A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kos vs. Cefalu for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Kos or Cefalu?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Cefalu 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.

Kos

Kos is a cultural, party-hard, and vibrant island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Cefalu

Cefalu is a coastal, historic, and touristy fishing village. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Kos and Cefalu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Cefalu?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kos. Although Kos and Cefalu are popular destinations, Kos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kos is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Cefalu attracts visitors for its resorts, historical sights, and small town charm. Cefalu is more touristy than Kos and is known for its beautiful blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and great local food. Kos is famous for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. It is also well known for Asklepieion Archeological Site.

How is Kos different from Cefalu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kos or Cefalu?

Kos is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Kos are world-renowned. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

Cefalu offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time on the beach or getting lost in the town's charm, but if you're looking for specific sights and museums you can check out the Cathedral, Museo Mandralisca, or Tempio di Diana.

Is the Food Better in Kos or Cefalu? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kos is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Cefalu is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Kos, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

Dining out in Cefalu is an experience not to be missed. Despite being a popular tourist hot spot, there are still charming restaurants around town that serve up local dishes made with local ingredients. Many seaside restaurants have a charming atmosphere and a unique Sicilian flare.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for Nightlife?

Kos is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

Kos has a large number of nightlife venues. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

Cefalu is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The town is small and mellow without a huge party scene. There are some beach resorts with bars and clubs attached where you can enjoy a drink by the water.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for Resorts?

Cefalu is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

In Cefalu, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There's a wide range of resorts to choose from including Club Med and even a nature hotel.

With a selection of resorts, Kos makes a nice vacation spot. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Cefalu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Kos. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Cefalu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for Beaches?

Kos is a world-class destination for the beache. Also, Cefalu is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Kos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Cefalu is considered a top beach destination. The town has nice beaches with good swimming and kayaking opportunities. Some of the beaches can get quite crowded but the water is blue and the views are nice. Some of the best beaches near town include Cefalu Beach, Kalura Beach, and Lido Angeli Del Mare.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for its Old Town?

Cefalu is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.

Cefalu is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town is charming and small, making it a nice place to explore.

Kos does not have a historic old town.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for Hiking?

Both Kos and Cefalu are destinations which offer nice hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kos. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Cefalu offers some nice hiking trails. There are a few walking trails outside of town but the most popular is hiking to the top of La Rocca. It's at least an hours walk to the top but from there you can enjoy one of the best views of the harbor.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Cefalu?

Kos is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kos. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Cefalu has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. It's a small, touristy town, so shopping isn't the main attraction. There are some interesting shops that are fun to pop into though.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for Families?

Both Kos and Cefalu are nice to visit with kids.

Kos is a family-friendly island. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cefalu. Kids will enjoy beach time or wandering down the promenade, Lungomare. You can swim or simply relax by the water. Another fun activity is to climb the nearby mountain of La Rocca. The kids might even spot a local animal.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for Couples?

Cefalu is very popular for romance. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Cefalu is a great fishing village for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's natural beauty and Italian atmosphere make this a perfect couples destination. There are water activities for the adventurous as well as beautiful beaches and great restaurants.

Couples visit Kos frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Kos. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Cefalu is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a big backpacker vibe to the town, and you won't find tons of hostels, but there are affordable places that budget travelers can stay.

Is Kos or Cefalu Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kos is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its public transit.

The public transit in Kos can get you around easily. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cefalu. Public transit is limited but taxis are a good alternative for getting out of town and into the surrounding areas.

Is Kos or Cefalu a more walkable city?

Kos and Cefalu are very good when it comes to walkability.

Kos is very walkable. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Cefalu is a very walkable island. The town is small enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Cefalu Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cefalu or Kos?

How long in Kos or Cefalu?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kos and Cefalu. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kos than in Cefalu. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cefalu.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos than Cefalu 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 Kos.

One day in Kos or Cefalu?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Kos. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Cefalu is a small town with plenty to do. It's also a relaxing resort destination. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Cefalu?

Kos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people visit Cefalu for a weekend. Cefalu might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Cefalu?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Because Cefalu is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Five days 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.

A week in Kos or Cefalu?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Kos. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Cefalu, a popular fishing village, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Italy, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Kos and Cefalu, we can see that Kos is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Kos or Cefalu?

Kos has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Cefalu. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Cefalu, 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.