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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Calais?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Calais? 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic 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 Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki than Calais, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Thessaloniki is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Calais is known for its beaches. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Calais 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. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Thessaloniki different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Thessaloniki is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Thessaloniki is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Thessaloniki or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Thessaloniki is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Thessaloniki or Calais Better for Beaches?

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

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

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 the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Calais?

Thessaloniki is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Thessaloniki or Calais Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Calais.

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 Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Thessaloniki or Calais Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Calais 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.

Calais is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Thessaloniki or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Thessaloniki is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Thessaloniki or Calais Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is well known for students. However, Calais is not popular with 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Thessaloniki or Calais a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Calais are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Calais is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Calais?

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

Families should spend more time in Thessaloniki than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais?

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 Calais, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this undiscovered 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 Calais?

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.

Calais 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 Calais?

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 museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Calais. 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling 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.

Calais 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Calais?

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

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Calais. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Calais. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Calais. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Calais. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Calais. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Calais. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Calais. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Thessaloniki