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

Should you visit Heraklion or Bellagio?

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 Bellagio 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 nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bellagio

Bellagio is a opulent, beautiful, and impressive town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food and shopping.

Heraklion and Bellagio: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Bellagio?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Heraklion than Bellagio, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Heraklion is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Bellagio is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Bellagio is more touristy than Heraklion and is popular for its luxurious villas, stunning views, and charming boutique lined streets. 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.

How is Heraklion different from Bellagio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Heraklion is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Bellagio is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Bellagio specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The town's atmosphere and views are what attract the tourists, but if you're looking for historical sights, check out the Basilica of San Giacomo.

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

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Bellagio both to be great 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 Bellagio is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many fine dining restaurants that offer a luxurious atmosphere and well crafted dishes. There are also Michelin starred restaurants in town which offer a unique, world-class experience.

Is Heraklion or Bellagio Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Bellagio is a town with minimal options 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.

Bellagio doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The town is filled with opulence and luxury, and the nightlife is no exception. Sip cocktails and fine wine while you listen to music or take in the atmosphere.

Is Heraklion or Bellagio Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Heraklion attract visitors from all over. 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.

Bellagio is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Bellagio?

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

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 Bellagio to go shopping. You'll find traditional shops mixed in with modern stores. There are high end brands and more local specialty markets that are fun to peruse.

Is Heraklion or Bellagio Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Bellagio 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 Bellagio. The town has a playground, a small train, and a Museum of Navigational Instruments that kids may enjoy. There's also a beach where everyone can take a swim.

Is Heraklion or Bellagio Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Bellagio are great 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 Bellagio frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The town is a favorite on Lake Como, and couples will appreciate its charming atmosphere and beautiful lake front setting. In a few hours you can soak up the character and magic or this beautiful area.

Is Heraklion or Bellagio Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is a great destination for backpackers. However, Bellagio 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.

Bellagio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Many people visit the town as a day trip, as it can easily be explored in a few hours. Backpackers who don't want to pay the high hotel prices can still enjoy the setting without staying the night.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Bellagio, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and ferries to town, or you can take a taxi.

Is Heraklion or Bellagio a more walkable city?

Bellagio 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 Bellagio. The town is small and compact with many pedestrian streets that are best explored on foot.

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 Bellagio Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bellagio or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Bellagio?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Heraklion or Bellagio to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Heraklion than Bellagio 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 Bellagio.

Families should spend more time in Heraklion than Bellagio. 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.

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

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

The city of Heraklion offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Even though Bellagio is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bellagio has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Bellagio?

Heraklion is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Heraklion, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Bellagio is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. 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 Bellagio?

Heraklion is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bellagio is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Heraklion or Bellagio?

Heraklion is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Bellagio is a popular choice for travelers. 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 G Adventures Tours to Italy, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Bellagio?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bellagio. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Bellagio, 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 Bellagio?

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 Bellagio in the Summer?

Both Bellagio and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bellagio this time of year.

Heraklion is around the same temperature as Bellagio in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Bellagio fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Bellagio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Bellagio. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bellagio receives 250 hours of full sun.

Bellagio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Bellagio. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bellagio receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Bellagio in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Bellagio. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bellagio for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Heraklion is a little warmer than Bellagio. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Bellagio averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Bellagio during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Bellagio receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bellagio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Bellagio. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bellagio receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Bellagio in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Bellagio. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Bellagio in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bellagio can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Bellagio. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Bellagio fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bellagio. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bellagio receives 119 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Bellagio. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Bellagio receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Bellagio in the Spring?

Both Bellagio and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Bellagio for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Bellagio in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Bellagio fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Bellagio during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Bellagio receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bellagio. In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Bellagio. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bellagio receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bellagio and Heraklion