A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Thessaloniki vs. Gijon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Gijon?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Gijon? 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.

Where Should I go: Thessaloniki or Gijon?

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Gijon

Gijon is a coastal city of the Asturias Principality of Spain. Known for its Roman past, museums, sculptures, and architecture, visitors have many opportunities to learn about Gijon's cultural and historic past. Given its location by the sea, the city is also skirted by a few nice beaches for a more leisurely getaway.

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 Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Gijon or Thessaloniki?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Gijon is €119. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Thessaloniki and Gijon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Gijon 80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Gijon 160
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Gijon

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Gijon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Thessaloniki


Hotels in Gijon


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Gijon 9.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki

Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $18
  • Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Thessaloniki - Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Thessaloniki to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Departure Transfer: $21
  • One Way Private Transfer SKG Airport to / from Thessaloniki City Center: $24
  • Thessaloniki Airport Private Transfer Service: $32
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki Port: $41
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki hotels to Thessaloniki Port: $41
  • Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $44
  • Thessaloniki Airport - Sani Transfer: $81
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $82
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Oceania Hotel Private Transfer: $87
  • Private transfer to IKOS OLIVIA: $87

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gijon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gijon:

  • Private Transfer from Gijon Cruise Port to Asturias Airport (OVD): $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Gijon?

Prices for flights to both Gijon and Thessaloniki change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Thessaloniki 42
    Gijon 31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
  • Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
  • Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
  • Guided Food Tour: $70
  • Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
  • Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
  • Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
  • Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
  • Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
  • Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
  • Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
  • Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97

Typical Food Prices in Gijon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Gijon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thessaloniki 26
    Gijon 12

Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
  • White Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.54
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour & Narrative: $11
  • Selfie Museum Entry Ticket: $11
  • Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
  • Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket: $12
  • Thessaloniki Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
  • Byzantine Museum E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $13
  • E-ticket to Museum of Byzantine Culture with Audio Tour : $13
  • Thessaloniki Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $17

Tours and Activities in Gijon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gijon are as follows:

  • Classic romantic walking tour in Gijon: $192
  • Fascinating Memories of the Gijon Walking Tour: $208
  • Full-Day Cudillero and Luarca Private Tour from Gijon: $286
  • Gijón Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Experience: $8.95
  • Hiking Experience in Asturias, from Gijón or Oviedo: $93
  • Private Cultural Tour of Oviedo with Pickup: $297
  • Private Tour of Gijon City and Villaviciosa : $287

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Gijon 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki

Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
  • From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
  • Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
  • Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
  • Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
  • Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207


When comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki and Gijon, 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 Gijon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Gijon?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Gijon. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Gijon, 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 Gijon?

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 Gijon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Gijon. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Gijon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Gijon averages at about 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gijon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Gijon. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gijon receives 203 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Gijon. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F) 
    Gijon 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Gijon in the Autumn?

Both Gijon and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Gijon. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Gijon fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Gijon during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Gijon receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Gijon. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F) 
    Gijon 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Gijon in the Winter?

Both Gijon and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Thessaloniki is much colder than Gijon in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Gijon fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gijon. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gijon receives 95 hours of full sun.

Gijon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Gijon. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F) 
    Gijon 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Gijon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Gijon. The spring months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Gijon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Gijon averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Gijon during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Gijon receives 143 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Gijon. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Gijon receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F) 
    Gijon 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Gijon and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Gijon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 11°C (53°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 19°C (65°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 26 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)