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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Arles?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Arles? 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Thessaloniki is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Arles is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also home to The Monument of Rotonda. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Thessaloniki different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arles is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Arles are world-renowned. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Many visitors head to Thessaloniki specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Foodies will find both Thessaloniki and Arles 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 Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Thessaloniki or Arles Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Thessaloniki or Arles Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a city with a few options for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Arles is revered around the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Arles?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Thessaloniki. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Thessaloniki or Arles Better for Families?

Thessaloniki is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Thessaloniki or Arles Better for Couples?

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

Arles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

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 Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Thessaloniki or Arles Better for Students?

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

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.

Arles is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Thessaloniki and Arles.

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 Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Thessaloniki or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Arles is a very walkable town. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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 Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Thessaloniki or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Thessaloniki than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

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

In Thessaloniki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this bustling destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Arles, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this quaint town offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles 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 museums. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Arles?

Thessaloniki is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Thessaloniki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arles is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki and Arles, we can see that Arles 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 Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Arles?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Arles, 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 Arles?

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 Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles 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 Arles for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Arles. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Arles. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Arles in the Autumn?

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

In October, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Arles. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Arles. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Arles in the Winter?

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

Thessaloniki is cooler than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Arles. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Arles. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles 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 Arles because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Arles. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Thessaloniki