Thessaloniki or Meteora?

I visited both in late March. We found Meteora to be incredible and unique. Thessaloniki was fairly large city without a lot of "major" sites. We spent 2 nights and a day there, and managed to fill the day. But I would have skipped it for Meteora if faced with the same predicament.

An e-bike tour (probably less than half a day) in Thessaloniki will quickly show you the main sights of the city: basically the lower town, the waterfront, the port, the White Tower, and Aristotelous Square.

If you want to see more than just making 3-minute stops at these places between bike rides, you could spend at least two more days in Thessaloniki. (We spent four rather busy days there.) But if your time is limited, head to Meteora and save the rest of Thessaloniki for another time.

You should visit Meteora. Worth the drive. Once there, take a tour with VisitMeteora. That way you can concentrate on the beauty of the hills and the monasteries and leave the driving on the windy roads to someone else.

Is it worth it to do sunset tour PLUS morning tour of Meteora?

Is it worth it to do sunset tour PLUS morning tour of Meteora?

Yes, if it is a sunny day, you will have a beautiful sunset. We did both the morning tour and the sunset tour and they do not overlap sites.
So I think its worth it to do both

I can't speak for Meteora, which by all accounts is so unique and stunning and a must-see for many, many people. What I can say is that I just got back from spending 5 glorious days in Thessaloniki and absolutely loved every second of it! It's such an underrated place to see in Greece and the historic sites are mind-blowing (to me)- from the Ancient Hamman, to the Rotunda (seeing the interior is worth it IMO), the Roman Agora, the arch of Gallerius- all of these sites are woven into the everyday fabulous fabric of a foodie city with warm, approachable people and it has an amazing seaside vibe that makes it one of my top 3 cities in the world to spend time in.
Maybe the next time you visit Greece you can make more time for it? I plan to!! I'll even squeeze in Meteora :) I hope you have the best time!!

@christine.trageser - the hamam is closed inside, right?

Sadly, yes- the structural integrity has not been maintained so you can only visit the hammam from the outside.

Re the "foodie city" rep of Thessaloniki, which I find intruiging:

What is the best way to experience this "foodie culture"? Wife and I have long been interested in this city, but the cousine part is sort of new to me.

We've been to both. Thessaloniki is a city with museums, etc., nice but if you have to cut something, this would be it. Meteora is magical and a must-see!

I'm editing the post to say we did a day tour of with VisitMeteora and a night tour. The company creates itineraries that are different just for that reason. You won't be sorry.

What is the best way to experience this "foodie culture"?

I don’t know the best way and I have not been to Thessaloniki yet. I will be visiting in the fall. Culinary Backstreets just started offering a food tour there this month:
https://culinarybackstreets.com/food-tours/Thessaloniki#

They also have a number of articles about food in Thessaloniki:
https://culinarybackstreets.com/stories/Thessaloniki

I’ve taken 4 food tours with Culinary Backstreets in other cities and they have all been excellent so I am planning to sign up for their Thessaloniki food tour. Even if you are not interested in taking a food tour, the “stories” on their website often have interesting information about local food specialties, markets, and restaurants.

What is the best way to experience this "foodie culture"?

Research- one of my favorite things about getting ready to travel! Online reviews and yt vids! Here are some of the eateries I discovered in Thessaloniki:

• 3 Little Pigs/Ta Tria Gourounakia: amazing deconstructed dolmades and moussaka. Also enjoyed their chicken souvlaki. Their bread was also super yummy (but the bread is always better in Greece)!
• Deka Trapezia: all kinds of incredible small plates and one dish in particular I will never forget- they elevated simple fried potatoes to an art form. There was a foam of "staka", a Cretan specialty, added to it along with other flavors and it reminded me of the lightest, most amazing poutine you've ever eaten in your life. Loved this place! But it is literally ten tables so I imagine in the summer it books up.
• Nea Folia: away from the center of the city, this was a local spot with a very down-home flair. The green salad was amazing and their pastas were delicious! Casual, traditional Greek food with accompanying outdoor kitties.
• Diagonios 1977: If you want to try amazing soutzoukakia, this is a great spot. However that's the only menu item I heartily recommend. Kapani market is great to try olives and find lovely teas, like Greek mountain tea. And you can't go wrong by have a coffee next to an ancient site or two. I loved sipping drinks next to both the Rotunda and the Hammam. Also had a coffee and dessert at the Electra Palace Hotel which overlooked Aristotelous Square and the Thermaic Gulf beyond. I did not try any of the local bougatsa, though, b/c I had my fill in Crete. Man, I miss Greece already!!