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

Should you visit Volos or Heraklion?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Volos and Heraklion can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a vibrant, youthful, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a vibrant, accessible, and bustling city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Volos and Heraklion: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volos or Heraklion?

Both Heraklion and Volos have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Volos is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, while Heraklion is more popular for its museums. Heraklion is more touristy than Volos and is known for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Volos is well known for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty.

How is Volos different from Heraklion?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Heraklion is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Volos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Volos offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

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

Foodies will find both Volos and Heraklion both to be superb destinations.

Volos has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

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.

Is Volos or Heraklion Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Volos and Heraklion.

Volos has a large number of nightlife venues. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

Heraklion is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Volos or Heraklion Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Volos is a city with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Heraklion is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Volos. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Heraklion is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Volos or Heraklion Better for Beaches?

Volos and Heraklion are superb choices for a beach vacation.

Volos is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Heraklion. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Heraklion?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Volos and Heraklion.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Volos. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

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.

Is Volos or Heraklion Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Volos or Heraklion.

Volos is a family-friendly city. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

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 Volos or Heraklion Better for Couples?

Heraklion is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Volos is a good city for couples to visit. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

Is Volos or Heraklion Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Heraklion. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.

Is Volos or Heraklion Better for Students?

Volos is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Volos. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Volos and Heraklion.

Volos has some public transit options. There is a bus system that travels around town.

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 Volos or Heraklion a more walkable city?

Volos and Heraklion are superb when it comes to walkability.

Volos is a very walkable city. The city is flat and there's a historic district 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 Volos Worth Visiting? and Is Heraklion Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Heraklion or Volos?

How long in Volos or Heraklion?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Volos and Heraklion. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Heraklion than in Volos. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Volos, and 1-3 days is enough time in Heraklion.

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

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

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Volos. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volos has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Heraklion, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this accessible destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Volos or Heraklion?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the youthful destination of Volos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Volos or Heraklion?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Volos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Heraklion is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Heraklion. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Volos or Heraklion?

Volos is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Heraklion. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Volos or Heraklion?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Volos 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 Volos 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 Volos or Heraklion in the Summer?

Both Heraklion and Volos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Volos for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Heraklion in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Volos is around the same temperature as Heraklion in the summer. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, 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 Volos. Volos usually receives less sunshine than Heraklion during summer. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Heraklion receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Volos usually receives more rain than Heraklion. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Heraklion receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Volos or Heraklion in the Autumn?

Both Heraklion and Volos during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Volos in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Volos is cooler than Heraklion. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Volos in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Heraklion averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In the autumn, Volos often gets less sunshine than Heraklion. Volos gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heraklion receives 199 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in October than Heraklion. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Heraklion receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Heraklion in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Heraklion. Most visitors come to Volos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Volos is generally much colder than Heraklion. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 6°C (42°F), and Heraklion fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Volos usually receives less sunshine than Heraklion during winter. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Heraklion receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Volos usually receives less rain than Heraklion. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Heraklion receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Volos or Heraklion in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Volos as well as Heraklion. The spring months attract visitors to Volos because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year.

Volos is cooler than Heraklion in the spring. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, 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 Volos this time of the year. In the spring, Volos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heraklion. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heraklion receives 224 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Heraklion. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Heraklion receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heraklion and Volos