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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Lille?

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

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

Lille

Lille is a under-rated, fascinating, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Thessaloniki and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Lille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Thessaloniki than Lille. Thessaloniki is bigger than Lille, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Thessaloniki is better known for its museums, beaches, and big city activities, while Lille is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Lille 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. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Thessaloniki different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Thessaloniki is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Thessaloniki can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Lille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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.

Is Thessaloniki or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Lille have very good 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 Lille know how to have a good time. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Thessaloniki or Lille Better for Beaches?

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

You can check out the beach in Thessaloniki. 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.

Lille is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille 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 Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Lille?

Lille is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Lille draws large crowds to its stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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.

Is Thessaloniki or Lille Better for Families?

Thessaloniki is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Thessaloniki is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Thessaloniki or Lille Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Lille 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.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Thessaloniki or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is notable for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Thessaloniki or Lille Better for Students?

Both Thessaloniki and Lille are very good 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.

Lille is very popular with students. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

Lille is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Lille can get you around easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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.

Is Thessaloniki or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Lille. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Lille?

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

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

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

In Thessaloniki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this high energy destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Lille, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this friendly city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lille 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. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Lille?

Thessaloniki is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife and food around the culinary destination of Lille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Thessaloniki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lille is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Lille?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Lille. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Lille. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Lille during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Lille. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. In January, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Lille. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Lille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Lille. The spring months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

Thessaloniki is much warmer than Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Lille during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Lille. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Thessaloniki