Which place is cheaper, Asilah or Heraklion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Heraklion or Asilah?
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 Asilah 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.
Where Should I go: Heraklion or Asilah?
Heraklion
The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.
Asilah
Spend your summers like the rich and famous with a trip to Asilah, Morocco. With pristine, white buildings and wrought-iron windows, this gorgeous city still holds the traditions from a time when it was under Spanish rule. The town remains rather quiet for most of the year, with a population surge in the summer months. Beaches are packed and there are tourists as far as the eye can see. If you're not a fan of crowds, consider visiting in the spring or fall when the weather is nice, but the tourists are gone.
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 Cultural Tours in Morocco, and The Best Budget Tours to Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHeraklion €158Asilah €62
The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Asilah is €62. 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 Heraklion and Asilah in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHeraklion €81Asilah €27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHeraklion €162Asilah €54
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Asilah
Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Asilah? 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.
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: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Asilah Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Heraklion €31Asilah €14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $4,021
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers: $280
- Private Transfer Port/Airport to/from Ierapetra: $273
- Knossos and Arch Museum of Heraklion (Guide+Transfer+Ticket) : $229
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to Makris Gialos area up to 7 : $228
- KNOSSOS PALACE private tour ( with Transfer from Heraklion Prefecture ): $196
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to IERAPETRA area up to 7 customers: $184
- Private Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Makrygialos: $175
- Semi Private Wine and Olive Oil tour (Transfer & Lunch Incl.): $163
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to RETHIMNO CITY area up to 7 : $157
- Private Wine | Food Pairing at Titakis Winery with Free Transfer: $153
- Transfer Heraklion Airport to MATALA area up to 7 customers: $149
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asilah
Also for Asilah, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tangier: Private Transfer to Asilah: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Asilah?
Prices for flights to both Asilah and Heraklion 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
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Food Meals for one dayHeraklion €52Asilah €23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Troy Dinner-Show: $33
- Spectacular Dinner-Show: $44
- From Village Cretan Night, Live Dancers & dinner: $48
- Cretan Night with Dinner & Live Show: $49
- Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $59
- Cretan Farm with scenic view: Olive Mill Festival & dinner: $64
- Amazing Sunset Safari Route with Dinner: $84
- Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $86
- Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $90
- Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
- Food tour tasting walking tour: $123
- E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $125
Typical Food Prices in Asilah
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Asilah:
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Cookies€0.47
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Breakfast for Two€4.67
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Tagine Dinner for 2€7.01
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Heraklion €38Asilah €20
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $108
- Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $100
- Ηeraklion Walking Tour with Archaeological Museum: $82
- 3-Hour Trekking Mount Karfi Adventure with pickup from Heraklion: $118
- 4-Hour Giouchtas Trekking Hiking Experience from Heraklion: $90
- 4x4 self drive adventure_Cretan mainland: $87
- Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $85
- Agios Nikolaos-Spinalonga-Elounda Tour TR: $47
- All Year Tour to Knossos Palace & Heraklion: $618
- All-Day Knossos Palace Tour & Olive Mill Visit: $695
- Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour: $86
- Archaeological Museum of Guided Walking Tour: $86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHeraklion €26Asilah €6.54
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $95
- Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $115
- Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $118
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Experience in Haralabakis Winery: $119
- Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
- Half Day Semi Private Wine Tour with Tastings: $134
- Semi Private Heraklion Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $159
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
- Private SUV Wine Tour with Lunch: $183
- Full Day Private Crete Wine Tour Experience from Heraklion : $190
- Full day Knossos Palace, Local Distillery, Lunch @ Archanes: $192
- Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Asilah, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Asilah much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Heraklion is in Europe and Asilah is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Asilah would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asilah 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 Heraklion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heraklion than you might in Asilah.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Heraklion Expensive? and Is Asilah Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Asilah?
Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Asilah. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Asilah, 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 Asilah?
Heraklion has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Asilah experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Heraklion or Asilah in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Asilah. The summer months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Asilah attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Asilah. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Asilah averages at about 24°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asilah this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Asilah during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Asilah receives 346 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Asilah. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Asilah receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHeraklion 25°C (78°F)Asilah 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Asilah in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Asilah. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Asilah throughout the year.
In October, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Asilah. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Asilah fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asilah. In the autumn, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Asilah. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asilah receives 235 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Asilah. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Asilah receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHeraklion 20°C (68°F)Asilah 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Asilah in the Winter?
Both Asilah and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Asilah because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Heraklion is around the same temperature as Asilah in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Asilah fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Heraklion usually receives less sunshine than Asilah during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Asilah receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asilah. In January, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Asilah. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Asilah receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHeraklion 12°C (54°F)Asilah 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Heraklion or Asilah in the Spring?
Both Asilah and Heraklion during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Asilah year-round.
In the spring, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Asilah. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Asilah averages at about 15°C (60°F).
In Asilah, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the spring, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Asilah. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asilah receives 251 hours of full sun.
Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Asilah. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Asilah receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHeraklion 16°C (61°F)Asilah 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Asilah and Heraklion
| Heraklion | Asilah | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.