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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Toulouse?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Toulouse? 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 historic, vibrant, and high energy city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a friendly, relaxed, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Thessaloniki and Toulouse: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Toulouse?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulouse than Thessaloniki, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toulouse is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Thessaloniki is known for its beaches. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Toulouse and is known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also home to Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Thessaloniki different from Toulouse?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Thessaloniki and Toulouse.

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.

Many visitors head to Toulouse specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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

Toulouse is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Toulouse is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

Dining out in Thessaloniki is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Thessaloniki or Toulouse Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Toulouse have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Thessaloniki has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

The people in Toulouse know how to have a good time. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Is Thessaloniki or Toulouse Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is adequate for the beach. However, Toulouse is not a beach destination.

The beach in Thessaloniki is worth checking out. 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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Toulouse Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Toulouse?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Thessaloniki and Toulouse.

Thessaloniki is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Thessaloniki or Toulouse Better for Families?

Toulouse is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Toulouse is very family-friendly. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Thessaloniki. 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.

Is Thessaloniki or Toulouse Better for Couples?

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

Toulouse makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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 Toulouse Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Thessaloniki. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Thessaloniki or Toulouse Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Thessaloniki. 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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Thessaloniki and Toulouse.

Thessaloniki has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

You'll find some public transit in Toulouse, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Thessaloniki or Toulouse a more walkable city?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is a very walkable city. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore 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 Toulouse Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toulouse or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Toulouse?

It's fun to spend time in either Thessaloniki or Toulouse. In our opinion, Toulouse has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Toulouse than Thessaloniki. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Toulouse than Thessaloniki. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Toulouse, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Thessaloniki than Toulouse 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 Toulouse?

The city of Thessaloniki offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Toulouse, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Toulouse?

Thessaloniki is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Thessaloniki, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Toulouse is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the food. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Toulouse?

Thessaloniki is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the dynamic destination of Toulouse. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Toulouse?

Thessaloniki is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Toulouse is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki and Toulouse, 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 Toulouse Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Toulouse?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Toulouse, 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 Toulouse?

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 Toulouse in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Toulouse. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Toulouse. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Toulouse averages at about 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. In Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Toulouse during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Toulouse. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Toulouse in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Toulouse. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toulouse. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 161 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Toulouse. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Toulouse in the Winter?

Both Toulouse 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. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Toulouse in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Toulouse fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Toulouse during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Toulouse. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Toulouse in the Spring?

Both Toulouse 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. Also, many travelers come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Toulouse. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Toulouse averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Toulouse. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 178 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Toulouse and Thessaloniki