Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Paphos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Paphos or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Essaouira, 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.
Where Should I go: Paphos or Essaouira?
Paphos
Located on the southwestern tip of Cyprus, Paphos has many different archaeological sights and it is renowned as the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The town is situated between the coast and the Troodos Mountains and it has grown in recent years as a tourist destination. As such, the local government has made efforts to improve the quality of the tourism infrastructure including investing in hotels, restaurants and transportation. There is also a commercial center to the city as well as a newly built "promenade" that travels from the marina along a long coastal path. This route offers excellent views, especially during the morning or evening hours when the sun is low.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Cyprus, The Best Adventure Tours to Cyprus, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPaphos €97Essaouira €42
The average daily cost (per person) in Paphos is €97, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is €42. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Paphos and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPaphos €48Essaouira €24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPaphos €96Essaouira €48
Compare Hotels in Paphos and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Paphos or Essaouira? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Paphos Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Paphos €12Essaouira €1.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paphos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paphos:
- Private Transfer from Paphos Airport to Larnaca in Minivan(Taxi): $195
- CO2-Offset Private Transfer Paphos Airport PFO to Nicosia City : $169
- CO2-Offset Private Transfer from Paphos Airport to Nicosia City: $141
- Private Transfer from Paphos to Larnaca Airport LCA in 4 seater Taxi: $135
- CO2-Offset Transfer from Paphos Airport to Limassol City by Van: $104
- CO2-Offset Private Transfer Paphos Airport PFO to Polis City : $89
- CO2-Offset Private Transfer from Paphos Airport PFO to Polis City: $71
- CO2-Offset Departure Transfer from Polis City to Paphos Airport : $71
- Paphos Airport (PFO) to Paphos city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $62
- Private Airport Transfer from Paphos Airport in a 6-seater taxi: $52
- CO2-Offset Private Transfer Paphos Airport PFO to Paphos City : $47
- Choirokitia & Famagusta Guided Tour with Transfers: $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Excursion: 1H/Quad+1H/Camels (free transfer): $67
- Essaouira Airport To city Transfer: $39
- Essaouira private transfer from Essaouira city to Agadir airport (AGA): $142
- 1-Hour Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $37
- 2-Hour Quad Ride (free transfer): $65
- 3 Hours Quad Ride with Transfer: $83
- 3-Hour Quad Ride (Free Transfer): $72
- Guided Quad Biking Adventure with Transfer: $62
- Private Transfer from or to Agafay Desert: $164
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $27
- Private Transfer to Marrakech Comfort Convenience: $159
- From Beachside Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Paphos or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Paphos change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPaphos €38Essaouira €13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paphos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paphos.
- From Sunset Drink at Aphrodite's Rock & Folk Dinner: $56
- Sunset Drink at Aphrodite's Rock & Folk Dinner: $57
- Wave Dancer Fireworks, Buffet Dinner & Show Cruise: $68
- Moussaka Cooking Class at a Wine Village Villa in Paphos: $211
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava€1.29
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Breakfast Crepes€0.46
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Fish for Lunch€14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
- Traditional Moroccan and Berber Cooking Classes : $45
- l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $67
- Essaouira Walking Food Tour: $70
- Essaouirra cooking class: $71
- Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $72
- Essaouira Food Tour: $92
- Essaouira Food Tour: $97
- Berber Cooking Class at a Farm in the Countryside & shopping at a rural Souk.: $99
- 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $174
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Paphos €12Essaouira €11
Tours and Activities in Paphos
Here are a few actual costs in Paphos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 100% Cyprus - Tour to Troodos mountains and villages (From Paphos) : $54
- 5/6-Hour Quad/Buggy Tour incl Lunch and Entrance to Adonis Falls: $88
- 6 hour Buggy Tour Akamas incl lunch and Adonis Falls: $197
- Akamas Jeep Safari Tour from Paphos: $63
- Atlantis Turtle Watching Cruise & Snorkelling Adventure : $39
- Authentic Cyprus Troodos Mountains and Villages Tour from Paphos: $55
- Blue Lagoon Cruise with Sightseeing from Latchi Harbour: $22
- Buggy Tour and Cruise from Coral Bay to Blue Lagoon: $123
- Chrysoroyiatissa ,Kykkos ,Omodos Day Tour from Paphos: $28
- Cruise and 4X4 Safari Tour at Akamas Peninsula from Aphrodite Hills : $100
- Cruise and 4X4 Safari Tour at Akamas Peninsula from Paphos: $100
- Cyprus’s History and Charm: Full-DayPrivate Tour from Paphos: $714
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Private Tour of Souk Had Dra and Traditional Moroccan Breakfast: $22
- Private City Tour: $27
- Friend-Guide Essaouira city tour: $27
- Full-Day Essaouira Tour from Marrakech: $28
- Explore Essaouira's Secrets: A Guided Tour with a Local!: $30
- Historical & Cultural Sightseeing Tour - half day: $34
- 3-Hour Camel Tour: $49
- Half-Day Old Town Guided Tour: $49
- Guided Dromedary Riding Tour: $49
- Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $58
- 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $59
- Essaouria: Beach & Big Dunes 2-Hour Quad Biking Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPaphos €9.98Essaouira €8.49
Sample the Local Flavors in Paphos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paphos:
- Wine Tasting and Winery Tour in Lemona Village, Paphos: $27
- Troodos Mountains Jeep Tour with Wine Tasting: $68
- Paphos Troodos Mountains Jeep Tour with Wine Tasting: $69
- Regional Wineries Tour with Wine Tastings: $104
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paphos and Essaouira, we can see that Paphos is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paphos is in Europe and Essaouira is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Paphos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paphos than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paphos Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Paphos or Essaouira?
Essaouira has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Essaouira, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.