A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Paros vs. Crete for Food, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Paros or Crete?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Paros and Crete. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Paros

Paros is a striking, historical, and diverse island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Crete

Crete is a breathtaking, world-renowned, and scenic island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Paros and Crete: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paros or Crete?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Crete. Although Paros and Crete are both popular with visitors, Crete has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Crete is more popular for its resorts and hiking, while Paros is known for its shopping and impressive beauty. Crete is more touristy than Paros and is popular for its breathtaking beaches, wild nightlife, and impressive archeological ruins. It is also home to the Palace of Knossos. Paros is popular for its world-class beaches, beautiful undersea world, and quaint coastal villages.

How is Paros different from Crete?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Crete and Paros. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Paros or Crete?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Paros and Crete.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Paros. There are many interesting archeological sights and museums around the island. Some interesting places to visit are the Venetian Castle in the old port of Naoussa, the Monastery of Panagia Ekatontapiliani near Parikia, and the beautiful church of Agios Ioannis (Saint John) Detis, which dates back to the 17th century. There's also the Archeological Museum of Paros, which is found in the capital of Parikia.

Crete offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The island is filled with archeological sites including the famous Palace of Knossos. While most people come to Crete for the natural beauty, in the cities you'll find some great museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Paros or Crete? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Paros and Crete.

Eat your way through Paros, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Cheese and wine are mainstays on the island and restaurants in general pride themselves on using locally-sourced, high quality ingredients. Many of the traditional recipes can be found in restaurants, but they're also still prepared in the homes of the residents as well. Seafood, vegetables, and grains are all common ingredients.

For foodies, Crete is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Local cuisine is influenced by the island's fertile environment and excellent agriculture. You'll find olive oil in most dishes and seafood is a major staple. You'll also find a lot of stews and recipes that incorporate local ingredients.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Paros and Crete.

Paros has a large number of nightlife venues. It doesn't have the hard core party scene that you find on some Greek islands, but it does have plenty of dance clubs, bars, and music venues. There's a wide diversity of options on the island, from quiet local bars to beach clubs that host wild parties, and everything in between.

Crete is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The island has excellent nightlife with clubs and bars found in Chania, Malia and Stalis to Elounda. The area is popular with British tourists and you'll find many bars open until 2 or 3 in the morning.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Resorts?

Crete is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Paros is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

Vacationers flock to Crete for its luxury resorts. The island has world class resorts that include pools and buffet meals. There are many beachfront resorts that range in style from romantic to family-friendly.

Paros is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The island is relatively large and you'll find everything from local hotels and guesthouses to large resorts and backpacker hostels. Many resorts have pools and great views.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find superb places where you can go scuba diving or snorkeling in Paros and Crete.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Paros. The island is filled with caves and interesting rock formations that make for excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. There are a number of tours available that take you to the island's best dive and snorkeling spots. There are also private and group courses available for those who are learning to scuba dive.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Crete. The island is surrounded by clear waters that make for great snorkeling and diving. There's a number of beautiful fish and other sea life that you can see. Be on the lookout for crabs, sea stars, sponges, and even octopi.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Beaches?

Paros and Crete both offer amazing beaches.

Paros offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The beaches are clean, diverse, and relatively easy to access. There are a range of options, from quiet hidden gems to beaches with clubs and bars nearby. Favorite beaches on the island include Kolymbithres Beach, Chrissi Akti Beach, and Santa Maria Beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Crete. There are some of the best beaches in the world on Crete. The areas around Chania have some of the island's best beaches, with one of the most beautiful being Balos. On the northern side of the island, be on the lookout for strong winds, particularly in August, which can make for larger waves. The island is large, so you'll find everything from secluded and quiet beaches to more active and lively places.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Hiking?

Crete is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Paros is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Crete. The island is filled with beautiful hikes that run along the shoreline or head inland through the island's beautiful landscapes. There are hikes for every ability level that offer spectacular views and an incredible experience.

Paros is a good destination for hiking. The island has about 35 kilometers of hiking trails that pass by small cottages, stone farm homes, and around the beautiful landscapes. You'll find tucked away windmills and watermills as well as breathtaking views and hidden coves.

Is the Shopping Better in Paros or Crete?

Paros is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Crete is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Paros. You'll find some of the best shopping in Kastro, which is the old quarter of Parikia. There are shops selling clothing, jewelry, ceramics, and other unique souvenirs. Many shops stay open late into the night, so you'll have plenty of time to browse.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Crete. The island has many markets that sell local foods and handicrafts. There are also shops and boutiques where you can buy anything from souvenirs to homemade artwork.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Families?

Crete is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Paros is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Crete is very family-friendly. The island is large and filled with countless family-friendly activities. You can spend several days at the beach, explore Lake Kournas, visit a water park, or even take a pirate themed boat cruise. There's also the amusement park, ​​Labyrinth Park, aquariums and more.

Paros is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will appreciate the beautiful beaches, great swimming opportunities, abundance of water sport activities, and child-friendly food options. There's also a folklore museum and several great archeological museums.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Couples?

Paros and Crete both amazing destinations for a couple.

Paros is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The island makes a perfect honeymoon destination with its stunning beaches and picturesque villages. There are also many great local hotels and wonderful dining opportunities. If you're looking for an idyllic setting, then this is it.

Crete makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's stunning beaches, beautiful landscapes, world renowned restaurants, and amazing resorts make this a top honeymoon spot for international travelers and romance seekers.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paros and Crete are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Paros. You'll find some nice hostels and apartments on the island. There's also a decent nightlife scene and the island is more affordable than many Greek islands.

Crete is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a large island with a great social scene and no shortage of hostels for backpackers to choose from.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Students?

Crete is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Paros is not popular with students.

Many students visit Crete. It's affordability and great coastal activities is a big draw for students in the area.

Paros is not popular with students.

Is Paros or Crete Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Paros is well known for its public transit. Also, Crete is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Paros offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a reliable bus system on the island that has some routes making a loop around the outside of the island and routes traveling inland to the smaller villages.

While Crete offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system that travels around the island and offers access to many areas.

Is Paros or Crete a more walkable city?

Paros is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Crete is not particularly known for its walkability.

Paros is a somewhat walkable island. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but it's a large island that requires some form of transportation to explore it in depth.

Crete is generally not a very walkable island. The island is large and requires a vehicle to get around, but there are short strolls that let you enjoy the stunning landscapes.

For even more information, also check out Is Paros Worth Visiting? and Is Crete Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Crete or Paros?

How long in Paros or Crete?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paros than Crete 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 Paros.

One day in Paros or Crete?

In Paros, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this stunning destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island 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.

In Crete, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this stunning destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island 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.

A weekend in Paros or Crete?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Crete. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

Five days in Paros or Crete?

Paros is a fun place to experience. In Paros, 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.

Crete is a fun place to experience. In Crete, 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.

A week in Paros or Crete?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the breathtaking destination of Paros. 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.

In Crete, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this breathtaking destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Greece, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Greece, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Greece.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paros and Crete, we can see that Paros is more expensive. And not only is Crete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Crete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Crete 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 Paros would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paros than you might in Crete.

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

Which has a larger population, Paros or Crete?

Crete has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Paros. When comparing the sizes of Paros and Crete, 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.