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

Should you visit Heraklion or Lastres?

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 Lastres 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 Lastres?

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.

Lastres

A city by the sea, Lastres (or Llastres) started out as a small fishing and whaling village accessible only by a dangerous path over cliffs. Today, it is still known as the "beautiful village of Asturias," with breathtaking views of the sea, streets full of historic charm, and a grand chain of mountains just inland. It is the perfect little getaway for someone wanting to bask in the beauty of nature with all the comforts of civilization at hand.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Lastres 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 Lastres is €133. 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 Lastres in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heraklion 81
    Lastres 77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heraklion 162
    Lastres 154
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Lastres

Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Lastres? 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 Lastres


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heraklion 31
    Lastres 19

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 Lastres?

Prices for flights to both Lastres 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
    Lastres 41

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
    Lastres 20

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
    Lastres 18

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

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



When is the best time to visit Heraklion or Lastres?

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 Lastres in the Summer?

Both Lastres and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Lastres in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Lastres fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Lastres, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Lastres. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lastres receives 203 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Lastres. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lastres receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Heraklion 25°C (78°F) 
    Lastres 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Lastres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Lastres. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Heraklion is a little warmer than Lastres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Lastres averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Lastres during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Lastres receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Lastres. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Lastres receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Heraklion 20°C (68°F) 
    Lastres 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Lastres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Lastres. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Lastres. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Lastres fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Lastres. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lastres receives 95 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Lastres. Heraklion usually gets less rain in January than Lastres. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Lastres receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Heraklion 12°C (54°F) 
    Lastres 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Lastres in the Spring?

Both Lastres and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Lastres in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Lastres fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Lastres during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Lastres receives 143 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Lastres. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lastres receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Heraklion 16°C (61°F) 
    Lastres 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Lastres and Heraklion

Heraklion Lastres
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 77 mm (3 in) 10°C (50°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 14°C (58°F) 77 mm (3 in) 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)


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