A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Caen for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Paphos or Caen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Caen, 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Paphos and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Caen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paphos. Although Paphos and Caen are both popular with visitors, Paphos has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paphos is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen is known for its big city activities. Paphos is more touristy than Caen and is popular for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. It is also home to Paphos Archaeological Park. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Paphos different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Paphos from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Caen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

Paphos is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Paphos, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Paphos or Caen Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Paphos or Caen has a better nightlife scene.

Paphos has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Caen has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Paphos or Caen Better for Resorts?

Paphos is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Caen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Caen Better for Beaches?

Paphos is renowned for its beaches. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Paphos or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

Paphos is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Caen?

Paphos is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Paphos or Caen Better for Families?

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

Paphos is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Paphos or Caen Better for Couples?

Paphos is renowned for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Paphos or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Paphos is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Paphos or Caen 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 Caen.

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 Caen can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Paphos or Caen a more walkable city?

Paphos and Caen both are good 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.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Caen?

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

Families should spend more time in Paphos than Caen. 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 Caen. 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 Caen 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Paphos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Caen. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Caen?

Paphos is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Caen 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the ancient destination of Paphos. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. 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 Caen?

The overlooked town of Paphos offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic destination of Caen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Caen, we can see that Caen 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 Caen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Caen 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 Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Caen. Many travelers come to Paphos for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Paphos is much warmer than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Caen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Caen. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Caen. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen 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 Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

In the autumn, Paphos is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Paphos in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Caen during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Caen. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen 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 Caen because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. In January, Paphos is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 12°C (53°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Caen. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Caen. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Caen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Caen. The spring months attract visitors to Paphos because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

Paphos is much warmer than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Caen during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Caen and Paphos