A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Avignon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Paphos or Avignon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Avignon, 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 cultural, coastal, and overlooked town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Avignon

Avignon is a picturesque, historical, and quaint town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Paphos and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Avignon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paphos than Avignon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paphos is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Avignon is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm. Paphos is well known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. Also, Paphos is famous for Paphos Archaeological Park. Avignon is well known for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

How is Paphos different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Avignon 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 Avignon?

Both Paphos and Avignon have world-class landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Paphos that are not to be missed. 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.

The museums and tourist attractions in Avignon are world-renowned. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at world-class restaurants in both Paphos and Avignon.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Paphos is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

Many restaurants in Avignon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Is Paphos or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Paphos is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Paphos. 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.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Paphos or Avignon Better for Resorts?

Paphos is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Avignon is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Paphos for its luxury resorts. 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.

Avignon is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Avignon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Avignon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Paphos. 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.

Avignon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Avignon Better for Beaches?

Paphos is renowned for the beach. However, Avignon is not a beach destination.

Paphos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Paphos or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

The old town of Avignon is one of the most recognized in the world. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

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 the Shopping Better in Paphos or Avignon?

Paphos is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Paphos. 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.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Paphos or Avignon Better for Families?

Paphos is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Paphos. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Avignon. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Paphos or Avignon Better for Couples?

Paphos is renowned for couples. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Paphos is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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 Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Paphos or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

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

Paphos is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Paphos can get you to most places easily. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Paphos or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is renowned for its walkability. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Avignon on foot is easy. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Paphos is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Paphos or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Paphos than Avignon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

Families should spend more time in Paphos than Avignon. 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 Avignon. 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 Paphos than Avignon 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 Paphos.

One day in Paphos or Avignon?

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.

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Paphos or Avignon?

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.

Avignon 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 Avignon?

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 Avignon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Paphos or Avignon?

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.

Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paphos and Avignon, we can see that Avignon 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 Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon 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 Avignon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Avignon?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Avignon, 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 Avignon?

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 Avignon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Avignon. Many travelers come to Paphos for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Avignon in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Avignon. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Avignon. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Avignon in the Autumn?

Both Avignon and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Paphos in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

Paphos is a little warmer than Avignon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Avignon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Avignon during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Avignon. In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Avignon. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Avignon in the Winter?

Both Avignon and Paphos during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Paphos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Avignon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Paphos is much warmer than Avignon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Avignon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Avignon. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Avignon. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Avignon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Avignon. The spring months attract visitors to Paphos because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

In April, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Avignon during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Avignon. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Paphos