Which place is cheaper, Gran Canaria or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Thessaloniki or Gran Canaria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Gran Canaria? 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 Gran Canaria?
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.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayThessaloniki €134Gran Canaria €125
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Gran Canaria is €125. 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 Gran Canaria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThessaloniki €79Gran Canaria €63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThessaloniki €158Gran Canaria €126
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Gran Canaria
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Gran Canaria? 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Thessaloniki €13Gran Canaria €46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $428
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer from Kavala to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $237
- Transfer from Thessaloniki to Ikos Oceania: $153
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki Port: $142
- Thessaloniki Cruise Port: Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport to Alia Palace Hotel Private Transfer: $131
- Private Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport from Thessaloniki City: $120
- Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Ammon Zeus Hotel : $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria
Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) : $53
- Private Transfer: Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: $53
- Private Transfer from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $98
- Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to San Bartolomé de Tirajana: $89
- Private Transfer from Gran Canaria Port to Gran Canaria Airport: $33
- Playa del Ingles to Gran Canaria Airport(LPA)- Departure Transfer: $33
- Playa Del Ingles: Discover Scuba Diving - Free Transfers: $91
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Vecindario to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $31
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Valsequillo to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $43
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Tejeda to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $98
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Tauro to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $72
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Taurito to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Gran Canaria?
Prices for flights to both Gran Canaria 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
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Food Meals for one dayThessaloniki €42Gran Canaria €34
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Thessaloniki €26Gran Canaria €20
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Thessaloniki Jewish Heritage Private Guided Tour: $207
- Archery Odyssey Traditional Archery Experience: $65
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $218
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $192
- Charming pearls of Thessaloniki – Romantic Tour: $153
- City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- Daily Cruise:Discover Thessaloniki in a different way: $1,069
- Daily Sailing Cruise Olympus Riviera Highlights: $122
- Day Tour at Royal Tombs of Aigai and Museum of Pella with pickup: $93
- Dion and Palaios Panteleimon Myth and History Tour: $153
- Dion-Olympus Private Tour from Thessaloniki: $96
- Discover Olympus from Paralia in Jeep Safari Shared Tour: $76
Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.
- Firgas, Tejeda, Guayadeque - VIP Tour Gran Canaria: $52
- Guided Tour With Electric Moped: $71
- Tour in a real VW 70's Buggy in Gran Canaria 4 People. : $153
- 1 Day Vespa | Gran Canaria by Vespa GPS Guided Tour: $82
- 2-Hour Afternoon Snorkeling Experience in Gran Canaria by Boat: $49
- 2-Hours Sunset Segway experience near by Sand Dunes: $85
- 3-Hour Hiking Experience in Roque Nublo: $70
- 4 Hour Boat Tour with Snorkeling from Puerto Rico and Mogan: $82
- 40-minute Submarine Tour in Mogán: $38
- Agüimes: Cocodrilo Park Zoo Entry Ticket: $11
- Agaete: Gran Canaria Coasteering Tour with Snorkeling: $70
- Airsoft Park Ticket: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayThessaloniki €15Gran Canaria €7.14
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:
- Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $52
- Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $60
- Gran Canaria Picnic Experience & Wine Tasting: $102
When comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki and Gran Canaria, 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 Gran Canaria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Gran Canaria, 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 Gran Canaria?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Gran Canaria in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Gran Canaria. The summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Gran Canaria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Gran Canaria averages at about 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gran Canaria this time of the year. In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Gran Canaria during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Gran Canaria receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Gran Canaria. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyThessaloniki 25°C (77°F)Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Gran Canaria in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Gran Canaria. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
In October, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Gran Canaria. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Gran Canaria fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gran Canaria. In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Gran Canaria. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gran Canaria receives 213 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in October than Gran Canaria. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThessaloniki 16°C (61°F)Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Gran Canaria in the Winter?
Both Gran Canaria and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Thessaloniki is much colder than Gran Canaria in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Gran Canaria fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Gran Canaria during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Gran Canaria receives 187 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Gran Canaria. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryThessaloniki 5°C (41°F)Gran Canaria 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Gran Canaria in the Spring?
Both Gran Canaria and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Thessaloniki is cooler than Gran Canaria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Gran Canaria averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In Gran Canaria, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Gran Canaria. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gran Canaria receives 225 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in April than Gran Canaria. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilThessaloniki 13°C (56°F)Gran Canaria 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Gran Canaria and Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki | Gran Canaria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.