A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Thessaloniki vs. Crete for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Crete?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Crete? 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.

Crete

Crete is a breathtaking, world-renowned, and scenic island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Thessaloniki and Crete: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Crete?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Crete than Thessaloniki, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Crete is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Thessaloniki is known for its shopping and big city activities. Crete is more touristy than Thessaloniki and is popular for its breathtaking beaches, wild nightlife, and impressive archeological ruins. It is also home to the Palace of Knossos. Thessaloniki is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections.

How is Thessaloniki different from Crete?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Crete specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The island is filled with archeological sites including the famous Palace of Knossos. While most people come to Crete for the natural beauty, in the cities you'll find some great museums and landmarks.

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

Crete 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, Crete is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Local cuisine is influenced by the island's fertile environment and excellent agriculture. You'll find olive oil in most dishes and seafood is a major staple. You'll also find a lot of stews and recipes that incorporate local ingredients.

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 Crete Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Crete have high quality 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 Crete know how to have a good time. The island has excellent nightlife with clubs and bars found in Chania, Malia and Stalis to Elounda. The area is popular with British tourists and you'll find many bars open until 2 or 3 in the morning.

Is Thessaloniki or Crete Better for Resorts?

Crete is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Thessaloniki is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Crete is a great choice. The island has world class resorts that include pools and buffet meals. There are many beachfront resorts that range in style from romantic to family-friendly.

Thessaloniki is not a resort destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Crete Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Crete is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Thessaloniki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Crete. The island is surrounded by clear waters that make for great snorkeling and diving. There's a number of beautiful fish and other sea life that you can see. Be on the lookout for crabs, sea stars, sponges, and even octopi.

Thessaloniki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Crete Better for Beaches?

Crete is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Thessaloniki is lacking in options for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Crete. There are some of the best beaches in the world on Crete. The areas around Chania have some of the island's best beaches, with one of the most beautiful being Balos. On the northern side of the island, be on the lookout for strong winds, particularly in August, which can make for larger waves. The island is large, so you'll find everything from secluded and quiet beaches to more active and lively places.

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 Crete Better for Hiking?

Crete is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Thessaloniki is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Crete. The island is filled with beautiful hikes that run along the shoreline or head inland through the island's beautiful landscapes. There are hikes for every ability level that offer spectacular views and an incredible experience.

Thessaloniki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Crete?

Thessaloniki is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Crete 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 Crete. The island has many markets that sell local foods and handicrafts. There are also shops and boutiques where you can buy anything from souvenirs to homemade artwork.

Is Thessaloniki or Crete Better for Families?

Crete is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Crete is a very family-friendly destination. The island is large and filled with countless family-friendly activities. You can spend several days at the beach, explore Lake Kournas, visit a water park, or even take a pirate themed boat cruise. There's also the amusement park, ​​Labyrinth Park, aquariums and more.

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 Crete Better for Couples?

Crete is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Crete makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's stunning beaches, beautiful landscapes, world renowned restaurants, and amazing resorts make this a top honeymoon spot for international travelers and romance seekers.

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 Crete Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki and Crete are both high quality 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.

Crete is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a large island with a great social scene and no shortage of hostels for backpackers to choose from.

Is Thessaloniki or Crete Better for Students?

Both Thessaloniki and Crete are high quality 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.

Crete is very popular with students. It's affordability and great coastal activities is a big draw for students in the area.

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

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

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 Crete, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a decent bus system that travels around the island and offers access to many areas.

Is Thessaloniki or Crete a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Crete is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Crete is generally not a very walkable city. The island is large and requires a vehicle to get around, but there are short strolls that let you enjoy the stunning landscapes.

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

Should I spend more time in Crete or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Crete?

Both Thessaloniki and Crete have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Crete than in Thessaloniki. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 5-7 days is enough time in Crete.

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

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

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

One day in Thessaloniki or Crete?

In Thessaloniki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Crete, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this scenic island offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Crete?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Crete is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Crete?

Thessaloniki is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

In Crete, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this scenic destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Thessaloniki or Crete?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Thessaloniki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Crete is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 Greece, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Athens.

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

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

Which has a larger population, Thessaloniki or Crete?

Crete has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Crete, 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.