Athensis 6% cheaper Dorms avg $21/night vs $26/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇬🇷 Athens
🇪🇸 Bilbao
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★
22 hostels, avg 8.8 rating
—
Couple on a budget
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $82/night
—
Digital nomad
★★★★★
Coffee $4.25, dorms avg $21
—
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★
Beer $5.89, 22 hostels
—
First-time Europer
★★★★★
19 attractions
—
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇬🇷 Athens | 🇪🇸 Bilbao | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
brokepackr Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $48 cheaper | $51 | $3/day |
backpackr Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $77 cheaper | $79 | $2/day |
flashpackr Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $121 | $116 cheaper | $5/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇬🇷 Athens | 🇪🇸 Bilbao |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $17.68 10% less | $19.61 |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $35.37 6% less | $37.49 |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $5.89 | $3.75 36% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $4.25 | $2.41 43% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $1.41 28% less | $1.96 |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇬🇷▼
Athens
Greece
40
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $21/night). Strong hostel scene (22 hostels).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelOkupa (9.8)
Annual dorm avg$21/night
Total hostels22
🇪🇸
Bilbao
Spain
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelHabitación con balcón centro Bilbao Artístico (10.0)
Annual dorm avg$26/night
Total hostels15
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇬🇷 Athens
🇪🇸 Bilbao
🇪🇺 EU / EEA
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇺🇸 US
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇬🇧 UK
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇦🇺 Australia
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇨🇦 Canada
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
Flights
Getting There
City to City
Getting Between Athens & Bilbao
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇬🇷 Athens
16°C
High
/
8°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 45mm/month
Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun
🇪🇸 Bilbao
18°C
High
/
8°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 84mm/month
Best months: Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🇬🇷 Athens
1. Prison of SocratesFree
2. Kimon's TombFree
3. Memorial of MichallidisFree
🇪🇸 Bilbao
1. Itsasmuseum BilbaoFree
2. Ariz dorreaFree
3. Convento de San FranciscoFree
4. MamanFree
5. Parque Ibarrola - EmbarcaFree
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Athens or Bilbao cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Athens vs Bilbao?+
Do I need a visa for Athens or Bilbao?+
When is the best time to visit Athens or Bilbao?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Athens and Bilbao?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Keep Exploring
Explore These Cities
Ready to book?
Plan a trip to both cities
Full itinerary with real-time flights, hostels & transport — built on our 64k+ price index.
Build Your Itinerary →Free · No account required · Results in under 30 seconds