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

Should you visit Paros or Potsdam?

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 Potsdam. 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a accessible, compact, and park-filled city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Paros and Potsdam: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • 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
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Paros or Potsdam?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paros than Potsdam, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paros is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Potsdam is more popular for its small town charm. Paros is more touristy than Potsdam and is popular for its world-class beaches, beautiful undersea world, and quaint coastal villages. Also, Paros is famous for The Byzantine Monastery of Ekatontapyliani. Potsdam is well known for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin.

How is Paros different from Potsdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paros
Potsdam

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

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.

Potsdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.


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

Paros
Potsdam

Paros is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Potsdam 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.

Potsdam has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

Is Paros or Potsdam Better for Nightlife?

Paros
Potsdam

Paros is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Paros is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Potsdam has a few options to choose from. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

Is Paros or Potsdam Better for Resorts?

Paros
Potsdam

Paros is well known for its resorts. However, Potsdam 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.

Potsdam is not a resort destination.


Is Paros or Potsdam Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paros
Potsdam

Paros is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Potsdam 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.

Potsdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paros or Potsdam Better for Beaches?

Paros
Potsdam

Paros is very popular for the beache. However, Potsdam 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.

Potsdam is not a beach destination.

Is Paros or Potsdam Better for Hiking?

Paros
Potsdam

Paros is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Potsdam 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.

Potsdam is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Paros or Potsdam?

Paros
Potsdam

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

Paros is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Potsdam has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Is Paros or Potsdam Better for Families?

Paros
Potsdam

Paros is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Paros is a very kid-friendly island. 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.

Potsdam offers lots of family activities. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Is Paros or Potsdam Better for Couples?

Paros
Potsdam

Paros is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Potsdam is a good island for couples to visit. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.


Is Paros or Potsdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paros
Potsdam

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

Paros is a great island to visit for backpackers. 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 Potsdam. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

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

Paros
Potsdam

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

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 Potsdam. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

Is Paros or Potsdam a more walkable city?

Paros
Potsdam

Potsdam 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.

Potsdam is a very walkable city. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly 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 Potsdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Potsdam or Paros?

How long in Paros or Potsdam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Paros or Potsdam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Paros than Potsdam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paros, and 1-2 days is enough time in Potsdam.

Families should spend more time in Paros than Potsdam. 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 Potsdam. 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 Potsdam 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 Potsdam? Ideal Length of Stay
    Paros 3-5 
    Potsdam 1-2

One day in Paros or Potsdam?

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 Potsdam, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this accessible destination offers. This 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 Potsdam?

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 Potsdam. 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 Potsdam?

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.

Potsdam is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Potsdam. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.


A week in Paros or Potsdam?

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 food and shopping around the accessible destination of Potsdam. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Potsdam 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 Potsdam is €111. 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 Potsdam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paros 53
    Potsdam 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paros 106
    Potsdam 120
Compare Hotels in Paros and Potsdam

Looking for a hotel in Paros or Potsdam? 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 Potsdam


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 Potsdam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paros 37
    Potsdam 28

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: $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Potsdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:

  • Private Transfer from Potsdam to Berlin Tegel Airport: $160
  • Departure Airport Transfer from Potsdam Hotels to Berlin BER Airport: $174
  • Berlin Airport Departure Transfer from Potsdam Hotels: $174

Is it cheaper to fly into Paros or Potsdam?

Prices for flights to both Potsdam 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
    Potsdam 31

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 : $92
  • Cretan Cooking Class and Dinner: Evening in a Rethymno Home : $96
  • 4 Hour Traditional Cooking Class for Small Group: $96
  • Naxos Perivoli Farm Experience & Wood-fire Cooking Class: $104
  • Naxos:Half-day cooking class at Basiliko : $106
  • Greek Cooking Class with Full Meal: $113
  • Food Tasting and Cooking Class on Naxos with Local Market Visit: $115
  • Paros Cooking Class: $116
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paros 22
    Potsdam 25

Tours and Activities in Paros

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

  • Naxos Highlights Bus Tour with Free Time for Lunch at Apeiranthos: $33
  • Naxos Half Day History and Culture Guided Tour: $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
  • Hiking tour on Kythnos: $49
  • Cruises to Delos-Mykonos, Santorini and Koufonisi by Alexander : $49
  • Full Day Bus Tour in Paros and Antiparos Islands from Paros : $61
  • One Day Cruise to Koufonissi from Paros Island: $61
  • Naxos Boat Trip Tour to Delos and Mykonos: $65
  • Sunset Experience in Paros: $71

Tours and Activities in Potsdam

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

  • 2 hours: Private Harbor and Castle Sightseeing Cruise: $364
  • 4 hours Private Romantic River Boat Cruise with Wine: $620
  • 4h Private Havelland Discovery Boat Cruise with Skipper: $620
  • 8h: Private Potsdam Islands Sightseeing Boat Cruise: $1,358
  • AbenteuerPark Adventure Climbing in the Trees: $31
  • Babelsberg Park Walking Tour: $152
  • Beautiful Baroque A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $502
  • Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $257
  • City Sightseeing Potsdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • City and Palaces Tour Potsdam - Stadt- und Schloesserrundfahrt Potsdam: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paros 25
    Potsdam 6.70

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


When comparing the travel costs between Paros and Potsdam, 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 Potsdam Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Paros or Potsdam?

Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Paros. When comparing the sizes of Paros and Potsdam, 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.