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

Should you visit Heraklion or Urbino?

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

Urbino

Urbino is a authentic, laid back, and historic town. 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 Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Urbino?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Heraklion. Although Heraklion and Urbino are both popular with visitors, Heraklion has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Heraklion is more popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Urbino is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Heraklion is more touristy than Urbino and is known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos. Urbino is popular for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Heraklion different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Urbino both to be great 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 Urbino is an experience not to be missed. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Heraklion or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is great for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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 Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Heraklion or Urbino Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is great for the beach. However, Urbino is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Heraklion attract visitors from all over. 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.

Urbino is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Urbino 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 Urbino. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Urbino?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Heraklion and Urbino.

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 Urbino to go shopping. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Heraklion or Urbino Better for Families?

Heraklion is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Heraklion offers lots of family activities. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Heraklion or Urbino Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Urbino are great 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 Urbino frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Heraklion or Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Heraklion or Urbino Better for Students?

Urbino is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Urbino. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Heraklion is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Heraklion offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Heraklion or Urbino a more walkable city?

Heraklion is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Urbino?

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

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

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 shopping and museums around the town of Urbino. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Urbino has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Urbino?

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 Urbino. 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 Urbino?

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 undiscovered town of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling 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.

Urbino 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Urbino?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Urbino. The summer months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

In the summer, Heraklion is a little warmer than Urbino. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Urbino averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Urbino. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Urbino. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Heraklion usually gets less rain in October than Urbino. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Urbino in the Winter?

Both Urbino and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Urbino in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Urbino can get quite cold in the winter. Heraklion is much warmer than Urbino in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Urbino. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino and Heraklion during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Urbino for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Heraklion is a little warmer than Urbino. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Urbino averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Urbino. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Heraklion