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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Tangier?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Tangier? 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 Tangier?

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.

Tangier

Welcome to the gateway to Africa. Sitting on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier, Morocco has historically served as the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Africa.

After World War II, this city became a destination for eccentric foreigners, artists, spies and hippies. After that, the city was neglected and gained a horrible reputation for the hustlers cheating visitors left and right.

In 1999 Morocco saw the beginning of a new monarch who was more progressive with his vision for tourism. This message lit a fire under Tangier, helping the people see the amazing potential in their great city. They built a new port, a new business district and revamped the airport. The beaches and streets have been cleaned up of trash and hustlers and there's a sudden surge in cultural activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Tangier 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 Tangier is €57. 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 Tangier in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Tangier 22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Tangier 44
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Tangier

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Tangier? 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 Tangier


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 Tangier Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Tangier 22

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 Tangier

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

  • transfers from Tangier Airport, port or city to Fez (Door to Door): $146
  • Vip Private Transfer From Airport/Port to Tangier Vice Versa: $36
  • Vip Private Transfer From Airport / Port to Tangier or Vice Versa: $34
  • VIP transfer from Tangier to Chefchaouen or vice versa: $198
  • VIP Private Transfer from Tanger Airport / Port to Hotel Vice Versa: $38
  • Transfers from Tangier to chefchaouen "blue city": $71
  • Transfers from - to Tangier airport: $27
  • Transfers From Tangier to Casablanca: $140
  • Transfers From Tangier To Marrakech: $245
  • Transfers From Tangier To Chefchaouen-Asilah-Fes-Casablanca .: $131
  • Transfers From Tangier Airport to Asilah: $51
  • Transfer to Tangier from fes via Chefchaeun: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Tangier?

Prices for flights to both Tangier 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
    Tangier 19

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

Typical Food Prices in Tangier

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tangier:


  • Fruit & Yogurt
    1.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tangier

For Tangier, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3 Hour Private Moroccan Food Tour in Tanger : $49
  • Tanger Local Street food tours: $60
  • Tangier Private Cooking Class With a Local Family: $66
  • Tangier Food Tour with a certified local guide!: $67
  • Tangier food tour with Rababe: $71
  • Tangier food tour : $71
  • Tangier Food Tour with a certified guide!: $71
  • Morocco Food Cooking Class and Tangier City Tour: $71
  • Moroccan 3-in-1 Cooking Experience: $75
  • Moroccan 3 in 1 Cooking Experience: $76
  • The Food tour of Tangier: $76
  • Inclusive Beach Camel Ride, Cap Spartel, Hercules & Full Dinner: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thessaloniki 26
    Tangier 18

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 Tangier

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

  • 3-Hour Private Enchanting Tangier Coastal Adventure: $87
  • Highlights of Tangier Half Day Tour: $87
  • Luxury Tangier private Day Tour from Tarifa Spain All inclusive : $251
  • Private Guided Food Experience Tour in Medina of Tangier: $76
  • Private LuxuryTour of Tangier for 4hours: $76
  • Tangier Private Tour from Tarifa Ferry & Lunch Included : $209
  • Tangier private customized tour & camel ride experience : $102
  • Tangier walking tour with lunch Moroccan food : $60
  • The Best of Tangier Walking Tour : $208
  • 2 Days Chefchaouen and Tangier Tour from Casablanca: $541
  • 2 Days Chefchaouen and Tangier Tour from Casablanca: $512
  • 2 Days Luxury Tour to Merzouga Desert from Fez with Small Group: $251

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Tangier 9.87

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 Tangier, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Tangier much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Thessaloniki is in Europe and Tangier is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tangier would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tangier 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 Tangier.

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


Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Tangier?

Tangier has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Tangier, 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 Tangier?

Thessaloniki has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tangier experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Tangier in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Tangier. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Tangier attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Tangier. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°F), and Tangier fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tangier 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 Tangier during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Tangier receives 346 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Tangier. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F) 
    Tangier 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Tangier in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Tangier. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tangier throughout the year.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Tangier in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Tangier fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tangier. In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Tangier. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tangier receives 235 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Tangier. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F) 
    Tangier 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Tangier in the Winter?

Both Tangier and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Tangier because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Thessaloniki is much colder than Tangier. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Tangier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Tangier during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Tangier receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tangier. In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Tangier. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F) 
    Tangier 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Tangier in the Spring?

Both Tangier and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tangier year-round.

In April, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Tangier. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Tangier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In Tangier, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Tangier. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tangier receives 251 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Tangier. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F) 
    Tangier 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Tangier and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Tangier
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 24°C (74°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) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)