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

Should you visit Paphos or Heidelberg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Heidelberg, 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a energetic, lively, and charming town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Paphos and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Heidelberg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paphos than Heidelberg, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paphos is better known for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Heidelberg is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Paphos is well known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. Also, Paphos is famous for Paphos Archaeological Park. Heidelberg is well known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Paphos different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have 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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Heidelberg know how to have a good time. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

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 Heidelberg Better for Resorts?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg Better for Beaches?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for the beach. However, Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg is one of the most recognized in the world. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

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 Heidelberg?

Paphos is a great town for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Paphos is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos and Heidelberg are great 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 Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg is a nice place to visit for students. However, Paphos is not popular with students.

Heidelberg is popular with students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Paphos is not popular with students.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg.

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 Heidelberg can get you around easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Is Paphos or Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Heidelberg is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Heidelberg?

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

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

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the overlooked town of Paphos, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Paphos, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg?

Paphos, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Paphos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the lively destination of Heidelberg. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Paphos during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Paphos for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Heidelberg. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Heidelberg. Many visitors come to Paphos in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Heidelberg. Most visitors come to Paphos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. In the winter, Paphos is much warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets more rain in January than Heidelberg. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Paphos because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In April, Paphos is generally much warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Paphos