Paphos

Paphos, on the western side of the island, is a great place to visit for a day trip. Paphos consists of two areas - Ktima which is the main town area and Kato Paphos, where the harbour and marina area are located. To the west are beautiful beaches, including the popular Coral Bay area.

Getting there

From Larnaca, follow the A1 and A5 motorway towards Paphos. The journey takes around two hours, but offers plenty of pleasantly distracting stops along the way, taking in the Troodos Mountains and Limassol. Be sure to leave plenty of time to explore though - Paphos offers lots to see!

What to take

Something light and airy to wear, plenty of suntan lotion and drinking water and of course, a camera to capture all of the sights.

Things to do

Paphos offers something for every visitor. From relaxing strolls and peaceful atmospheres to ancient sites, modern attractions and excellent local food.

Culture and history

Paphos Archaeological Park is a real must-see. Situated by the Kato Paphos harbour area, it is a UNESCO world heritage site where visitors can see beautifully preserved Roman mosaics and ruins of the villa of Dionysos, Orpheus and Aion.

Paphos Fort, also in the Kato Paphos harbour, was originally a Byzantine Fort. Rebuilt by the Lusignans, but destroyed again in the 1570s by the Venetians, it was subsequently restored during the Ottoman rule. The view from the top of the Fort is superb. Head towards the Coral Bay area to experience a truly exciting historical site - the tomb of the Kings. This is an ancient burial resting place, with tombs carved from solid rock and decorated with frescos and carvings. The area is still being excavated by archaeologists, and more frescos at an ancient church nearby have been discovered.

Lovers of ancient myth should make time to visit Aphrodite`s Rock, which legend reports as the birth place of Aphrodite when she emerged from the sea. It is not far from Paphos and is close to the new golf course area.

The Byzantine museum is also easily reached from Paphos, and is home to icons from the 13th and 14th century.

Other ancient areas close to Paphos include Adonis Baths, Agia Solomoni church and catacombs, Agios Georgios Basilica, Ayios Monastery, Baths of Aphrodite, Saranta Kolones (Forty Columns), and Kouklia (Temple of Aphrodite).

Entertainment

The whole family will enjoy Paphos aquarium, where exotic fish (and even some crocodiles!) can be seen.

The harbour area of Kato Paphos is a wonderful spot to watch the world go by, try some fishing, take a boat trip, or - for adventurous visitors - explore the underwater world with a diving tour.

Beaches

West of Paphos are some excellent beach areas, the most popular being Coral Bay. Once on the beach, the many bars and restaurants allow visitors to enjoy great local food and drink without leaving the sunny sands. Lara Bay Beach is located to the north of Paphos and is also known as the turtle beach. It is famous for its wildlife sanctuary, which protects the region`s green and loggerhead turtles.

Latchi fishing village and beach lies on the unspoilt Akamas Peninsula, two miles away from Polis. The beach is quiet and serene, a welcome escape from the bustling town.

One of the most popular beaches in the area is Yeroskipou beach, located about 3kms away from the Paphos harbour and offering great private sunbeds for complete relaxation. Agios Georgios is located a little away from Coral Bay, and is a small beach settled at the base of the sharp cliffs.

Food and drink

Both Ktima, and Kato Paphos offer many restaurants, cafes and bars, all providing a warm welcome and excellent local dishes. Seafood is a speciality of the area, and the filling traditional Meze dishes are great for hungry visitors.