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

Should you visit Heraklion or Rouen?

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 Rouen 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 historic, vibrant, and accessible city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Rouen

Rouen is a relaxing, historical, and charming city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Heraklion and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Rouen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Heraklion than Rouen. Heraklion is bigger than Rouen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Heraklion is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Rouen is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Heraklion is more touristy than Rouen and is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Heraklion is famous for The Palace of Knossos. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Heraklion different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Heraklion is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Heraklion offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Rouen both to be excellent 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 Rouen is an experience not to be missed. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Heraklion or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Heraklion has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Heraklion or Rouen Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is notable for the beache. However, Rouen is not a beach destination.

Heraklion is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a city with good options for its old town. However, Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Rouen. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Rouen?

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

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 Rouen to go shopping. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Heraklion or Rouen Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Rouen are notable 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 Rouen. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Heraklion or Rouen Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Rouen are excellent 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 Rouen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Is Heraklion or Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

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

Rouen 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.

Rouen has some very good public transit options. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Rouen are excellent 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.

Rouen is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Rouen?

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

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

In Heraklion, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this accessible destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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

A weekend in Heraklion or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Rouen. 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 Rouen?

Heraklion is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Heraklion. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming city of Rouen. 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 Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Heraklion. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rouen 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Rouen?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Rouen. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Rouen in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Rouen. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Heraklion is much warmer than Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Heraklion during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Rouen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Rouen can be very cold. In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Rouen. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Rouen. The spring months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

Heraklion is much warmer than Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Rouen. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Heraklion