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

Should you visit Heraklion or Cordoba?

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 Cordoba 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Cordoba

Cordoba is a beautiful, colorful, and flower-filled 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 Cordoba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Cordoba?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cordoba than Heraklion, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cordoba is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Heraklion is known for its beaches and big city activities. Cordoba is more touristy than Heraklion and is popular for its mix of Roman, Islamic, and Spanish architecture, its whitewashed buildings and streets filled with flowers, and its handcrafted leatherwork. It is also home to La Mezquita. Heraklion is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene.

How is Heraklion different from Cordoba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cordoba 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 Cordoba are world-renowned. The city is filled with monuments that reflect its past. The Great Mosque (La Mezquita) is one of the most iconic sights. You can also visit Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Palacio de Viana, and Puente Romano.

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 Cordoba? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Cordoba 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 Cordoba is an experience not to be missed. Like much of Spain, international travelers will have to adjust to the shifted meal schedule which means most meals are served are later than they are in other parts of Europe. The ingredients are fresh and popular dishes include Salmorejo (a tomato based soup), Rabo De Toro (stewed oxtail), and Flamenquín (deep-fried pork roll).

Is Heraklion or Cordoba Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Heraklion and Cordoba.

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.

Cordoba is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are cocktail bars, Flamenco shows, tapas tours, and local pubs that make for a great night out. The city offers something for everyone, whatever your style.

Is Heraklion or Cordoba Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is a well-known place for the beach. However, Cordoba 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.

Cordoba is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Cordoba Better for its Old Town?

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

The historic old town of Cordoba is revered around the world. It's old town is one of the most enchanting in Andalusia. There are whitewashed houses that line flower-filled streets and its compact enough to take a leisurely stroll.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Cordoba?

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

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 Cordoba to go shopping. You'll find souvenir shops selling local pottery, traditional jewelry, and handcrafted leatherwork, so this is a nice place to pick up something to remember your trip.

Is Heraklion or Cordoba Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Cordoba are good 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 Cordoba. Horse-drawn carriage rides and then a visit to the Royal Stables of Cordoba is a great option for horse-lovers. The city also has a zoo and an impressive park - Ciudad de Los Niños. If you're willing to head out of town, about 10 kilometers away you'll find Aquasierra Waterpark.

Is Heraklion or Cordoba Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Cordoba 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 Cordoba frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautifully lit up at night, this is a truly romantic city. There are horse-drawn carriage rides, nice parks, and an impressive botanical garden. There are also many great restaurants that couples can explore.

Is Heraklion or Cordoba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion and Cordoba are both great 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.

Cordoba is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's well-established on the backpacker circuit, so you'll find plenty of hostels around town and many opportunities to meet up with other travelers.

Is Heraklion or Cordoba Better for Students?

Cordoba is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Cordoba is a very popular town for students. It's a top study abroad destination for international students. The university is excellent and the city is easy to navigate. It's a cultural city with a great student-friendly atmosphere.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Cordoba, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are 15 bus lines that are operated by Aucorsa.

Is Heraklion or Cordoba a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Cordoba are great 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.

Cordoba is a very walkable destination. It's small and compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Cordoba or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Cordoba?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Heraklion and Cordoba. In our opinion, Cordoba has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Cordoba than Heraklion. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cordoba 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 Cordoba.

One day in Heraklion or Cordoba?

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 town of Cordoba. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cordoba has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Cordoba?

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 historical destination of Cordoba. 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 Cordoba?

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 flower-filled town of Cordoba. 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 Cordoba?

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.

Cordoba 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 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Cordoba?

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

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 Cordoba in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Cordoba. The summer months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cordoba this time of year.

In the summer, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Cordoba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Cordoba averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cordoba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the summer, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cordoba. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 358 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Cordoba. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Cordoba in the Autumn?

Both Cordoba and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cordoba for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Cordoba. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Cordoba fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Cordoba. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cordoba during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cordoba. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Cordoba in the Winter?

Both Cordoba and Heraklion during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cordoba in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Cordoba in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Cordoba fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Cordoba. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 162 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Cordoba. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Cordoba in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Cordoba. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Cordoba for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Cordoba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Cordoba averages at about 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cordoba this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Cordoba during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Cordoba. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cordoba and Heraklion