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

Should you visit Heraklion or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt 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 vibrant, accessible, and bustling city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a modern, connected, and energetic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Heraklion and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Frankfurt?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Frankfurt than Heraklion, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Frankfurt is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Heraklion is known for its beaches. Heraklion is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also home to The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Heraklion different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Heraklion and Frankfurt.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Frankfurt. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Frankfurt both to be superb 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 Frankfurt is an experience not to be missed. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Heraklion or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Frankfurt is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Heraklion or Frankfurt Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

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.

Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a 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 Frankfurt. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Frankfurt is well-known for its shopping. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Many visitors go to Heraklion to go shopping. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Is Heraklion or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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, Frankfurt is very family-friendly. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Heraklion or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion and Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Heraklion or Frankfurt Better for Students?

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

Frankfurt is a very popular city for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Frankfurt is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Frankfurt can get you around easily. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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 Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Frankfurt?

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

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

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

One day in Heraklion or Frankfurt?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Heraklion. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heraklion has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Frankfurt?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Heraklion. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Heraklion or Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the accessible city of Heraklion. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt?

Heraklion is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Frankfurt 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Heraklion is a little warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Frankfurt. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Heraklion during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Frankfurt in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt this time of year.

It's quite cold in Frankfurt in the winter. Heraklion is much warmer than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Frankfurt. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Heraklion is much warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 10°C (50°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 Frankfurt. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Frankfurt. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Heraklion