A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Arachova vs. Crete for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Arachova or Crete?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arachova or Crete, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arachova

Arachova is a bustling, beautiful, and outdoorsy town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Crete

Crete is a world-renowned, scenic, and stunning island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Arachova and Crete: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arachova or Crete?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Crete than Arachova, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Crete is better known for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Arachova is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, and small town charm. Crete is more touristy than Arachova and is known for its breathtaking beaches, wild nightlife, and impressive archeological ruins. Also, Crete is famous for the Palace of Knossos. Arachova is well known for its surrounding mountain beauty, festive Christmas atmosphere, and nearby winter skiing.

How is Arachova different from Crete?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Skiing?

Arachova is a popular place for winter skiing. However, Crete is not a skiing destination.

Head to Arachova for some great skiing and other winter activities. The Parnassos Ski Resort is located just 24 kilometers from town and offers skiing that is beautiful and fun. There are spectacular views and the area has gained popularity in recent years. There are lessons for kids and many other fun winter activities nearby.

Crete is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arachova or Crete?

Crete is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Crete can be an interesting and educational experience. The island is filled with archeological sites including the famous Palace of Knossos. While most people come to Crete for the natural beauty, in the cities you'll find some great museums and landmarks.

Arachova offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting sights in the surrounding area, as well as the unique Ai Giorgis Church near town.

Is the Food Better in Arachova or Crete? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Crete is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Crete is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Local cuisine is influenced by the island's fertile environment and excellent agriculture. You'll find olive oil in most dishes and seafood is a major staple. You'll also find a lot of stews and recipes that incorporate local ingredients.

Arachova has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is filled with old tavernas that serve up traditional local cuisine. You'll find a lot of the local cheese, formaela, as well as a local noodle dish called hilopites. Pork ribs and delicate desserts are also popular.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Arachova and Crete.

Arachova is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are many charming bars around town that stay open late into the night. During the popular winter months, you'll find the streets filled with people that come for the unique winter atmosphere.

Many people head to Crete for the nightlife scene. The island has excellent nightlife with clubs and bars found in Chania, Malia and Stalis to Elounda. The area is popular with British tourists and you'll find many bars open until 2 or 3 in the morning.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Resorts?

Crete is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Arachova is not a resort destination.

Crete offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has world class resorts that include pools and buffet meals. There are many beachfront resorts that range in style from romantic to family-friendly.

Arachova is not a resort destination.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Crete is well known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Arachova is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Crete to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. The island is surrounded by clear waters that make for great snorkeling and diving. There's a number of beautiful fish and other sea life that you can see. Be on the lookout for crabs, sea stars, sponges, and even octopi.

Arachova is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Beaches?

Crete is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Arachova is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Crete are among the best in the world. There are some of the best beaches in the world on Crete. The areas around Chania have some of the island's best beaches, with one of the most beautiful being Balos. On the northern side of the island, be on the lookout for strong winds, particularly in August, which can make for larger waves. The island is large, so you'll find everything from secluded and quiet beaches to more active and lively places.

Arachova is not a beach destination.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for its Old Town?

Arachova is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Crete does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Arachova. The charming old town is at its best during the Christmas season when there are decorations around the town square and the streets are filled with people.

Crete does not have a historic old town.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Hiking?

Arachova and Crete are both places where visitors can find very good hiking trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Arachova. For the best outdoor activities, head to nearby Mount Parnassos, where there's skiing and snowboarding during the winter months and beautiful hikes through the mountainous terrain during the summer months.

Many visitors go to Crete for the hiking trails. The island is filled with beautiful hikes that run along the shoreline or head inland through the island's beautiful landscapes. There are hikes for every ability level that offer spectacular views and an incredible experience.

Is the Shopping Better in Arachova or Crete?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Crete and Arachova.

Arachova is a great destination for shopping. The charming town has many unique shops that sell carpets, woven goods, and local food items.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Crete. The island has many markets that sell local foods and handicrafts. There are also shops and boutiques where you can buy anything from souvenirs to homemade artwork.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Families?

Crete is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Crete is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. The island is large and filled with countless family-friendly activities. You can spend several days at the beach, explore Lake Kournas, visit a water park, or even take a pirate themed boat cruise. There's also the amusement park, ​​Labyrinth Park, aquariums and more.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Arachova is very family-friendly. The charming town has long served as a winter escape for those living in Athens. There's plenty for kids to do including and ice skating rink, a horse ranch, and even nearby skiing.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Couples?

Crete is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Crete has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's stunning beaches, beautiful landscapes, world renowned restaurants, and amazing resorts make this a top honeymoon spot for international travelers and romance seekers.

Arachova is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a romantic setting with nice accommodation, delicious local taverns, and plenty of unique activities that couples can enjoy.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Crete is well known for backpackers. However, Arachova is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Crete. It's a large island with a great social scene and no shortage of hostels for backpackers to choose from.

Arachova is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers don't think to visit this area on their trip to Greece. There are some guesthouses, but not a lot of hostels, so you might find a limited number of social activities.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Students?

Crete is well known for students. However, Arachova is not popular with students.

Crete is a great island to visit as a student. It's affordability and great coastal activities is a big draw for students in the area.

Arachova is not popular with students.

Is Arachova or Crete Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Arachova and Crete.

You'll find some public transit in Arachova, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are some public buses in the area.

While Crete offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system that travels around the island and offers access to many areas.

Is Arachova or Crete a more walkable city?

Arachova is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Crete is not particularly known for its walkability.

Arachova is a somewhat walkable town. The town has many walkable streets that are fun to explore on foot.

Crete is generally not a very walkable town. The island is large and requires a vehicle to get around, but there are short strolls that let you enjoy the stunning landscapes.

For even more information, also check out Is Arachova Worth Visiting? and Is Crete Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Crete or Arachova?

How long in Arachova or Crete?

Both Arachova and Crete have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Crete than in Arachova. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Arachova, and 5-7 days is enough time in Crete.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Crete than Arachova 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 Crete.

One day in Arachova or Crete?

In Arachova, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town 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.

The beautiful island of Crete offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Arachova or Crete?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arachova. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

Crete is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Arachova or Crete?

Arachova is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Arachova. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Crete is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Crete, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Arachova or Crete?

You'll find museums and skiing around the beautiful destination of Arachova. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Crete is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Crete has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece.

When comparing the travel costs between Arachova and Crete, we can see that Arachova is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which has a larger population, Arachova or Crete?

Crete has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Arachova. When comparing the sizes of Arachova and Crete, 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.