A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Naples for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Paphos or Naples?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Naples, 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. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Naples

Naples is a fascinating, historic, and authentic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Paphos and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Naples?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Naples than Paphos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Naples is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Paphos is more popular for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Paphos is more touristy than Naples and is known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. Naples is well known for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. Also, Naples is famous for Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Paphos different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Paphos on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Naples. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at amazing restaurants in both Paphos and Naples.

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 Naples have been singled out for their culinary prowess. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Is Paphos or Naples Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Naples know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

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 Naples Better for Resorts?

Paphos is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Naples is not a resort destination.

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.

Naples is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Naples Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Naples is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Paphos has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Naples is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Naples Better for Beaches?

Paphos is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Naples is not a beach destination.

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.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is Paphos or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Naples 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 Naples to see the historical old town. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

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 Naples?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Naples 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.

Naples is well-known for its shopping. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Paphos or Naples Better for Families?

Paphos is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Paphos is known to be 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Paphos or Naples Better for Couples?

Paphos is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Naples is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Paphos or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos and Naples are superb 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.

Many backpackers visit Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Is Paphos or Naples Better for Students?

Naples is a nice place to visit for students. However, Paphos is not popular with students.

Naples is popular with students. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Paphos is not popular with students.

Is Paphos or Naples 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 Naples.

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 Naples can get you around easily. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Paphos or Naples a more walkable city?

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

Naples is very walkable. The historic center is flat and easy to explore 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 Naples Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Naples or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Paphos and Naples. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paphos than in Naples. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 1-3 days is enough time in Naples.

Families should spend more time in Paphos than Naples. 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 Naples. 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 Naples than Paphos 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 Naples.

One day in Paphos or Naples?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Paphos. 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.

Naples is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Paphos or Naples?

Paphos is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Naples is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Naples?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Naples. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Naples?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the ancient destination of Paphos. This 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the gritty big city of Naples. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Cyprus, The Best Tours for Seniors to Cyprus, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Naples, 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 Naples?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Paphos or Naples in the Summer?

Both Naples and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Paphos because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

In July, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Naples. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Naples. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Naples during summer. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Paphos usually receives less rain than Naples. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Paphos or Naples in the Autumn?

Both Naples and Paphos during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Paphos is a little warmer than Naples in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the autumn, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Naples. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Paphos usually gets less rain in October than Naples. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Naples in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Naples. Many travelers come to Paphos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Naples in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Paphos is a little warmer than Naples. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Naples averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Naples during winter. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Naples receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Paphos usually receives less rain than Naples. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Paphos or Naples in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Naples. Many visitors come to Paphos in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Naples for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Naples. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Naples fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the spring, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Naples. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in April than Naples. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Naples and Paphos