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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Korcula?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Korcula? 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.

Korcula

Korcula is a scenic, laid back, and historic island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Thessaloniki and Korcula: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Korcula?

Both Korcula and Thessaloniki have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Thessaloniki is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Korcula is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is well known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Korcula is well known for its small old town and its beautiful natural setting.

How is Thessaloniki different from Korcula?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Thessaloniki is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Thessaloniki. 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 Korcula. Most of the sights are concentrated in Korcula Town, which has a charming old town that is filled with stone houses. In the center of the old town is St Mark's Cathedral. Other points of interest include Abbey Treasury and Marco Polo's House.

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

Foodies will find both Thessaloniki and Korcula both to be excellent destinations.

Thessaloniki has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Korcula is an experience not to be missed. Food is a way of life on the island, and you'll likely enjoy bread, salad, soup, and grilled meat or seafood at most meals. The ingredients are locally produced and fresh.

Is Thessaloniki or Korcula Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Korcula is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Thessaloniki know how to have a good time. 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.

Korcula doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The party scene is lacking in the old town, so this isn't the place to visit for nightlife. Many of the restaurants become cocktail bars at night, and there is a club or two that has opened in recent years.

Is Thessaloniki or Korcula Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Korcula is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Thessaloniki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Korcula has a few good snorkeling spots. There are a few snorkeling tours that leave from the island.

Thessaloniki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Korcula Better for Beaches?

Korcula is an excellent place to visit for the beache. However, Thessaloniki is lacking in options for the beach.

Korcula is considered a top beach destination. There are a number of beautiful beaches around the island. Head south for the sandier beaches and north for the pebbly, shallower beaches. Many people think that Lumbarda has the best beaches on the island.

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 Thessaloniki or Korcula Better for its Old Town?

Korcula is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Korcula. The charming old town is filled with interesting buildings and historic streets that you can explore.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is Thessaloniki or Korcula Better for Hiking?

Korcula 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 Korcula. There are many natural and hiking areas on the island so you can enjoy a full day hike or a shorter stroll through the area.

Thessaloniki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Korcula?

Thessaloniki is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Korcula 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.

Korcula has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find boutiques, small retail shops, or stores selling knick knacks around town.

Is Thessaloniki or Korcula Better for Families?

Korcula is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Korcula is very family-friendly. The island has many great hikes that are appropriate for all ages. There are also pebbly beaches where the kids can play in the water and explore.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Thessaloniki. 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.

Is Thessaloniki or Korcula Better for Couples?

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

Korcula makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful old town, striking coastline, and wonderful natural beauty make for a great honeymoon or romantic escape. There are many nice hikes in the area and the beaches are nice for cooling off.

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 Korcula Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Korcula. You'll find enough hostels around the island to choose from and there are usually plenty of backpackers hanging out.

Is Thessaloniki or Korcula Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is a great destination for students. Also, Korcula is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over to stay in Thessaloniki. 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 Korcula. More students have been moving to the island, and you'll find a growing student population.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Thessaloniki and Korcula.

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 Korcula, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around the island but not all routes are very frequent.

Is Thessaloniki or Korcula a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Korcula are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Korcula is a somewhat walkable city. There are foot paths and trails all over the island but you'll want to rent a bike if you're going long distances.

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

Should I spend more time in Korcula or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Korcula?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Thessaloniki than Korcula 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 Korcula?

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 Korcula, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this historic island 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 Korcula?

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.

Korcula is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Korcula?

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 food around the laid back destination of Korcula. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Korcula?

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.

Korcula 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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Korcula?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Korcula. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Korcula, 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 Korcula?

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 Korcula in the Summer?

Both Korcula and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Korcula for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Korcula in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Korcula fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In Korcula, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Korcula. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Korcula receives 345 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Korcula. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Korcula in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Korcula. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Korcula because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is cooler than Korcula. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Korcula averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Korcula this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Korcula during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Korcula receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Korcula. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Korcula in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Korcula. The winter months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Korcula this time of year.

In January, Thessaloniki is generally much colder than Korcula. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Korcula fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Korcula. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Korcula receives 128 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Korcula. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Korcula in the Spring?

Both Korcula and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Korcula for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Korcula in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Korcula fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Korcula. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Korcula during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Korcula receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Korcula. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Korcula receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Korcula and Thessaloniki