A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Arachova vs. Thessaloniki for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Arachova or Thessaloniki?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arachova or Thessaloniki, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arachova

Arachova is a outdoorsy, bustling, and beautiful town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arachova and Thessaloniki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arachova or Thessaloniki?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki. Although Arachova and Thessaloniki are popular destinations, Thessaloniki has more sights and attractions for tourists. Thessaloniki is very popular for its museums, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Arachova attracts visitors for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Arachova is famous for its surrounding mountain beauty, festive Christmas atmosphere, and nearby winter skiing. Thessaloniki is famous for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also well known for The Monument of Rotonda.

How is Arachova different from Thessaloniki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Thessaloniki and Arachova. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for Skiing?

Arachova is a popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Thessaloniki is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Arachova is a great destination to visit. The Parnassos Ski Resort is located just 24 kilometers from town and offers skiing that is beautiful and fun. There are spectacular views and the area has gained popularity in recent years. There are lessons for kids and many other fun winter activities nearby.

Thessaloniki is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arachova or Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Thessaloniki can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a huge number of historic and archeological sights in the city. These include the Rotunda of Galerius, the White Tower, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, and the Arch of Galerius.

Arachova offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting sights in the surrounding area, as well as the unique Ai Giorgis Church near town.

Is the Food Better in Arachova or Thessaloniki? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Arachova and Thessaloniki can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arachova makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with old tavernas that serve up traditional local cuisine. You'll find a lot of the local cheese, formaela, as well as a local noodle dish called hilopites. Pork ribs and delicate desserts are also popular.

Thessaloniki has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a huge culinary scene in the city, and you'll find everything from fun street food options to traditional tavernas and even some great international restaurants.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Arachova and Thessaloniki.

Arachova is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are many charming bars around town that stay open late into the night. During the popular winter months, you'll find the streets filled with people that come for the unique winter atmosphere.

Many people head to Thessaloniki for the nightlife scene. It's the second largest city in Greece, and it has large student and tourist populations, so the nightlife scene is among the best in Greece. There are clubs, bars, and lounges that stay busy late into the night.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a city with a few options for its beaches. However, Arachova is not a beach destination.

Thessaloniki is a good spot to see the beach. Although the city's not known for its beaches, there are some places where you can relax by the water, particularly if you're willing to get a bit out of town.

Arachova is not a beach destination.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for its Old Town?

Arachova is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Arachova. The charming old town is at its best during the Christmas season when there are decorations around the town square and the streets are filled with people.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for Hiking?

Arachova is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Thessaloniki is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Arachova. For the best outdoor activities, head to nearby Mount Parnassos, where there's skiing and snowboarding during the winter months and beautiful hikes through the mountainous terrain during the summer months.

Thessaloniki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arachova or Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki is well known for shopping. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Thessaloniki is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are shopping streets as well as large malls and shopping centers. You'll find everything from fashion, jewelry, and handicrafts to most European and international brands.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Arachova. The charming town has many unique shops that sell carpets, woven goods, and local food items.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for Families?

Arachova is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Arachova is very family-friendly. The charming town has long served as a winter escape for those living in Athens. There's plenty for kids to do including and ice skating rink, a horse ranch, and even nearby skiing.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Thessaloniki. The port city has a number of museums and attractions for kids including Dinosaur Park, the Noesis Science and Technology Museum, and the water park known as Waterland. There's also the fascinating Kapani Market that is fun to explore.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for Couples?

Arachova is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Arachova makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a romantic setting with nice accommodation, delicious local taverns, and plenty of unique activities that couples can enjoy.

Thessaloniki is a good town for couples to visit. It's a bustling city that is filled with history and excellent restaurants. Couples who enjoy history and fun cities will appreciate a visit here.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is well known for backpackers. However, Arachova is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Thessaloniki. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Arachova is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers don't think to visit this area on their trip to Greece. There are some guesthouses, but not a lot of hostels, so you might find a limited number of social activities.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is well known for students. However, Arachova is not popular with students.

Thessaloniki is a great city to visit as a student. There's a large student population in the city and you'll find a vibrant nightlife scene, easy transportation options, and a reasonable cost of living.

Arachova is not popular with students.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Arachova and Thessaloniki.

You'll find some public transit in Arachova, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are some public buses in the area.

While Thessaloniki offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

Is Arachova or Thessaloniki a more walkable city?

Arachova and Thessaloniki both are nice when exploring on foot.

Arachova is somewhat walkable. The town has many walkable streets that are fun to explore on foot.

Thessaloniki is a somewhat walkable place. You can explore much of the city center on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Arachova Worth Visiting? and Is Thessaloniki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Thessaloniki or Arachova?

How long in Arachova or Thessaloniki?

It's fun to spend time in either Arachova or Thessaloniki. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Thessaloniki due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Arachova, and 2-4 days is enough time in Thessaloniki.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Thessaloniki than Arachova 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 Thessaloniki.

One day in Arachova or Thessaloniki?

In Arachova, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this outdoorsy town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The city of Thessaloniki offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Arachova or Thessaloniki?

Arachova is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Thessaloniki is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Thessaloniki, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Arachova or Thessaloniki?

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Arachova. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Thessaloniki is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Arachova or Thessaloniki?

Arachova is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Thessaloniki is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arachova and Thessaloniki, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Arachova much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arachova would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arachova 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki than you might in Arachova.

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

Which is Bigger, Arachova or Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Arachova. When comparing the sizes of Arachova and Thessaloniki, 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 Arachova or Thessaloniki?

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 Arachova or Thessaloniki in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arachova as well as Thessaloniki. Many visitors come to Arachova in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Arachova is around the same temperature as Thessaloniki. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arachova in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Thessaloniki averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Thessaloniki. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arachova this time of the year. In the summer, Arachova often gets more sunshine than Thessaloniki. Arachova gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 327 hours of full sun.

Arachova usually gets less rain in July than Thessaloniki. Arachova gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arachova or Thessaloniki in the Autumn?

Both Thessaloniki and Arachova are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Arachova for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Arachova is generally a little warmer than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Arachova average around 19°C (67°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arachova. Arachova usually receives more sunshine than Thessaloniki during autumn. Arachova gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Arachova usually receives more rain than Thessaloniki. Arachova gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arachova or Thessaloniki in the Winter?

Both Thessaloniki and Arachova during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Arachova because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.

Arachova is much warmer than Thessaloniki in the winter. The daily temperature in Arachova averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Arachova often gets more sunshine than Thessaloniki. Arachova gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 101 hours of full sun.

Arachova usually gets more rain in January than Thessaloniki. Arachova gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arachova or Thessaloniki in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arachova and Thessaloniki. The small town charm are the main draw to Arachova this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Arachova is a little warmer than Thessaloniki. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arachova in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Thessaloniki averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Arachova, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arachova usually receives more sunshine than Thessaloniki during spring. Arachova gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 196 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arachova usually receives less rain than Thessaloniki. Arachova gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Thessaloniki and Arachova