A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Nafplio vs. Heraklion for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

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.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a beautiful, picturesque, and romantic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a vibrant, accessible, and bustling city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Heraklion: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Heraklion?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Heraklion. Although Nafplio and Heraklion are both popular with visitors, Heraklion has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Heraklion is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Nafplio is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Nafplio is popular for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Heraklion is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos.

How is Nafplio different from Heraklion?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Heraklion and Nafplio. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nafplio or Heraklion?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Heraklion and Nafplio.

Nafplio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

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.

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

Both Nafplio and Heraklion offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Nafplio has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Heraklion makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Nafplio or Heraklion Better for Nightlife?

Both Nafplio and Heraklion have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Nafplio has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

The people in Heraklion know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Nafplio or Heraklion Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

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.

Many people head to Nafplio to enjoy the beach. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

Is Nafplio or Heraklion Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is a very popular place for its old town. However, Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Nafplio is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Heraklion?

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

Nafplio has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Heraklion is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Is Nafplio or Heraklion Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or Heraklion.

Nafplio is a family-friendly city. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

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 Nafplio or Heraklion Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nafplio and Heraklion make for a excellent place to visit.

Nafplio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

Couples visit Heraklion frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Nafplio or Heraklion Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Nafplio is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Nafplio and Heraklion.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

You'll find some public transit in Heraklion, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

Is Nafplio or Heraklion a more walkable city?

Nafplio is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Nafplio. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Heraklion or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Heraklion?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nafplio and Heraklion. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nafplio, and 1-3 days is enough time in Heraklion.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nafplio than Heraklion. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nafplio that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Heraklion than Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Heraklion?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Nafplio. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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.

A weekend in Nafplio or Heraklion?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the romantic destination of Nafplio. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Nafplio or Heraklion?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picturesque city of Nafplio. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Nafplio or Heraklion?

Nafplio is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.

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.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Heraklion?

Heraklion has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Heraklion, 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 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. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Nafplio is generally around the same temperature as Heraklion. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and Heraklion fluctuates 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.

Should I visit Nafplio or Heraklion in the Autumn?

Both Heraklion and Nafplio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Nafplio is around the same temperature as Heraklion in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Heraklion fluctuates 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.

Should I visit Nafplio or Heraklion in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Heraklion. The winter months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year.

In the winter, Nafplio is cooler than Heraklion. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Heraklion averages at 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.

Should I visit Nafplio or Heraklion in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Heraklion. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Nafplio is generally cooler than Heraklion. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and Heraklion fluctuates 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.

Typical Weather for Heraklion and Nafplio