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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Kiel? 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 bustling, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a maritime, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Kiel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Thessaloniki than Kiel. Thessaloniki is bigger than Kiel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Thessaloniki is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Kiel is more popular for its beaches. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Also, Thessaloniki is famous for The Monument of Rotonda. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Thessaloniki different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Thessaloniki is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

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

Thessaloniki is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Thessaloniki or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Thessaloniki is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Is Thessaloniki or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a popular place for the beache. However, Thessaloniki is lacking in options for the beach.

Kiel is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Kiel?

Thessaloniki is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Thessaloniki is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Thessaloniki or Kiel Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Kiel.

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 Kiel. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Thessaloniki or Kiel Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Kiel make for a notable 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.

Kiel is a good city for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Thessaloniki or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is well known for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Thessaloniki or Kiel Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is well known for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

Thessaloniki is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Thessaloniki, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Thessaloniki or Kiel a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Kiel are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Thessaloniki and Kiel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Thessaloniki than in Kiel. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Kiel.

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Kiel, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this off-the-beaten-path city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Kiel?

Thessaloniki is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kiel 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 Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Thessaloniki. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Kiel. 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 Kiel?

The vibrant city of Thessaloniki offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Kiel 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Kiel?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

Thessaloniki is much warmer than Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Kiel. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Kiel. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Kiel. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Thessaloniki is much warmer than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Kiel. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Thessaloniki