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

Should you visit Athens or Tulum?

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 Tulum. 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 historic, ancient, and vibrant city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Athens travel costs.

Tulum

Tulum is a tropical, active, and lively town. With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Tulum travel costs.

Athens and Tulum: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Tulum?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Athens than Tulum, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Athens is better known for its food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Tulum is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Tulum is more touristy than Athens and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Athens is well known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Tulum?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Tulum and Athens.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Tulum that are not to be missed. It's famous for its world-renowned archeological ruins. The Tulum Archeological Site is very popular for its Mayan temples and castles. You can also travel a bit further to see the Cobá Ruins.

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

Athens is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Tulum has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Despite being well established as a top tourist destination in Mexico, you'll still find authentic and delicious local cuisine. Favorite dishes around town include the ceviche, tacos al pastor, and sopa de lima (chicken soup).

Is Athens or Tulum Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is fantastic in both Athens and Tulum.

The nightlife in Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Tulum is a world class party destination. It's world renowned for its wild nightlife scene and you'll find iconic beach parties, jungle raves, and trendy Tuluminati parties. Most of the local places that are a bit more affordable are in town, and the more touristy and expensive places are around the Middle Beach Zone.

Is Athens or Tulum Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Athens is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Tulum for its luxury resorts. If you're on a budget, you can stay in town for a more reasonable price, but if you want a classic beach vacation, head to the Zona Hotelera stretch along the coast. There are luxury hotels as well as resorts with beachfront pools and luxury restaurants.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Tulum Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Tulum. The water along the coast is shallow and clear, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are also dive trips that take you a short distance out to diverse and beautiful reefs.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Tulum Better for Beaches?

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

Tulum offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. World class beaches with turquoise water and long stretches of sand make this a true beach-lovers paradise. Playa Paraíso is a favorite beach in the area and many consider it among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Tulum Better for its Old Town?

Athens is terrific for its historic old town. However, Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Athens has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Tulum Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Tulum for the hiking trails. There are coastal walks and routes that take you through the jungle or by archeological ruins. There are many places where you can enjoy a stroll through nature.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Tulum?

Tulum 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 Tulum. Quirky souvenir shops, local artisan boutiques, and colorful bazaars make shopping a fun experience. Make sure you check out Mercado Maya or the Tulum Bazaar while you're in town.

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 Tulum More Beautiful?

Tulum is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

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

Is Athens or Tulum Better for Families?

Both Athens and Tulum are very good 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.

Tulum is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the beaches and archeological sights as much as adults. You can also visit a cenote or see the sea turtles at Akumal Bay. If you're open to getting out of town, there are many adventure parks in the area as well.

Is Athens or Tulum Better for Couples?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Tulum is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Beautiful beaches, world famous archeological sights, and a wild nightlife scene make this a great honeymoon or couple's destination. There are also spas, cenotes, and even cooking classes that you can take together.

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 Athens or Tulum Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is terrific for backpackers. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Many backpackers visit Tulum. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

Is Athens or Tulum Better for Students?

Athens is a well-known place for students. However, Tulum is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Tulum is not popular with students.

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

Athens is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Athens can move around easily with public transportation. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Tulum has some public transit options. There are shared vans, Collectivos, that provide transportation through the area. The Tiburon is also a local bus that runs along the coastline.

Is Athens or Tulum a more walkable city?

Athens and Tulum are very good 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.

Tulum is very walkable. It's easy to walk around downtown Tulum and explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Tulum or Athens?

How long in Athens or Tulum?

In either Athens or Tulum, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than Tulum because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tulum.

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

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

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

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Athens or Tulum?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Tulum 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 Athens or Tulum?

Athens is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tulum. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Athens or Tulum?

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively destination of Tulum. This town 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.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Tulum?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Tulum, 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 Tulum?

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 Athens or Tulum in the Summer?

Both Tulum and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Athens is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Tulum averages at about 28°C (83°F).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Tulum. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun.

Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in July than Tulum. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Tulum in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Tulum. The autumn months attract visitors to Athens because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tulum this time of year.

In October, Athens is generally cooler than Tulum. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tulum during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Tulum. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Should I visit Athens or Tulum in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Tulum. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Athens is much colder than Tulum in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. In the winter, Athens often gets less sunshine than Tulum. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Tulum. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Tulum in the Spring?

Both Tulum and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Athens is much colder than Tulum. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Tulum. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Tulum. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Tulum and Athens