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

Should you visit Heraklion or Livorno?

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 Livorno 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Livorno

Livorno is a waterfront, friendly, and down-to-earth port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Heraklion and Livorno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Livorno?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Heraklion. Although Heraklion and Livorno are both popular with visitors, Heraklion has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Heraklion is more touristy than Livorno and is known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos. Livorno is popular for its large port and its great seafood.

How is Heraklion different from Livorno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Heraklion is great for its historical sights. However, Livorno is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Heraklion can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Livorno offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The waterfront promenade and New Venice are nice to explore. There's an aquarium in town as well as a fun central market.

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

Heraklion is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Heraklion has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Livorno offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. As a port city, this is the place to try seafood. Many dishes include calamari, shrimp, or freshly caught fish. The city is less touristy than most in Italy, so even the food has an authentic and down-to-earth vibe.

Is Heraklion or Livorno Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is great for its evening party scene. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

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 Livorno. Most visitors arrive by cruise ship, and depart in the evening, but the city is large and for those that stay the night, there are a number of bars and clubs around town.

Is Heraklion or Livorno Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is great for the beach. However, Livorno is not a good destination for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Heraklion. 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.

Livorno is a good spot to see the beach. The beaches are pebbly or rocky, so you won't really find a long stretch of sandy beach where you can relax. They can also stay very crowded.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Livorno?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Heraklion and Livorno.

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 Livorno to go shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Grande. It's generally filled with major chain stores and familiar brands.

Is Heraklion or Livorno Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Livorno are good 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 Livorno. The city has a nice aquarium as well as outdoor recreational activities like cycling and boating. There's a beach and parks where kids can stretch their legs and run around as well.

Is Heraklion or Livorno Better for Couples?

Heraklion is great for couples. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

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.

Livorno is a nice destination for couples. There are some nice museums as well as parks and boat rides that couples can enjoy. There's also an aquarium and a beach.

Is Heraklion or Livorno Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Livorno is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Heraklion. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

Livorno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this city, so you won't find many hostels around town. It's a relatively affordable place to stay with some fun entertainment options if you do pass through.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Heraklion and Livorno.

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

You'll find some public transit in Livorno, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town including lines that run from the central train station to the port.

Is Heraklion or Livorno a more walkable city?

Heraklion is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

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

Livorno is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but if you're arriving by cruise ship, you'll want to take a shuttle bus from the port.

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

Should I spend more time in Livorno or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Livorno?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Heraklion or Livorno to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Heraklion than Livorno because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Heraklion, and 1-2 days is enough time in Livorno.

Families should spend more time in Heraklion than Livorno. 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 Livorno. 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 Livorno 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 Livorno?

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

A weekend in Heraklion or Livorno?

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 shopping and nightlife around the waterfront destination of Livorno. 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 Livorno?

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 food when visiting the waterfront port city of Livorno. 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 Livorno?

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.

Livorno 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Livorno?

Livorno has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Livorno, 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 Livorno?

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 Livorno in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Livorno. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Livorno because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Livorno. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Livorno averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Livorno this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Livorno during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Livorno receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Livorno. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Livorno in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Livorno. The autumn months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Livorno this time of year.

In October, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Livorno. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Livorno fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Livorno. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Livorno receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Livorno. Heraklion usually gets less rain in October than Livorno. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Livorno in the Winter?

Both Livorno and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Livorno for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Heraklion is much warmer than Livorno in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Livorno fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Livorno during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Livorno receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Heraklion or Livorno in the Spring?

Both Livorno and Heraklion during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Livorno in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Heraklion is a little warmer than Livorno. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Livorno averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the spring, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Livorno. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Livorno receives 192 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Livorno. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Livorno receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Livorno and Heraklion