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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Galway?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Galway? 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Galway?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Thessaloniki than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also well known for The Monument of Rotonda. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Thessaloniki different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Thessaloniki is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Thessaloniki. 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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Thessaloniki is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Thessaloniki makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Thessaloniki or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Galway have excellent 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 Galway know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Is Thessaloniki or Galway Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a moderate city for its beaches. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Galway?

Thessaloniki is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Thessaloniki is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Thessaloniki or Galway Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Galway.

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 Galway. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Thessaloniki or Galway Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Galway make for a nice 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.

Galway is a good city for couples to visit. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Thessaloniki or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki and Galway are both excellent 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.

Galway is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Is Thessaloniki or Galway Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is notable for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

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

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 Galway, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Thessaloniki or Galway a more walkable city?

Galway 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.

Galway is a very walkable city. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and 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 Galway Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Galway or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Galway?

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

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

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 Galway, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant 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 Galway?

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.

Galway 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 Galway?

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 lively destination of Galway. 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 Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant 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.

Galway 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 Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Galway?

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

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 Galway in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Galway. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Galway. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Galway. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Galway in the Autumn?

Both Galway and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Galway during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Galway. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

In the winter, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Galway. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Galway. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Galway in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Galway. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city.

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

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Galway during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Galway. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galway and Thessaloniki