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

Should you visit Heraklion or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a famous, iconic, and one-of-a-kind archeological site. Visitors also love the museums.

Heraklion and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Heraklion. Although Heraklion and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Heraklion has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Heraklion is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Pompeii is known for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Heraklion and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Heraklion is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos.

How is Heraklion different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Pompeii are world-renowned. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

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

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Heraklion has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Heraklion or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Heraklion has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Heraklion or Pompeii Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Pompeii?

Heraklion is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Heraklion has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Heraklion or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii 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, Pompeii is very family-friendly. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Heraklion or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Heraklion. 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 Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Heraklion or Pompeii Better for Students?

Pompeii is a archeological site with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Pompeii. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Heraklion and Pompeii.

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

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Heraklion or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Heraklion or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Heraklion than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Heraklion, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

Couples should spend more time in Heraklion than Pompeii. 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 Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

In Heraklion, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums around the archeological site of Pompeii. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pompeii has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Pompeii?

In Heraklion, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heraklion has to offer.

You'll find museums around the iconic destination of Pompeii. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this archeological site has to offer. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Heraklion or Pompeii?

Heraklion is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the famous archeological site of Pompeii. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Heraklion or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Heraklion. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Pompeii 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Heraklion or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Pompeii. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Heraklion during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heraklion usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Pompeii. The winter months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums are the main draw to Pompeii this time of year.

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

Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Pompeii. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year.

In the spring, Heraklion is a little warmer than Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°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 Pompeii. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Heraklion