A charming little harbour town, Paphos is the capital of the Cyprus' western region. The people here are warm, hospitable and really hearty souls! Every family continues to live by its ancient traditions and local culture. The food is plentiful, the Paphos hotels are warm and inviting, and afternoons are a great time for a short siesta and a chat with the family. Truly captivating, and yet, truly simple, this Cypriot town has all the markings of a memorable holiday.
Paphos is a lively, cosmopolitan Cypriot town surrounded by mountains, the sea and its beaches. The unique mix of modern day technology with ancient history makes this town simply perfect for a beautiful and relaxing break. Laced with a gorgeous coastline, Paphos is completed by its charming villages up in its mountains, where the customs and traditions of the country still live on.
Paphos consists of two areas: the coastal resort area (Kato Paphos) and the town itself (Pano Paphos) which is slightly inland. In Paphos, the sun shines all day long in the radiant town and is great for sightseeing or as a base for a local Paphos tour. There are many Paphos hotels, both big and small for tourists to stay in, and all of the hotels in Paphos have kindly staff who will be happy to help you with your every need.
A great way to get this part of Europe is through Athens. You could then explore mainland Greece or its many wonderful islands, before heading to Limassol or Paphos. You could also use Cyprus as a base to visit other amazing Mediterranean destinations like Turkey and Lebanon!
Paphos has a remarkable history and the number of archaeological sites makes it seem like an open museum, so much so that UNESCO simply added the whole town to its World Cultural Heritage List. After all, this is the birthplace and centre of worship of the Goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite! Countless ancient sites lie along the coastline from the picturesque harbour to the modern town centre, and many treasures have been unearthed here. If you want to stay close to a particular landmark, our map page shows you hotels in Paphos you can book with us.
Its many treasures include the remarkable mosaics in the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, still beautiful after 16 centuries under the soil. There is also the Tombs of the Kings, the Pillar to which Saint Paul was allegedly tied and whipped, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the Byzantine Museum and the District Archaeological Museum. The remains of the ancient city walls are still evident, as well as the Roman Agora and a building dedicated to Asklepeos, god of medicine. You could even take a tour in Paphos to help you see the sights. Check out the latest information about cheap flights to Cyprus!
Legend has it that the mythological Greek goddess Aphrodite rose from the waves of the ocean on Petra tou Romiou or Venus Rock, the huge rock that protrudes out of the sea here. The legend sparked a wave of cult worship that continued for centuries. Another symbol of her legendary fondness for the island is the Baths of Aphrodite at Polios. The remains of the Sanctuary of Aphrodite can be seen at Palea Paphos, Kouklia.