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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Lugo?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Lugo? 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 Lugo?

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.

Lugo

Located in northwestern Spain, Lugo is a city of the Galicia region best known for its old city, completely surrounded by Roman walls. Within these walls are some of Lugo's most impressive sights including a striking city hall, elaborate cathedral, and many beautiful city squares and plazas. The city is also known for its festivals and is the capital of a province of the same name.

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


Which place is cheaper, Lugo 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
    Lugo Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Thessaloniki 165
    Lugo 123

The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €165, while the average daily cost in Lugo is €123. 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 Lugo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Thessaloniki 79
    Lugo 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Thessaloniki 158
    Lugo 100
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Lugo

Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki or Lugo? 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 Lugo


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 Lugo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Thessaloniki 13
    Lugo 20

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 Lugo?

Prices for flights to both Lugo 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
    Lugo 60

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Thessaloniki 26
    Lugo 13

Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki

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

  • White Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.37
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour & Narrative: $9.37
  • Thessaloniki:Selfie Museum, a 60-minute immersive experience: $13
  • Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket: $13
  • Ticket for Frida Kahlo Beyond the Icon Immersive Experience: $18
  • Cretan Olive Oil Tasting Experience: $18
  • Thessaloniki Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $19
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $19
  • OTE Tower Rotating Experience with Light Meal: $21
  • Byzantine Museum E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $21
  • Byzantine Museum E-Ticket & Audio City Tour: $25
  • Polycentric Museum & Aigai Royal Graves E-ticket with Audio Guide: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Thessaloniki 15
    Lugo 16

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 Lugo, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Lugo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lugo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lugo 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 Lugo.

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


Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Lugo?

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

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 Lugo in the Summer?

Both Lugo and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Lugo in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Lugo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Lugo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Lugo. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lugo receives 248 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Lugo. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F) 
    Lugo 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Lugo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Lugo. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Lugo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Lugo averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lugo during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Lugo receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Lugo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Lugo. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F) 
    Lugo 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Lugo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Lugo. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Thessaloniki is generally much colder than Lugo. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Lugo fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lugo. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lugo receives 103 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Lugo. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Lugo. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F) 
    Lugo 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Lugo in the Spring?

Both Lugo and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Lugo in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Lugo fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Lugo during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Lugo receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Lugo. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F) 
    Lugo 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Lugo and Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki Lugo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 26 mm (1 in) 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in)