Sunny city comparison: Athens vs Lisbon ⚔️
Scrolling through the City Job Offers webpage and seeing jobs in Barcelona, Athens, Lisbon, Valencia... there are many sunny opportunities! Either you're exploring the possibility to work abroad, or if you're abroad already, you want to make the right choice. All cities seem to have their own charms, but they all share the Mediterranean warmth ☀️. Winter cold is off-topic, and if it gets chilly, after a few weeks you feel the pleasant warmth again. Specially if you're used to cold winters, these cities are all perfect to explore in wintertime. Guess what: September is coming to an end. You better prepare yourself to live in your favorite city, just before winter starts ! As there's plenty of job opportunities in Athena and Lisbon, we compare their pros and, well, pros () for you. We share some outstanding benefits both cities have by day and night. You'll decide which city truly steals the spotlight. It's on, Athena and Lisbon! ⚔️
Outdoor Activities and Natural Beauty ✨
As the weather is good basically all year round in both Athens and Lisbon, both offer plenty of outdoor activities. Their stunning natural landscapes make you want to go outside and explore these. Lisbon enjoys a mild climate and is known for its beautiful beaches, such as Cascais and Costa da Caparica. Here you can soak up the sun and relax after a long day at work, or on your off days you just stay right there all day. As there's no rush in the Portuguese culture, you can go surfing, enjoy various water sports and then lay back on the beach till the sun goes down . Tranquilo, from Cascais back to Lisbon, your train ride takes less than an hour. You'll be back in time to go to work the next morning .
Athens, although not directly on the coast, provides easy access to breathtaking nearby islands like Aegina and Hydra ️. In less than 90 minutes, you get there by ferry. This means you'll make the most out of your trip to these beautiful islands, if you have a day off. However, these precious parts of Greece divine are totally worth a visit, and (probably) outplay what you used to call your home! Additionally, Athens offers opportunities for hiking in its surrounding mountain ranges, such as Mount Lycabettus, where you can get your exercise in, while absorbing breathtaking views. That's what we call winning .
Cultural Heritage
Athens and Lisbon are steeped in rich history, offering numerous cultural attractions for you to explore. If you are interested in seeing authentic history, then Athens has it all for you. Athens, is renowned for its countless ancient preserved ruins, including the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum. Authentic pieces, like temples, are restored and are of big importance to its current population. This way the cultural heritage makes Athens a unique city, where you feel a history meets modernity - kind of atmosphere. If you want to dig deeper into its heritage, you can visit the National Archaeological Museum. Want to discover its authentic atmosphere while feeling the present atmosphere? Find real life examples of Greek folk art in Athens' oldest neighborhood, Plaka .
Lisbon, on the other hand, goes way back with its heritage as well, and has some public historic sites. However, most of its heritage is restored in museums and art galleries in its charming neighborhoods, such as Alfama and Bairro Alto. The rich cultural heritage has a diverse history, which is evident in the iconic monuments like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. For more authentic ancient Portuguese art, you can pay a visit to The National Museum of Ancient Art ️. In either of the cities, you can immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of these cities by visiting historical sites and engaging with their cultural heritage.
Nightlife and Entertainment
When it comes to vibrant nightlife and endless entertainment options, both cities, again (told you, we're talking about pros and pros!), emerge as top contenders . Both have unique offerings for everyone's taste. Lisbon is known for its trendy bars, clubs, and rooftop hangouts, with a mix of traditional fado and mainstream music. Its earlier mentioned Bairro Alto, and LX Factory showcase a modern and alternative scene. Bairro Alto comes alive at night, with lots of diverse bars and clubs at your disposal, and at that of locals. LX Factory breathes music events, art exhibitions, while having plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs. For a unique nightlife experience, you visit the former red-light district Pink Street in the neighborhood of Cais do Sodré. No worries, now there's fancy bars, nightclubs and live music events we think you'd like to try!
Athens, on the other, offers a diverse range of bars, clubs, and live music venues. It has an edge, as it combines historic charm with contemporary entertainment. Nestled at the foot of the Acropolis is the Plaka District, you'll live this scenic nightlife. In the narrow streets of Plaka there's a mix of traditional tavernas, live music venues and pubs. If you move more towards the heart of Athens, you'll find the nightlife you might be more familiar with at the Gazi District. There's many vibrant clubs, bars and live music venues, with Technopolis as its hotspot for live concerts and big events. Last but not least, the trendy neighborhood Psirri District is nice if you like modern bars, cozy lounges, and rooftop terraces.
That's many pros and pros! Either city you choose, you know there's many gems to find . Either you're an early bird, or a night owl, there are plenty of things to see and do at day- and nighttime. Again, in both cities... .
So... Which city won the battle? Will you get a job and start your life in Athens or in Lisbon?! Scroll through our job offers in your own language ✨.
Want to find out what moving abroad for work actually feels like? Read about the experience of expat Mathias in Lisbon here.
