Paphos, a city rich in history, is a gem of Western Cyprus. The city’s existence traces back to the Neolithic period, claim archaeologists. Believed to be the birthplace of Greek Goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, Paphos proudly boasts the remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs that belong to Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Such exceptional architectural and historic value is an ornament to the city that is included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage as a natural and cultural treasure. Paphos, roughly divided into Old Paphos and New Paphos, is also famous for its sun-kissed beaches. Paphos was valued as a major port and the capital of Cyprus during Roman times. Later when the British colonized the island, the city started losing its value especially after Nicosia gained importance. Today, this small harbour is slowly and steadily emerging as an attractive tourist destination.

Top 10 Paphos Landmarks

Paphos Castle :
Located on the edge of Paphos harbour, this castle is one of the most classifiable landmarks of Paphos. It has attracted a number of archaeologists to excavate and investigate its past, as it dates back to the Roman era. The Byzantine fort, originally built to protect the harbour was destroyed in the earthquake of 1222. It was then rebuilt by the Lusignans in the thirteenth century and has seen few more rebuilding in the years ahead till date. It currently serves as a background for the annual open-air Paphos cultural festival, which takes place in September.

Aphrodite’s Rock Petra Tou Romiou (Birthplace of Aphrodite) :
Named after the Greek Goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, the rock located between Limassol and Paphos is believed to be sacred. The legend tells a tale that this is the point where Aphrodite emerged from the sea in a surge of amazing sea foam in 1200 BC and she herself choose this rock as the ideal location to begin her life as a mortal.

Tombs of the Kings:
A large necropolis burial ground lying about two kilometres north-west of Paphos harbour in Cyprus is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Many of these underground tombs, date back to the 4th century BCE, are sculpted out of solid rock. Believed to be the burial sites of Paphitic aristocrats and high officials, some of the tombs have frescoed walls and Doric columns.

Paphos Archaeological Park:
Paphos archaeological Park is famous for sites and monuments that date back to pre-historical times. In addition to that, most of the remains in the park mark the Roman period date.Marvellous mosaic floors of four Roman villas here have also added to the fame of Paphos Archaeological Park.

Odeon:
Located in Paphos Archaeological Park, Odeon is an amphitheatre-like structure, which was unearthed during excavations. Now fully restored, Odeon is in close vicinity of several other archaeological or tourist sites such as Paphos Lighthouse, The house of Aion, The house of Dionysos and the villa of Theseus. This interesting archaeological monument built in the 2nd century is made entirely out of well-hewn limestone and has approximately 1,200 seats for spectators. Odeon is not only a tourist attraction today; it also hosts many musical and theatrical performances.

Paphos Lighthouse:
Paphos lighthouse is a golden point of the city as it can be seen from any corner of Paphos. Situated in close proximity of Odeon, the top of this lighthouse offers you an opportunity to catch panoramic, magnificent glimpses of Paphos in your camera. After climbing the staircases successfully, you reach to the top of this lighthouse and a look at the historic and scenic city of Paphos makes your visit to Paphos worth a treasure.

Akamas Peninsula Paphos:
The most beautiful location on the entire island, the Akamas Peninsula is located in the west of Cyprus. The peninsula covers approximately an area of 230 square kilometres with mountains and densely wooded, almost inaccessible forests that are home to almost 530 plant species, endemic to Cyprus and enjoy a great biodiversity. Because of its ecological significance, the Akamas peninsula is not only a tourist attraction but also is a great interest of botanists from all over the world.

Ayios Neophytos Monastery:
Located just 20 minutes from the busy Paphos town centre, the historic Ayios Neophytos monastery takes you back to the ancient world and introduces you with the life back then. Today, a home to only a handful of monks, the monastery is famous for the grottoes carved out of the mountain rock and is believed to be founded by a Cypriot hermit and writer called Neophytos in the year 1159.

AyiaSolomoni Church:
Originally, a Christian catacomb, Ayia Solomoni Church was carved underground out of limestone rock. Home to several 12th century frescoes, the church also houses some of the original graves that date back to the Hellenistic period, the archaeologists say. The remains of the old frescoes from the 12th century and some holy water are the main attractions of Ayia Solomoni Church.

Ethnographical Museum:
Considered as the richest museum of Cyprus, Ethnographical Museum that now holds collections of woodcarvings, jewellery, tapestries, woven goods, pottery, embroidery, and national costumes from19th and 20th centuries, was the Folk Art Museum until 1971. Today it is famous among tourists, especially among history and art lovers as an excellent place that introduces the lives of the people in the prehistoric era.

The Mosaics of Paphos:
Famous as the finest mosaic in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Paphos Mosaics are located beside the harbour. The mosaics here show the scenes from Greek Mythology and were made from small cubes of marble and stone called tesserae, and glass paste available in those days.

Top 5 Bars

Here are few bars you can’t miss when you are in Paphos and enjoying your holiday. The street ‘Ayios Antoniou’ at night comes alive with a number of bars and so is best known locally as either Bar Street or Nightlife Street.

Splash Bar:
This is the best place for music and Karaoke fanatics. Splash bar, as the name suggests has a small swimming pool, which can be used only during the day. Along with some great wines and beers, it also offers some unique cocktails.

Woody'z Cocktail Bar:
Located at the heart of Night Life Street, the two-storied Woody’s Cocktail Bar is at a walking distance from hotels and apartments in the tourist area and the beautiful sea harbour. It has a quite large dance floor and can accommodate about 300 people. The bar serves every kind of delicious combination of wines. The massive woody woodpecker that is inflated on the roof during the night makes this bar stand out among the horde.

Robin Hood:
Robin Hood is a pub with pleasant atmosphere and is located in the middle of the tourist strip of Ayios Antoniou Street, famous as Bar Street. It is famous because of its reasonably priced drinks and its medieval castle-like appearance as well. If you are a fun-loving person, a visit to this bar is a must.

Rainbow Disco:
The oldest club in Paphos, Rainbow Disco offers an opportunity to enjoy a bit of RnB, trance and garage. Atmosphere in this bar is friendly and fun-filled. Rainbow often has themed and party nights and well-established DJs play music in this bar.

Sense Bar:
Located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Sense bar enjoys a dream location, the spot at Coral Bay. This classy bar with a semi upscale atmosphere has a variety of authentic local drinks and meals. The decor of the place is vibrant and boosts its visitors’ energy.

Top 10 Activities

Walking Tours/Town Walks:
Paphos town walk, also known as strolling around Ktima can be enjoyed every Tuesday for free. Organized by Paphos municipality in collaboration with CTO and the Cyprus Tourist Guides Association, the tour takes tourists to various archaeological sites dating back to the Chalcolithic, early Bronze Age and to the present. Avail this tour, as its goal is to introduce tourists to Ktima and the evolution of its lifestyle from the late Byzantine and Medieval times to the present. This town walk is a great opportunity to know better, the local life, year-round atmosphere, and Paphos’ continual cultural development.

Paphos Aphrodite Festival:
Paphos Aphrodite Festival aims to promote Paphos as an international centre of high profile cultural events. Famed to be the one to organize and present a new opera every year, the festival welcomes music fanatics to enjoy opera performances and take a deep dive in the world of music. Organised at the Medieval Castle Square in Paphos, the festival invites world famous, internationally acclaimed companies to perform at the festival, which takes place at the end of August or during the first weekend of September.

Aphrodite Water Park:
A day out with the family at Aphrodite Water Park is a great way to spend quality time as a family. The place offers entertainment and appeal to every generation. Packed with variety of attractions, the park has a snacks bar and a varied selection of rides among which the rafting ride is the biggest family rafting ride in Europe. Set within 35,000 square meters of natural landscaped grounds, the park is situated at the far eastern end of the Kato Paphos coastal road. Its location is ideal for tourists as it is situated about 300 meters inland from the Cypria Maris, Paphian, Pioneer and Phaethon hotels. A large free car park in front of the water park adds up to the visitors’ convenience. Ideal months to visit are between May and October.

Pafos Bird Park:
Pafos Bird Park is a unique park in Cyprus. The park is open to the public and has a tremendous variety of birds and animals from around the world. From ponies, giraffes, monkeys, tortoises and exotic parrots to emus, ostriches and swans, this park also has a petting zoo were children can interact with the animals. It also hosts owl and parrot shows. Situated near Agios Georgios/Coral Bay the park is spread across one million sq.m, in a natural setting with lakes, ponds and gardens. Children’s birthday parties can be arranged at this park, as it is open all year round from 9 am until the sunset, including Christmas day.

Snake George’s Reptile Park:
This is a small establishment run by Hans-Joerg Wiedl, famous as Snake George.The park displays an eye-popping collection of snakes including eight species indigenous to Cyprus, and lizards. The owner, Hans is brimming over with enthusiasm to show you around and tell you a few stories of snakes. He opened this park in Ayios Georgios, near Paphos, with a will to educate and inform the public about reptiles.
To reach Snake George’s Reptile Park, travel the main road past Coral Bay to Agios Georgios and on the right, you will see an EKO Service Station. The reptile park is situated behind the station. The entry fee is minimal and is for the maintenance of the reptiles.

Diving In Paphos:
Paphos is an excellent choice for a diving holiday. The city is surrounded by crystal clear sea water and is home to thousands of excellent diving spots such as underwater cliffs, valleys, coral colonies, and ancient ship wrecks. Absence of dangerous underwater currents in the seas near Paphos is ideal for taking deep dives. The city offers well established diving schools equipped with fully qualified instructors to welcome the novice divers to plunge into the seas near Paphos. Any time of the year is good for diving in seas near Paphos.

Paphos Karting Centre:
Paphos Karting Centre is located just a 5 minutes walk or drive away from Paphos harbour. From Limassol, it takes only 35 minutes to reach this centre famous for its tracks. The floodlit track is the only bridge and tunnel track and one of the biggest and best karting tracks in Europe. Booking in advance is not needed to enjoy the thrilling tracks at Paphos Karting Centre which is open 7 days a week. The centre also provides a snack bar which offers food & drinks, a cafe, restroom etc. Visitors can arrive at or after 10 am and experience the rides till 6 pm from November to February. From 9am till 9pm from March till May and from 9am to 11pm from June to October.

Akamas Jeep Safari:
Paphos holidays are incomplete without a jeep safari to Akamas, a great adventure for nature lovers. The southwestern tip of Paphos Island is formed by the Akamas Peninsula, which is a nature preserve, home to 168 species of birds, 12 mammals, 20 reptiles and 16 butterflies. This magical and unexplored countryside unfolds the beautiful landscapes and coastal area; indeed a jewel in the southern crown of Cyprus. By availing this safari, the tourist can visit historic spots such as birthplace of Aphrodite, Avakas Gorge, Lara Bay, Baths of Aphrodite and Polis etc, to add more.

Old Venetian Camel Trail:
The camel trail is one of Paphos’ most adventurous activities. The Old Venetian Camel Trail takes the trailers to the remoter parts of the island while passing through the south of Chryssorogiatissa Monastery. The adventurous trip by jeep lasts for about half a day but is a treasure to cherish. The route is spotted with three ancient bridges : Kelephos, Elea and Roudias further west. History tells the tale that these bridges were built to enable pack animals, especially camels, to cross the river and trade copper from the Troodos mines to Paphos.

Paphos Byzantine Museum:
Paphos Byzantine Museum, located in a mediaeval fort near Paphos harbour area shows off the city’s beauty and history. The museum is one of the best museums, as it holds an interesting collection of artefacts from the Byzantine era, including icons dating back from the 12th to the18th century. The other museums such as the museum of St. Neophytos Monastery, the Byzantine Museum of Arsinoe, and the Omodos museum feature ecclesiastical treasures including icons, frescoes, manuscripts, woodcarvings, gold and silver covered gospels, and embroideries among which many artefacts trace back to the 7th and 8th century.

Top Paphos FAQs

Q.1) Where is Paphos located?

Ans : Paphos, a city rich in nature and history is located on the western coast of the island of Cyprus. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the town of Paphos is situated around a small harbour. This ancient town is said to be the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite.

Q.2) Which countries border Cyprus?

Ans : Cyprus is an island. Only Mediterranean Sea waters are found around Cyprus. Cyprus has Turkey to its north as the closest country. It has Syria and Lebanon towards its East, Israel towards Southeast to its South and Crete (Greece) towards its West.

Q.3) What kind of weather does the city of Paphos has?

Ans : You can enjoy your stay during any season in Paphos, as it has a very pleasant weather. Summers are warm and dry and last from April till mid-November while the winters are mild. You can also enjoy over 320 sunny days during the year.

Q.4) Which languages do the locals of Paphos speak?

Ans : The country of Cyprus has two official languages: Greek and Turkish. Eight percent locals of Paphos speak Greek while 20 per cent speak Turkish. Most Greek people speak good English. Additionally, other international languages such as French, Russian, German, Armenian, Cypriot Maronite, Arabic and Romani are recognized as minority languages.

Q.5) Does Paphos have an airport?

Ans : Paphos (or Pafos) is the main city on west coast of Cyprus and has its own International Airport (airport code PFO).It is located at 6.5 kilometres to southeast of the city of Paphos. Renovated in 2008, the airport manages around 2 million passengers in a year. Airport shuttles and taxis are most commonly used for transport but rental cars are also available.

Q.6) How to reach this scenic city of Paphos?

Ans : There are many flights to Paphos from the UK regional airport. After you are out of Paphos international airport, you can board low cost airport shuttles or taxis. These can be booked online in advance to get to the city of Paphos. You can also hire a rental car to reach your destination.

Q.7) What is the cost of a Cyprus visa?

Ans : The cost of a single or a double-entry visa can cost around EUR 10.26 while a multiple-entry visa costs around EUR 34.20. Fees are to be paid in RUR. Visas issued to Russian citizens are free of cost until further notice. Please note: the visa costs are subject to change.

Q.8) Is the Cyprus visa valid for entry to the Schengen zone?

Ans : No. Cyprus is not a part of the Schengen zone. Cyprus visas only entitle the visa-holders to enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

Q.9) What currency should I carry/use while in Paphos (Cyprus)?

Ans : The only accepted currency in Cyprus is Euro as the country is a member of the European Union. The Cypriot government adopted the Euro as the national currency on 1 January 2008. Most establishments and supermarkets accept all major credit cards while money and travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks. The island is dotted with ATMs that work 24 hours a day.

Q.10) What is the time zone of Paphos?

Ans : The time zone of Paphos is UTC/GMT +2 and the time zone abbreviation: EET - Eastern European Time.

Q.11) What are the contact numbers of emergency services in Paphos?

Ans : Below are the contact numbers you can dial in case of emergency.

· Paphos General Hospital: +357 26 803 100

· Paphos Police Headquarters: +357 26 806 060

· Paphos 24 hour pharmacy: +357 90 90 1416

In cases of emergency, it is advised to go straight to the local government hospital. The doctors at local government hospitals will always treat any patient, in emergency cases, on higher priority.

Q.12) Are waters near Paphos risky?

Ans : The waters around Paphos are calm and inviting. You can explore the sea caves, deserted coves and rock bridges safely. You can also experience the thrill of gliding on the sea wave on a speedboat and visit exceptional places. A safer choice is opting for boat safaris, cruising along famous coastal areas such as Paphos coast, Coral Bay, Akamas Bay, Lara Bay and finally Blue Lagoon.

Q.13) Can a non-Cypriot buy property in Paphos?

Ans : Though you are not a citizen of Cyprus, you can still purchase property in Paphos. After you have bought a property, all you need to do is get the Council of Ministers Permit to register the property on your name, when the separate title deed of the property is available. You or your lawyer on your behalf can make the application. During the process, you may take possession of the property without any restriction.

Q.14) Does Paphos have a huge number of bars, clubs and a happening nightlife?

Ans : Yes. Paphos has several bars and clubs. Most of the bars are concentrated in the area literally called as bar street, which makes nightlife in Paphos charming and unforgettable. But, in addition to that, the city is famous also for its sun-kissed beaches, sea-caves, coves, historical places, forts, archaeological sites, peninsulas and indigenous flora and fauna. So, don’t miss a chance to explore this facet of Paphos.

Q.15) Which is the best season to visit Paphos?

Ans : If you are looking forward to enjoy your holidays in Paphos, the best time to visit is between April and November. The months between June and October guarantee a fantastic weather and a beach holiday. Additionally, Paphos is famous for its rich history. The uncountable historical and archaeological sites such as Tomb of Kings, Paphos Castle, Paphos Light House, and Rock of Aphrodite dating back to Roman and prehistoric era, ornate the entire city. The town of Paphos is listed in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites for its cultural and natural treasures.

Getting Around in Paphos

Paphos offers many tourist attractions, historical places and heritage sites. The city is listed in UNESCO’s ‘World Heritage sites’.

Though public transport of the city facilitates visiting all Paphos attractions, exploring the city on foot is a great pleasure as most of the attractions are close to one another, within a walking distance. For those who are willing to avoid summer heat or are interested in investing time in sight-seeing rather than walking to different sites, numerous modes of transport are available. The public transport system of the city is efficient and reliable. One may also hire a car or go for taxi services available in the city.

Bus System

Taxis

Taxi services in Paphos work no different from those in any other tourist place in the world. Taxis in Paphos are fleets of cars and shared cabs and buses as well. Some of which are licensed and some are unlicensed. The unlicensed taxis are the cheapest and compete well with the licensed cars/buses. They offer pick-and-drop from-or-to the airport as well.

Intercity taxi service is offered in shared 4-to 8-seater minibuses. This service provides a connection service between all major towns at a fixed rate. As rates are not fixed, negotiating the fare before you get into a taxi is a must; otherwise you run the risk of being ripped off. Shared taxis operate like shuttles.

Car Rental

Hiring a car allows exploring the island and its outskirts according to your choice and pace. You can rent a car in Paphos by booking it online in advance or the time you reach the city.

Car hire services in Paphos are competitively priced and so longer trips can be planned. If some adventure or less travelled roads such as roads to Akamas Peninsula are in your mind, hiring more sturdy cars that have an extra ground clearance is a wise choice as the roads are bumpy, rutted and potholed.

Communication in Paphos

Though the city is comparatively small, the communication technology has seen a noticeable progress. As one of the most toured cities in the world, Paphos is striving to come up with the latest modes of communication such as internet, mobile phones along with traditional ways such as newspaper and radios.

The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish, although in practice Turkish is no longer spoken in the south. Cypriot Greek differs quite significantly from mainland Greek (i.e. Athenian), but they are mutually intelligible. But, as English speakers in Paphos are on rise, the language is fairly well spoken and represented in the local media - radio, television and print.

Along with local languages several English language radio channels are in action. Rock FM is aired for 24 hours in Paphos broadcasting music from English rock and pop, jazz, blues and show genre. Radio Paphos broadcasts news in local languages and in English as well.

Omega TV Paphos and Pafos TV show television programs to the Paphos district. The topics of programs are varied, including Greek and English news, weather, art and literature, politics, local interest and sports. Cartoons and films are also screened by these stations. Nationwide commercial broadcasters include Mega Channel and Sigma TV. Sigma TV offers live TV streaming from their website.

There are three English language newspapers in Cyprus: Cyprus Mail, The Cyprus Weekly and The Financial Mirror.

Paphos is the first dedicated Internet news station in Cyprus with news from Paphos. CYTA, the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority is the main telecom carrier in Cyprus, including Paphos and until recent times, it enjoyed a leading position in this sector. The company is partly owned by the government. CYTA has taken most of the telecom infrastructure in Cyprus under its wings. Its ADSL service has the widest coverage but some remote villages may face unavailability of the network.

In Cyprus, ADSL is the leading broadband technology with multiple providers offering packages that range from 1Mbps to 24Mbps. Until recently, there were no cable TV networks in Paphos and Cyprus as a whole and so cable internet was not available. Today, Cablenet is the only cable company in Cyprus and it provides up to 40Mbps speed.3G mobiles or dedicated 3G data cards are also used as a modem to get broadband services today. But the coverage is limited to urban areas and they are currently offered by CytaMobile Vodafone and MTN mobile carriers.

Satellite Internet solutions is the only option available for broadband services where ADSL is not available. This option is quite costly but it is available in all parts of the island.