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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Zurich?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Zurich? 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.

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal 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 Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Zurich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki. Although Thessaloniki and Zurich are roughly the same size, Thessaloniki has more sights and attractions for tourists. Thessaloniki is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Zurich is more popular for its music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is well known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Also, Thessaloniki is famous for The Monument of Rotonda. Zurich is well known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.

How is Thessaloniki different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Zurich specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Thessaloniki and Zurich both to be superb 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 Zurich is an experience not to be missed. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Is Thessaloniki or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Zurich have superb 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 Zurich know how to have a good time. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Thessaloniki or Zurich Better for Music?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its live music scene. However, Thessaloniki is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Zurich has diverse options. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Thessaloniki is not a live music destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Zurich Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a moderate city for the beache. However, Zurich 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.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Zurich is revered around the world. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Zurich?

Zurich is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Zurich draws large crowds to its stores. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Thessaloniki. 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.

Is Thessaloniki or Zurich Better for Families?

Zurich 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, Zurich is very family-friendly. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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 Zurich Better for Couples?

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

Zurich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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 Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Thessaloniki or Zurich Better for Students?

Zurich is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Thessaloniki is very popular with students. 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.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can get you around easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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 Zurich a more walkable city?

Zurich 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.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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 Zurich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Zurich?

In either Thessaloniki or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich than Thessaloniki because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 2-5 days is enough time in Zurich.

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

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

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

One day in Thessaloniki or Zurich?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Zurich, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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 Zurich?

Thessaloniki is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Zurich 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 shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Zurich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Zurich, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this liberal destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Thessaloniki or Zurich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling destination of Thessaloniki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Zurich 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Zurich, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Thessaloniki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Thessaloniki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Thessaloniki 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Thessaloniki.

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Zurich?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Zurich, 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 Zurich?

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 Zurich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Zurich. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Zurich in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

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

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Zurich in the Autumn?

Both Zurich 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. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Zurich averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Zurich. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Zurich in the Winter?

Both Zurich 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. In January, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Zurich. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Zurich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Zurich. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Zurich in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Zurich. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Thessaloniki