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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Bari?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bari? 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.

Bari

Bari is a local, cultural, and authentic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Bari?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bari. Although Thessaloniki and Bari are both popular with visitors, Bari has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bari is more popular for its food, beaches, and historical sights, while Thessaloniki is known for its shopping. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Bari and is known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Bari is popular for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. It is also home to San Nicola.

How is Thessaloniki different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Bari specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

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

Bari 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, Bari is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

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 Bari Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Bari have superb 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 Bari know how to have a good time. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

Is Thessaloniki or Bari Better for Beaches?

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

Bari is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

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 Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari 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 Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Bari?

Thessaloniki is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

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.

Bari is a great destination for shopping. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Is Thessaloniki or Bari Better for Families?

Bari 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, Bari is very family-friendly. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

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 Bari Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Bari 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.

Bari is a good city for couples to visit. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Thessaloniki or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki and Bari are both superb destinations for backpackers.

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

Bari is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

Is Thessaloniki or Bari Better for Students?

Both Thessaloniki and Bari are superb destinations for students.

Thessaloniki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Bari is very popular with students. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

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

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

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 Bari, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Thessaloniki or Bari a more walkable city?

Bari 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.

Bari is a very walkable port city. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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 Bari Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bari or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Thessaloniki and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Thessaloniki than in Bari. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

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

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

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

One day in Thessaloniki or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Bari, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this authentic port city 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 port city.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Bari?

Thessaloniki is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bari 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 Bari?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Thessaloniki. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bari. 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 food. 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 Bari?

The vibrant city of Thessaloniki offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Bari 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 Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Bari?

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

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 Bari in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Bari. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bari because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Bari. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Bari averages at about 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bari this time of the year. In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bari during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Bari. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bari in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Bari. The autumn months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Bari. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Bari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Bari. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Bari. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bari in the Winter?

Both Bari and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bari for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Thessaloniki is much colder than Bari in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Bari during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Bari. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bari in the Spring?

Both Bari and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bari in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Bari. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Bari averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In Bari, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bari. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in April than Bari. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bari and Thessaloniki