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

Should you visit Heraklion or Oxford?

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 Oxford 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Oxford

Oxford is a collegiate, beautiful, and historic college town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Heraklion and Oxford: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Oxford?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Heraklion. Although Heraklion and Oxford are popular destinations, Heraklion has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heraklion is very popular for its food, beaches, and big city activities, while Oxford attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Heraklion is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Palace of Knossos. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Heraklion different from Oxford?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Oxford. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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

Heraklion is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Heraklion. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Heraklion or Oxford Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Oxford is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

Is Heraklion or Oxford Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Oxford?

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

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 Oxford to go shopping. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Heraklion or Oxford Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Oxford are nice 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 Oxford. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Is Heraklion or Oxford Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Oxford 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 Oxford frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Is Heraklion or Oxford Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options 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.

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Heraklion or Oxford Better for Students?

Oxford is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Oxford is a very popular college town for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Heraklion and Oxford.

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

You'll find some public transit in Oxford, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

Is Heraklion or Oxford a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Oxford 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.

Oxford is a very walkable destination. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

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

Should I spend more time in Oxford or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Oxford?

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

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

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.

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oxford has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Oxford?

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.

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this college town has to offer. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Heraklion or Oxford?

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.

Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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 Oxford?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the accessible 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.

Oxford 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Heraklion and Oxford, 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 Oxford Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Oxford?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Oxford, 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 Oxford?

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 Oxford in the Summer?

Both Oxford and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Oxford because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Oxford. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Oxford. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Oxford in the Autumn?

Both Oxford and Heraklion during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Oxford this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Oxford. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 107 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in October than Oxford. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Oxford in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Oxford. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oxford for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oxford. In the winter, Heraklion is much warmer than Oxford. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Oxford averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Oxford. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Oxford in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Oxford. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Oxford in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Oxford. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 9°C (48°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 Oxford. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 147 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Oxford. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oxford and Heraklion