A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paros vs. Hamburg for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Paros or Hamburg?

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 Hamburg. 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 historical, diverse, and stunning island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a cultural, vibrant, and historic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Paros and Hamburg: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Paros or Hamburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paros. Although Paros and Hamburg are both popular with visitors, Paros has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paros is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Hamburg is known for its music. Paros is popular for its world-class beaches, beautiful undersea world, and quaint coastal villages. It is also home to The Byzantine Monastery of Ekatontapyliani. Hamburg is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space.

How is Paros different from Hamburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paros
Hamburg

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

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.

Hamburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.


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

Paros
Hamburg

Paros is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Nightlife?

Paros
Hamburg

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Paros and Hamburg.

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.

Hamburg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Music?

Paros
Hamburg

Hamburg is terrific for its live music scene. However, Paros is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Hamburg. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Paros is not a live music destination.


Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Resorts?

Paros
Hamburg

Paros is well known for its resorts. However, Hamburg is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Paros. 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.

Hamburg is not a resort destination.

Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paros
Hamburg

Paros is well known for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hamburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in 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.

Hamburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Beaches?

Paros
Hamburg

Paros is renowned for the beach. However, Hamburg is not a beach destination.

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

Hamburg is not a beach destination.


Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Hiking?

Paros
Hamburg

Paros is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Hamburg is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Paros. 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.

Hamburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paros or Hamburg?

Paros
Hamburg

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Paros and Hamburg.

Paros is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Families?

Paros
Hamburg

Both Paros and Hamburg are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Paros is very family-friendly. 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.

Hamburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.


Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Couples?

Paros
Hamburg

Paros is renowned for couples. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paros
Hamburg

Paros is well known for backpackers. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Paros is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Hamburg. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Paros or Hamburg Better for Students?

Paros
Hamburg

Hamburg is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Paros is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

Paros is not popular with students.


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

Paros
Hamburg

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Paros and Hamburg.

Public transit in Paros can get you to some places easily. 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Hamburg. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Is Paros or Hamburg a more walkable city?

Paros
Hamburg

Hamburg is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Paros is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Hamburg is a very walkable port city. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Hamburg or Paros?

How long in Paros or Hamburg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Paros and Hamburg. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paros than in Hamburg. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paros, and 1-3 days is enough time in Hamburg.

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

Couples should spend more time in Paros than Hamburg. 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 Hamburg 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.


  • How many days in Paros or Hamburg? Ideal Length of Stay
    Paros 3-5 
    Hamburg 1-3

One day in Paros or Hamburg?

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

In Hamburg, many people enjoy the live music and food that this energetic destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.


A weekend in Paros or Hamburg?

In Paros, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hamburg. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Paros or Hamburg?

Paros 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 Paros has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Hamburg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Hamburg. Lots of people come for the live music. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Paros or Hamburg?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the energetic destination of Hamburg. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Hamburg or Paros?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Paros is €122, while the average daily cost in Hamburg is €117. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Paros and Hamburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paros 53
    Hamburg 54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paros 106
    Hamburg 108
Compare Hotels in Paros and Hamburg

Looking for a hotel in Paros or Hamburg? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Paros


Hotels in Hamburg


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Paros Hotel Prices and Hamburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paros 37
    Hamburg 29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paros

Also for Paros, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer From Naxos Port-Airport To All Destinations: $54

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hamburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:


  • Short Distance Ubahn Ticket
    1.70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:

  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg: $83
  • Round Trip Transfer Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg City by van: $209
  • Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers : $267
  • Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers: $262
  • Private transfer from Fuhlsbüttel Airport to Hamburg City Center: $114
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg to Hannover with 2h of Sightseeing: $271
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg to Hamburg Airport HAM Departure : $41
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg to Bremen with an English Speaking Driver: $234
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Hotels to Bremerhaven Cruise Port: $65
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg City Hotels: $51
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport(HAM): $38
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg City to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Paros or Hamburg?

Prices for flights to both Hamburg and Paros change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Paros 45
    Hamburg 35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paros

For Paros, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Two and half-hours Traditional Greek Cooking Class in Amorgos: $59
  • Naxos Town Food Tour : $91
  • 4 Hour Traditional Cooking Class for Small Group: $96
  • Cretan Cooking Class and Dinner: Evening in a Rethymno Home : $96
  • Naxos Perivoli Farm Experience & Wood-fire Cooking Class: $103
  • Naxos:Half-day cooking class at Basiliko : $105
  • Greek Cooking Class with Full Meal: $113
  • Food Tasting and Cooking Class on Naxos with Local Market Visit: $114
  • Paros Cooking Class: $115
  • Naxos Old Town Private Food Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $153
  • Naxos Villages Food Tour : $161
  • Cooking Class with 6-Course Menu and Drinks: $642

Typical Food Prices in Hamburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hamburg:


  • Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls
    15
  • Currywurst and Pommes Frites
    5.00
  • Donner Kebab and Coke
    6.00
  • Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer
    15
  • Donner Kebab Lunch
    4.00
  • Sandwich and Coffee Break
    6.00
  • Fish Sandwich from Fish Market
    3.50
  • Coffee and Donut
    4.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hamburg.

  • St. Pauli kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • Elphi Plaza und HafenCity kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $59
  • Original Musical Dinner Cruise 2024: $117
  • Hamburg Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized : $186
  • St. Pauli: Guided Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $481
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paros 22
    Hamburg 39

Tours and Activities in Paros

For Paros, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Naxos Half Day History and Culture Guided Tour: $33
  • Naxos Highlights Bus Tour with Free Time for Lunch and Swimming: $33
  • Naxos Town & Portara Sunset Walking Tour: $33
  • Essence of Naxos Tour: $33
  • Naxos: Highlights of Naxos Day Tour: $33
  • Naxos Sunset Walking Tour : $40
  • Cruises to Delos-Mykonos, Santorini and Koufonisi by Alexander : $49
  • Hiking tour on Kythnos: $49
  • Full Day Bus Tour in Paros and Antiparos Islands from Paros : $61
  • One Day Cruise to Koufonissi from Paros Island: $61
  • Delos and Mykonos One Day Cruise from Naxos: $71
  • Sunset Experience in Paros: $71

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hamburg

Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Tower at St. Michael's Church
    3.50

Tours and Activities in Hamburg

Here are a few actual costs in Hamburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Hamburg Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $287
  • Safari tour in St Pauli: $33
  • "Cruise in the City" - Sailing Yacht Event, Hamburg/Elbe: $69
  • "Hafengeburtstag Hamburg" 2024. Cruise&Sail from/to Wedel: $181
  • "Highlights of Hamburg" Biketour: $39
  • 1 Hour Kiez Speed Tour for Adults: $19
  • 1-Day Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour of Hamburg Line D: $20
  • 10 secrets of Hamburg's old town - exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
  • 2 Hours Guided Hamburg E-Scooter Tour: $71
  • 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Night Tour: $93
  • 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Tour: $75
  • 2 Hours Hamburg E-scooter Tour: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paros 25
    Hamburg 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Paros

Also in Paros, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine Tasting and Tour in Saint Anna Winery in Naxos: $60
  • Citron Tasting and Distillery 1-Hour Guided Tour in Naxos: $65
  • 3 Hour Tour in Paros Wine Tasting: $164
  • Paros wine tour and tasting: $166

Sample the Local Flavors in Hamburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hamburg:

  • Night Pub Crawl through The Repperbahn: $21
  • Weekend Night Pub Crawl through the Reeperbahn: $34
  • Pub Crawl - Ultimate party pub crawl incl. One-hour drinks flat rate: $44
  • Hamburg Pub Crawl including 1 hour flatrate for beer: $51
  • Bachelor(ette) Premium Party with Pub Crawl: $401
  • Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
  • Private Premium Pub Crawl: $513


When comparing the travel costs between Paros and Hamburg, we can see that Paros 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 Paros Expensive? and Is Hamburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Paros or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Paros. When comparing the sizes of Paros and Hamburg, 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.