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

Should you visit Heraklion or Los Cristianos?

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 Los Cristianos 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 Los Cristianos?

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.

Los Cristianos

Picture your ultimate beach vacation. It probably consists of sand, sun and the most pristine resorts to pamper and spoil you. You've just dreamed up a place that actually exists - Los Cristianos. Located in the south of the Canary Island of Tenerife, Los Cristianos is one of the most popular tourist centers in this area, and for good reason. This area knows how to treat vacationers. The sea is a way of life in this area of the world, and that's apparent everywhere you look. Harbor tours, fishing trips and dolphin watching excursions are being advertised everywhere you look - all ready to give you the Los Cristianos experience.

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 Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Los Cristianos 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 Los Cristianos is €125. 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 Los Cristianos in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heraklion 81
    Los Cristianos 57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heraklion 162
    Los Cristianos 114
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Los Cristianos

Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Los Cristianos? 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 Los Cristianos


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 Los Cristianos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heraklion 31
    Los Cristianos 49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion

Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Wine Tasting Experience @ Lyrarakis Winery (Transfer Included): $119
  • VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $62
  • Transfers in Crete from-to Airports/Ports/Hotels/Villas: $128
  • Transfer Services From Heraklion To Rethymno Hotels: $96
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers: $280
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to RETHIMNO CITY area up to 7 : $157
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to PLAKA ELOUNTA area up to 7: $148
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to Makris Gialos area up to 7 : $228
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to MATALA area up to 7 customers: $149
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to MALIA area up to 7 customers: $80
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOUTOULOUFARI area up to 7 : $62
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOKKINI HANI area up to 7 customers: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Los Cristianos?

Prices for flights to both Los Cristianos 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
    Los Cristianos 38

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
    Los Cristianos 23

Tours and Activities in Heraklion

For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $108
  • Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $100
  • Ηeraklion Walking Tour with Archaeological Museum: $82
  • 3-Hour Trekking Mount Karfi Adventure with pickup from Heraklion: $118
  • 4-Hour Giouchtas Trekking Hiking Experience from Heraklion: $90
  • 4x4 self drive adventure_Cretan mainland: $87
  • Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $85
  • Agios Nikolaos-Spinalonga-Elounda Tour TR: $47
  • All Year Tour to Knossos Palace & Heraklion: $618
  • All-Day Knossos Palace Tour & Olive Mill Visit: $695
  • Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour: $86
  • Archaeological Museum of Guided Walking Tour: $86

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heraklion 26
    Los Cristianos 7.14

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

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


Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Los Cristianos?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 5960 times larger than the population of Los Cristianos. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Los Cristianos, 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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