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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Amalfi? 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.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a dramatic, charming, and picturesque town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Thessaloniki and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Thessaloniki, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Thessaloniki is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities. Amalfi is more touristy than Thessaloniki and is popular for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline. Thessaloniki is well known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections.

How is Thessaloniki different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amalfi 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 Amalfi?

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Thessaloniki. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Amalfi. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

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

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Amalfi is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around town.

Dining out in Thessaloniki is an experience not to be missed. 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 Thessaloniki or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Amalfi have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Thessaloniki has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

The people in Amalfi know how to have a good time. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

Is Thessaloniki or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Thessaloniki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Amalfi has a few good snorkeling spots. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Thessaloniki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

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

Amalfi is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

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 Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi 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 Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is Thessaloniki or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi 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 Amalfi. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Thessaloniki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Amalfi?

Thessaloniki is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amalfi 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.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Thessaloniki or Amalfi Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Amalfi.

Thessaloniki is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Amalfi. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Thessaloniki or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Amalfi makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

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 Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is well known for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known 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.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Thessaloniki or Amalfi Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Thessaloniki. 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.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Amalfi, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Thessaloniki or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Amalfi. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Amalfi?

Both Thessaloniki and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Thessaloniki. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Amalfi, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this charming 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.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Amalfi?

Thessaloniki is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Amalfi 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. Lots of people come for the food. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Amalfi, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this charming destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the food. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Thessaloniki or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy destination of Thessaloniki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Amalfi is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Amalfi?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Amalfi, 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 Amalfi?

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 Amalfi in the Summer?

Both Amalfi and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Amalfi, 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 Amalfi. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Amalfi. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Amalfi. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Amalfi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Amalfi. The winter months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

In January, Thessaloniki is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Amalfi. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Thessaloniki