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

Should you visit Heraklion or Ezcaray?

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 Ezcaray 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 Ezcaray?

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.

Ezcaray

Ezcaray, Spain is a great place to go if you are looking for a scenic, relaxing, and peaceful destination. It is located in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains on the banks of the Oja river. Because of the mountain range nearby, it is also a great place for mountaineers. Ezcaray is a small town with big charm and momentous possibilities. It is located right at the base of the San Lorenzo peak in the Oja valley in the La Rioja region of Spain. The town has a population of less than 2,000, so it is a far cry from big city life, but that's part of what makes it such a gem to visit. Some say it is one of the best locations to get an authentic feel of real Spain without the big touristy populations. Its sheer beauty has also been compared to something out of a fairy tale.

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 Luxury Tours to Spain, and The Best Budget Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Ezcaray 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 Ezcaray is €111. 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 Ezcaray in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heraklion 81
    Ezcaray 56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heraklion 162
    Ezcaray 112
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Ezcaray

Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Ezcaray? 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 Ezcaray


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 Ezcaray Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heraklion 31
    Ezcaray 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion

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

  • Wine Tasting Experience @ Lyrarakis Winery (Transfer Included): $119
  • VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $62
  • Transfers in Crete from-to Airports/Ports/Hotels/Villas: $128
  • Transfer Services From Heraklion To Rethymno Hotels: $96
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers: $280
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to RETHIMNO CITY area up to 7 : $157
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to PLAKA ELOUNTA area up to 7: $148
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to Makris Gialos area up to 7 : $228
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to MATALA area up to 7 customers: $149
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to MALIA area up to 7 customers: $80
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOUTOULOUFARI area up to 7 : $62
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOKKINI HANI area up to 7 customers: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Ezcaray?

Prices for flights to both Ezcaray 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
    Ezcaray 39

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Heraklion 38
    Ezcaray 21

Tours and Activities in Heraklion

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

  • 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $108
  • Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $100
  • Ηeraklion Walking Tour with Archaeological Museum: $82
  • 3-Hour Trekking Mount Karfi Adventure with pickup from Heraklion: $118
  • 4-Hour Giouchtas Trekking Hiking Experience from Heraklion: $90
  • 4x4 self drive adventure_Cretan mainland: $87
  • Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $85
  • Agios Nikolaos-Spinalonga-Elounda Tour TR: $47
  • All Year Tour to Knossos Palace & Heraklion: $618
  • All-Day Knossos Palace Tour & Olive Mill Visit: $695
  • Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour: $86
  • Archaeological Museum of Guided Walking Tour: $86

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heraklion 26
    Ezcaray 19

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


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

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


Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Ezcaray?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Ezcaray. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Ezcaray, 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 Ezcaray?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Heraklion or Ezcaray in the Summer?

Both Ezcaray and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Ezcaray during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Ezcaray. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Heraklion 25°C (78°F) 
    Ezcaray 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Ezcaray in the Autumn?

Both Ezcaray and Heraklion during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Ezcaray in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Ezcaray fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Ezcaray. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 125 hours of full sun.

Ezcaray gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heraklion usually gets less rain in October than Ezcaray. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Heraklion 20°C (68°F) 
    Ezcaray 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Ezcaray in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Ezcaray. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year.

In the winter, Heraklion is a little warmer than Ezcaray. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Ezcaray averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Ezcaray during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

Ezcaray receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Ezcaray. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Heraklion 12°C (54°F) 
    Ezcaray 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Ezcaray in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Ezcaray. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the spring, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Ezcaray. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 117 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ezcaray. Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Ezcaray. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Heraklion 16°C (61°F) 
    Ezcaray 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Ezcaray and Heraklion

Heraklion Ezcaray
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 77 mm (3 in) 10°C (50°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 16°C (62°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Dec 14°C (58°F) 77 mm (3 in) 10°C (50°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)


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