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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Bilbao?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bilbao? 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.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a authentic, colorful, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Thessaloniki and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki. Although Thessaloniki and Bilbao are roughly the same size, Thessaloniki has more sights and attractions for tourists. Thessaloniki is better known for its food and beaches, while Bilbao is more popular for its historical sights. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Bilbao 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. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Thessaloniki different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Bilbao specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

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

Thessaloniki is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Thessaloniki. 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.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Thessaloniki or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Bilbao 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 Bilbao know how to have a good time. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Thessaloniki or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

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

You can check out the beach in Thessaloniki. 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.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao 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 Bilbao. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Bilbao?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Thessaloniki and Bilbao.

Thessaloniki is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Thessaloniki or Bilbao Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Bilbao.

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 Bilbao. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Thessaloniki or Bilbao Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Bilbao make for a notable 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.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Thessaloniki or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Thessaloniki or Bilbao Better for Students?

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

Many students visit 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.

It's common for students to visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

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

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Bilbao can get you around easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

You'll find some public transit in Thessaloniki, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

Is Thessaloniki or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Bilbao are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Bilbao?

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

Families should spend more time in Thessaloniki than Bilbao. 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.

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

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 Bilbao, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this colorful 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 Bilbao?

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.

Bilbao 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 Bilbao?

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.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the friendly destination of Bilbao. 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 Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic 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.

Bilbao 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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Bilbao?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?

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 Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Bilbao. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Bilbao. The autumn months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Bilbao. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.

In January, Thessaloniki is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Thessaloniki