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

Should you visit Heraklion or Beaune?

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 Beaune 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Beaune

Beaune is a historic, culinary, and quaint town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Heraklion and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Beaune?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Heraklion than Beaune, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Heraklion is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Beaune is more popular for its food, historical sights, and small town charm. Heraklion is well known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Heraklion is famous for The Palace of Knossos. Beaune is well known for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines.

How is Heraklion different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Heraklion and Beaune.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Beaune. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

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

Beaune is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Beaune have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

Dining out in Heraklion is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Heraklion or Beaune Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Heraklion know how to have a good time. 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 Beaune has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is Heraklion or Beaune Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is a great destination for the beache. However, Beaune is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Heraklion for it's beautiful 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.

Beaune is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

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

The historic old town of Beaune is revered around the world. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Beaune?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Heraklion and Beaune.

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 Beaune to go shopping. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Heraklion or Beaune Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Beaune are notable to visit with kids.

Heraklion is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Beaune. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is Heraklion or Beaune Better for Couples?

Beaune is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Beaune is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Couples visit Heraklion frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Heraklion or Beaune Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is a great destination for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heraklion is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Heraklion and Beaune.

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

You'll find some public transit in Beaune, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Heraklion or Beaune a more walkable city?

Beaune is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Beaune. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Beaune or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either Heraklion or Beaune. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Beaune due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Heraklion, and 2-4 days is enough time in Beaune.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Heraklion than Beaune 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 Beaune?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Heraklion. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Beaune. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Beaune?

Heraklion 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the culinary destination of Beaune. 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 Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the culinary town of Beaune. 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 food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Heraklion or Beaune?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the accessible destination of Heraklion. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Beaune 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Beaune?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Beaune, 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 Beaune?

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 Beaune in the Summer?

Both Beaune and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Beaune for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Beaune in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Beaune fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Beaune, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Beaune. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 266 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Beaune. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Beaune in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Beaune. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beaune in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Heraklion is much warmer than Beaune. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Beaune averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Beaune during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 121 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Beaune. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Beaune in the Winter?

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

Beaune can be very cold during winter. In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Beaune. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Beaune. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 53 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Beaune. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Beaune in the Spring?

Both Beaune and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Beaune because of the small town charm.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Beaune in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Beaune fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Beaune during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Beaune. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Beaune and Heraklion