A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Rijeka for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Paphos or Rijeka?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Rijeka, 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 overlooked, ancient, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a accessible, diverse, and slow-paced town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Paphos and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Rijeka?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paphos than Rijeka, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paphos is better known for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Rijeka is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities. Paphos is more touristy than Rijeka and is known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. Also, Paphos is famous for Paphos Archaeological Park. Rijeka is well known for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Paphos different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Rijeka is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

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

Paphos is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Paphos has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is Paphos or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Rijeka know how to have a good time. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

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 Rijeka Better for Resorts?

Paphos is renowned for its resorts. However, Rijeka is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Paphos is a perfect 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.

Rijeka is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Rijeka Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rijeka is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Paphos. 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.

Rijeka is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Paphos is renowned for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Paphos is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Is Paphos or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Paphos offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Rijeka?

Paphos is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Paphos or Rijeka Better for Families?

Paphos and Rijeka are both excellent 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, Rijeka is very family-friendly. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

Is Paphos or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Paphos is renowned for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Paphos has plenty to offer. 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.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Is Paphos or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Paphos is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Rijeka. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Paphos or Rijeka Better for Students?

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

Rijeka is popular with students. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

Paphos is not popular with students.

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

Paphos is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system 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.

Rijeka has some public transit options. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Paphos or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Paphos and Rijeka both are notable 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.

Rijeka is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Paphos Worth Visiting? and Is Rijeka Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Paphos or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Paphos than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

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

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rijeka. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Paphos or Rijeka?

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.

Rijeka 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka. 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 Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the overlooked 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 diverse destination of Rijeka. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between Paphos and Rijeka, we can see that Paphos is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paphos Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Rijeka. Most visitors come to Paphos for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Paphos is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rijeka this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during summer. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Paphos usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Paphos or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Rijeka. The autumn months attract visitors to Paphos because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

Paphos is a little warmer than Rijeka in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the autumn, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in October than Rijeka. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Paphos is much warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Rijeka averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during winter. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Paphos usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Paphos or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Paphos during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Paphos for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rijeka in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the spring, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in April than Rijeka. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Paphos