A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Reykjavik for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Paphos or Reykjavik?

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

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

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of Reykjavik is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping. See Reykjavik travel costs.

Paphos and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paphos. Although Paphos and Reykjavik are both popular with visitors, Paphos has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paphos is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Paphos is popular for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. It is also home to Paphos Archaeological Park. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Paphos different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options 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).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Paphos or Reykjavik has a better nightlife scene.

Paphos has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Reykjavik has a few options to choose from. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for Resorts?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik 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. The area was revitalized in 2017 and there are many historical sites. It's also fun to go shopping at Kennedy Square and Makariou Avenue.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Reykjavik?

Paphos is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik More Beautiful?

Reykjavik is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Reykjavik is one of the main draws. The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.

The beauty of Paphos is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The area is known for its world-renowned archeological ruins, stunning beaches, and beautiful outdoor setting.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Paphos and Reykjavik 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, Reykjavik is very family-friendly. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Paphos is an amazing town to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik 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.

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Paphos is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Reykjavik is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik Better for Students?

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

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Paphos is not popular with students.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik 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, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Paphos. 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 Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Paphos or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

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

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's 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 Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Reykjavik?

In either Paphos or Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Families should spend more time in Paphos than Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?

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 shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Paphos or Reykjavik?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful 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.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Reykjavik?

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 nightlife and shopping when visiting the green destination of Reykjavik. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Reykjavik?

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

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

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

Paphos is much warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Reykjavik. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the autumn, Paphos is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Paphos in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Paphos is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 12°C (53°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Reykjavik in the Spring?

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

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. Paphos is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Paphos