Which city is cheaper, Heraklion or Nafplio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Nafplio vs. Heraklion for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
Should you visit Nafplio or Heraklion?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nafplio or Heraklion? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Nafplio or Heraklion?
Nafplio
The destination of Nafplio exists as a historic seaport town on the Peloponnese peninsula. From prevailing as a major port under royal succession in the Middle Ages to standing under the Republic of Venice, Ottoman Empire, and finally becoming capital of the First Hellenic Republic and then the Kingdom of Greece, this place has seen it all. Nafplio is now the capital of the region of Argolis.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNafplio €112Heraklion €158
The average daily cost (per person) in Nafplio is €112, while the average daily cost in Heraklion is €158. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nafplio and Heraklion in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNafplio €50Heraklion €81
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNafplio €100Heraklion €162
Compare Hotels in Nafplio and Heraklion
Looking for a hotel in Nafplio or Heraklion? 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.
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: Nafplio Hotel Prices and Heraklion Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nafplio €46Heraklion €31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nafplio
Also for Nafplio, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Nafplio to Athens International Airport Private Transfer: $672
- 3-Hours Private Transfer from Nafplio to Athens: $666
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heraklion
Also for Heraklion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wine Tour - Wine Stories (Transfer & Lunch Included): $117
- VIP Private Transfer: Heraklion - Analipsi Hotels & Villas: $55
- Transfer services from Heraklion Airport to Rethymnon city (all areas): $168
- Transfer from Heraklion Airport/Port to Hersonissos: $50
- Transfer Services From Heraklion To Rethymno Hotels: $106
- Transfer Heraklion Airport or Port to Ammoudara Agios Nikolaos up to 7 customers: $198
- Transfer Heraklion Airport or Port to Ammoudara Agios Nikolaos up to 4 customers: $133
- Transfer From Heraklion or Rethymno 8 Pax: $174
- Transfer Airport to SITIA area up to 7 customers: $385
- Transfer Airport to SISSI area up to 6 customers: $132
- Transfer Airport to RETHIMNO CITY area up to 7 customers: $237
- Transfer Airport to PLATANIAS CHANIA area up to 7 customers: $459
Is it cheaper to fly into Nafplio or Heraklion?
Prices for flights to both Heraklion and Nafplio 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 dayNafplio €34Heraklion €52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nafplio
For Nafplio, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Nafplio Walking Food Tour: $121
- Nauplio Food Tour: $124
- Cooking Class in Nafplio: $189
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Live from Heraklion - Cheese Making and Vegeterian Pie Online Cooking class: $39
- Cretan Cooking Class Gouves (Free Transfer Included): $86
- Private Cooking Class Gouves (Free Transfer Included): $123
- Heraklion Private Cretan Cooking Class at a Traditional Village: $218
- Private Cooking Class and Wine Tasting in Heraklion: $440
- Authentic Greek Food Cooking Class: $519
- Crete: Farm Experience with Cooking Class, Pottery and Meal: $744
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nafplio €22Heraklion €38
Tours and Activities in Nafplio
For Nafplio, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3in1; Cycling, sightseeing, tasting: $174
- Ancient Corinth & Nemea Tour to Culture from Nafplio: $161
- Argolis: Full-Day Tour in Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio: $100
- Corinth, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora and more in a 4day private tour: $1,379
- Cycling Tour at Nafplio: $114
- From Athens: Mycenae and Epidaurus Private Tour: $399
- Greek Ouzo and Honey Tour from Nafplio: $135
- Half day tour in Mycenae and Epidaurus from Nafplio: $128
- Hiking Tour in Nafplio: $77
- Horse Riding Experience in Nafplio: $70
- Mycenae - Ancient Corinth - Corinth Canal - Epidaurus full day tour from Nafplio: $202
- Nafplio City Tour: $13
Tours and Activities in Heraklion
For Heraklion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Accessible Heraklion tour to Knossos & Archaeological Museum or Shopping: $455
- Agios Nikolaos - Elounda - Spinalonga - (Private tour): $523
- Architectural- gastronomic Walking tour in Heraklion: $870
- Best of Crete (3-days Tour package): $1,120
- Chrissi Island Cruise from Heraklion: $61
- Cretan Folklore Night Tour TR: $66
- Crete private tour: Knossos Palace, Archaeological museum, and Heraklion Town: $485
- Crete: Full-Day Private Tour: $507
- Crete: Margarites, Rethymnon, Argyroupoli Full-Day Tour: $62
- Crete: Minoan Paths and Wine Experience: $395
- Crete: Palace of Knossos Archaeological Site Entrance Ticket: $11
- Day Tour: Spinalonga, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, & Kolokitha: $41
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNafplio €6.86Heraklion €26
Sample the Local Flavors in Nafplio
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nafplio:
- Wine tour at the footsteps of Hercules in Nemea from Nafplio: $188
Sample the Local Flavors in Heraklion
Also in Heraklion, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Crete: Haralabakis Winery Tour & Wine Tasting: $101
- Heraklion Area: Secrets of Olive Oil and Wine Tasting Tour: $169
- The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $187
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nafplio and Heraklion, we can see that Heraklion is more expensive. And not only is Nafplio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nafplio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nafplio 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 Nafplio.
When is the best time to visit Nafplio or Heraklion?
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 Nafplio or Heraklion in the Summer?
Both Heraklion and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Nafplio is generally around the same temperature as Heraklion. Temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and Heraklion stays around 25°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Heraklion. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Heraklion during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Heraklion receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Heraklion. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Heraklion receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyNafplio 25°C (76°F)Heraklion 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Nafplio or Heraklion in the Autumn?
Both Heraklion and Nafplio during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Nafplio is around the same temperature as Heraklion in the autumn. The temperature in Nafplio is usually 19°C (66°F) in October, and Heraklion stays around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the autumn, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heraklion. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heraklion receives 199 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Heraklion. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Heraklion receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNafplio 19°C (66°F)Heraklion 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Nafplio or Heraklion in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Heraklion.
In the winter, Nafplio is cooler than Heraklion. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January are around 10°C (51°F), and Heraklion is about 12°C (54°F).
Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Heraklion during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Heraklion receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.
Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Heraklion. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Heraklion receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNafplio 10°C (51°F)Heraklion 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Nafplio or Heraklion in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Heraklion.
In April, Nafplio is generally cooler than Heraklion. Temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and Heraklion stays around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heraklion. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the spring, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heraklion. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heraklion receives 224 hours of full sun.
Nafplio usually gets more rain in April than Heraklion. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Heraklion receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilNafplio 15°C (58°F)Heraklion 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Heraklion and Nafplio
| Nafplio | Heraklion | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (76°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
Related Articles for Nafplio
Related Articles for Heraklion
Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.More City Comparisons
Volos vs. NafplioVolos vs. Heraklion
Thiva (Thebes) vs. Nafplio
Thiva (Thebes) vs. Heraklion
Santorini vs. Nafplio
Santorini vs. Heraklion
Paros vs. Nafplio
Paros vs. Heraklion
Nafplio vs. Mykonos
Nafplio vs. Kos
Nafplio vs. Corinth
Nafplio vs. Chania
Nafplio vs. Cape Sounion
Nafplio vs. Kalampaka (Meteora)
Nafplio vs. Ios
Nafplio vs. Hydra
Nafplio vs. Delphi
Nafplio vs. Athens
Nafplio vs. Arachova
Nafplio vs. Aegina
Nafplio vs. Rhodes
Nafplio vs. Thessaloniki
Nafplio vs. Corfu
Nafplio vs. Crete
Mykonos vs. Heraklion
Kos vs. Heraklion
Corinth vs. Heraklion
Chania vs. Heraklion
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.