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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Granada?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Granada? 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 high energy, bustling, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Granada

Granada is a beautiful, charming, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Granada: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Granada?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Thessaloniki than Granada. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Thessaloniki is very popular for its food, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Granada attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is famous for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also well known for The Monument of Rotonda. Granada is famous for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra.

How is Thessaloniki different from Granada?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Granada is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Granada are world-renowned. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

Many visitors head to Thessaloniki specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Thessaloniki is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Thessaloniki. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Thessaloniki or Granada Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Granada 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 Granada know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

Is Thessaloniki or Granada Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Granada 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.

Granada is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Granada Better for its Old Town?

Granada is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Granada is revered around the world. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is Thessaloniki or Granada Better for Hiking?

Granada 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 Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Thessaloniki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Granada?

Thessaloniki is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Is Thessaloniki or Granada Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Granada.

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 Granada. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

Is Thessaloniki or Granada Better for Couples?

Granada is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

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 Granada Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki and Granada 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.

Granada is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

Is Thessaloniki or Granada Better for Students?

Both Thessaloniki and Granada 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.

Granada is very popular with students. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

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

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

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 Granada, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

Is Thessaloniki or Granada a more walkable city?

Granada 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.

Granada is a very walkable city. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

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 Granada Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Granada or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Granada?

It's fun to spend time in either Thessaloniki or Granada. In our opinion, Granada has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Granada than Thessaloniki. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Thessaloniki or Granada?

In Thessaloniki, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Granada, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic city 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 Granada?

In Thessaloniki, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Thessaloniki has to offer.

Granada is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the museums. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Granada?

Thessaloniki is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Granada. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Granada?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Thessaloniki. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Granada is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Granada?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Granada, 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 Granada?

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 Granada in the Summer?

Both Granada and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Granada this time of year.

In July, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Granada. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Granada fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Granada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Granada. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Granada receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Granada in the Autumn?

Both Granada and Thessaloniki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Granada in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Granada fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Granada. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 213 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Granada. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Granada receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Granada in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Granada. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Granada in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Thessaloniki is much colder than Granada. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Granada averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Granada during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Granada. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Granada receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Granada in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Granada. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Granada for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Granada. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Granada fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Granada. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 220 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Granada. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Granada receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Granada and Thessaloniki