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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Auxerre?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Auxerre? 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 historic, vibrant, and high energy city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Thessaloniki and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Auxerre?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Thessaloniki. Although Thessaloniki and Auxerre are both popular with visitors, Thessaloniki has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Thessaloniki is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Auxerre is known for its small town charm. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Auxerre and is known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also home to The Monument of Rotonda. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Thessaloniki different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Thessaloniki is great for its historical sights. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

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

Thessaloniki is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Thessaloniki has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Thessaloniki or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki is great for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Thessaloniki or Auxerre Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is adequate for the beach. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Auxerre?

Thessaloniki is great for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Auxerre Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Auxerre.

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 Auxerre. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Thessaloniki or Auxerre Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Auxerre make for a good place to visit.

Thessaloniki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Auxerre is a good city for couples to visit. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Thessaloniki or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Thessaloniki. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Thessaloniki or Auxerre Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Auxerre, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town.

Is Thessaloniki or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Auxerre are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Auxerre is a somewhat walkable city. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Thessaloniki or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Thessaloniki than Auxerre 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 Auxerre.

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

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

In Thessaloniki, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Auxerre, many people enjoy the museums and food that this undiscovered town offers. 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 Auxerre?

In Thessaloniki, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Thessaloniki has to offer.

Auxerre 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 Auxerre?

Thessaloniki is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and food around the under-rated destination of Auxerre. 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 Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Thessaloniki. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Auxerre 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Auxerre, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Auxerre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Auxerre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auxerre 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 Auxerre.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Auxerre?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Auxerre, 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 Auxerre?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Auxerre. 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 Auxerre for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Auxerre averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auxerre this time of the year. In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Auxerre in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Auxerre. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Auxerre in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally a little warmer than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Auxerre. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Auxerre for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Auxerre can be very cold during winter. Thessaloniki is much warmer than Auxerre in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Auxerre in the Spring?

Both Auxerre and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town charm.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Auxerre averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Auxerre. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Thessaloniki