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

Should you visit Paphos or Kiel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Kiel, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and waterfront 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 Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Kiel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Paphos. Although Paphos and Kiel are popular destinations, Paphos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Paphos is very popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Kiel attracts visitors for its big city activities. Paphos is more touristy than Kiel and is known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. It is also well known for Paphos Archaeological Park. Kiel is famous for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Paphos different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Paphos are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

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

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel 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).

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Paphos or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Paphos or Kiel 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 Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Is Paphos or Kiel Better for Resorts?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Kiel 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.

Kiel is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Kiel Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Kiel 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.

Kiel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for the beache. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

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 Kiel to enjoy the beach. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Paphos or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Paphos to see the old town. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Kiel?

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

Paphos is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Paphos or Kiel Better for Families?

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

Paphos is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Paphos or Kiel Better for Couples?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Kiel is a good town for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Paphos or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Paphos is a great town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Paphos or Kiel Better for Students?

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

Kiel is popular with students. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Paphos is not popular with students.

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

Paphos is well known for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Paphos has some very good public transit options. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Paphos or Kiel a more walkable city?

Paphos and Kiel both are nice 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.

Kiel is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Kiel?

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

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

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kiel. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Paphos or Kiel?

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.

Kiel 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel. 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 Kiel?

The coastal 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 shopping and museums when visiting the waterfront destination of Kiel. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel 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 Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Paphos is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Paphos in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Kiel averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Kiel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Paphos usually receives less rain than Kiel. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Paphos or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel 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 Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Paphos is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 21°C (70°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the autumn, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in October than Kiel. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Kiel in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. Paphos is much warmer than Kiel in the winter. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Paphos usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Paphos or Kiel in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Paphos is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Paphos in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Kiel averages at about 7°C (44°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 Kiel. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Paphos