A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Antalya for Attractions, Food, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Paphos or Antalya?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Antalya, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Paphos

Paphos is a coastal, overlooked, and ancient town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Antalya

Antalya is a relaxing, luxurious, and historic vacation spot. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Paphos and Antalya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Antalya?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Antalya than Paphos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Antalya is better known for its nightlife, music, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Paphos is more popular for its museums and food. Antalya is more touristy than Paphos and is popular for its turquoise waters, hotel lined beaches, and nearby archeological sights. Also, Antalya is famous for Hadrian's Gate. Paphos is well known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches.

How is Paphos different from Antalya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Paphos or Antalya?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its museums and history. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Paphos has many famous sights for visitors. The area is well known for its impressive archeological ruins, many of which are found at Paphos Archaeological Site. Other impressive sights include the Tombs of the Kings, the Chrysopolitissa Basilica & St. Paul's Pillar, Agia Paraskevi, and Paphos Fort.

Many visitors head to Antalya specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city combines history with a relaxing resort vacation. Sights in the area include the Antalya Museum and the Yivli Minare.

Is the Food Better in Paphos or Antalya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its restaurants. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Paphos is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food is a huge part of the culture and family life in the area. The cuisine is influenced by the surrounding areas and you'll see similarities to Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Popular dishes include koupepia (vine leaves stuffed with a filling called gemista), souvlaki (a meat and salad filled pita), and makaronia tou fournou (a pasta dish made with halloumi and béchamel sauce).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Antalya makes for a great culinary experience. Food is excellent throughout Turkey and this city is no exception. The local cuisine offers a combination of fresh caught seafood as well as various grilled meats. Local specialties include meatball skewers, kulakli soup, and even lentil ice cream. The traditional Turkish breakfast is also popular, which usually includes hard boiled eggs, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and Turkish breads or pastries. It's almost always served with Turkish tea.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Nightlife?

Antalya is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Antalya know how to have a good time. The city has an insane nightlife scene with huge glamorous dance clubs that fill to the brink as well as low key bars and pubs that everyone can enjoy.

If you're looking for night time activities Paphos has a few options to choose from. Most people think of history, culture, beaches, and wine, but the city also has its share of clubs and bars. It's not the party-hard beach destination that you'll find at some Mediterranean tourist areas, but there are still plenty of bars and clubs with atmosphere and style. Head to Agiou Antoniou Street for the most action.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Music?

Antalya is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Paphos is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Antalya active and fun. Live music ranges from rock concerts to symphonies as well as a number of local music venues.

Paphos is not a live music destination.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, fantastic resorts can be found in both Paphos and Antalya.

Paphos offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The area is filled with all types of resorts. There are many all-inclusive resorts that cater to families, honeymooners, or luxury vacationers. If you want to experience more of the local culture, there are also smaller boutique hotels or local apartments available.

Antalya is a world class resort vacation destination. The city is famous for its resorts that range from luxury to family-friendly. Some of the most popular resorts in the area include Xanadu Resort Hotel, Susesi, and Lara Barut, but there are many more.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find notable snorkeling or scuba diving in both Paphos and Antalya.

Paphos has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are many snorkeling and dive spots that aren't far away. You'll also find a number of scuba or snorkeling excursions that you can join. The water conditions for snorkeling and diving are best during the summer months.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Antalya. Outside of town, in the region of Antalya, you'll find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Turkey.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Beaches?

Both Paphos and Antalya have fantastic beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Paphos are among the best in the world. Many people head to the area specifically for the beaches. This region has the longest coastline of any region in Cyprus, but keep in mind that some of the best beaches are found outside of the main tourist areas. However, they most are usually accessible by city bus with many remote stretches found along the Akamas Peninsula. Within town the beaches are often rocky and pebbly.

Antalya is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Beaches in Antalya are among the best in Turkey. They are sandy with warm water and a number of resorts nearby.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for its Old Town?

Antalya is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

Many visitors go to Antalya to see the historical old town. The city has a beautiful old town area, Kaleiçi, that is known for its narrow streets and historic buildings. The area has many sights including Hadrian's Gate.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Paphos. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Hiking?

Antalya is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Paphos is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Antalya. Outside of town you'll find coastal hikes with scenic views as well as trails that wander through historic ruins.

Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Antalya?

Antalya is renowned for shopping. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Antalya is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Antalya combines modern high end malls with more traditional bazaars. From luxury fashion brands to souvenirs and local trinkets, the area has everything.

Paphos is well-known for its shopping. There are outdoor markets, major shopping streets, and international fashion brands. You can pick up local souvenirs or beach gear that you may have forgotten.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Families?

Paphos and Antalya are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Paphos is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Head to the beach or take a walk along the coastline. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to the zoo, bird park, or aquarium and young thrill seekers will enjoy a day at the Aqua-park of Aphrodite. And, of course, there's also the ruins that kids can have fun exploring.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Antalya is very family-friendly. The city has beautiful beaches, historic ruins, and resorts that cater specifically to families. It's a popular family-friendly destination in Turkey.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Couples?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Paphos makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Honeymooners who enjoy history, nature, beaches, and culture will find it all in the area. There are stunning beaches where you can relax in the sun, world renowned archeological ruins where you can immerse yourself in a historical world, and beautiful views around every corner. There are also excellent restaurants and wine tasting opportunities that will make for a memorable trip.

Couples visit Antalya frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Antalya is a top-rated honeymoon destination in Turkey. It's beautiful beaches, romantic resorts, and great shopping put it at the top of many couples' list.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos and Antalya are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Paphos. The area is generally accessible with a few good hostels and budget accommodation options sprinkled about. There are great beaches and restaurants as well as plenty of beautiful places to enjoy a walk.

Many backpackers visit Antalya. Despite the many resorts in town, there are also budget accommodation options available including hostels. Backpackers appreciate Antalya's impressive old town as well as the area's stunning beaches.

Is Paphos or Antalya Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Paphos and Antalya.

Visitors to Paphos can move around easily with public transportation. It's possible to get around by city bus to most places. Buses connect many touristy areas such as Kato Paphos, Tombs of the Kings, Chloraka, Kissonerga, Coral Bay and Paphos Center.

The public transit in Antalya can get you around easily. Buses and minibuses will help you get around town.

Is Paphos or Antalya a more walkable city?

Paphos and Antalya both are notable when exploring on foot.

Paphos is somewhat walkable. The main tourist area is Kato Paphos which is small, compact and easy to walk around, but if you want to head to areas further away then you likely won't be able to travel on foot. It's important to understand where your hotel is located if you're planning to explore on foot.

Antalya is a somewhat walkable place. The historic area in particular is compact, filled with historic sights, and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Paphos Worth Visiting? and Is Antalya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Antalya or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Antalya?

In either Paphos or Antalya, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Antalya has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Antalya than Paphos. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 2-5 days is enough time in Antalya.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Antalya than Paphos 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 Antalya.

One day in Paphos or Antalya?

In Paphos, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Antalya. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Antalya?

In Paphos, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Antalya 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.

Five days in Paphos or Antalya?

Paphos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Paphos has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antalya. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Paphos or Antalya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paphos. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Paphos. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Antalya. This vacation spot offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Cyprus, The Best Tours for Seniors to Cyprus, The Best 10-Day Tours in Turkey, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Turkey.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paphos and Antalya, we can see that Antalya is more expensive. And not only is Paphos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Paphos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paphos 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 Antalya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antalya than you might in Paphos.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Antalya?

Antalya has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Antalya, 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 Paphos or Antalya?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Paphos or Antalya in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Antalya. Many visitors come to Paphos in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Antalya for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Paphos is generally around the same temperature as Antalya. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Antalya fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Antalya. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antalya. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antalya receives 376 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Antalya. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Antalya receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Antalya in the Autumn?

Both Antalya and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Antalya because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Paphos is around the same temperature as Antalya in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Antalya fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Antalya. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Antalya during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Antalya receives 251 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Antalya. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Antalya receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Antalya in the Winter?

Both Antalya and Paphos during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Paphos because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Antalya this time of year.

In the winter, Paphos is around the same temperature as Antalya. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Antalya averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Antalya. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antalya receives 161 hours of full sun.

Antalya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Paphos usually gets less rain in January than Antalya. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Antalya receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Antalya in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Antalya. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Antalya for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Paphos is generally around the same temperature as Antalya. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Antalya fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antalya this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Antalya during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Antalya receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Antalya. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Antalya receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antalya and Paphos