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

Should you visit Paphos or Lake Garda?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Lake Garda, 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. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Paphos and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Lake Garda?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Paphos. Although Paphos and Lake Garda 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, and shopping, while Lake Garda attracts visitors for its nightlife and hiking. Paphos is famous for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. It is also well known for Paphos Archaeological Park. Lake Garda is famous for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks.

How is Paphos different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Paphos are world-renowned. 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 Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

Paphos is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Lake Garda know how to have a good time. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

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 Lake Garda Better for Resorts?

Paphos is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Lake Garda is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Paphos is terrific for the beache. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Lake Garda is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Paphos is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Lake Garda?

Paphos is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Paphos is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an amazing family-friendly lake to visit. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Paphos is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Paphos is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Lake Garda is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

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 Lake Garda can get you around easily. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Is Paphos or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

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

Lake Garda is very walkable. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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 Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Paphos or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Paphos due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

Families should spend more time in Paphos than Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful 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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lake Garda. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Lake Garda?

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.

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Lake Garda?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the fun destination of Lake Garda. This lake offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Paphos or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Lake Garda. Many visitors come to Paphos in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Paphos is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Paphos in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Paphos is generally much warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 21°C (70°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Paphos during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Paphos because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lake Garda in the winter. Paphos is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Lake Garda. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Paphos is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Paphos in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Paphos