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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Imperia?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Imperia? 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Imperia

Imperia is a charming, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Imperia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Thessaloniki. Although Thessaloniki and Imperia are both popular with visitors, Thessaloniki has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Thessaloniki is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Imperia is known for its impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Imperia and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also home to The Monument of Rotonda. Imperia is popular for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Thessaloniki different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Imperia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

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

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

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Thessaloniki or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Thessaloniki has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Imperia. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Is Thessaloniki or Imperia Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a moderate city for the beach. However, Imperia is not a beach destination.

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.

Imperia is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Imperia?

Thessaloniki is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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 Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Thessaloniki or Imperia Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Imperia.

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 Imperia. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Thessaloniki or Imperia Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Imperia make for a good 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.

Imperia is a good city for couples to visit. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

Is Thessaloniki or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is notable for backpackers. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Thessaloniki is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Imperia is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

Is Thessaloniki or Imperia Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is notable for students. However, Imperia is not popular with 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.

Imperia is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Imperia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Thessaloniki or Imperia a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Imperia are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Imperia is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Imperia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Thessaloniki or Imperia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Thessaloniki than Imperia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Imperia.

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

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 Imperia, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this charming town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Imperia?

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.

Imperia 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 Imperia?

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 charming destination of Imperia. 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 Imperia?

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.

Imperia 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 Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Imperia?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Imperia. The summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Imperia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Imperia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Imperia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Imperia. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in July than Imperia. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Imperia in the Autumn?

Both Imperia and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Imperia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Imperia. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Imperia in the Winter?

Both Imperia and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Imperia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Thessaloniki is much colder than Imperia in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Imperia. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Imperia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Imperia. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Imperia for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Imperia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Imperia averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Imperia during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Imperia. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Imperia and Thessaloniki