A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heraklion vs. Evora for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Heraklion or Evora?

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 Evora 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 Evora?

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.

Evora

A medieval time capsule, this city is a collection of ancient relics that leaves a lasting air of enchantment upon you. Evora, Portugal is the seat of the Evora District as well as the capital of the Alentejo region. With a population of no more than 60,000, Evora is a small municipality that holds a treasure trove of culture, art, and history. Evora is known internationally for its preservation of medieval architecture, such as parts of medieval walls that still partially surround the city. Moreover, Evora is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network and because of its multitude of historic sites, the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of said historic sites include Se Cathedral, Evora Museum, Roman Temple, Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, the Church of St. John the Evangelist, and the Church of Saint Francis. Besides of its historic beauty, Evora also lives up to the demands of the modern world. According to Expreso, the city was named one of the second most livable cities in Portugal. Evora is also an ambitious and even competitive city, ranked number-one in competitiveness out of the 18 Portuguese capital cities. Whether you look to explore Roman ruins or simply enjoy the current amenities, you will fall under the enchantment that is Evora, Portugal.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Portugal, and The Best Adventure Tours to Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Evora or Heraklion?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Evora is €109. 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 Evora in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heraklion 81
    Evora 45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heraklion 162
    Evora 90
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Evora

Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Evora? 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.

Hotels in Heraklion


Hotels in Evora


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 Evora Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heraklion 31
    Evora 30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion

Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer: $32
  • Crete Private Taxi Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Bali: $95
  • Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Malia: $81
  • Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion Airport to Panormo: $103
  • Crete Private Taxi and Transfer from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos: $122
  • Crete Private Transfer from Heraklion to Hersonissos: $51
  • Day Cruise from Heraklion with Catamaran & Transfer service: $123
  • From Airport to Elounda Private Transfer: $107
  • From Private Helicopter Transfer to Greek Islands: $4,021
  • Heraklion Airport (HER): Private Transfer to Heraklion Port: $105
  • Heraklion Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Heraklion city: $137
  • Heraklion Int Airport (HER): Transfer to Heraklion hotels: $137

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Evora

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Evora:

  • Private Faro Airport Transfers to Albufeira (car up to 4pax): $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Evora?

Prices for flights to both Evora 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Heraklion 52
    Evora 44

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Evora

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Evora.

  • A Taste of the Alentejo: Wonderful 3-Course Dinner: $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Heraklion 38
    Evora 20

Tours and Activities in Heraklion

For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Heraklion Area: CRETAquarium Admission Ticket: $8.56
  • CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $8.73
  • Mobile Self-Guided Audio Sightseeing Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Crete: Palace of Knossos E-Ticket and Optional Audio Guide: $11
  • Herakleion: City Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
  • Heraklion Market & CretAquarium *Skip the line: $16
  • Heraklion City Tour - Aquarium: $17
  • Knossos Palace: E-ticket with Audio and Heraklion City Tour: $18
  • Party Bike 1 hour Experience in Malia : $19
  • Knossos Self-Guided Treasure Hunt & Tour KIDS: $21
  • Minoan Day Experience: $22

Tours and Activities in Evora

Here are a few actual costs in Evora for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • ÉVORA AND MONSARAZ FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR BY CAR: $257
  • Évora Full Day Tour: $219
  • Évora Private Walking Tour: $63
  • Évora Private Walking Tour: $254
  • Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Évora With Love Walking Tour: $53
  • Évora: Christian Heritage Private Walking Tour: $63
  • Évora: City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $225
  • Évora: Exploration Game & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $26
  • Évora: Private tour with entrance tickets to main monuments: $52
  • Évora: Tales and Legends Guided Walking Tour: $53
  • 2 Hour Redondo Walking Tour: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heraklion 26
    Evora 22

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Evora

Also in Evora, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Lisbon: Full-Day Évora Wine Tour: $89
  • From Lisbon: Évora and Monsaraz Day Tour with Wine Tasting: $104
  • Lisbon: Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour: $277
  • Full Day - Private Tour - Evora with Wine Tasting: $524


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

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


Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Evora?

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

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 Evora in the Summer?

Both Evora 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.

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

In Evora, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Evora. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Evora receives 352 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Evora. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Evora receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Heraklion 25°C (78°F) 
    Evora 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Evora in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Evora. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Evora this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Evora during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Evora receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of rain as Evora. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Evora receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Heraklion 20°C (68°F) 
    Evora 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Evora in the Winter?

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

In January, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Evora. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Evora fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Evora. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Evora receives 144 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Evora. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Evora receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Heraklion 12°C (54°F) 
    Evora 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Evora in the Spring?

Both Evora 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.

Heraklion is around the same temperature as Evora in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Evora fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Evora. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Evora during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Evora receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Evora. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Evora receives 60 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Heraklion 16°C (61°F) 
    Evora 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Evora and Heraklion

Heraklion Evora
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 77 mm (3 in) 12°C (54°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 14°C (56°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 15°C (60°F) 60 mm (2.3 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 25°C (78°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 15°C (58°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Dec 14°C (58°F) 77 mm (3 in) 12°C (53°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)