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

Should you visit Heraklion or Catania?

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 Catania 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 historic, vibrant, and accessible city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Catania

Catania is a lively, youthful, and fun port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Heraklion and Catania: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Catania?

You'll generally find more things to do in Catania than Heraklion. Catania is bigger than Heraklion, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Catania is better known for its food, historical sights, and hiking, while Heraklion is more popular for its museums and beaches. Heraklion is well known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Catania is well known for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. Also, Catania is famous for Mount Etna.

How is Heraklion different from Catania?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Heraklion is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Catania. There are many examples of beautiful architecture around town including Basilica Cattedrale Sant'Agata and Monastero dei Benedettini. You can also visit Castello Ursino. The main square in town is Piazza del Duomo.

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

Catania 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 Catania have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city's food scene is excellent. Dishes are influenced by both the sea and the land, and you'll find a large and popular street food setting. If you're sampling the street food, make sure you try the arancino (rice balls). Pasta dishes are also popular and many use a variety of cheeses. You'll also find plenty of fresh vegetables incorporated into many dishes.

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 Catania Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Heraklion and Catania.

Heraklion has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Catania is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a reputation for its great nightlife scene that spreads beyond Sicily. The large student population and popularity with tourists mean you can find a party most nights of the week. There are many bars and clubs to check out, many of which are found in the old town center.

Is Heraklion or Catania Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is notable for the beache. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beach.

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.

Catania has a beach worth visiting. The best time to visit the beach is between April and October. There are sandy beaches to the south of town that span a few kilometers and beaches to the north tend to be rocky. Many beaches are also accessible by public transit.

Is Heraklion or Catania Better for its Old Town?

Catania is a port city with good options for its old town. However, Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Catania. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is Heraklion or Catania Better for Hiking?

Catania is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Heraklion is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Catania. Many people visit Mt. Etna as a day trip. You can take the bus to Sapienza Refuge to begin your climb. While it's a doable hike for many people, it can be steep and requires some determination. Unless you're a very experienced hiker, a guide is a must as the trail disappears for large sections. There are also buses and cable cars that take people up sections of the mountain.

Heraklion is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Catania?

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

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 Catania to go shopping. The city has a number of shopping malls where you can pick up anything you may need or might have forgotten. Check out Catania Shopping Center or Etnapolis.

Is Heraklion or Catania Better for Families?

Catania is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Catania is very family-friendly. There's a toy museum as well as the Polo Tactile Multimedia Museum which kids and adults alike will enjoy. A highlight of a visit to the city is a trip up Mt. Etna, which can be done either by hiking, bus, or cable car. The city also has many plazas, gardens, and parks that kids will enjoy exploring. Another fun activity is to spend the day at the beach.

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.

Is Heraklion or Catania Better for Couples?

Heraklion is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Heraklion is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Catania is a good city for couples to visit. With interesting architecture, a pleasant urban beach, and plenty of outdoor space, this is a nice couples destination.

Is Heraklion or Catania Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion and Catania are both superb destinations for backpackers.

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

Catania is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's a large number of hostels around town and the city is generally affordable, so backpackers often enjoy spending some time here. There's also a great social scene.

Is Heraklion or Catania Better for Students?

Catania is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Catania. This is a university town with a very social atmosphere. Students love the wide variety of activities around town as well as the frequent night time parties.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Catania is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Catania has some very good public transit options. There are many buses around town that offer access to most places. If you drove you can park and take Line 504M to the historic center. You can also take a bus from Piazza Giovanni XXIII to Rifugio Sapienza if you're going to Mt. Etna. It leaves every morning at 8:15 and returns at 4:30 in the afternoon. The city also has a metro, which has one line and ten stops.

You'll find some public transit in Heraklion, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

Is Heraklion or Catania a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Catania 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.

Catania is a very walkable destination. Many of the city's main sights are close together in the center of town, making them easy to access on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Catania or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Catania?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Heraklion than Catania. 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 Catania than Heraklion 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 Catania.

One day in Heraklion or Catania?

In Heraklion, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Catania. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Catania has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Catania?

In Heraklion, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heraklion has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Catania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Heraklion or Catania?

Heraklion is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively port city of Catania. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Catania?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Heraklion. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Catania is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Catania, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Catania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Catania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Catania 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 Catania.

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Catania?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Catania, 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 Catania?

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 Catania in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Catania. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Catania for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Heraklion is around the same temperature as Catania in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Catania fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Catania. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Catania. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 325 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Catania. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Catania receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Catania in the Autumn?

Both Catania and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Catania because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Catania. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Catania averages at about 19°C (67°F).

Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Catania during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Catania. In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Catania. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Catania receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Catania in the Winter?

Both Catania and Heraklion during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Catania this time of year.

In January, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Catania. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Catania fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Catania. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 153 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Catania. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Catania receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Catania in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Catania. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Catania for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Catania in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Catania fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Catania this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Catania during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Catania. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Catania receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Catania and Heraklion