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

Should you visit Heraklion or La Spezia?

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 La Spezia 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

La Spezia

La Spezia is a cultural, lively, and convenient town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Heraklion and La Spezia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or La Spezia?

You'll generally find more things to do in Heraklion than La Spezia. Heraklion is bigger than La Spezia, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Heraklion is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while La Spezia is more popular for its historical sights. Heraklion is well known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Heraklion is famous for The Palace of Knossos. La Spezia is well known for being the gateway to Cinque Terre.

How is Heraklion different from La Spezia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Heraklion is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, La Spezia is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

La Spezia offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The highlight of the area is the surrounding natural beauty, but in town you can visit the Maritime Museum, The castle of San Giorgio, and The Amedeo Lia Art Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Heraklion and La Spezia both to be very good 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 La Spezia is an experience not to be missed. The town has many local flavors that incorporate seafood and other local ingredients. Focaccia is popular, as is Farinata, which is a chickpea flour pancake. Anchovies and mussels are also common ingredients.

Is Heraklion or La Spezia Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

La Spezia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find more bars and clubs around town than you do in the smaller nearby towns. Some people head into La Spezia for the evening to grab a drink and socialize.

Is Heraklion or La Spezia Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is a very popular place for the beache. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Many people visit Heraklion for it's beautiful 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.

La Spezia is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches in the area tend to be rocky and pebbly. For the best beaches, head out of town to nearby areas.

Is Heraklion or La Spezia Better for its Old Town?

La Spezia is a town 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 La Spezia. The old town runs between the streets of Corso Cavour and Via Prione and is best explored on foot.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or La Spezia?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Heraklion and La Spezia.

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 La Spezia to go shopping. There's a morning market at Piazza del Mercato as well as many clothing and souvenir shops around town.

Is Heraklion or La Spezia Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and La Spezia are notable 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 La Spezia. Visitors often use La Spezia as a base for visiting nearby Cinque Terre. The surrounding region has many kid-friendly activities like hiking, swimming, and beaches.

Is Heraklion or La Spezia Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and La Spezia are very good 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 La Spezia frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It makes a nice base for visiting nearby sights if the more popular Cinque Terre area is too overwhelming.

Is Heraklion or La Spezia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion and La Spezia are both very good 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.

La Spezia is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's more affordable than the nearby towns in Cinque Terre, but they're still easily accessible from town.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Heraklion and La Spezia.

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

You'll find some public transit in La Spezia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses, trains, and ferry boats offer the main forms of transportation in the area.

Is Heraklion or La Spezia a more walkable city?

Heraklion and La Spezia are very good 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.

La Spezia is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and you'll find a pedestrian-only area downhill from the train station.

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

Should I spend more time in La Spezia or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or La Spezia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Heraklion and La Spezia. In our opinion, Heraklion has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Heraklion than La Spezia. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Heraklion, and 2-3 days is enough time in La Spezia.

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

Couples should spend more time in Heraklion than La Spezia. 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 La Spezia 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 La Spezia?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of La Spezia. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or La Spezia?

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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the convenient destination of La Spezia. 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 La Spezia?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the bustling 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 cultural town of La Spezia. 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 La Spezia?

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.

La Spezia 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and La Spezia, we can see that La Spezia is more expensive. And not only is Heraklion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Heraklion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Heraklion 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 La Spezia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Spezia than you might in Heraklion.

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or La Spezia?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of La Spezia. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and La Spezia, 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.