A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Thessaloniki vs. Puerto de la Cruz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Puerto de la Cruz?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Puerto de la Cruz? 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 Puerto de la Cruz?

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.

Puerto de la Cruz

The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.

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 Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz is €112. 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 Puerto de la Cruz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Puerto de la Cruz 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Puerto de la Cruz 102
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Puerto de la Cruz

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Puerto de la Cruz? 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 Puerto de la Cruz


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 Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Puerto de la Cruz 40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki

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

  • Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $18
  • Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Thessaloniki - Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Thessaloniki to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Departure Transfer: $21
  • One Way Private Transfer SKG Airport to / from Thessaloniki City Center: $24
  • Thessaloniki Airport Private Transfer Service: $32
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki Port: $41
  • Private Transfer from Thessaloniki hotels to Thessaloniki Port: $41
  • Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $44
  • Thessaloniki Airport - Sani Transfer: $81
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $82
  • Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Oceania Hotel Private Transfer: $87
  • Private transfer to IKOS OLIVIA: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Puerto de la Cruz?

Prices for flights to both Puerto de la Cruz 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
    Puerto de la Cruz 34

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
    Puerto de la Cruz 28

Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
  • White Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.54
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour & Narrative: $11
  • Selfie Museum Entry Ticket: $11
  • Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
  • Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket: $12
  • Thessaloniki Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
  • Byzantine Museum E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $13
  • E-ticket to Museum of Byzantine Culture with Audio Tour : $13
  • Thessaloniki Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Puerto de la Cruz 5.00

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 Puerto de la Cruz, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Puerto de la Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto de la Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz.

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


Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Puerto de la Cruz?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Puerto de la Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Puerto de la Cruz, 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 Puerto de la Cruz?

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 Puerto de la Cruz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Puerto de la Cruz. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto de la Cruz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto de la Cruz. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 334 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in July than Puerto de la Cruz. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F) 
    Puerto de la Cruz 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Puerto de la Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Puerto de la Cruz and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Puerto de la Cruz. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 218 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F) 
    Puerto de la Cruz 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Puerto de la Cruz in the Winter?

Both Puerto de la Cruz and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.

Thessaloniki is much colder than Puerto de la Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 180 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets more rain in January than Puerto de la Cruz. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F) 
    Puerto de la Cruz 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Puerto de la Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Puerto de la Cruz. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Puerto de la Cruz during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 229 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F) 
    Puerto de la Cruz 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto de la Cruz and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Puerto de la Cruz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 26 mm (1 in) 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)