A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Old Town

Should you visit Paphos or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Marseille, 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Paphos and Marseille: Pros and Cons

How is Paphos different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Marseille and Paphos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Paphos or Marseille Better for Food?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Paphos and Marseille.

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).

Many restaurants in Marseille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Is Paphos or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will usually choose Marseille over Paphos.

Marseille is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

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 Marseille Better for Beaches?

Paphos is considered to be a more popular beach destination than Marseille.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Marseille. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Is Paphos or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille has a more popular old town than Paphos.

The old town of Marseille is one of the most recognized in the world. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

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 Paphos or Marseille Better for Shopping?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Marseille and Paphos.

Paphos is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Marseille is well-known for its shopping. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Paphos or Marseille Better for Families?

Families will find a wider variety of activities in Paphos than Marseille.

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.

For families, Marseille is not always the best place to visit. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Paphos or Marseille Better for Couples?

Paphos and Marseille are both fun 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.

Marseille is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Paphos or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos and Marseille are comparable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Paphos or Marseille Better for Public Transit?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Paphos and Marseille.

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.

While Marseille offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Paphos or Marseille a more walkable city?

Paphos and Marseille both are comparable 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.

Marseille is a very walkable town. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Paphos and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paphos than Marseille.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Paphos is 3-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Marseille is 2-3 days.

One day in Paphos or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Paphos. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. 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 Marseille?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the coastal destination of Paphos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Marseille 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 Marseille?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the cultural town of Paphos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

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

Paphos is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Marseille. This city 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.

When is the best time to visit Paphos or Marseille?

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 Marseille in the Summer?

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

In July, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Marseille stays around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Marseille. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille 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 Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Paphos is a little warmer than Marseille in the autumn. The temperature in Paphos is usually 21°C (70°F) in October, and Marseille stays around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Marseille. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Marseille in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Paphos is much warmer than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January are around 12°C (53°F), and Marseille is about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Marseille in the Spring?

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

In April, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Marseille stays around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Marseille during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Marseille. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Paphos