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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Manchester?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Manchester? 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 historic, vibrant, and high energy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Manchester?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester. Although Thessaloniki and Manchester are about the same size, Manchester has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Manchester is very popular for its music and big city activities, while Thessaloniki attracts visitors for its beaches. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Thessaloniki different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Thessaloniki and Manchester.

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.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

Foodies will find both Thessaloniki and Manchester both to be great 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 Manchester is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Thessaloniki or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Manchester have great 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 Manchester know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Thessaloniki or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester 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, Manchester has diverse options. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Thessaloniki is not a live music destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Manchester Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is adequate for its beaches. However, Manchester is not a beach destination.

Thessaloniki is a good spot to see the beach. 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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Manchester?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Thessaloniki and Manchester.

Thessaloniki is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Thessaloniki or Manchester Better for Families?

Manchester 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, Manchester is very family-friendly. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester Better for Couples?

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

Manchester makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Thessaloniki is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Thessaloniki or Manchester Better for Students?

Both Thessaloniki and Manchester are great 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.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Manchester 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 Manchester can get you around easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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 Manchester a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Manchester are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable city. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Thessaloniki or Manchester. In our opinion, Manchester has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Manchester than Thessaloniki. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Thessaloniki, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 Manchester?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Thessaloniki, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Manchester 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 Manchester?

Thessaloniki, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the cultural big city of Manchester. 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 Manchester?

Thessaloniki is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Manchester 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Thessaloniki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Thessaloniki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Thessaloniki 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Thessaloniki.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Manchester?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Manchester. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Manchester. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Manchester. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Manchester in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Manchester. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Manchester. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Manchester averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Manchester. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city.

In April, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Manchester. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Thessaloniki