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

Should you visit Heraklion or Trogir?

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 Trogir 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 bustling, historic, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Trogir

Trogir is a quaint, authentic, and historic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and museums.

Heraklion and Trogir: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Trogir?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Heraklion. Although Heraklion and Trogir are popular destinations, Heraklion has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heraklion is very popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Trogir attracts visitors for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, and small town charm. Heraklion is more touristy than Trogir 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. Trogir is famous for its historic buildings and its local cuisine.

How is Heraklion different from Trogir?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Heraklion is great for its historical sights. Also, Trogir is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Heraklion specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Trogir offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town has some fascinating historic sights such as the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the Clock Tower and the city gates.

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

Trogir 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 Trogir have been singled out for their culinary prowess. For such a small place there's a surprising number of amazing restaurants. You won't find touristy restaurants here. Instead, locals and tourists intermingle, enjoying the same amazing dishes. There's also a number of fine dining restaurants that are affordable and high quality.

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 Trogir Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is great for nightlife. Also, Trogir is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Heraklion for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Trogir. You'll find bars and a few discos around town that keep things fun after the sun sets.

Is Heraklion or Trogir Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Trogir is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Heraklion is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Trogir. There are less snorkeling trips leaving from here than from some of the larger nearby tourist destinations.

Heraklion is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Heraklion or Trogir Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is great for its beaches. Also, Trogir is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the beache.

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.

Trogir has a beach worth visiting. You'll find some good beaches in the vicinity of town. A favorite is Pantan Beach, which is about 1.5 kilometers from town and accessible by bus. There are also beaches on Ciovo Island and the Drvenik Islands.

Is Heraklion or Trogir Better for its Old Town?

Trogir is a town 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 Trogir. The medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it sits on an island that is connected to the mainland by bridge.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Trogir?

Heraklion is very good for shopping. However, Trogir is not a good destination for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Heraklion. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

If you're looking to go shopping, Trogir has some nice offerings. There are shops and shopping centers in the area that sell the standard brands.

Is Heraklion or Trogir Better for Families?

Both Heraklion and Trogir 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 Trogir. There are dessert bakeries around town that the kids will love. You'll also find historic sights and a castle. In the surrounding area there's kayaking and other water activities.

Is Heraklion or Trogir Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Trogir are superb 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 Trogir frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This seaside town is filled with historic sights and great restaurants. Dessert lovers will appreciate the pastry shops and for those willing to head out of town, there are a number of water activities to enjoy.

Is Heraklion or Trogir Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion and Trogir are both superb 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.

Trogir is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of affordable hostels in town. You'll find enough backpackers around town to keep things interesting and fun.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Trogir, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a bus station in town that provides regional access to nearby towns.

Is Heraklion or Trogir a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Trogir are superb 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.

Trogir is a very walkable destination. If you stay in the pedestrian-only old town, its easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Trogir or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Trogir?

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

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

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

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.

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

A weekend in Heraklion or Trogir?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Trogir. 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 Trogir?

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 quaint town of Trogir. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Trogir?

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.

Trogir 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 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Trogir?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Trogir. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Trogir, 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 Trogir?

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 Trogir in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Trogir. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Trogir for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Trogir. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Trogir fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Trogir this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Trogir during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Trogir receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Trogir. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Trogir receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Trogir in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Trogir. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Trogir because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Trogir in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Trogir fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Trogir. In the autumn, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Trogir. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trogir receives 200 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in October than Trogir. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Trogir receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Trogir in the Winter?

Both Trogir and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Trogir this time of year.

In the winter, Heraklion is a little warmer than Trogir. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Trogir averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Trogir during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Trogir receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Trogir. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Trogir receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Trogir in the Spring?

Both Trogir and Heraklion during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Trogir for the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Trogir. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 16°C (61°F), and Trogir fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Trogir, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the spring, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Trogir. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trogir receives 212 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Trogir. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Trogir receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Trogir and Heraklion