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

Should you visit Heraklion or Villach?

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 Villach 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Villach

Villach is a historic, nature-filled, and outdoorsy town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Heraklion and Villach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Villach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Heraklion than Villach, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Heraklion is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Villach is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Heraklion is more touristy than Villach and is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos. Villach is popular for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square.

How is Heraklion different from Villach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Heraklion is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Villach is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.

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

Heraklion is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its restaurants.

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.

Villach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Heraklion or Villach Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

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 Villach. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

Is Heraklion or Villach Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is notable for the beach. However, Villach 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.

Villach is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Villach Better for its Old Town?

Villach 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 Villach. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is Heraklion or Villach Better for Hiking?

Villach is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Heraklion is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Villach. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

Heraklion is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Villach?

Heraklion is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Villach is a mediocre town for shopping.

Many visitors go to Heraklion to go shopping. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Villach is a good destination for shopping. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.

Is Heraklion or Villach Better for Families?

Villach 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, Villach is very family-friendly. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

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 Villach Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Villach 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 Villach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

Is Heraklion or Villach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion and Villach are both excellent 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.

Villach is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

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

Heraklion is a popular place for its public transit. However, Villach is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

Is Heraklion or Villach a more walkable city?

Heraklion is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre 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.

Villach is generally not a very walkable city. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Villach or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Villach?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Heraklion and Villach. In our opinion, Heraklion has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Heraklion than Villach. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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 nightlife and museums around the town of Villach. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Villach has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Heraklion or Villach?

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 and nightlife around the historic destination of Villach. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Villach?

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 nightlife and museums when visiting the nature-filled town of Villach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Heraklion or Villach?

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.

Villach is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Villach?

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

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 Villach in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Villach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Villach averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Villach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Villach. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 288 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Villach. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Villach in the Autumn?

Both Villach 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 Villach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Villach. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Villach fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Villach during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Villach. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Villach in the Winter?

Both Villach 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 Villach because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Heraklion is much warmer than Villach in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Villach fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Villach. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 96 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Villach. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Villach in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Heraklion is a little warmer than Villach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Villach averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Villach during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Villach. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Villach and Heraklion