A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Marbella for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Paphos or Marbella?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Marbella, 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 ancient, beautiful, and cultural 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.

Marbella

Marbella is a fun-filled, high energy, and ritzy resort town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Paphos and Marbella: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Marbella?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marbella. Although Paphos and Marbella are popular destinations, Marbella has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marbella is very popular for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Paphos attracts visitors for its museums and food. Paphos is famous for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. Marbella is famous for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also well known for Plaza de los Naranjos.

How is Paphos different from Marbella?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is very popular for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have 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.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Paphos is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Marbella area. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

Is Paphos or Marbella Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is renowned for nightlife. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Marbella is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

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 Marbella Better for Music?

Marbella is a great destination for live music. However, Paphos is not a live music destination.

Marbella has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Paphos is not a live music destination.

Is Paphos or Marbella Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, amazing resorts can be found in both Paphos and Marbella.

Paphos offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Marbella is a world class resort vacation destination. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

Is Paphos or Marbella Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its diving and snorkeling.

People travel to Marbella specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

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.

Is Paphos or Marbella Better for Beaches?

Both Paphos and Marbella have amazing beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Paphos are among the best in 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.

Marbella is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

Is Paphos or Marbella Better for its Old Town?

Paphos and Marbella both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Marbella. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Marbella?

Marbella is renowned for shopping. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Marbella is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

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.

Is Paphos or Marbella Better for Families?

Paphos and Marbella are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Paphos is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Marbella is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Is Paphos or Marbella Better for Couples?

Paphos and Marbella are both amazing to visit as a couple.

Paphos has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Marbella is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

Is Paphos or Marbella Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marbella 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.

Marbella is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

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

Paphos is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

The public transit in Paphos can get you around easily. 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 generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Paphos or Marbella a more walkable city?

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

Marbella is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

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 Marbella Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marbella or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Marbella?

In either Paphos or Marbella, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Marbella has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Marbella than Paphos. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 2-5 days is enough time in Marbella.

Couples should spend more time in Marbella than Paphos. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marbella that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paphos than Marbella 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 Marbella?

The beautiful town of Paphos offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Marbella. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Marbella?

Paphos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Marbella 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 Marbella?

Paphos is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Paphos, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marbella. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Paphos or Marbella?

Paphos is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the ritzy destination of Marbella. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Marbella?

Marbella has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Marbella, 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 Marbella?

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 Marbella in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Marbella. The summer months attract visitors to Paphos because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marbella this time of year.

In the summer, Paphos is around the same temperature as Marbella. Typically, the summer temperatures in Paphos in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Marbella averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Marbella. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 348 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Marbella. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Marbella in the Autumn?

Both Marbella and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Marbella. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 21°C (70°F), and Marbella fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Marbella. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Marbella during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Marbella. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Marbella in the Winter?

Both Marbella and Paphos during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Paphos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marbella in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Paphos is around the same temperature as Marbella in the winter. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Marbella fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marbella. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 171 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in January than Marbella. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Marbella in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Marbella. Many visitors come to Paphos in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Paphos is around the same temperature as Marbella. Typically, the spring temperatures in Paphos in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Marbella averages at about 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Marbella during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 220 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Marbella. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marbella and Paphos