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

Should you visit Chania or Urbino?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Urbino, 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Urbino

Urbino is a laid back, historic, and undiscovered town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chania and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Urbino?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chania. Although Chania and Urbino are popular destinations, Chania has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chania is very popular for its museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and big city activities, while Urbino attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Chania is more touristy than Urbino and is popular for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also well known for The Venetian Harbor. Urbino is famous for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Chania different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Urbino 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 Urbino?

Chania is great for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

Chania is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Chania have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Urbino makes for a great culinary experience. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Chania or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Chania and Urbino.

Chania has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Urbino has a few options to choose from. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Chania or Urbino Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Urbino is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Chania. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Urbino is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Urbino Better for Beaches?

Chania is an amazing city to visit for the beach. However, Urbino is not a beach destination.

Chania is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Urbino is not a beach destination.

Is Chania or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Chania is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its historic old town.

Chania is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is Chania or Urbino Better for Hiking?

Chania is great for hiking. However, Urbino 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.

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Urbino?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Urbino and Chania.

Many visitors go to Chania to go shopping. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Urbino. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Chania or Urbino Better for Families?

Chania is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Chania. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Chania or Urbino Better for Couples?

Chania and Urbino are both high quality 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.

Urbino is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Chania or Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chania is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Chania. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Chania or Urbino Better for Students?

Urbino is well known for students. However, Chania is not popular with students.

Urbino is a great town to visit as a student. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Chania is not popular with students.

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

Chania is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Chania offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Chania or Urbino a more walkable city?

Chania is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Chania?

How long in Chania or Urbino?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chania or Urbino to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chania than Urbino because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 1-2 days is enough time in Urbino.

Families should spend more time in Chania than Urbino. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chania than Urbino 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 Chania.

One day in Chania or Urbino?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Chania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Urbino. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Chania or Urbino?

Chania is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Urbino is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Urbino?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chania. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Urbino. 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 Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Chania. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Urbino. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Urbino, we can see that Urbino 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 Urbino would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Urbino 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 Urbino Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chania or Urbino?

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

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 Urbino in the Summer?

Both Urbino and Chania during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the family-friendly experiences.

Chania is a little warmer than Urbino in the summer. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Urbino fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Chania usually gets less rain in July than Urbino. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Urbino. Many travelers come to Chania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Urbino in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Chania is a little warmer than Urbino. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chania in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Urbino averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In October, Chania usually receives around the same amount of rain as Urbino. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chania or Urbino in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chania as well as Urbino. Many visitors come to Chania in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Urbino for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Urbino can be very cold during winter. In January, Chania is generally much warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 12°C (54°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Chania receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chania usually gets more rain in January than Urbino. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chania for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Urbino because of the natural beauty.

Chania is a little warmer than Urbino in the spring. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Urbino fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In April, Chania usually receives less rain than Urbino. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Chania