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

Should you visit Heraklion or Le Mans?

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 Le Mans 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 bustling, historic, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a historic, quaint, and small town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the nightlife and museums.

Heraklion and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Le Mans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Heraklion. Although Heraklion and Le Mans are popular destinations, Heraklion has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heraklion is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Le Mans attracts visitors for its small town charm. Heraklion is more touristy than Le Mans and is known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Palace of Knossos. Le Mans is famous for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Heraklion different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Heraklion is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Heraklion specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

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

Heraklion is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Heraklion. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Heraklion or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is great for nightlife. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Heraklion for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Le Mans. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is Heraklion or Le Mans Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is great for its beaches. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Le Mans?

Heraklion is very good for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Heraklion. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Heraklion or Le Mans Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Le Mans are nice 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 Le Mans. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Heraklion or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Heraklion is great for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

Heraklion is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Heraklion or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Heraklion is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Heraklion and Le Mans.

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

You'll find some public transit in Le Mans, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Heraklion or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Heraklion is great for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of walkability.

Heraklion is very walkable. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Le Mans?

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

Families should spend more time in Heraklion than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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 museums around the town of Le Mans. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Le Mans has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Le Mans?

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 museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Le Mans. 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 Le Mans?

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 nightlife and museums when visiting the historic town of Le Mans. 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 Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Le Mans?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Le Mans. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Le Mans this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Le Mans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Le Mans. 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 Le Mans because of the small town atmosphere.

Heraklion is much warmer than Le Mans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Le Mans fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Le Mans. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Le Mans. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Le Mans in the Winter?

Both Le Mans and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

It's quite cold in Le Mans in the winter. In the winter, Heraklion is much warmer than Le Mans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Le Mans averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Le Mans in the Spring?

Both Le Mans and Heraklion during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town charm.

In April, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the spring, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Le Mans. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Le Mans. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Heraklion