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

Should you visit Paphos or Calais?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Calais, 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. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Paphos and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Calais?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paphos than Calais, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paphos is better known for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais is more popular for its big city activities. Paphos is more touristy than Calais and is known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. Also, Paphos is famous for Paphos Archaeological Park. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Paphos different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Paphos on the map. 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Paphos or Calais Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Paphos or Calais 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Paphos or Calais Better for Resorts?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Calais is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Paphos is a great choice. 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.

Calais is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Calais Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Paphos has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Calais Better for Beaches?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Paphos. 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.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Paphos or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Paphos offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Calais?

Paphos is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Paphos or Calais Better for Families?

Paphos is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Paphos is known to be 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Paphos or Calais Better for Couples?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Paphos or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Paphos is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

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

Paphos is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Paphos. 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.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Paphos or Calais a more walkable city?

Paphos and Calais 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.

Calais is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Calais?

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Paphos. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calais. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Paphos or Calais?

Paphos is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Calais 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 Calais?

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

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal destination of Paphos. This town 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Calais. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Calais?

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

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 Paphos or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Paphos in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Paphos is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Calais during summer. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Paphos usually receives less rain than Calais. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Paphos or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Paphos during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Paphos is much warmer than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the autumn, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Calais. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in October than Calais. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Calais. 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 Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In the winter, Paphos is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Calais during winter. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Paphos usually receives more rain than Calais. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Paphos or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Calais. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Paphos is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the spring, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Calais. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in April than Calais. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Paphos