Comparison · Istanbul vs Thessaloniki · Turkey / Greece
Istanbul vs Thessaloniki
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Choose Istanbul for Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus ferries; choose Thessaloniki for White Tower, Byzantine churches and a short break. Thessaloniki is generally less expensive, and the two are about 509 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 509 km
- Less expensive
- Thessaloniki
- Best time for Istanbul
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Thessaloniki
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Istanbul | Thessaloniki | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Turkey | Greece |
| Known for | Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus ferries and Grand Bazaar | White Tower, Byzantine churches and Bougatsa |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $120–$230 | $110–$190 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 9°C (48°F) | January, 9°C (48°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | Kilyos | Kassandra peninsula |
| Airports | IST, SAW | SKG |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Istanbul for…
Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus ferries. Istanbul spreads across both banks of the Bosphorus, the strait that divides Europe from Asia. The historic peninsula of Sultanahmet holds Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar within a 15-minute walk of each other, while Galata…
Choose Thessaloniki for…
White Tower, Byzantine churches and a short break. Thessaloniki, Greece's second city, curves around the Thermaic Gulf with a seafront promenade running for several kilometres from the port past the White Tower. Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers sit side by side: the Rotunda and Arch of Galerius, a ring of…
Top sights compared
| # | Istanbul | Thessaloniki |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hagia Sophia | White Tower |
| 2 | Topkapı Palace | Rotunda of Galerius |
| 3 | Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) | Arch of Galerius (Kamara) |
| 4 | Basilica Cistern | Church of Hagios Demetrios |
| 5 | Grand Bazaar | Hagia Sophia |
Food compared
| Istanbul | Thessaloniki |
|---|---|
| Simit | Bougatsa |
| Turkish breakfast | Thessaloniki koulouri |
| Fish sandwich | Trigona Panoramatos |
| Meze and rakı | Mussels |
Which is cheaper?
Thessaloniki is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $110–$190 per person there, against $120–$230 in Istanbul (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Thessaloniki on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Istanbul and Thessaloniki are about 509 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 5 days in Istanbul and 3 in Thessaloniki.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Istanbul or Thessaloniki cheaper?
Thessaloniki is usually less expensive: about $110–$190 a day mid-range against $120–$230 (estimates).
+Is Istanbul or Thessaloniki better for a first trip?
Pick Istanbul for Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus ferries, or Thessaloniki for White Tower, Byzantine churches and a short break.
+How far is Istanbul from Thessaloniki?
About 509 km in a straight line.