Athens vs Seville

Athens

Athens has a hot Mediterranean climate with long, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 35°C and the Acropolis bakes in the sun. Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing. Winter is mild with some rain but temperatures rarely drop below 5°C.

Seville

Seville has a Mediterranean climate with scorching summers and mild winters. The city is famous for extreme summer heat, making spring and autumn the ideal seasons to visit. Winter is mild and pleasant with occasional rain.

Athens

Athens has a modern metro system (built for the 2004 Olympics), extensive bus and trolleybus network, and a tram line to the coast. A single ticket costs €1.20 and is valid for 90 minutes on all modes. The 5-day tourist ticket (€9) is excellent value.

Walkability: Central Athens is very walkable, though hilly in places. The pedestrianized Dionyssiou Areopagitou walkway around the Acropolis is one of Europe's finest urban walks. Plaka, Monastiraki, and Syntagma are all within easy walking distance of each other. The heat in summer can make walking exhausting — carry water.

Seville

Seville's old town is compact and best explored on foot. The city has a single metro line, an extensive bus network, a tram, and an excellent public bike-sharing system (Sevici). The historic center is largely pedestrianized.

Walkability: Seville's centro historico is very walkable and largely flat. The main sights are clustered within a 20-minute walk of each other. The pedestrianized streets around the Cathedral and Santa Cruz are delightful. Summer heat is the main obstacle to walking.