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

Should you visit Tartu or Thessaloniki?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Thessaloniki can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tartu

Tartu is a lively, intellectual, and student-oriented university town. Tartu is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife. See Tartu travel costs.

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. See Thessaloniki travel costs.

Tartu and Thessaloniki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Thessaloniki?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki than Tartu, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Thessaloniki is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Tartu is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Tartu and is known for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also home to The Monument of Rotonda. Tartu is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Thessaloniki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Thessaloniki and Tartu. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tartu or Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki is a great city for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Thessaloniki. 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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Thessaloniki is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Thessaloniki has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Thessaloniki Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Tartu and Thessaloniki.

The nightlife in Tartu has something for everybody. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

Thessaloniki offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Is Tartu or Thessaloniki Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is adequate for the beach. However, Tartu 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.

Tartu is not a beach destination.

Is Tartu or Thessaloniki Better for its Old Town?

Tartu 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 Tartu. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Thessaloniki More Beautiful?

Tartu is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Thessaloniki is not a destination known for its beauty.

Tartu is a beautiful place to visit, too. It's a beautiful city with a long history and a number of unique historical buildings.

Thessaloniki is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tartu or Thessaloniki Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Thessaloniki are good to visit with kids.

Tartu offers lots of family activities. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Thessaloniki is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Tartu or Thessaloniki Better for Couples?

Thessaloniki is a city with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Thessaloniki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tartu and Thessaloniki are excellent places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Tartu. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Thessaloniki. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Is Tartu or Thessaloniki Better for Students?

Tartu 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 Tartu. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

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

Tartu and Thessaloniki both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Tartu offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

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

Is Tartu or Thessaloniki a more walkable city?

Tartu 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.

Tartu is a very walkable university town. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

Thessaloniki is a somewhat walkable university town. You can explore much of the city center on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Tartu Worth Visiting? and Is Thessaloniki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Thessaloniki or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Thessaloniki?

It's fun to spend time in either Tartu or Thessaloniki. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Thessaloniki due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 2-4 days is enough time in Thessaloniki.

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

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

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

In Tartu, many people enjoy the nightlife that this student-oriented university town offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this university town.

In Thessaloniki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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.

A weekend in Tartu or Thessaloniki?

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

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.

Five days in Tartu or Thessaloniki?

You'll find nightlife around the historical destination of Tartu. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

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.

A week in Tartu or Thessaloniki?

Tartu 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Thessaloniki, 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 Tartu or Thessaloniki?

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 Tartu or Thessaloniki in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Thessaloniki. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tartu is generally cooler than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 17°C (62°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Thessaloniki this time of the year. In Tartu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Thessaloniki during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 327 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Thessaloniki. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Thessaloniki in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Thessaloniki. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Tartu is much colder than Thessaloniki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Thessaloniki. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 159 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Tartu or Thessaloniki in the Winter?

Both Thessaloniki and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Tartu can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tartu is much colder than Thessaloniki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tartu in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Thessaloniki averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Thessaloniki during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 101 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Thessaloniki. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Thessaloniki in the Spring?

Both Thessaloniki and Tartu during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.

The weather in Tartu can be very cold. In April, Tartu is generally much colder than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 5°C (41°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Thessaloniki. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 196 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Thessaloniki. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Thessaloniki and Tartu