A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Heraklion vs. Viseu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Heraklion or Viseu?

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 Viseu 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.

Where Should I go: Heraklion or Viseu?

Heraklion

The largest city on the island of Crete, Heraklion on first glance is almost completely modern - a frenzy of traffic, concrete, and dust. Do not expect pristine beaches and glittering waves (those can be found on other parts of Crete). Heraklion is first and foremost a city. Once you get past its grittiness, you will find that there are some attractive features beneath first impressions. The antiquity of the place lies embedded in the modern and is presented in one of the best museums in Greece, the food is excellent, and the people are friendly and welcoming. And though the sea is not great for swimming, its presence along the Venetian port will take you to another time if you need a break from Heraklion's bustling center.

Viseu

Viseu is the beautiful capital city of the Centro Region of Portugal, located northeast of Lisbon. The city, which is situated in the center of the famous Dao wine region, offers stunning natural scenery and beautiful ancient architecture. The best time to visit Viseu is during the summer from June through September when temperatures tend to range from 75-85° Fahrenheit and there is less rain. From October-May, temperatures tend to stay between 45-60° F and rainfall is at its highest.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Lisbon.


Which place is cheaper, Viseu or Heraklion?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Heraklion is €158, while the average daily cost in Viseu is €98. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Heraklion and Viseu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Heraklion 81
    Viseu 52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Heraklion 162
    Viseu 104
Compare Hotels in Heraklion and Viseu

Looking for a hotel in Heraklion or Viseu? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Heraklion


Hotels in Viseu


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Heraklion Hotel Prices and Viseu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Heraklion 31
    Viseu 19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion

Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Wine Tasting Experience @ Lyrarakis Winery (Transfer Included): $119
  • VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $62
  • Transfers in Crete from-to Airports/Ports/Hotels/Villas: $128
  • Transfer Services From Heraklion To Rethymno Hotels: $96
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers: $280
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to RETHIMNO CITY area up to 7 : $157
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to PLAKA ELOUNTA area up to 7: $148
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to Makris Gialos area up to 7 : $228
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to MATALA area up to 7 customers: $149
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to MALIA area up to 7 customers: $80
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOUTOULOUFARI area up to 7 : $62
  • Transfer Heraklion Airport to KOKKINI HANI area up to 7 customers: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Heraklion or Viseu?

Prices for flights to both Viseu and Heraklion change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Heraklion 52
    Viseu 31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion

For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Troy Dinner-Show: $33
  • Spectacular Dinner-Show: $44
  • From Village Cretan Night, Live Dancers & dinner: $48
  • Cretan Night with Dinner & Live Show: $49
  • Crete: Olive Oil Festival, Farm Dinner, Live Show & Pickup: $59
  • Cretan Farm with scenic view: Olive Mill Festival & dinner: $64
  • Amazing Sunset Safari Route with Dinner: $84
  • Cook with Locals | Cretan cooking Class at Archanes (transfer - lunch included): $86
  • Crete: Land Rover Safari with Sunset Viewing, Dinner, & Wine: $90
  • Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson: $97
  • Food tour tasting walking tour: $123
  • E-bike Food Tour Tasting in Heraklion : $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Heraklion 38
    Viseu 23

Tours and Activities in Heraklion

For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4x4 Safari tour Southern Crete Tripitis Gorge: $108
  • Adventure Safari Tour Secrets of the southern Crete : $100
  • Ηeraklion Walking Tour with Archaeological Museum: $82
  • 3-Hour Trekking Mount Karfi Adventure with pickup from Heraklion: $118
  • 4-Hour Giouchtas Trekking Hiking Experience from Heraklion: $90
  • 4x4 self drive adventure_Cretan mainland: $87
  • Adventure Jeep Safari Amazing sunset : $85
  • Agios Nikolaos-Spinalonga-Elounda Tour TR: $47
  • All Year Tour to Knossos Palace & Heraklion: $618
  • All-Day Knossos Palace Tour & Olive Mill Visit: $695
  • Archaeological Museum of Heraklion Tour: $86
  • Archaeological Museum of Guided Walking Tour: $86

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Heraklion 26
    Viseu 7.71

Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion

Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour: $95
  • Ecobike Wine Tasting Tour in Heraklion: $115
  • Ecobike Tour with Wine Tasting: $118
  • Luxury Private Wine Tasting Experience in Haralabakis Winery: $119
  • Half Day Small Group Wine Tour with wine Tastings: $125
  • Half Day Semi Private Wine Tour with Tastings: $134
  • Semi Private Heraklion Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $159
  • The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $180
  • Private SUV Wine Tour with Lunch: $183
  • Full Day Private Crete Wine Tour Experience from Heraklion : $190
  • Full day Knossos Palace, Local Distillery, Lunch @ Archanes: $192
  • Knossos, Olive Mill, Winery - Distillery with Tastings & Lunch : $196


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

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


Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Viseu?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Viseu. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion and Viseu, 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 Viseu?

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 Viseu in the Summer?

Both Viseu and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Viseu. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 25°C (78°F), and Viseu fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Viseu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Viseu during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Viseu receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Viseu. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Viseu receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Heraklion 25°C (78°F) 
    Viseu 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Viseu in the Autumn?

Both Viseu and Heraklion during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year.

Heraklion is around the same temperature as Viseu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Viseu fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Viseu. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Viseu receives 184 hours of full sun.

Viseu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heraklion usually gets less rain in October than Viseu. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Viseu receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Heraklion 20°C (68°F) 
    Viseu 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Viseu in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Viseu. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Heraklion is a little warmer than Viseu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heraklion in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Viseu averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Viseu during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Viseu receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

Viseu receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Viseu. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Viseu receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Heraklion 12°C (54°F) 
    Viseu 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Heraklion or Viseu in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Viseu. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Viseu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heraklion this time of the year. In the spring, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Viseu. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Viseu receives 217 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Viseu. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Viseu receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Heraklion 16°C (61°F) 
    Viseu 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Viseu and Heraklion

Heraklion Viseu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 77 mm (3 in) 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Dec 14°C (58°F) 77 mm (3 in) 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)


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