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

Should you visit Delphi or Crete?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delphi 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.

Delphi

Delphi is a world-renowned, historic, and fascinating archeological site. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Crete

Crete is a scenic, stunning, and breathtaking island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Delphi and Crete: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Temple of Apollo
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Delphi or Crete?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Crete. Although Delphi and Crete are roughly the same size, Crete has more sights and attractions for tourists. Crete is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Delphi attracts visitors for its museums. Delphi is famous for its world renowned archeological ruins and its connection to Greek mythology. Crete is famous for its breathtaking beaches, wild nightlife, and impressive archeological ruins. It is also well known for the Palace of Knossos.

How is Delphi different from Crete?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Delphi
Crete

Delphi is an amazing archeological site to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Crete is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Delphi on the map. This is one of the most popular archeological sites in Greece. You will find the Temple of Apollo and most of the monuments are dedicated to this God. There is an Ancient Theatre, an Ancient Stadium, as well as an Archaeological Museum. There's also the Sanctuary of Athena Pronea and the Treasury of the Athenians.

Many visitors head to Crete specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.


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

Delphi
Crete

Crete is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Delphi is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Delphi offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of restaurant options in the area, some of them offering spectacular views. There are traditional Greek restaurants as well as modern cafes with international cuisine. You'll find all of the standard Greek staples such as gyros, lamb chops, and seafood.

Is Delphi or Crete Better for Nightlife?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is great for its evening party scene. However, Delphi is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

People don't go to Delphi for the nightlife. This is a quiet town that shuts down in the evening. If you're looking for more of a nightlife scene, head to nearby Arachova, which is just a 10 minute drive away.

Is Delphi or Crete Better for Resorts?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Delphi 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.

Delphi is not a resort destination.


Is Delphi or Crete Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Delphi 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.

Delphi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Delphi or Crete Better for Beaches?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is renowned for the beach. However, Delphi 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.

Delphi is not a beach destination.

Is Delphi or Crete Better for Hiking?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is great for hiking. However, Delphi is not a hiking destination.

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.

Delphi is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Delphi or Crete?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Delphi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Crete has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Delphi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Delphi or Crete Better for Families?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Delphi is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its family-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.

Delphi is a family-friendly place to visit. The archeological ruins are world class, and kids who enjoy mythology and history will love this place. It's the perfect place for kids to let their imagination run wild.

Is Delphi or Crete Better for Couples?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is renowned for couples. Also, Delphi is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for romance.

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.

Delphi is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination that is a great addition to any couple's itinerary to Greece.


Is Delphi or Crete Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Delphi is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Crete. It's a large island with a great social scene and no shortage of hostels for backpackers to choose from.

Delphi is a good archeological site to visit for backpackers. There's a hostel or two in the area, and the prices are reasonable for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Delphi or Crete Better for Students?

Delphi
Crete

Crete is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Delphi 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.

Delphi is not popular with students.

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

Delphi
Crete

Delphi and Crete both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Delphi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel to Delphi from Greece.

Crete has a few public transit options. There's a decent bus system that travels around the island and offers access to many areas.


Is Delphi or Crete a more walkable city?

Delphi
Crete

Delphi is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Crete is not particularly known for its walkability.

Delphi is a very walkable destination. Both the museum are archeological site are within walking distance of the town. The town is also small enough to explore on foot.

Crete is generally not a very walkable archeological site. 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 Delphi Worth Visiting? and Is Crete Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Crete or Delphi?

How long in Delphi or Crete?

Both Delphi 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 Delphi. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Delphi, and 5-7 days is enough time in Crete.

Families should spend more time in Crete than Delphi. 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 Delphi. 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 Delphi 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.


  • How many days in Delphi or Crete? Ideal Length of Stay
    Delphi 1-2 
    Crete 5-7

One day in Delphi or Crete?

In Delphi, many people enjoy the food and museums that this historic destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Crete. 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.

A weekend in Delphi or Crete?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Delphi. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 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.


Five days in Delphi or Crete?

Delphi is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Delphi. Lots of people come for the museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Crete. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Delphi or Crete?

You'll find museums and food around the fascinating destination of Delphi. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic destination of Crete. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece, The Best 3-Day Tours from Athens, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens.


Which place is cheaper, Crete or Delphi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Delphi is €102, while the average daily cost in Crete is €0.00. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Delphi and Crete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Delphi 59
    Crete -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Delphi 118
    Crete 0.00
Compare Hotels in Delphi and Crete

Looking for a hotel in Delphi or Crete? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Delphi


Hotels in Crete


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Crete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Delphi 8.57
    Crete -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Crete

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Crete:

  • Full-Day Trip to Santorini island by Boat from Ag.Nikolaos Elounda with Transfer: $256
  • Private Guided Trek to Samaria Gorge with Transfer: $255
  • Taxi Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Rethymno City : $243
  • Private Taxi & Transfer from Chania to Hersonissos in Crete: $236
  • Knossos and Arch Museum of Heraklion (Guide+Transfer+Ticket) : $232
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Elafonisi up to 3 or vise versa: $226
  • Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Kalyves to Heraklion Airport: $218
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Paleochora up to 3 or vise versa: $202
  • KNOSSOS PALACE private tour ( with Transfer from Heraklion Prefecture ): $199
  • Private Airport Transfers from Chania Airport to Heraklio town: $193
  • Heraklion: Santorini Day Trip with Boat Transfer & Oia Visit: $190
  • Private Transfer from or to Ports & Airports: $185

Is it cheaper to fly into Delphi or Crete?

Prices for flights to both Crete and Delphi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Delphi 36
    Crete -

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Crete

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Crete.

  • Troy Dinner-Show: $33
  • Olive Oil Factory Tour, Dinner & Traditional Dancing: $60
  • Chania: Cretan Folklore Dance Show with Dinner and Pickup: $76
  • Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $87
  • The Delicious Chania PRIVATE Street Food Tour : $88
  • Sightseeing Day Trip with Cooking Lesson and Lunch: $97
  • Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $98
  • Chania Cooking Class in Crete with rustic, delicious and homely Cretan food!: $101
  • Authentic and Traditional Cooking Class in Chania Crete: $101
  • E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $114
  • Heraklion: Cretan Cooking Lesson with Lunch in Arolithos: $119
  • Chania: Authentic Cooking Class in the White Mountains: $119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Delphi 11
    Crete -

Tours and Activities in Delphi

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Delphi.

  • Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour in Earth's Navel: $4.67
  • Audiovisual self-guided tour with 3D models: $7.59
  • Delphi Audiovisual Self-guided Tour with 3D Representations: $7.70
  • Archaeological Site & Museum Ticket with Audio Guide: $9.66
  • Archaeological Site & Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Tour: $9.92
  • Delphi Self-guided Audio Tour on Your Phone (no ticket): $11
  • Archaeological Site & Museum Ticket with Audio Tour: $13
  • Ticket & Audio Tour for Delphi's Oracle. Listen to Ancient Echoes: $13
  • Self-Guided Virtual Tour Experience from your Home: $17
  • Self-guided Virtual Tour of The Google of the Ancient world: $18
  • Self-guided audio tour in French or English: $18
  • Full Day Delphi Tour with Minivan: $98

Tours and Activities in Crete

Here are a few actual costs in Crete for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $109
  • Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $102
  • Seitan Limania - Marathi tour with SUP & lunch: $166
  • 4-Hour Giouchtas Trekking Hiking Experience from Heraklion: $91
  • 4x4 self drive adventure: $88
  • Agia Pelagia: Quad Safari-Family Tour: $87
  • Agios Nikolaos: Private Sailing Cruise in Mirabello Bay: $2,172
  • All Inclusive Full-day Private Tour of Crete Villages from Chania: $282
  • An Unexpected Journey: Chania Trikke City Tour: $30
  • Archaeological Museum & Knossos Palace Guided Tour Half Day: $111
  • Archaeological Museum Guided Tour Half Day: $63
  • Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour: $87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Delphi 13
    Crete -

Sample the Local Flavors in Crete

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Crete:

  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour From Chania: $42
  • Chania: Off-Road Tour at Sunset with Wine Tasting: $97
  • Jeep Safari Wine Tour and South sea swimming: $98
  • Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $104
  • Wine Tasting-Olive Oil Factory-Traditional Villages- Small Group : $133
  • The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $166
  • Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $179
  • Private-Knossos Palace and Wine tasting in Heraklion countryside: $221
  • From Elounda Private Heraklion Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $232
  • Ecobike Tour • All in One • Historical Tour-Food Tasting-Wine Tasting: $234
  • Heraklion SUV Private Guided Wine Tour with Lunch : $243
  • Heraklion: Private Knossos & Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $250


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

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


Which has a larger population, Delphi or Crete?

Crete has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Delphi. When comparing the sizes of Delphi 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.