A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heraklion vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Heraklion or Arles?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Arles can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a accessible, bustling, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Heraklion and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Heraklion than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Heraklion is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Arles is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Heraklion is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Heraklion different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Heraklion or Arles?

Arles is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Arles are world-renowned. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Heraklion. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. The impressive Palace of Knossos is a must-see, but also make sure you visit the Koules Fortress, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum of Crete.

Is the Food Better in Heraklion or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Arles both to be superb destinations.

Heraklion has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city is home to countless Cretan restaurants that range in style and budget. There are fine dining restaurants as well as local dives with casual street food. The restaurants reflect the island's multi-cultural past with many styles and flavors available.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Heraklion or Arles Better for Nightlife?

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

Heraklion is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has some of the best nightlife on the island of Crete. There are many all-night clubs as well as bars that stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. In particular, there are many British tourists hanging out at the clubs and bars.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Heraklion or Arles Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is well known for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Heraklion is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You'll find world-class beaches just outside of town, if you're willing to explore a little. Agia Pelagia Beach is about half an hour away and Limanakia Beach is also not a bad day trip. If you want to stay closer to town, head to nearby Amnissos Beach.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Arles is revered around the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Arles?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Heraklion and Arles.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Heraklion. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Many visitors go to Arles to go shopping. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Heraklion or Arles Better for Families?

Heraklion is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Heraklion. In town you'll find many historical and educational sights such as the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Koules Venetian fortress. Kids will also enjoy walking the Venetian Walls that are in town. If you're willing to head a bit outside of town, in about half an hour you can reach the Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, or Acqua Plus Water Park.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Heraklion or Arles Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Arles are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Heraklion makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most couples head outside of town to other parts of the island, but those who linger in town for a while will enjoy world-class museums and fascinating archeological sights.

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Heraklion or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heraklion is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Heraklion or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Heraklion and Arles.

Heraklion has some public transit options. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Heraklion or Arles a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Arles are superb when it comes to walkability.

Heraklion is a very walkable city. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Heraklion Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Arles?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Heraklion than Arles 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 Heraklion.

One day in Heraklion or Arles?

In Heraklion, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Arles?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Heraklion or Arles?

Heraklion is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Heraklion. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact town of Arles. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Heraklion or Arles?

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

Arles is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Heraklion and Arles, we can see that Heraklion 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 Heraklion Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Arles?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Arles, 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 Heraklion or Arles?

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 Heraklion or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Arles. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Arles. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arles because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Arles. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Arles during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Arles. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Arles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Arles. The winter months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

Heraklion is much warmer than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Arles. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Arles. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Heraklion is a little warmer than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arles during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Arles. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Heraklion