A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heraklion vs. Mainz for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Heraklion or Mainz?

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 Mainz 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 vibrant, accessible, and bustling city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Mainz

Mainz is a peaceful, historic, and quaint town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Heraklion and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Mainz?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Heraklion than Mainz. While Mainz is larger than Heraklion, Heraklion has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Heraklion is very popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Mainz attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Heraklion is famous for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Palace of Knossos. Mainz is famous for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares.

How is Heraklion different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Heraklion is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Heraklion. 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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Mainz both to be great destinations.

Heraklion has a huge number of terrific 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.

Dining out in Mainz is an experience not to be missed. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Heraklion or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Heraklion has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Heraklion or Mainz Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Mainz is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Heraklion attract visitors from all over. 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.

Mainz is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is a very popular place for its old town. However, Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Mainz is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Mainz?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Heraklion and Mainz.

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 Mainz to go shopping. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Heraklion or Mainz Better for Families?

Heraklion is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Heraklion or Mainz Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Mainz are great destinations for a couple's getaway.

Heraklion makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Couples visit Mainz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Is Heraklion or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Heraklion or Mainz Better for Students?

Mainz is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Mainz is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Mainz has some very good public transit options. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

You'll find some public transit in Heraklion, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

Is Heraklion or Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Mainz. The town is easily explored on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Heraklion or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Heraklion, and 2-4 days is enough time in Mainz.

Families should spend more time in Heraklion than Mainz. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Heraklion than Mainz 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 Mainz?

In Heraklion, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this accessible destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Mainz. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful destination of Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Mainz?

Heraklion is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Heraklion. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming town of Mainz. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Heraklion or Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the accessible destination of Heraklion. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Mainz is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Heraklion and Mainz, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Mainz, 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz in the Summer?

Both Mainz and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in Mainz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Mainz. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Heraklion during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Heraklion is much warmer than Mainz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Mainz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Mainz. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mainz can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Heraklion is much warmer than Mainz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Mainz averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Mainz. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Mainz. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the spring, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Mainz. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Heraklion