Which place is cheaper, Olympos or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Thessaloniki or Olympos?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Olympos? 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 Olympos?
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.
Olympos
Olympos was an ancient city in Lycia, situated in a river valley near the coast. Its ruins are located south of the modern town Cirali in the Kumluca district of Antalya Province, Turkey. An important Lycian city in the 2nd century BC, Olympos is more famous these days for being the beach resort of choice for backpackers. Staying in an Olympos 'tree house' at one of the dozen-or-so camps that line the path to the ruins and beach has long been the stuff of travel legend. The former hippy-trail hot-spot has been considerably renovated in past years and during summer can be pretty overcrowded. Olympos offers good value and an up-for-it party atmosphere in a lovely setting.
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 Turkey, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayThessaloniki €134Olympos €89
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Olympos is €89. 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 Olympos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThessaloniki €79Olympos €40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThessaloniki €158Olympos €80
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Olympos
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Olympos? 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.
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 Olympos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Thessaloniki €13Olympos €28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $428
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer from Kavala to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $237
- Transfer from Thessaloniki to Ikos Oceania: $153
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki Port: $142
- Thessaloniki Cruise Port: Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport to Alia Palace Hotel Private Transfer: $131
- Private Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport from Thessaloniki City: $120
- Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Ammon Zeus Hotel : $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Olympos
Also for Olympos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Two Days Tour to Cappadocia with HB Hotel & Transfer from Kemer: $192
- Suluada Boat Tour From Antalya (Maldives of Turkey) with Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $20
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $22
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $40
- Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Beldibi & Göynük & Kemer Resorts: $240
- Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Çıralı & Olympos & Adrasan Resorts: $299
- Private Transfer From Beldibi / Göynük / Kemer / Kiriş To Antalya Airport: $91
- Kemer to Antalya Ariport (AYT) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kemer to Antalya Ariport (AYT) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Kemer Suluada Boat Tour (Maldives of Turkey) With Hotel Transfer: $20
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip with transfer from Belek: $15
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip With Lunch & Free Hotel Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Olympos?
Prices for flights to both Olympos 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
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Food Meals for one dayThessaloniki €42Olympos €28
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 Olympos
For Olympos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Olympos, Cirali, Chimera Night Tour with Dinner at Ulupinar : $33
- Kemer Olympos & Yanartas Sunset Jeep Tour with Dinner: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Thessaloniki €26Olympos €28
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 Olympos
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Olympos.
- 2 Hour Olympos Cable Car Tour to Tahtali Mountains from Kemer: $66
- 2-in-1 Canyoning and White Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch From Kemer: $25
- 9 Hours Rafting, Buggy Safari and Zipline Adventure from Kemer: $38
- Antalya Full-Day City Tour From Kemer With Cable Car : $30
- Buggy Safari and Rafting Adventure from Kemer: $38
- Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer: $36
- Full-day Boat Tour from Kemer with Lunch and Foam Party: $33
- Goynuk Canyon Tour with Entrance Ticket: $25
- Green Canyon Boat Tour with Lunch and Drinks from Kemer: $63
- Kemer 3 in 1 Tour Rafting Quad Safari and Zipline Experience: $40
- Kemer ATV Mountain Biking Tour: $54
- Kemer Bay Blue Cruise from Kemer: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayThessaloniki €15Olympos €17
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 Olympos, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Olympos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympos 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 Olympos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Olympos Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki or Olympos?
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 Olympos in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Olympos. The summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Olympos. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Olympos this time of the year. In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 385 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Olympos. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyThessaloniki 25°C (77°F)Olympos 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Olympos in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Olympos. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
Thessaloniki is cooler than Olympos in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Olympos fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Olympos. In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 249 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in October than Olympos. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThessaloniki 16°C (61°F)Olympos 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Olympos in the Winter?
Both Olympos and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Thessaloniki is much colder than Olympos. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Olympos averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Olympos. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryThessaloniki 5°C (41°F)Olympos 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Olympos in the Spring?
Both Olympos and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Olympos. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Olympos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 250 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in April than Olympos. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilThessaloniki 13°C (56°F)Olympos 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Olympos and Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki | Olympos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.