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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Birmingham?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Birmingham? 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Thessaloniki and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Birmingham?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Thessaloniki than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Thessaloniki is very popular for its food, beaches, and big city activities, while Birmingham attracts visitors for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also well known for The Monument of Rotonda. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Thessaloniki different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Is Thessaloniki or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is an excellent place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Thessaloniki is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Thessaloniki is not a theatre destination.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Thessaloniki or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Birmingham have great 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 Birmingham know how to have a good time. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Is Thessaloniki or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Thessaloniki is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Birmingham. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Thessaloniki is not a live music destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Birmingham Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is adequate for its beaches. However, Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Thessaloniki is a good spot to see the beach. 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.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Birmingham?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Thessaloniki and Birmingham.

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 Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Is Thessaloniki or Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham 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, Birmingham is very family-friendly. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

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 Birmingham Better for Couples?

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

Birmingham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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 Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Thessaloniki is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Thessaloniki or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

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.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Thessaloniki and Birmingham.

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 Birmingham, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Thessaloniki or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Birmingham 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.

Birmingham is a very walkable city. Many parts of the city are 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 Birmingham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Birmingham?

In either Thessaloniki or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Thessaloniki because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the high energy city of Thessaloniki, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the live music and food that this bustling city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Birmingham?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Thessaloniki, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Birmingham 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. Lots of people come for the live music. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Birmingham?

Thessaloniki, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant destination offers. 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 live music. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Thessaloniki or Birmingham?

Thessaloniki is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Birmingham 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 Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Birmingham, 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 Birmingham?

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 Birmingham in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Birmingham. 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 Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Thessaloniki is generally a little warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Birmingham in the Autumn?

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

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Birmingham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Birmingham. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Birmingham in the Winter?

Both Birmingham 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 Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Birmingham can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Thessaloniki is much warmer than Birmingham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Birmingham averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Birmingham in the Spring?

Both Birmingham 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.

In April, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Birmingham. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Thessaloniki