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

Should you visit Paphos or Rome?

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

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

Rome

Rome is a popular, ancient, and archeological 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 museums, nightlife, and live music.

Paphos and Rome: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Rome?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Rome than Paphos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Rome is better known for its nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Paphos is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Rome is more touristy than Paphos and is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. Also, Rome is famous for The Colosseum. Paphos is well known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches.

The Colosseum

How is Paphos different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Paphos and Rome have first-rate 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 Rome are world-renowned. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at first-rate restaurants in both Paphos and Rome.

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 Rome have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

Is Paphos or Rome Better for Nightlife?

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

Rome is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

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 Rome Better for Music?

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

Rome is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

Paphos is not a live music destination.

Is Paphos or Rome Better for Resorts?

Paphos is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Rome is not a resort destination.

Paphos is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Rome is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Rome Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a town with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Rome Better for Beaches?

Paphos is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Rome is not a beach destination.

Paphos is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

Rome is not a beach destination.

Is Paphos or Rome Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is a town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rome 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.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Rome?

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

Rome is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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 Rome Better for Families?

Paphos and Rome are both high quality 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, Rome is very family-friendly. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Is Paphos or Rome Better for Couples?

Paphos is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Paphos is a great town for couples, as it 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.

Rome is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

Is Paphos or Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Rome is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

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 Rome Better for Students?

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

Rome is a great destination for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Paphos is not popular with students.

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

Rome 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.

Rome has a great public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

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 Rome a more walkable city?

Rome is renowned for its walkability. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Rome on foot is easy. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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 Rome Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rome or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Rome?

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

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

One day in Paphos or Rome?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Paphos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Rome 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 Rome?

Paphos is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Rome 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 Rome?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Paphos. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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

The cultural town of Paphos offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Rome 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Rome, 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 Rome?

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 Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Paphos is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Rome. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Rome during summer. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Paphos usually receives less rain than Rome. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Paphos or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Paphos during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the autumn, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Rome. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Rome in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Rome. Many visitors come to Paphos in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Rome during winter. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Paphos usually receives less rain than Rome. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Paphos or Rome in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Rome. Most visitors come to Paphos for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the spring, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Rome. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in April than Rome. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rome and Paphos