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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Rouen?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rouen? 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 vibrant, high energy, and bustling city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Rouen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Thessaloniki than Rouen. Thessaloniki is bigger than Rouen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Thessaloniki is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Rouen is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Rouen and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Also, Thessaloniki is famous for The Monument of Rotonda. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Thessaloniki different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Thessaloniki is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Foodies will find both Thessaloniki and Rouen both to be high quality 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 Rouen is an experience not to be missed. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Thessaloniki or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Thessaloniki has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Thessaloniki or Rouen Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a moderate city for the beache. However, Rouen is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Thessaloniki. 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.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a popular place for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Rouen. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Rouen?

Thessaloniki is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Thessaloniki is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Thessaloniki or Rouen Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Thessaloniki or Rouen.

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 Rouen. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Thessaloniki or Rouen Better for Couples?

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

Rouen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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 Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Thessaloniki or Rouen Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is notable for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Thessaloniki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen can get you around easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen a more walkable city?

Rouen 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.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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 Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Rouen?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Thessaloniki or Rouen to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Thessaloniki than Rouen because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rouen.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Thessaloniki than Rouen 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 Thessaloniki.

One day in Thessaloniki or Rouen?

In Thessaloniki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this bustling destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Rouen, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historical city offers. 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 Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Rouen 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 Rouen?

Thessaloniki is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Rouen. 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 Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the high energy destination of Thessaloniki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rouen 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Rouen, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Rouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rouen 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 Rouen.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Rouen?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Rouen. The summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Rouen in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Rouen. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Rouen. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Thessaloniki is generally a little warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Rouen. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Rouen. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

Thessaloniki is much warmer than Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Rouen and Thessaloniki