A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Thessaloniki vs. Alicante for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Alicante?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Alicante? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Alicante

Alicante is a cultural, colorful, and authentic city. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Alicante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Alicante?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki. Although Thessaloniki and Alicante are roughly the same size, Thessaloniki has more sights and attractions for tourists. Thessaloniki is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Alicante is more popular for its beaches and historical sights. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Also, Thessaloniki is famous for The Monument of Rotonda. Alicante is well known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Thessaloniki different from Alicante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Thessaloniki and Alicante.

Thessaloniki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Alicante specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

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

Foodies will find both Thessaloniki and Alicante both to be great destinations.

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.

Dining out in Alicante is an experience not to be missed. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

Is Thessaloniki or Alicante Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Thessaloniki is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Alicante has a few options to choose from. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

Is Thessaloniki or Alicante Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a popular place for the beache. However, Thessaloniki is lacking in options for the beach.

Alicante is a good option for a beach vacation. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

The beach in Thessaloniki is worth checking out. 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.

Is Thessaloniki or Alicante Better for its Old Town?

Alicante is a popular place for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Alicante. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Alicante?

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

Thessaloniki is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Alicante has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Is Thessaloniki or Alicante Better for Families?

Alicante 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, Alicante is very family-friendly. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

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 Thessaloniki or Alicante Better for Couples?

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

Alicante makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

Thessaloniki is a good city 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 Thessaloniki or Alicante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is well known for backpackers. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Thessaloniki is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

It's common for backpackers to visit Alicante. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

Is Thessaloniki or Alicante Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is well known for students. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Thessaloniki is very popular with students. 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.

It's common for students to visit Alicante. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Thessaloniki and Alicante.

Thessaloniki has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

You'll find some public transit in Alicante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

Is Thessaloniki or Alicante a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Alicante are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Alicante is a somewhat walkable city. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Alicante or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Alicante?

It's fun to spend time in either Thessaloniki or Alicante. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Thessaloniki than Alicante 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 Thessaloniki or Alicante?

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.

In Alicante, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this authentic city offers. 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.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Alicante?

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.

Alicante is a fun place to experience. 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.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Alicante?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful destination of Alicante. 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.

A week in Thessaloniki or Alicante?

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.

Alicante is a popular place to visit. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki and Alicante, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Alicante?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Alicante. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Alicante, 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 Thessaloniki or Alicante?

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 Thessaloniki or Alicante in the Summer?

Both Alicante and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Alicante in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Alicante fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 341 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in July than Alicante. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Alicante in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Alicante. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alicante in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is cooler than Alicante. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Alicante averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Alicante during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 225 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Alicante. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Alicante in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Alicante. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Thessaloniki is generally much colder than Alicante. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Alicante fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Alicante. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 178 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in January than Alicante. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Alicante in the Spring?

Both Alicante and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Alicante in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Alicante fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Alicante. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Alicante during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alicante. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alicante and Thessaloniki