Which place is cheaper, Setubal or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Thessaloniki or Setubal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Setubal? 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 Setubal?
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.
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayThessaloniki €134Setubal €123
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, while the average daily cost in Setubal is €123. 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 Setubal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThessaloniki €79Setubal €59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThessaloniki €158Setubal €118
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Setubal
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Setubal? 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 Setubal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Thessaloniki €13Setubal €54
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 Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $197
- Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $148
- Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Setubal?
Prices for flights to both Setubal 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 €42Setubal €35
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Thessaloniki €26Setubal €12
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 Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $44
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Évora Tales and Legends Walking Tour from Évora: $55
- Évora With Love Walking Tours: $55
- Évora: Christian Heritage Private Walking Tour: $64
- Évora: Private Walking Tour: $64
- 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $49
- 4x4 and Boat Tour in Arrabida Natural Park: $98
- Arrábida Jeep 4x4 tour to Arrábida, the most beautiful beach of Europe: $93
- Arrábida National Park Rock Climbing Experience: $128
- Arrábida Natural Park: Stand Up Paddleboard Tour and Lesson: $53
- Arrábida Nature Jeep Tour: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayThessaloniki €15Setubal €10
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $56
- Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $71
- Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $76
- Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $106
- Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $137
- Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $152
- Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $170
When comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki and Setubal, 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 Setubal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Setubal?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Setubal, 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 Setubal?
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 Setubal in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Setubal. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
In July, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Setubal. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Setubal fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal 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 Setubal during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Setubal. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyThessaloniki 25°C (77°F)Setubal 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Setubal in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Setubal. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Thessaloniki is cooler than Setubal in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Setubal fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Setubal. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 213 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Setubal. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThessaloniki 16°C (61°F)Setubal 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Setubal in the Winter?
Both Setubal 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 the winter, Thessaloniki is much colder than Setubal. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Setubal averages at about 12°C (53°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Setubal during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Setubal. In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Setubal. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryThessaloniki 5°C (41°F)Setubal 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Setubal in the Spring?
Both Setubal 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.
In April, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Setubal. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Setubal fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Setubal. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 235 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Setubal. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilThessaloniki 13°C (56°F)Setubal 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Setubal and Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki | Setubal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.