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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Bologna?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bologna? 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 vibrant, high energy, and bustling city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bologna

Bologna is a culinary, beautiful, and fun city. 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 Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Thessaloniki. Although Thessaloniki and Bologna are both popular with visitors, Thessaloniki has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Thessaloniki is more popular for its museums, beaches, and big city activities, while Bologna is known for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Bologna 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. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.

How is Thessaloniki different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Thessaloniki is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

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

Bologna 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, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Bologna 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 Bologna know how to have a good time. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Is Thessaloniki or Bologna Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a moderate city for the beach. However, Bologna 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.

Bologna is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna 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 Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Bologna?

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

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 Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Is Thessaloniki or Bologna Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Bologna.

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 Bologna. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Thessaloniki or Bologna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Bologna 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.

Bologna is a good city for couples to visit. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Thessaloniki or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki and Bologna are both great 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.

Bologna is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Is Thessaloniki or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna 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 Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

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 Bologna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

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 Bologna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Thessaloniki or Bologna a more walkable city?

Bologna 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.

Bologna is a very walkable city. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself 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 Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Bologna?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna 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 Bologna.

One day in Thessaloniki or Bologna?

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 Bologna, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historical 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 city.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Bologna?

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.

Bologna 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 Bologna?

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 nightlife around the beautiful destination of Bologna. 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 Bologna?

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.

Bologna 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Bologna, we can see that Bologna is more expensive. And not only is Thessaloniki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Thessaloniki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Thessaloniki 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna than you might in Thessaloniki.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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 Bologna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Bologna. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bologna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bologna in the Autumn?

Both Bologna and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bologna. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Bologna. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bologna in the Winter?

Both Bologna and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bologna can be very cold during winter. Thessaloniki is much warmer than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Bologna. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Bologna. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Thessaloniki