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

Should you visit Heraklion or Manchester?

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 Manchester 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.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

Heraklion and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Manchester?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester than Heraklion. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Manchester is very popular for its music, shopping, and big city activities, while Heraklion attracts visitors for its beaches. Heraklion is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Heraklion different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Heraklion and Manchester.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Manchester. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Manchester both to be superb 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 Manchester is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Heraklion or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Heraklion and Manchester.

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.

Manchester is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Heraklion or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Heraklion is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Manchester while you're in town. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Heraklion is not a live music destination.

Is Heraklion or Manchester Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is great for its beaches. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Manchester?

Manchester is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Manchester is well-known for its shopping. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Many visitors go to Heraklion to go shopping. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Is Heraklion or Manchester Better for Families?

Manchester is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Manchester is very family-friendly. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Heraklion. 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.

Is Heraklion or Manchester Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Manchester are superb 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 Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Heraklion or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Heraklion or Manchester Better for Students?

Manchester 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 Manchester. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Manchester 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.

Manchester has some very good public transit options. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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 Manchester a more walkable city?

Heraklion is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Heraklion or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Manchester 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 Manchester.

Families should spend more time in Manchester than Heraklion. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Manchester, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Manchester than Heraklion. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Manchester that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Heraklion, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Heraklion, one day is sufficent for most.

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. 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 Manchester?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Heraklion, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Heraklion or Manchester?

Heraklion, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the diverse city of Manchester. 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 Manchester?

Heraklion is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Manchester 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Heraklion and Manchester, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Heraklion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Heraklion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Heraklion 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Heraklion.

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Manchester?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Manchester. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Manchester. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Manchester. 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 Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Heraklion is much warmer than Manchester in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in October than Manchester. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester 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, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. In the winter, Heraklion is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Manchester averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Manchester. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester 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 Manchester for the activities around the city.

In April, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the spring, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Manchester. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Heraklion