21+ Astounding Items To Do in Paphos Cyprus in 2024

Paphos is a flourishing tourist destination on the southwest coast of Cyprus and there are numerous explanations for its popularity. Even though a lot of arrive for the solar-kissed seashores and cocktails, many history buffs appear to take a look at historic ruins, nature fans to hike the Troodos trails, or foodies to indulge in Mediterranean cuisine.

Regardless of what your purpose for checking out this gorgeous island of Cyprus, this manual highlights the best things to do in Paphos to make absolutely sure you have the vacation of a life span!

Stroll Akamas path – Greatest things to do in Paphos

About Paphos Cyprus

Where is Paphos Cyprus?

Paphos (Pafos) is a city located on the southwest coastline of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. It is the cash of Paphos District and there are 2 places – the Outdated City and New Paphos, which is also known as Kato Paphos.

What is Paphos regarded for?

Paphos is a UNESCO Environment Heritage site such as historical Greek and Roman ruins this kind of as the Tombs of the Kings and the Roman mosaics of the Paphos Archaeological Park. Although Paphos is recognised for being the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, it is also well-known for its beautiful beaches, energetic cultural scene, and pleasant Mediterranean local weather.

How was Cyprus shaped?

Cyprus fashioned by tectonic plate collisions and volcanic action around hundreds of thousands of many years, building its diverse landscape. Its geological historical past involves the convergence of African and Eurasian plates and subsequent volcanic eruptions.

Greatest factors to do in Paphos Cyprus

Examine Akamas Character Reserve

The Akamas Peninsula is home to the renowned Aphrodite Character Trail (Loutra tis Afroditis). This circular climbing route commences at the Baths of Aphrodite, a small pool exactly where she is believed to have bathed. We ascended by way of carob trees and Cyprus sage and walked along the scenic paths to finish the 7km trail. You cannot are unsuccessful to fall in enjoy with the spectacular contrast of the crystal clear turquoise waters with the rugged green shoreline.

The most effective reward soon after a hike is lunch with a look at. Knowledge the fish mezze at Baths of Aphrodite where by the dishes of Cypriot meals, dips, and salads just keep coming. Of program, paired with the neighborhood white wine.

Kato Paphos Archaeological Park

The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park is a UNESCO Entire world Heritage Site located around the picturesque shoreline of Paphos, Cyprus. This open up-air museum spans from the 4th century BC to the Middle Ages and predominantly showcases remnants from the Roman era. To learn far more about its fascinating record and treasures, I’d recommend using a guided tour by a local.

Kato Pafos Archaeological Park

Paphos Mosaics

Paphos is renowned for its substantial selection of historical mosaics, with quite a few examples identified in web pages such as the Paphos Archaeological Park, which includes the Residences of Dionysus, Theseus, Aion, and Household of Four Seasons. It is nuts to assume these intricate ground mosaics day from the 2nd to the 5th hundreds of years Advertisement and were only uncovered in 1962.

The Dwelling of Theseus is the most significant household composition in Roman Cyprus consisting of a lot more than 100 rooms. While it is residence to a lot of stunning mosaics, my favourite is the mosaic depicting the legendary fight between Theseus and the Minotaur in the Labyrinth of Crete.

Mosaic in The House of Theseus

The House of Aion characteristics intricate mosaics from the Roman interval, including the popular Aion mosaic depicting the god of eternity.

The Home of Aion

Odeon Amphitheatre

The Ancient Odeon, a spotlight of Pafos Archaeological Park, dates again to the 2nd Century Advert. Carved into Fabrica Hill, it served as an amphitheatre until finally the 5th Century Ad. The Odean sits on Agora, an old market, and a white-washed 20m superior lighthouse can be found prominently on the hill.

|| Kato Paphos Archaeological Park is open up each day, although occasions fluctuate for each period. Entrance charge is €4.50.

Ancient Odeon Amphitheatre

Examine Paphos Harbour

Restaurants and boat excursions

Paphos Harbour is a charming spot to kick back and look at the motion as the boats come in and out. Along the waterfront are several restaurants giving a wide range of cuisines, and you really couldn’t check with for the capture of the day to be any fresher. Browse testimonials of the dining establishments on Paphos Harbour.

For the additional adventurous, choose a boat tour from Paphos Harbour on a range of vessels. Check out the Jolly Roger pirate sailing ship, a glass-bottomed boat, or a sunset cruise. Ships ahoy!

Paphos Castle

Hold going for walks previous the dining places as there are additional points to do in Paphos harbour. Paphos Castle, a medieval fortress dating back again to the 13th century, is surrounded by a moat of h2o, it is truly worth a check out!

The construction was initially created by the Byzantines to safeguard the harbour, and just after it was destroyed in the 1922 earthquake, it was remodelled by the Lusignans, altered by Genoese, then Venetians. The Ottomans transformed it into a jail and mosque. Restored in 1780, it was employed as prison cells and salt storage all through British rule.

Paphos Castle was declared an historic monument in 1935, and a UNESCO Entire world Heritage Record monument in 1980. It now hosts cultural activities like the Paphos Aphrodite Pageant, showcasing entire world-class operas in its historic placing each year in September.

|| Paphos Castle is open up everyday, though times change for every season. Entrance charge is €2.50.

Paphos Castle is surrounded by water

Visit the Tombs of the Kings

The ancient Tombs of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to the 4th century BC. Portion of the Kato Pafos Archaeological Park, this collection of underground tombs belonged to higher-ranking officers, not royalty. I was blown absent by outstanding rock-reduce tombs which are adorned with intricate carvings and frescoes.

In my humble viewpoint, the Tombs of the Kings is a person of the best historical tourist sights in Paphos, and must not be skipped.

|| The Tombs of the Kings is open day by day, despite the fact that occasions range for every period. Entrance charge is €2.50.

Locate the Frescos at Agios Neophytos Monastery

Agios Neophytos Monastery, started by the hermit Neophytos in the 12th century, is a genuine gem and a person of the ideal places to stop by near Paphos.

The monastery serves as an ecclesiastical museum showcasing paintings and artifacts as nicely as the continues to be of Neophytos in a sarcophagus and his skull in a independent silver casket.

The major drawcard for me is the cave known as ‘Enkleistra’ which was carved out of the mountains by Neophytos’ possess palms! Not only that, but the gorgeous show of Byzantine frescoes at the entrance and in the course of the cave are nevertheless so apparent. The painter, Theodore Apsuedes, dated the frescos as 1183, which was during Neophytos’ life time.

|| Agios Neophytos Monastery is open every day from 9 am despite the fact that periods range per period. Entrance rate to Museum and Enkleistra: €2,00

Paphos Outdated City

Just take time to explore the items to do in Paphos Previous Town. Visit The Spot and wander into Ibrahim Khan, each dwelling communities of artists to Kennedy Square and 28th of October Sq., wherever the classical-style City Corridor stands.

Admire lately learned underground ruins and the wonderful Holy Bishopric of Pafos, then love panoramic sights from Axiothea Hill overlooking Paphos Lighthouse and Harbour.

Go to The Location

The Location is a wonderful gallery and store housing handicrafts by community artisans such as jewelry, glassware, and Cypriot foodstuff. Witness artisans at function in the studio, get a appear at some of the traditional tactics these types of as encaustic and pyrographic art, and even craft your very own mosaic fridge for €6. A have to-pay a visit to in Paphos to support regional expertise!

Artist at The Put in Paphos

Road Artwork of Paphos

Strolling via the streets, preserve your eyes peeled to find out urban artwork large up, down aspect streets, or murals that address the full aspect of buildings and you seriously just can’t miss out on.

The Aphrodite outdoor mural, a standout piece in Paphos, was designed in 2017 for the Avenue Art Sq. Pageant. It was a collaborative work by artists BillyGee, Alex Martinez, and Lune82er to rejoice the goddess of appreciate.

Street artwork of Aphrodite

Find Edro3 Shipwreck

The Edro3 Shipwreck is a sunken cargo vessel from Sierra Leone that ran aground off the coast of Pegeia close to Paphos. The ship was ailing from Sierra Leone to Rhodes when it bought caught in major seas in 2011.

Owing to rust, it is not safe to get on board but it is attainable from the h2o as Edro III shipwreck has turn out to be an artificial reef and a preferred diving site to investigate its construction and notice the underwater ecosystem.

Edro3 Shipwreck

Watch Aphrodite’s Rock

Aphrodite’s Rock, or Petra tou Romiou (Rock of Roman), stands majestically alongside the highway linking Paphos and Limassol. Its heart-shaped silhouette towards the pebbly seaside is considered to be the birthplace of Aphrodite exactly where the Greek goddess rose from the crashing waves of the sea.

The legend goes that any one who swims around Aphrodite’s Rock a few times is blessed by the goddess with genuine really like and everlasting magnificence. It looked fairly choppy out there so I imagined I’d give this a pass up!

Aphrodite’s Rock

Take a look at the Village of Fyti

The village of Fyti is renowned for its UNESCO-recognised Fythkiotika weaving methods. These geometric signature styles have been established on the loom in the village since the Medieval period. It is an honour to fulfill Irène Diomidous and her daughter Diamant who are preserving the custom alive as it has passed by generations of their family. They will even enable you unfastened on the loom to have a go!

The Fyti Weaving Museum across the street homes a selection of photographs of villagers, along with antique tools used in weaving, farming, and homemaking—an interesting insight into the past.

Stop by Epskopi Environmental Centre

For the character lovers browsing Paphos, you really should make your way to the Epskopi Natural environment Centre. Below, you can discover an interactive exhibition to acquire insights into the geology, flora, and fauna of the Ezousa Valley. Also, you can wander through the wild botanical backyard made to draw in numerous wildlife.

Make your way to Cyprus’s greatest monolith, standing at an amazing height of 70 meters and stretching 250 meters in duration. Often referred to as the “Meteora of Cyprus,” this geological marvel was a fragment of a larger boulder that fell all through an earthquake in 1953. It is a haven for birds and, if fortuitous, you catch a glimpse of exceptional falcons—I was not so lucky!

Experience Wine-tasting in Cyprus

With Cyprus’s wine-earning legacy spanning 5,000 a long time, a pay a visit to to a vineyard is a should. We all know this is purely to discover the island’s historic culture and not just because I appreciate a wine or two, right?

Cyprus’s soil and local climate produce the perfect situations for grape cultivation, from crisp whites to strong reds, and aromatic rose. Through my stop by to Vasilikon Vineyard in the Akamas Laona location, I relished a guided tour and sampled their seasonal wines.

So, whether or not you are a connoisseur or a novice, a wine-tasting tour is a enjoyable thing to do in Paphos.

Wine-tasting near Paphos

Eat mezze in Cypriot dining places

A person of my top issues to do In Paphos is indulge in reliable Cypriot cuisine. Why does it taste so much much better in a conventional rustic taverna?

I liked almost everything about the fusion of Mediterranean flavours from the domestically-created halloumi cheese, souvlaki, moussaka, and conventional meze spreads brimming with olives, hummus, and tzatziki. Fairly frankly, if you’re not addicted to Cypriot food items prior to you get there on the island, you will be when you depart!

I advocate Antigo Mezedopoleio for genuine eating or if you fancy a treat, Minthis Resort generates the greatest locally sourced conventional dishes with a twist.

Cypriot Village Salad

Get a Cypriot food items tour

If you have guessed now, I am mad about meze after my vacation. What better way to check out community specialties and get insights into neighborhood customs than using a foodstuff tour in Cyprus?

Halloumi is the hallmark of Cyprus and has a complete diverse flavour than what we get back again dwelling. It is intriguing to enjoy how it is manufactured and finest of all, taste it in numerous recipes. To get the total-day encounter with a neighborhood spouse and children, e book a halloumi and wine tour in the Troodos mountains.

Halloumi-building workshop

Love standard Cypriot dancing

Get prepared for a flavor of Cyprus’s energetic spirit at The Konia Tavern on a Friday evening! Dig into mouthwatering Cypriot dishes, pay attention to are living tunes, and enjoy couples dance the traditional techniques. Before long enough, far more teams (such as us) are on their feet, tossing paper handkerchiefs in the air dancing the night absent.

Alternatively, check out a classic folklore clearly show with signature moves like arms held out, finger-clicking, and handkerchief-holding. The gentlemen typically dance with more vigour contrasting with the graceful actions of the females.

The Cypriot clearly show at Athena Seaside Resort Paphos finished with a mesmerising finale: a performer skillfully balancing drinking glasses on his head whilst dancing, leaving the audience in awe.

Check out the sunsets in Paphos

Vibrant Paphos sunsets paint the sky with hues of orange, pink, and purple, casting a breathtaking glow about the Mediterranean Sea. This extraordinary vision is possible whether or not you go to Paphos in the wintertime or summer months.

Vivid sunset in Paphos

Plan your Paphos excursion

How to get to Paphos

My journey to Paphos was with Jet2, known for its spending plan-helpful travel choices. Inspite of the cost-effective fares, my knowledge was a enjoyable a person with a welcoming team onboard. Jet2 flies from 11 airports in England and Scotland making Paphos simply accessible from the British isles. Look at flights to Paphos with Jet2

Are Jet2 sustainable?

Jet2 has a ‘Jet2 Journey to Internet Zero‘ approach that outlines their sustainability initiatives to achieve a focus on of web zero carbon emissions by 2050.  This consists of fuelling their planes from residence waste and investing in far more successful planes.

Suggested Coverage for Cyprus

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How to get all over Paphos

Of course, Paphos is comparatively walkable, significantly in the central parts where by you’ll discover sights like the Paphos Archaeological Park, the harbour, and many shops and restaurants.

If you approach to discover areas exterior the city centre or pay a visit to points of interest further more absent, you may perhaps will need alternative transportation such as buses, taxis, or rental cars and trucks. If you want a exciting working day with a regional tutorial, consider a jeep safari tour.

Exactly where to remain in Paphos

There is a wonderful selection of accommodations in Paphos and Jet2 has a collection of sustainable hotels to pick out from. As a accountable traveller, this would make holiday investigate a a lot easier method.

My continue to be at Constantinou Bros Royal Athena Beach Hotel was a gorgeous area on a palm tree-lined promenade with Mediterranean sea views. The resort has attained Travellife Gold Certification for Lodging Sustainability, as effectively as volunteering in local community jobs, rising their make, and sourcing regionally.

Athena Royal Seaside Lodge in Paphos

PIN FOR YOUR PAPHOS Excursion

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