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

Should you visit Heraklion or Ravenna?

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 Ravenna 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a off-the-beaten-path, charming, and authentic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Heraklion and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Ravenna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Heraklion. Although Heraklion and Ravenna are about the same size, Heraklion has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Heraklion is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Ravenna is more popular for its small town charm. Heraklion is more touristy than Ravenna and is known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Heraklion is famous for The Palace of Knossos. Ravenna is well known for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Heraklion different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Ravenna. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Ravenna both to be very good 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 Ravenna is an experience not to be missed. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is Heraklion or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Ravenna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is Heraklion or Ravenna Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is a very popular place for the beache. However, Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Heraklion for it's beautiful 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.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Ravenna?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Heraklion and Ravenna.

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 Ravenna to go shopping. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Is Heraklion or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna 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, Ravenna is very family-friendly. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

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 Ravenna Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Ravenna are very good 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 Ravenna frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

Is Heraklion or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Heraklion and Ravenna.

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

You'll find some public transit in Ravenna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is Heraklion or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Ravenna are very good 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.

Ravenna is a very walkable destination. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Heraklion or Ravenna to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Heraklion than Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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

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

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.

Even though Ravenna 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 Ravenna has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Heraklion or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna 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 Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Ravenna?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Ravenna. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

Both Ravenna and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ravenna for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Ravenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Ravenna. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Ravenna in the Autumn?

Both Ravenna and Heraklion during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Heraklion is a little warmer than Ravenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Ravenna averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Heraklion usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Ravenna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Ravenna. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ravenna can be very cold during winter. In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

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

Should I visit Heraklion or Ravenna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Ravenna. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Ravenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Ravenna. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Heraklion