Should you visit Paphos or Malaga?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Malaga, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
Which city is cheaper, Malaga or Paphos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Paphos is €77, while the average daily cost in Malaga is €106. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Paphos and Malaga in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Paphos is about €74 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €108 for a double occupancy room in Malaga.
Food
The price of a meal in Paphos can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €30 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €12 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
Malaga food costs typically run travelers around €27 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Paphos €30
Malaga €27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paphos
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paphos.
-
Traditional Cuisine & Cultural Flavours - City Walking Food Tour Paphos 2.5hrs:
$59
-
Sea Star Evening Dinner and Fireworks Cruise from Paphos:
$73
Typical Food prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
-
Sardines Espetos Cooking Workshop:
$73
-
Typical Andalusian Dinner with Wine Pairing in Málaga:
$79
-
Malaga Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience:
$86
-
Sardines On Skewers Cooking Class in Malaga:
$111
-
Malaga Sunset Cruise and Restaurant Dinner:
$112
-
Málaga Swim Cruise with Tapas Dinner and Flamenco Show:
$128
-
Malaga Catamaran Cruise with BBQ Lunch and Port Restaurant Dinner:
$146
-
Malaga Market Visit and Cooking Class in Malaga Countryside House:
$149
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Paphos is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €9.29 per person, per day, on local transportation in Paphos.
The average price of local transportation around Malaga is €25 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paphos
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paphos:
-
Shared airport transfer Paphos Airport - Paphos Town:
$11
-
Shared transfer from Paphos Town to Paphos Airport PFO:
$12
-
Shared shuttle transfer from Paphos Airport to Hotels:
$13
-
Shared shuttle transfer from Hotels to Paphos Airport:
$13
-
Shared transfer from Coral Bay to Paphos Airport PFO:
$14
-
Shared Transfer from Paphos Airport to Coral Bay:
$14
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Paphos Airport to Paphos or Limassol Hotels:
$16
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Paphos or Limassol Hotels to Paphos Airport:
$16
-
Airport Transfers Cyprus - Paphos Airport to Paphos Town - Shared Shuttle:
$19
-
Airport Transfers Cyprus - Paphos Town to Paphos Airport - Shared shuttle:
$19
-
Private Airport Transfer: Paphos to Paphos International Airport (PFO):
$23
-
Private Airport Transfer: Paphos International Airport (PFO) to Paphos:
$23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
-
Airport Private Transfer:
$72
-
Arrival Private Transfer Business Car Malaga airport AGP to Malaga:
$26
-
Arrival Private Transfer Business Car Malaga airport AGP to Marbella:
$62
-
Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Malaga airport AGP to Malaga:
$30
-
Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Malaga airport AGP to Marbella:
$92
-
Departure Private Transfer Business Car Malaga City to Malaga airport AGP:
$26
-
Departure Private Transfer Luxury Van Malaga City to Malaga airport AGP:
$30
-
Departure Private Transfer Malaga Airport AGP to Seville Airport by Luxury Van:
$742
-
Departure Private Transfer Malaga Airport AGP to Seville SVQ by Business Car:
$611
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Málaga Airport to Cádiz City - One Way:
$376
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Málaga Airport to Malaga City - One Way:
$46
-
Malaga - Marbella Private Transfer:
$317
Is it cheaper to fly into Paphos or Malaga?
Prices for flights to both Malaga 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Paphos typically cost an average of €9.56 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Malaga's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €25 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Paphos
Here are a few actual costs in Paphos for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Lefkara & Nicosia Tour from Paphos:
$25
-
Limassol Tour from Paphos:
$25
-
Troodos and Kykkos Day Tour from Paphos:
$26
-
Nicosia Full Day Shopping Tour from Paphos:
$28
-
Authentic Cyprus Historic Day Tour from Paphos:
$32
-
Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark Admission Ticket:
$39
-
Ocean Flyer Half Day Cruise from Paphos harbour:
$44
-
Full-day Famagusta, Varosha, and Salamis Tour from Paphos:
$47
-
Jolly Roger Boat Cruise from Paphos:
$49
-
1 Hour Tour to Local Radio in Paphos with Live Radio Show:
$50
-
Jolly Roger Pirate Ship Cruise from Paphos:
$50
-
The Paphos Segway Tours:
$57
Typical Entertainment prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
-
Entrance to Castillos
€7.10
-
Concert
€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
-
Alcazaba de Málaga and Teatro Romano Walking Tour in Spanish:
$4.98
-
Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket:
$4.98
-
Temporary Exhibition Museo Picasso Málaga Tickets:
$6.66
-
Walking Tour of Malaga's Historic Center:
$7.46
-
Skip the Line: Centre Pompidou in Malaga Ticket:
$11
-
Skip the Line: Museo Picasso Malaga Entrance Ticket:
$11
-
Museo Carmen Thyssen de Malaga Entrance Ticket:
$12
-
Skip the Line: Malaga Automobile and Fashion Museum Entrance Ticket:
$14
-
1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour:
$16
-
Malaga Segway Castle Tour:
$22
-
Fast and Curious segway tour (30min):
$26
-
Malaga Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing Malaga Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$27
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Paphos may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €7.98 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about €18 on alcoholic beverages in Malaga per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Paphos
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paphos:
-
WINE TOUR from Paphos:
$372
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Malaga Nightlife - Pub Crawl Tour with Skip-the-line Club Access:
$26
-
Frigiliana Small-Group Hike and Wine Tasting Tour from Malaga:
$49
-
Muscatel Winery Tour and Wine Tastings from Malaga:
$75
-
Malaga Tapas and Wine Tour:
$81
-
Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: BEST OF Málaga in one evening!:
$108
-
Private Ronda Wine Tour with Tapas Including a Visit to Ronda:
$404
-
Ronda Private Full Day Wine Tour with Tapas:
$406
-
Malaga Shore Excursion: Panoramic Buggy Tour with Wine Tasting in a Historical Cellar:
$481
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paphos and Malaga, we can see that Malaga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga than you might in Paphos.
Related Articles for Malaga
