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

Should you visit Paphos or Paris?

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

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

Paris

Paris is a beautiful, iconic, and bustling city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Paphos and Paris: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Paris?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paris. Although Paphos and Paris are both popular with visitors, Paris has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paris is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Paphos is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Paris is more touristy than Paphos and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. It is also home to The Eiffel Tower. Paphos is popular for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches.

The Eiffel Tower

How is Paphos different from Paris?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Paphos and Paris have fantastic landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Paphos that are not to be missed. 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.

The museums and tourist attractions in Paris are world-renowned. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for Theater?

Paris is renowned for theatre. However, Paphos is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in Paris. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.

Paphos is not a theatre destination.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at fantastic restaurants in both Paphos and Paris.

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 Paris have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for Nightlife?

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

Paris is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.

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 Paris Better for Music?

Paris is renowned for live music. However, Paphos is not a live music destination.

Paris is a world class music destination. Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.

Paphos is not a live music destination.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for Resorts?

Paphos is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Paris is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Paphos is a great choice. 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.

Paris is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Paris is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Paphos has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Paris is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for Beaches?

Paphos is terrific for its beaches. However, Paris is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Paphos. 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.

Paris is not a beach destination.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Paris does not have a historic old town.

Paphos is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings.

Paris does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Paris?

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

Paris is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.

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 Paris Better for Christmas?

Paris is renowned for its Christmas activities. However, Paphos does not offer Christmas activities.

Paris is a world class destination for shoppers. The city of lights really proves itself around the holiday season. In addition to checking out the Christmas lights, it's fun to go window shopping or check out one of the city's Christmas markets.

Paphos does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for Families?

Paris is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Paris is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Paphos is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for Couples?

Paphos and Paris are both fantastic 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.

Paris is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paris is renowned for backpackers. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Paris is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.

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.

Is Paphos or Paris Better for Students?

Paris is renowned for students. However, Paphos is not popular with students.

Paris is a great destination for students. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad students.

Paphos is not popular with students.

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

Paris is renowned for its public transit. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Paris has a great public transit system. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

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.

Is Paphos or Paris a more walkable city?

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

Paris is very walkable. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored 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 Paris Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Paris or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Paris?

Both Paphos and Paris have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paris than in Paphos. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 3-7 days is enough time in Paris.

Families should spend more time in Paris than Paphos. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Paris, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paris 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 Paris.

One day in Paphos or Paris?

In Paphos, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this ancient destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Paris?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paphos. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Paris 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 Paris?

Paphos is a fun place to experience. In Paphos, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paris. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Paris?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the overlooked destination of Paphos. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Cyprus, The Best Tours for Seniors to Cyprus, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Paris?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Paris, 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 Paris?

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 Paris in the Summer?

Both Paris and Paphos during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Paphos in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Paris for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Paphos is a little warmer than Paris in the summer. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Paris fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Paris, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Paris. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 241 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Paris. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Paris receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Paris in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Paris. Most visitors come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Paris because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Paphos is much warmer than Paris. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Paphos in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Paris averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Paris during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Paris. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Paris in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Paris. The winter months attract visitors to Paphos because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Paris this time of year.

It's quite cold in Paris in the winter. In January, Paphos is generally much warmer than Paris. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 12°C (53°F), and Paris fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Paris. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 62 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets more rain in January than Paris. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Paris in the Spring?

Both Paris and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Paris for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Paphos is much warmer than Paris in the spring. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Paris fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Paris during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Paris. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Paris receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Paris and Paphos