Athens vs Vienna

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.

Vienna

Vienna has a continental climate with cold winters, warm summers, and distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are mild but changeable. Summers can be hot, while winter occasionally brings snow to the city.

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.

Vienna

Vienna has an excellent, integrated public transit system run by Wiener Linien covering U-Bahn (metro), trams, and buses. The network is clean, punctual, and runs late on weekends. A 24-hour pass is just eight euros and covers all modes.

Walkability: The historic center (Innere Stadt) is compact and highly walkable, with most major sights within a 20-minute walk of Stephansplatz. The Ringstrasse boulevard encircling the old city is about 5 km and makes a pleasant walk or tram ride.