What to see in Paphos? The Paphos region is rich in historical attractions above all. Enthusiasts of excavations will certainly not be bored. Moreover, according to Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the Greek goddess, was born off the shores of Paphos.
I must admit that every time I go to Cyprus, I’m drawn to Paphos. Even if I bought a ticket to Larnaca, I prefer to reserve accommodation in this area of the island. Why? I love mountains and historical mysteries. Besides, it’s greener there than in the other regions of the island.
Where to start exploring historical and mythological places in Paphos? You will read about it below.
Table of Contents
Tombs of the Kings in Paphos
The most famous tourist attractions in Paphos? The Tombs of the Kings. Although they are royal due to their size, there are about a hundred underground tombs here. Interestingly, these underground tombs were carved into the rock. There is an old church here, as well as ancient frescoes. Interestingly, aristocrats, not kings, were buried in these tombs.
This place is extraordinary even if tombs have never been in your closest interests. No wonder the Tombs of the Kings, along with the Archaeological Park and the Temple of Aphrodite in Kuklia, have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Paphos Archaeological Park
After the tombs, it’s worth visiting the famous Archaeological Park. This area includes the ruins of an ancient Greek and Roman city. Today, we can admire the ancient agora, the odeon, and the still impressive mysterious mosaics (although the most beautiful ones I’ve seen are under Giazantep).
Besides the archaeological park, it’s a great place for a walk and a picnic, for example, with a view of the sea and the lighthouse.
Paphos Castle
This is one of the postcard-worthy places in Paphos. This Byzantine castle dates back to the 13th century and is located right next to the aforementioned Archaeological Park. It served as a fortress, prison, and even a salt warehouse. By visiting the castle, we can say that we have already seen three main attractions in Paphos.
Petra tou Romiou, the Birthplace of Aphrodite
This mythological place is the birthplace of Aphrodite. From the upper parking lot, we can marvel at this amazing place. The panoramic landscape and the very blue, crystal-clear sea water make such an impression that I’m inclined to believe that it all really happened. 🙂
Baths of Aphrodite
This is one of the most famous places on the island. More precisely, mythical places. According to Greek mythology, it was in this charming place that Aphrodite met Adonis, who fell in love with the goddess at these baths.
It’s definitely worth visiting the Baths because of the Botanical Garden. However, the Baths of Aphrodite may not always make an impression. Much depends on the timing, specifically whether there has been any rain recently.
Akamas Park
In the Paphos region, we can visit Akamas Park and the Paphos Forest (partly in this district). Akamas Park is surrounded by the sea on two sides, so the landscape is amazing. Some want to drive into it, but without a 4×4 drive, it’s rather impossible. Even with drive, it may not be easy. We were on foot in Akamas, and in my opinion, it’s better to walk a bit to assess whether it’s possible. The most popular route leads to Blue Lagoon Beach. As for the Paphos Forest, we only drove through it, so it’s hard for me to evaluate walks on those routes.
Aphrodite’s Rock This is an interesting rock formation located near the Baths of Aphrodite. It’s not as famous as Petra tou Romiou, nor is it as spectacular. However, on the way, you can visit and stop for coffee in a café located on the edge of the island (of course, with a view of the aforementioned goddess’s rock). The view of Aphrodite’s Rock is one of the more famous viewpoints in Cyprus.
Other Interesting Places in Paphos
In Paphos, we can go to various places, from more famous to those not mentioned yet:
- Paphos Zoo is highly recommended and visited by many satisfied tourists, an ideal place for families with children.
- Kouklia, or the Temple of Aphrodite, is a place for true enthusiasts of ancient ruins.
Beaches in Paphos
In this part of the island, among the most popular beaches are Coral Bay, located about 10 km from the city. Coral Bay is a beautiful sandy beach, one of the most famous in Cyprus. If you prefer more intimate beaches, I recommend Yiannakis Beach. It’s not sandy, but small gravel stones are not a big inconvenience. During the season, no one will throw sand in your face. For romantic sunsets, the best beaches are in Pomos (already) and even in Latsi. Blue Lagoon Beach is a place I couldn’t reach, but on the coast of Akamas Park, we will find several lagoons that may not necessarily be crowded by tourists.
Tip for dog owners: traveling from Latsi to Akamas Park, we can find a beach where we can go with a dog. It’s marked, so you probably won’t miss it. Tip if you’re traveling out of season: when in March in the south of the island, you can easily enter the water in Ayia Napa; in Paphos, the sea is still cold enough to resemble our August Baltic Sea.
Where to Eat in Paphos?
In Cyprus, we can try various specialties: both Greek and Turkish, but also those that are only available on the island, e.g., great meze. Where to eat in Paphos? For lunch, I can recommend a good restaurant located a bit away from Paphos – Phidias Tavern. Here everything is really tasty, so much so that the mayor comes here on Sundays.
I really like grilling, so most dinners we prepared at home. It’s probably the best solution when you want total, vacation relaxation. If you’re going shopping, you’ll find Lidl in Cyprus, but for me, the best offers and products are in Papantoniou Supermarket. You’ll find it in larger cities, and there’s practically everything there, from olives by weight, through suitcases, to Polish vodka. ?
Where to Stay in Paphos
The choice of accommodations is really extensive; in this area, I booked both apartments and beautiful villas with a pool. I booked everything through booking.com.
If you’re interested in accommodations in Cyprus, you’ll find recommended places under this link.
If you have any suggestions or memories from Cyprus vacations, let me know. Let’s exchange useful information in the comments.
