A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heraklion vs. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Heraklion or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?

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 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 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 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?

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.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas is the largest city on Gran Canaria, and one of the capitals of the Canary Islands. It is located in the northeast of the island with plenty to see and do from ocean-side activities on the beach to sightseeing, shopping, museums, culture, and architecture.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 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 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is €131. 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 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heraklion 81
    Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heraklion 162
    Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 136
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria? 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 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria


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 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heraklion 31
    Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 49

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?

Prices for flights to both Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 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
    Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 34

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
    Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 16

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heraklion 26
    Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 7.48

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 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 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 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

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


Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 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.

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