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

Should you visit Paphos or Sibenik?

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

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

Sibenik

Sibenik is a authentic, local, and undiscovered town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Paphos and Sibenik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Sibenik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paphos. Although Paphos and Sibenik are both popular with visitors, Paphos has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paphos is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Sibenik is known for its historical sights and small town charm. Paphos is more touristy than Sibenik and is popular for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. It is also home to Paphos Archaeological Park. Sibenik is popular for its photogenic beaches, charming old town, and surrounding natural beauty.

How is Paphos different from Sibenik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Sibenik offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Despite being skipped by many international tourists, the town has a number of historical landmarks such as Sibenik Cathedral, St. Michael's Fortress, and the fascinating the Dalmatian Ethno Village.

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

Paphos is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Paphos, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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 Sibenik. The restaurants are local and delicious. The old town has cafes that spill into the squares, so dining is a truly delightful experience. This is a hidden gem on the Adriatic.

Is Paphos or Sibenik Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Paphos or Sibenik 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 Sibenik has a few options to choose from. During the summer months you'll find people filling the terraces and squares at night. There are also a number of festivals in and near town. If you're looking for nightlife, it's best to visit during one of these festivals.

Is Paphos or Sibenik Better for Resorts?

Paphos is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

Vacationers flock to Paphos for its luxury resorts. 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.

With a selection of resorts, Sibenik makes a nice vacation spot. The town has gained popularity in recent years and its become a popular summer resort destination for Europeans.

Is Paphos or Sibenik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Sibenik is lacking in options for its diving and snorkeling.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Sibenik has a few snorkeling spots. There aren't as many snorkeling trips leaving from this town as other, more popular beach destinations in Croatia.

Is Paphos or Sibenik Better for Beaches?

Paphos is renowned for its beaches. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beache.

Paphos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Sibenik is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are less crowded than those in the more popular nearby cities, but they are gaining popularity. In town, Banj Beach is a pebbly beach that is easy to access. Nearby Jadrija Beach is considered to be one of the most photogenic in the area and St. Nicholas Beach is one of the more remote.

Is Paphos or Sibenik Better for its Old Town?

Sibenik is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

Many visitors go to Sibenik to see the historical old town. The charming old town is car-free and filled with quaint streets and lovely cafes.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Paphos. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Sibenik?

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

Sibenik offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find some local shops selling interesting trinkets and souvenirs.

Is Paphos or Sibenik Better for Families?

Paphos and Sibenik are both great 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, Sibenik is very family-friendly. It has grown into a popular summer resort destination. There are many outdoor activities in the area including kayaking, swimming, and boating. You should also take a day trip to Krka National Park to see the waterfalls. There are also some good beaches where families can hang out.

Is Paphos or Sibenik Better for Couples?

Paphos is renowned for romance. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Paphos is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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 Sibenik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The town is charming and filled with historic sights. There are also beaches and adventure sports for those looking for an adrenaline-filled vacation.

Is Paphos or Sibenik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos and Sibenik are great 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 Sibenik. The town has a large number of hostels to choose from, making this an easy and convenient stop off for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Paphos or Sibenik 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, Sibenik 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 Sibenik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a public bus system that can help you get around the area.

Is Paphos or Sibenik a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Sibenik on foot is easy. The old town is car-free and 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 Sibenik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sibenik or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Sibenik?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Paphos and Sibenik. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paphos than in Sibenik. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sibenik.

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

In Paphos, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sibenik. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Sibenik?

In Paphos, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Sibenik 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 Sibenik?

Paphos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Paphos has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sibenik. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Sibenik?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paphos. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Paphos. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Sibenik. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik.

When comparing the travel costs between Paphos and Sibenik, 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 Sibenik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Sibenik?

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

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 Sibenik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Sibenik. Many travelers come to Paphos for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Sibenik in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Paphos is around the same temperature as Sibenik in the summer. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Sibenik fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sibenik. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Sibenik. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sibenik receives 345 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Sibenik. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Sibenik in the Autumn?

Both Sibenik and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Paphos in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Sibenik for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Paphos is a little warmer than Sibenik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Paphos in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Sibenik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Sibenik. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Sibenik during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Sibenik receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Sibenik. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Sibenik in the Winter?

Both Sibenik and Paphos during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Paphos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sibenik because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Sibenik. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 12°C (53°F), and Sibenik fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Sibenik. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sibenik receives 128 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in January than Sibenik. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Sibenik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Sibenik. The spring months attract visitors to Paphos because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sibenik this time of year.

Paphos is a little warmer than Sibenik in the spring. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Sibenik fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sibenik this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Sibenik during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Sibenik receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Sibenik. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sibenik and Paphos