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

Should you visit Heraklion or Naples?

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 Naples 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 accessible, bustling, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Naples

Naples is a historic, authentic, and gritty 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Heraklion and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Naples than Heraklion, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Naples is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Heraklion is known for its beaches. Heraklion is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Naples is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also home to Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Heraklion different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Naples. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

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

Naples is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Naples have been singled out for their culinary prowess. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Dining out in Heraklion is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Heraklion or Naples Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Heraklion and Naples.

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.

Naples is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is Heraklion or Naples Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is well known for the beach. However, Naples is not a beach destination.

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.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Naples Better for its Old Town?

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

Naples is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Naples?

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

Naples is well-known for its shopping. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

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 Naples Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Naples 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 Naples. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Heraklion or Naples Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Naples are high quality 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 Naples frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Heraklion or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion and Naples are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

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

Naples is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Is Heraklion or Naples Better for Students?

Naples is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Naples 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.

Naples has some very good public transit options. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

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 Naples a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Naples are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Naples?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Naples than Heraklion 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 Naples.

One day in Heraklion or Naples?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Heraklion. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

People visit Naples because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Naples has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Naples?

Heraklion is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

People visit Naples because there is so much to do. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Heraklion or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful city of Naples. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Heraklion or Naples?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling destination of Heraklion. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Naples 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Naples, 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 Naples?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Heraklion or Naples in the Summer?

Both Naples and Heraklion during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Naples because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Naples. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Naples averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In Naples, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Naples. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Naples. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Naples. 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 Naples this time of year.

In October, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Naples. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Naples during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Naples receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Naples. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Naples in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Naples. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Heraklion is much warmer than Naples in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Naples. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. Heraklion usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the spring for the activities around the city.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Naples during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Naples. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Heraklion