Which place is cheaper, Positano or Paros?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Paros and Positano. 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 is a breathtaking, striking, and historical island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.
Positano is a colorful, stunning, and luxurious Mediterranean village. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Paros. Although Paros and Positano are both popular with visitors, Paros has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paros is more popular for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Positano is known for its resorts, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Positano is more touristy than Paros and is known for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. 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.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Positano and Paros. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Paros is great for its historical sights. However, Positano does not have museums and landmarks.
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.
Positano does not have museums and landmarks.
Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Paros and Positano.
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, Positano is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.
Paros is great for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.
Many people head to Paros for the nightlife scene. 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.
Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.
Positano is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Paros is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.
Vacationers flock to Positano for its luxury resorts. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.
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.
Paros is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Positano is not a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.
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.
Snorkeling is an option in Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.
Paros is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for its 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.
Positano is a good option for a beach vacation. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.
Positano is terrific for its old town. However, Paros does not have a historic old town.
Positano has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.
Paros does not have a historic old town.
Positano 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 Positano. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.
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.
Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Paros and Positano.
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 Positano. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.
Paros is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for its family-friendly activities.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Paros. 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.
Positano is a family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.
Paros and Positano both terrific 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.
Positano makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon getaway.
Paros is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and 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.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Positano. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.
Paros is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for its public transit.
The public transit in Paros can get you to most 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.
Positano has a few public transit options. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.
Positano is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Paros is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Positano. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.
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 Positano Worth Visiting?.
Both Paros and Positano have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Positano than in Paros. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paros, and 2-7 days is enough time in Positano.
Families should spend more time in Paros than Positano. 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 Positano. 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 Positano 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.
The beautiful island of Paros offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Even though Positano is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the food. This Mediterranean village 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.
Paros is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Positano. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.
Paros is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Paros, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Positano is a fun place to experience. Positano is a small town with plenty to do. Lots of people come for the food. 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.
Paros is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.
Positano might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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. Lots of people come for the food. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.
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 Positano is €222. 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 Positano in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Paros or Positano? 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.
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.
Also for Paros, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Positano 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.
For Paros, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Paros, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
Also in Paros, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paros and Positano, we can see that Positano is more expensive. And not only is Paros much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Paros would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paros 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano than you might in Paros.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Paros Expensive? and Is Positano Expensive?.
Paros has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Paros and Positano, 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.