A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Wellington for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Paphos or Wellington?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos or Wellington, 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 coastal, overlooked, and ancient town. The beauty of Paphos is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Paphos travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a funky, compact, and laid-back city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Wellington travel costs.

Paphos and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Paphos. Although Paphos and Wellington are popular destinations, Paphos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Paphos is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Wellington attracts visitors for its nightlife and hiking. Paphos is famous for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. It is also well known for Paphos Archaeological Park. Wellington is famous for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Paphos different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Paphos are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Paphos is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Dining out in Wellington is an experience not to be missed. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Wellington is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Wellington know how to have a good time. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

If you're looking for night time activities Paphos has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for Resorts?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Wellington is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Paphos is a great choice. 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.

Wellington is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paphos is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Paphos has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Wellington is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Paphos. 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.

Wellington is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is a popular place for its old town. However, Wellington does not have a historic old town.

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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Paphos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Wellington?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Wellington 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.

Wellington is well-known for its shopping. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Paphos or Wellington More Beautiful?

Paphos is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Paphos is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The area is known for its world-renowned archeological ruins, stunning beaches, and beautiful outdoor setting.

Wellington is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for Families?

Paphos and Wellington are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Paphos is 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for Couples?

Paphos is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Paphos makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Wellington is a good town for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos and Wellington are very good 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 Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Paphos or Wellington Better for Students?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for students. However, Paphos is not popular with students.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Paphos is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Paphos and Wellington.

Visitors to Paphos can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

The public transit in Wellington can get you around easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Paphos or Wellington a more walkable city?

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

Wellington is very walkable. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Paphos and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Paphos than in Wellington. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

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

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the ancient town of Paphos, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Wellington. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Wellington?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Paphos, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Wellington 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 Wellington?

Paphos, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wellington?

Paphos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Wellington. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paphos and Wellington, we can see that Paphos is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paphos is in Europe and Wellington is in Pacific, 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Wellington?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Paphos. When comparing the sizes of Paphos and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Paphos has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Paphos or Wellington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Wellington. Many visitors come to Paphos in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Paphos is a little warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Paphos in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wellington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin January. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Paphos for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Paphos is generally a little warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 21°C (70°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin April. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Paphos or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Paphos during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Paphos because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

Paphos is a little warmer than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.

In the winter, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Wellingtonin July. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Paphos usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Wellington. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches.

In the spring, Paphos is a little warmer than Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Paphos in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin October. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Paphos