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

Should you visit Heraklion or Hamburg?

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 Hamburg 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 accessible, bustling, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a cultural, vibrant, and historic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

Heraklion and Hamburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Hamburg?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Heraklion than Hamburg. While Hamburg is larger than Heraklion, Heraklion has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heraklion is more popular for its food, beaches, and big city activities, while Hamburg is known for its music, shopping, and impressive beauty. Heraklion is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos. Hamburg is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space.

How is Heraklion different from Hamburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Hamburg. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

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

Heraklion is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Heraklion or Hamburg Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Hamburg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

Is Heraklion or Hamburg Better for Music?

Hamburg is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Heraklion is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Hamburg. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Heraklion is not a live music destination.

Is Heraklion or Hamburg Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is well known for the beach. However, Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Hamburg?

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

Hamburg is well-known for its shopping. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

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 Hamburg Better for Families?

Hamburg 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, Hamburg is very family-friendly. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

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 Hamburg Better for Couples?

Heraklion is well known for couples. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Heraklion frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Heraklion or Hamburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is well known for backpackers. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heraklion is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

It's common for backpackers to visit Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Heraklion or Hamburg Better for Students?

Hamburg is a port city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Hamburg 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.

Hamburg has some very good public transit options. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

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 Hamburg a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Hamburg 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.

Hamburg is a very walkable destination. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hamburg or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Hamburg?

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

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

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

One day in Heraklion or Hamburg?

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 nightlife and live music around the port city of Hamburg. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hamburg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Hamburg?

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 live music and food around the historic destination of Hamburg. 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 Hamburg?

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 food and shopping when visiting the historic port city of Hamburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Heraklion or Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg 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 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

Both Hamburg and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Heraklion is much warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Hamburg averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In Hamburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Hamburg. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Hamburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Hamburg. 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 Hamburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Hamburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Hamburg. The winter months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Hamburg in the winter. Heraklion is much warmer than Hamburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Hamburg. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Hamburg in the Spring?

Both Hamburg and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hamburg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Heraklion is much warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Hamburg averages at about 8°C (46°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Heraklion