A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Thessaloniki vs. Malmo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Malmo?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Malmo? 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.

Where Should I go: Thessaloniki or Malmo?

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Malmo

Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Malmo or Thessaloniki?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Malmo is €76. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Thessaloniki and Malmo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Malmo 45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Malmo 90
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Malmo

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Malmo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Thessaloniki


Hotels in Malmo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices and Malmo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Malmo 7.39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki

Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Thessaloniki to Ikos Oceania: $153
  • Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $18
  • Thessaloniki to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Departure Transfer: $21
  • Thessaloniki Cruise Port: Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
  • Thessaloniki Airport to TUI Blue Lagoon Hotels Private Transfer: $93
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Hotels Private Transfer: $98
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $82
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Olivia Hotel Private Transfer: $98
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Oceania Hotel Private Transfer: $87
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Alia Palace Hotel Private Transfer: $131
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $109
  • Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $44

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:


  • Malmö Bus Card
    17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo

Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96
  • Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
  • Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Malmo?

Prices for flights to both Malmo and Thessaloniki change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Thessaloniki 42
    Malmo 24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
  • Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
  • Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
  • Guided Food Tour: $70
  • Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
  • Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
  • Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
  • Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
  • Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
  • Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
  • Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
  • Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo

For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $59
  • Guided Food Tour in Malmö (Private): $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thessaloniki 26
    Malmo 15

Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4-Hour Thessaloniki Jewish Heritage Private Guided Tour: $207
  • Archery Odyssey Traditional Archery Experience: $65
  • Best of Private Guided Tour: $218
  • Best of Private Guided Tour: $192
  • Charming pearls of Thessaloniki – Romantic Tour: $153
  • City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
  • Daily Cruise:Discover Thessaloniki in a different way: $1,069
  • Daily Sailing Cruise Olympus Riviera Highlights: $122
  • Day Tour at Royal Tombs of Aigai and Museum of Pella with pickup: $93
  • Dion and Palaios Panteleimon Myth and History Tour: $153
  • Dion-Olympus Private Tour from Thessaloniki: $96
  • Discover Olympus from Paralia in Jeep Safari Shared Tour: $76

Tours and Activities in Malmo

For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
  • Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147
  • Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
  • Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
  • Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.35
  • Malmö Photography Tour: $58
  • Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
  • Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Malmo 33

Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki

Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
  • From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
  • Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
  • Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
  • Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
  • Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207


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

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


Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Malmo?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Malmo, 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 Malmo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Malmo in the Summer?

Both Malmo and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Malmo in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Malmo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Malmo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Malmo. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F) 
    Malmo 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Malmo in the Autumn?

Both Malmo and Thessaloniki during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Malmo. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F) 
    Malmo 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Malmo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Malmo. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Malmo can be very cold. In January, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Malmo. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F) 
    Malmo 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Malmo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Malmo. The spring months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Thessaloniki is much warmer than Malmo in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Malmo. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F) 
    Malmo 5°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Malmo and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Malmo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 0°C (32°F) 37 mm (1.4 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -0°C (32°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (35°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 26 mm (1 in) 14°C (57°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 2°C (36°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)