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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Peniche?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Peniche? 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 Peniche?

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.

Peniche

Peniche is a beach destination with many attractions for travelers. First, the raging sea and the lay of the land make this a popular surfing destination. The best of many supreme beaches is Praia dos Supertubos, which has a tubular wave fit for big time international events. Peniche has also been a port since the Early Modern Age, when a fort was constructed to defend it. This monument has an absorbing history, first as a maritime defense and then a prison during the Estado Novo regime in the 20th century. The walled historic center makes for pleasant strolling, and the seaside fort where Salazar's regime detained political prisoners is a must-see for anyone interested in Portuguese history. Artisan lovers will enjoy Peniche's specialty, handmade lace, and it is even possible to see the lace-work in action. And on top of everything, Peniche also has the Berlingas Islands, a natural reserve off the coast, which are well worth a visit.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Portugal, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Peniche 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 Peniche is €122. 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 Peniche in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Peniche 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Peniche 100
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Peniche

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Peniche? 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 Peniche


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 Peniche Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Peniche 53

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 Peniche

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

  • Lisbon: Transfer from/to Peniche (Wave Capital): $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Peniche?

Prices for flights to both Peniche 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
    Peniche 41

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thessaloniki 26
    Peniche 19

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 Peniche

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Peniche.

  • From Lisbon: Berlenga Grande Sightseeing Tour: $134
  • From 1-Hour Cabo Carvoeiro Boat Tour: $16
  • From Round-Trip Boat Tour of Berlengas Archipelago: $24
  • Lisbon: Private Full Day Tour to Berlengas Island: $235
  • Peniche : Walking Tour: $37
  • Berlenga Island and Cave Tour: $33
  • Berlengas Island Caves Tour and Snorkeling: $44
  • Berlengas Island Trip, Hiking and Cave Tour: $36
  • Berlengas Roundtrip and Glass-Bottom Boat Cave Tour: $33
  • Mountain Bike Tour: $53
  • Private Jeep Tour + Tasting Offer: $53
  • Private Walking Tour - Footsteps of Our People: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Peniche 12

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 comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki and Peniche, 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 Peniche Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Peniche?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Peniche. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Peniche, 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 Peniche?

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 Peniche in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Peniche. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.

Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Peniche in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Peniche fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Peniche this time of the year. In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Peniche during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Peniche receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Peniche. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Peniche receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F) 
    Peniche 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Peniche in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Peniche. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is cooler than Peniche. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Peniche averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Peniche. In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Peniche. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Peniche receives 213 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Peniche. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Peniche receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F) 
    Peniche 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Peniche in the Winter?

Both Peniche 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.

In January, Thessaloniki is generally much colder than Peniche. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Peniche fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Peniche during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Peniche receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Peniche. In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Peniche. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Peniche receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F) 
    Peniche 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Peniche in the Spring?

Both Peniche 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.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Peniche in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Peniche fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Peniche, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Peniche. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Peniche receives 235 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Peniche. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Peniche receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F) 
    Peniche 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Peniche and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Peniche
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 26 mm (1 in) 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)