for its beaches 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. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Athens is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Sendai 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sendai. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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

Athens is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Athens is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Athens or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Athens is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Athens is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

The people in Sendai know how to have a good time. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

Is Athens or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a good destination for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Sendai offers a nice beach destination. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Sendai Better for its Old Town?

Athens is renowned for its old town. However, Sendai does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Athens is one of the most recognized in 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.

Sendai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

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 Sendai More Beautiful?

Athens is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Athens is a beautiful place to visit, too. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.

Sendai is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Athens or Sendai Better for Families?

Both Athens and Sendai are great 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.

Sendai is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Is Athens or Sendai Better for Couples?

Athens and Sendai 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.

Sendai is a nice destination for couples. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Athens or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai 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.

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

Is Athens or Sendai Better for Students?

Athens is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sendai 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.

Sendai is not popular with students.

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

Athens and Sendai both offer great 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 Sendai is fairly effecient and thorough. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

Is Athens or Sendai a more walkable city?

Athens and Sendai are great 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.

Sendai is very walkable. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Athens?

How long in Athens or Sendai?

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

Families should spend more time in Athens than Sendai. 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 Sendai. 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 Sendai 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 Sendai?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sendai. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Sendai?

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.

Sendai 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 Sendai?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sendai. 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 Sendai?

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Sendai. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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, 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 Athens and Sendai, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Sendai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Sendai is in Asia, 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 Sendai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sendai 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 Sendai.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Athens or Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Sendai. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Athens is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Sendai. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Sendai. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sendai because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Athens is a little warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Sendai. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

It's quite cold in Sendai in the winter. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Athens is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Athens