A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chania vs. Seville for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Chania or Seville?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Seville, 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.

Chania

Chania is a picturesque, historic, and idyllic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Seville

Seville is a historic, energetic, and elegant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include theater, nightlife, and food.

Chania and Seville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Seville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Seville than Chania, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Seville is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chania is known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Seville is more touristy than Chania and is popular for its Moorish and Islamic architecture, its colorful Flamenco dancing, and its local tapas and wine. It is also home to the Real Alcázar. Chania is popular for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine.

How is Chania different from Seville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chania or Seville?

Seville is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Seville on the map. This elegant city is filled with historic buildings and world famous architecture. From the iconic Catedral de Sevilla to the Real Alcázar and Plaza de España, there is an endless supply of world class sights around town.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Chania. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Theater?

Seville is a nice place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Chania is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Seville. Flamenco shows are a highlight for many visitors. You can sip wine and enjoy tapas as you take in this dramatic dance form.

Chania is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Chania or Seville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chania is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Chania, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

Dining out in Seville is an experience not to be missed. The city is filled with cafes that spill into the streets. Locals live their lives outdoors, and the cafe terraces are filled with chattering guests from breakfast until late in the evening. The food includes many typical Spanish favorites such as Iberian pork, stewed meats, and other local tapas.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Nightlife?

Seville is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Seville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The excellent nightlife scene includes local bars, Flamenco shows, and student focused parties. The Triana District is a popular nightlife area, particularly for the Flamenco shows. There are also a lot of bars along Calle Betis and upscale ambiance can be found in La Alameda.

If you're looking for night time activities Chania has a few options to choose from. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Seville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Chania. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Seville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Beaches?

Chania is terrific for the beache. However, Seville is not a beach destination.

Chania offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

Seville is not a beach destination.

Is Chania or Seville Better for its Old Town?

Chania and Seville both have great historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Chania to see the historical old town. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Seville is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Barrio de Santa Cruz is the old town of Seville. This is where you'll find the Jewish Quarter and many of the city's historic landmarks.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Hiking?

Chania is a great city for hiking. However, Seville is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Chania for the hiking trails. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

Seville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Seville?

Seville is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Seville. There is a great combination of shopping streets, high end shopping malls, and local markets. Calle Sierpes, Calle Tetuan, and Calle Asuncion are some of the best places for shopping.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chania. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Families?

Chania and Seville are both great destinations for the whole family.

Chania is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

Seville is a very family-friendly destination. There are parks where kids can run around. There's also the Seville Aquarium as well as Isla Mágica, which is a small amusement park. Other fun family-friendly activities include taking a boat ride on the Guadalquivir River and seeing a Flamenco Show.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Couples?

Chania and Seville are both great to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Chania frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

Seville is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic walks, beautiful parks, and world class attractions make this a truly romantic city. Couples will enjoy an evening out with dinner and a Flamenco show, or visiting the Arab baths.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chania and Seville are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Chania is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

Seville is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a well established backpacker destination with a large supply of hostels and plenty of eager travelers ready to head out on the town.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Students?

Seville is a world-class destination for students. However, Chania is not popular with students.

Seville is a great destination for students. It's a top destination for international students who appreciate the many great educational institutions, beautiful year-round weather, and many festivals and evening activities.

Chania is not popular with students.

Is Chania or Seville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Chania and Seville.

You'll find some public transit in Chania, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

While Seville offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel through the entire city. There is also a tram system that has 4 stops and travels 1.4 kilometers.

Is Chania or Seville a more walkable city?

Chania and Seville both are great when exploring on foot.

Chania is a very walkable destination. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

Seville is very walkable. There are many parts of the city that are very walkable. It takes about 45 minutes to walk across the city center in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Chania Worth Visiting? and Is Seville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seville or Chania?

How long in Chania or Seville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chania and Seville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chania than in Seville. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seville.

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

One day in Chania or Seville?

In Chania, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Seville. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chania or Seville?

In Chania, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Seville is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Chania or Seville?

Chania is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seville. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Chania or Seville?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chania. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Chania. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Seville. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Seville, we can see that Seville is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania 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 Seville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seville than you might in Chania.

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

Which is Bigger, Chania or Seville?

Seville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania and Seville, 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 Chania or Seville?

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 Chania or Seville in the Summer?

Both Seville and Chania during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chania for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seville in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chania is generally around the same temperature as Seville. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 26°C (80°F), and Seville fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Seville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chania. In the summer, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seville. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seville receives 360 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in July than Seville. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Seville receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Seville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Seville. Many visitors come to Chania in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Chania is around the same temperature as Seville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Seville fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seville this time of the year. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seville during autumn. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Seville receives 208 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chania usually receives more rain than Seville. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Seville receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chania or Seville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chania as well as Seville. Most visitors come to Chania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Seville because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Chania is a little warmer than Seville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chania in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Seville averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Chania often gets less sunshine than Seville. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seville receives 173 hours of full sun.

Chania receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chania usually gets more rain in January than Seville. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Seville receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Seville in the Spring?

Both Seville and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Chania because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seville this time of year.

In April, Chania is generally around the same temperature as Seville. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 17°C (62°F), and Seville fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Seville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seville during spring. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Seville receives 221 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chania usually receives less rain than Seville. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Seville receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seville and Chania