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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Malaga?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Malaga? 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.

Malaga

Malaga is a welcoming, historic, and beautiful port city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Thessaloniki and Malaga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Malaga?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Thessaloniki than Malaga. While Malaga is larger than Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki has more sights and attractions for tourists. Thessaloniki is better known for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Malaga is more popular for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is well known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Also, Thessaloniki is famous for The Monument of Rotonda. Malaga is well known for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene.

How is Thessaloniki different from Malaga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Thessaloniki is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Thessaloniki and Malaga both to be superb 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 Malaga is an experience not to be missed. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

Is Thessaloniki or Malaga Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

People head to Malaga just to party. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

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.

Is Thessaloniki or Malaga Better for Music?

Malaga is an excellent place to visit for its live music scene. However, Thessaloniki is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Malaga has diverse options. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

Thessaloniki is not a live music destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Malaga Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Malaga has a few good snorkeling spots. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

Thessaloniki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Malaga Better for Beaches?

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

Malaga is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

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 Malaga Better for its Old Town?

Malaga 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 Malaga. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Malaga?

Thessaloniki is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Malaga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Is Thessaloniki or Malaga Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Malaga.

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 Malaga. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Is Thessaloniki or Malaga Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Malaga 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.

Malaga is a good city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Is Thessaloniki or Malaga Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Malaga is extremely popular for backpackers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

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.

Is Thessaloniki or Malaga Better for Students?

Both Thessaloniki and Malaga are superb 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.

Malaga is very popular with students. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

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

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

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 Malaga, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Is Thessaloniki or Malaga a more walkable city?

Malaga 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.

Malaga is a very walkable port city. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible 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 Malaga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Malaga or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Malaga?

Both Thessaloniki and Malaga have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than in Thessaloniki. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 3-7 days is enough time in Malaga.

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

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

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

One day in Thessaloniki or Malaga?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Malaga, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this beautiful port city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Malaga?

Thessaloniki is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Malaga is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Malaga?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Malaga, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this historic destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Thessaloniki or Malaga?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Thessaloniki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Malaga is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Malaga?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Malaga, 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 Malaga?

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 Malaga in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Malaga. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Malaga. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 348 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in July than Malaga. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Malaga in the Autumn?

Both Malaga and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is cooler than Malaga. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Malaga averages at about 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Malaga. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Malaga during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Malaga. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Malaga in the Winter?

Both Malaga and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Thessaloniki is generally much colder than Malaga. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Malaga fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Malaga. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 171 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Malaga in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Malaga. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Malaga in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Malaga in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Malaga fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Malaga during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 220 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Malaga. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Malaga and Thessaloniki