A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Palma de Mallorca for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Paphos or Palma de Mallorca?

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

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

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a cultural, historic, and beautiful island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Paphos and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Palma de Mallorca?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Paphos and Palma de Mallorca are both popular with visitors, Palma de Mallorca has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its nightlife, music, and hiking, while Paphos is known for its museums, food, resorts, and shopping. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Paphos and is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. It is also home to the turquoise water and white sand beaches. Paphos is popular for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Paphos different from Palma de Mallorca?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have 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.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Paphos or Palma de Mallorca? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Palma de Mallorca 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).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Palma de Mallorca. Food here is centered around pork, fish, and vegetables. It is flavored with garlic and olive oil and it offers that feeling of comfort that comes with home cooking.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

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

Palma de Mallorca is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

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 Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a great destination for live music. However, Paphos is not a live music destination.

Palma de Mallorca has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Paphos is not a live music destination.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

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.

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find good snorkeling or scuba diving in both Paphos and Palma de Mallorca.

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.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Palma de Mallorca. Head to Cala Santanyi on the south side of the island for the best snorkeling. For scuba diving, National Park of Cabrera is one of the most popular spots.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Both Paphos and Palma de Mallorca 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.

Palma de Mallorca is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca Better for its Old Town?

Paphos and Palma de Mallorca both have good 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 Palma de Mallorca. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Palma de Mallorca?

Paphos is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca 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.

Palma de Mallorca offers some nice shopping areas. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

Paphos and Palma de Mallorca 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, Palma de Mallorca is very family-friendly. The beaches are large and sandy with beautiful blue waters. There's also many activities that both adults and kids can enjoy around the island including waterparks, aquariums, and amusement areas.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Palma de Mallorca makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos and Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca. There is no shortage of hostels in Mallorca so it's easy to find an affordable place to stay and a young crowd to hang out with.

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

Paphos is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Palma de Mallorca, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is an efficient bus system that can get you around the island, but trips are less frequent on weekends. Pick up the Intermodal Card which can get you from town to town.

Is Paphos or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Paphos and Palma de Mallorca both are good 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.

Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable place. It is a larger island that is not walkable, but Palma is generally a walkable area. If you stay in the central area you should be fine to explore on foot but if you want to get out into more rural areas, you'll need access to some type of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is Paphos Worth Visiting? and Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Palma de Mallorca or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Palma de Mallorca?

In either Paphos or Palma de Mallorca, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Paphos has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Paphos than Palma de Mallorca. However, 3-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Paphos than Palma de Mallorca. 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 Palma de Mallorca. 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 Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Paphos, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Palma de Mallorca. 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 Palma de Mallorca?

With museums and nightlife around the cultural town of Paphos, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Palma de Mallorca 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.

Five days in Paphos or Palma de Mallorca?

With nightlife and food around the ancient destination of Paphos, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. 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 Palma de Mallorca?

Paphos is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic destination of Palma de Mallorca. This island 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 2-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Palma de Mallorca?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Palma de Mallorca, 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 Palma de Mallorca?

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 Palma de Mallorca in the Summer?

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

Paphos is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca in the summer. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 334 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Palma de Mallorca. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Palma de Mallorca in the Autumn?

Both Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Paphos is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Paphos in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Palma de Mallorca. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Palma de Mallorca in the Winter?

Both Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Paphos is generally around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 12°C (53°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 164 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets more rain in January than Palma de Mallorca. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Palma de Mallorca in the Spring?

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

Paphos is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca in the spring. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Palma de Mallorca. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Palma de Mallorca and Paphos