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

Should you visit Paphos or Mainz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Mainz, 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 beautiful, cultural, and coastal town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a beautiful, peaceful, and historic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Paphos and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Mainz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paphos. Although Paphos and Mainz are both popular with visitors, Paphos has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paphos is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Mainz is known for its historical sights. Paphos is popular for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. It is also home to Paphos Archaeological Park. Mainz is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares.

How is Paphos different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Travelers visit Paphos from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

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

Many restaurants in Paphos have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Paphos or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Paphos is a town with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Paphos. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Paphos or Mainz Better for Resorts?

Paphos is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Mainz is not a resort destination.

Paphos is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Mainz is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Mainz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a town with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Mainz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Mainz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Mainz Better for Beaches?

Paphos is terrific for its beaches. However, Mainz is not a beach destination.

Paphos is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Mainz is not a beach destination.

Is Paphos or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

Many visitors go to Mainz to see the historical old town. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

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 Mainz?

Paphos is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Paphos or Mainz Better for Families?

Paphos is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Paphos is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Paphos or Mainz Better for Couples?

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

Paphos is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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 Mainz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Is Paphos or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Paphos is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Paphos or Mainz Better for Students?

Mainz is a great destination for students. However, Paphos is not popular with students.

Mainz is a great town to visit as a student. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Paphos is not popular with students.

Is Paphos or Mainz 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 Mainz.

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 Mainz can get you around easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Paphos or Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is renowned for its walkability. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Mainz on foot is easy. The town is easily explored on foot.

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 Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Paphos or Mainz. 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 Mainz.

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

In Paphos, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this beautiful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paphos. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Mainz 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 Mainz?

Paphos is a fun place to experience. In Paphos, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Paphos. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Mainz. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Mainz, 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Mainz. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences.

Paphos is a little warmer than Mainz in the summer. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Mainz fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mainz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Mainz. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Mainz in the Autumn?

Both Mainz and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Paphos is much warmer than Mainz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Paphos in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Mainz. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Mainz in the Winter?

Both Mainz and Paphos during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Paphos in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mainz can be very cold during winter. In January, Paphos is generally much warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 12°C (53°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets more rain in January than Mainz. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Mainz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Mainz. Most visitors come to Paphos for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty.

Paphos is much warmer than Mainz in the spring. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Mainz. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Paphos