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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Asilah?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Asilah? 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 Asilah?

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.

Asilah

Spend your summers like the rich and famous with a trip to Asilah, Morocco. With pristine, white buildings and wrought-iron windows, this gorgeous city still holds the traditions from a time when it was under Spanish rule. The town remains rather quiet for most of the year, with a population surge in the summer months. Beaches are packed and there are tourists as far as the eye can see. If you're not a fan of crowds, consider visiting in the spring or fall when the weather is nice, but the tourists are gone.

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


Which place is cheaper, Asilah or Thessaloniki?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Thessaloniki Prices
    Greece Prices
    Asilah Prices
    Morocco Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Thessaloniki 165
    Asilah 79

The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €165, while the average daily cost in Asilah is €79. 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 Asilah in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Asilah 27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Asilah 54
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Asilah

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Asilah? 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 Asilah


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 Asilah Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Asilah 15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki

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

  • Athens to/from Thessaloniki : Private Transfer: $1,006
  • From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $493
  • Thessaloniki Airport Private Transfer Service: $35
  • Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Asilah?

Prices for flights to both Asilah 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 72
    Asilah 39

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: $53
  • Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $69
  • Guided Food Tour: $76
  • Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour With A Local: $93
  • Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $94
  • Kavala Food Tour and Cooking Workshop: $95
  • Get a Taste of Thessaloniki - Food Tour & Lunch: $103
  • Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $104
  • Guided Walking and Food Tour with Drinks: $117
  • Thessaloniki Food Tour with a Local Chef: $129
  • Cooking & Wine Tasting with Dockside Views: $141
  • Cooking classes for Foodies, Discover Greek cuisine.: $158

Typical Food Prices in Asilah

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


  • Cookies
    0.47
  • Breakfast for Two
    4.71
  • Tagine Dinner for 2
    7.07

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thessaloniki 26
    Asilah 21

Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki

For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Ancient Pella Tour: In the Footsteps of Alexander: $135
  • Best of Thessaloníki: Private Walking Tour with a Local: $92
  • Best of Private Guided Tour: $188
  • Discover Olympus from Paralia in Jeep Safari Shared Tour: $113
  • Explore Kavala City with Eco Friendly Tuk Tuk Tour: $72
  • From City Tour and Archaelogical Museum: $47
  • From Guided Tour of The Land of Aristoteles: $70
  • From Halkidiki Blue Lagoon Pirate Boat Cruise: $75
  • From Sithonia Beaches and Scenic Villages Tour: $100
  • Kavala Fun Day Private Outdoor Experience: $167
  • Kavala: The Sacred Path of Apostle Paul Private Tour: $167
  • Meteora: 2-Days Train Tour from Thessaloniki - Local Agency: $197

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Asilah 6.60

Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki

Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Pella-Edessa-Naousa wine tasting: $76
  • Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $89
  • Wine Tasting & Farm tour in Thessaloniki: $95
  • Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $111
  • Northern Greece Wine Tasting Tour in Kavala: $155
  • Small Group Kavala Tour: Pangaion Mountain & Wine Tasting: $274


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

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


Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Asilah?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Asilah. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki and Asilah, 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 Asilah?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Asilah in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Asilah. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Asilah averages at about 24°C (74°F).

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

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


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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Asilah in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Asilah. 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 Asilah throughout the year.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Asilah. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Asilah fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

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

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


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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Asilah in the Winter?

Both Asilah 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 Asilah because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Thessaloniki is much colder than Asilah in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Asilah fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

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


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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Asilah in the Spring?

Both Asilah 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 Asilah year-round.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is cooler than Asilah. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Asilah averages at about 15°C (60°F).

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

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


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

Typical Weather for Asilah and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Asilah
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)