A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Hue for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Old Town

Should you visit Paphos or Hue?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Hue, 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 beautiful, cultural, and coastal town. With stunning beauty, Paphos attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Paphos travel costs.

Hue

Hue is a cultural, authentic, and ancient city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Hue travel costs.

Paphos and Hue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Hue?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paphos than Hue, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paphos is better known for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Hue is more popular for its historical sights. Paphos is well known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. Also, Paphos is famous for Paphos Archaeological Park. Hue is well known for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital.

How is Paphos different from Hue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Paphos on the map. 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Hue. It's an ancient city that is filled with many sights from its imperial past. The Imperial City in Hue is the city's most important attraction. Other sights include the Thai Hoa Palace, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Royal Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh.

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

Paphos is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Paphos have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Hue. Local dishes were once served to the city's emperors, but today you'll find them in restaurants and food stalls. Dishes are either sweet or spicy with lemongrass, basil, chilies, and mint herbs mixed in. Soups and grilled meats are popular such as bun bo hue and nem lui.

Is Paphos or Hue Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Paphos or Hue 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 Hue has a few options to choose from. For the best nightlife, many visitors head to the Western Area, particularly around the streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Chu Van An and Vo Thi Sau. Nguyen Dinh Chieu Walking Street is another popular area for nightlife in Hue.

Is Paphos or Hue Better for Resorts?

Paphos is terrific for its resorts. However, Hue is not a resort destination.

Paphos is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Hue is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Hue Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a town with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Hue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Hue Better for Beaches?

Paphos is terrific for the beach. However, Hue is not a beach destination.

Paphos is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Hue is not a beach destination.

Is Paphos or Hue Better for its Old Town?

Hue 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 Hue to see the historical old town. As the former imperial capital, you'll see many temples and historical sites in the city.

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. The area was revitalized in 2017 and there are many historical sites. It's also fun to go shopping at Kennedy Square and Makariou Avenue.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Hue?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Hue and Paphos.

Paphos is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Hue is well-known for its shopping. The city has many local markets where you can find traditional and authentic handicrafts. Some of the most interesting things to purchase at the markets include silk paintings, antiques, and lacquerware.

Is Paphos or Hue More Beautiful?

Paphos is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Hue is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Paphos attracts visitors from all around. The area is known for its world-renowned archeological ruins, stunning beaches, and beautiful outdoor setting.

Hue is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Paphos or Hue Better for Families?

Paphos is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Paphos is known to be 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.

Hue is a family-friendly town. Kids will enjoy exploring the Imperial City, visiting Ho Quyen Arena and Long Chau Temple, or wandering through the city's local markets. The Demilitarized Zone is also an interesting side trip.

Is Paphos or Hue Better for Couples?

Paphos is terrific for couples. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Paphos is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Hue is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy boat rides or sunset cruises along Perfume River. There are also interesting temples and fascinating day trips that you can take from the city.

Is Paphos or Hue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos and Hue are high quality 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 Hue. It is a popular stop over in central Vietnam. There are plenty of hostels and budget guesthouses to accommodate the backpacker crowds. There are also cheap restaurants and interesting activities relating to the city's long history.

Is Paphos or Hue Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Paphos is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Paphos offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Hue has some public transit options. Cyclos, motorbikes, and local bus are the most common ways to get around the city.

Is Paphos or Hue a more walkable city?

Hue is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Hue is very walkable. Many of the sights can be reached on foot and the city is relatively compact.

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 Hue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hue or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Hue?

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Paphos, there's plenty to do. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Hue. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Paphos or Hue?

Many people visit Paphos for a weekend. With nightlife and food around the ancient town of Paphos, there's plenty to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Hue 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 Hue?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Paphos, there's plenty to do. Many people spend five days here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

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

Paphos, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Hue. This city 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 Sightseeing Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Cultural Tours in Vietnam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paphos and Hue, we can see that Paphos is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paphos is in Europe and Hue is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Paphos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paphos than you might in Hue.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Hue?

Hue has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Hue, 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 Hue?

Paphos has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hue experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Hue in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Hue. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Paphos is generally around the same temperature as Hue. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Hue fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hue this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Hue during summer. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies, while Hue receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Paphos usually receives less rain than Hue. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Hue receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer. March to August in Hue is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Paphos or Hue in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Hue. Many travelers come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year.

Paphos is cooler than Hue in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Hue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the autumn, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Hue. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hue receives 158 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hue. Paphos usually gets less rain in October than Hue. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Hue receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain this time of the year. September to December in Hue is the rainy season.

Should I visit Paphos or Hue in the Winter?

Both Hue and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Paphos in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Paphos is much colder than Hue. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Hue averages at about 22°C (71°F).

Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Hue during winter. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Hue receives 136 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hue. In January, Paphos usually receives less rain than Hue. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hue receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Hue is March to August.

Should I visit Paphos or Hue in the Spring?

Both Hue and Paphos during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Paphos for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round.

In April, Paphos is generally much colder than Hue. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Hue fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In Hue, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Paphos. In the spring, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Hue. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hue receives 210 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in April than Hue. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hue receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hue and Paphos