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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Munich?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Munich? 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.

Munich

Munich is a economically thriving, bustling, and high energy city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Munich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Munich than Thessaloniki, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Munich is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Thessaloniki is known for its beaches. Thessaloniki is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Munich is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also home to The Nymphenburg Palace.

How is Thessaloniki different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Munich specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Foodies will find both Thessaloniki and Munich both to be very good 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 Munich is an experience not to be missed. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Thessaloniki or Munich Better for Nightlife?

Munich 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 Munich just to party. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich Better for Music?

Munich is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Thessaloniki is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Munich. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Thessaloniki is not a live music destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Munich Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a city with a few options for the beach. However, Munich is not a beach destination.

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.

Munich is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Munich?

Munich 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, Munich draws large crowds to its stores. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich Better for Families?

Munich 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, Munich is very family-friendly. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich Better for Couples?

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

Munich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

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 Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich 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, Munich is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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 Munich Better for Students?

Munich 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 Munich. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

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 Munich Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Munich is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Munich can get you around easily. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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 Munich a more walkable city?

Munich 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.

Munich is a very walkable city. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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 Munich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Munich or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Munich?

In either Thessaloniki or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than Thessaloniki because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

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

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

One day in Thessaloniki or Munich?

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.

Each neighborhood in Munich 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 Munich?

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.

Munich 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 Munich?

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.

Each neighborhood in Munich has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Thessaloniki or Munich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling 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.

Munich 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Munich, 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 Munich?

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 Munich in the Summer?

Both Munich and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Munich in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Munich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Munich averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Munich, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Munich. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Munich. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Munich in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Munich. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally a little warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Munich during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Munich. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Munich in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Munich. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Munich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Munich can be very cold. Thessaloniki is much warmer than Munich in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Munich. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Munich. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Munich in the Spring?

Both Munich and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Munich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Munich during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Munich. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Munich and Thessaloniki