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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Montpellier?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Montpellier? 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Montpellier?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki than Montpellier, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Thessaloniki is more popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Montpellier is known for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also home to The Monument of Rotonda. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Thessaloniki different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Montpellier specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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

Thessaloniki is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Thessaloniki or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Thessaloniki or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

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

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

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 Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Montpellier is revered around the world. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Montpellier?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Thessaloniki and Montpellier.

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 Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Thessaloniki or Montpellier Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Montpellier.

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 Montpellier. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Thessaloniki or Montpellier Better for Couples?

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

Montpellier makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

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 Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki and Montpellier are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Thessaloniki. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Montpellier is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Is Thessaloniki or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Montpellier. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Thessaloniki is very popular with students. 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.

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

Montpellier 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 Montpellier can get you around easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

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 Montpellier a more walkable city?

Montpellier 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.

Montpellier is a very walkable city. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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 Montpellier Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Montpellier?

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

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

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

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

One day in Thessaloniki or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Thessaloniki. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Montpellier, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this bustling 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 Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the high energy destination of Thessaloniki. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Montpellier 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 Montpellier?

The historic city of Thessaloniki offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Montpellier. 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 Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Thessaloniki. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Montpellier 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Montpellier?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Montpellier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Montpellier averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Montpellier, 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 Montpellier. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in July than Montpellier. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Montpellier. The autumn months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montpellier receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Montpellier in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Montpellier. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Montpellier in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Montpellier. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Montpellier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Montpellier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Thessaloniki