Paphos

Paphos Destination Guide

The Cypriot town of Paphos, the Capital of the West, is positively teeming with history. It is the site of the island's second international airport and the shrine of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. The resort town has, as its focal point, a charming fishing harbour right by Paphos Fort.

A good tour in Paphos would lead you through the various periods in the history of Cyprus. The beautifully architectured Byzantine, Roman and Turkish masterpieces are only just a few samples of the exquisite spots of tourist interest in Paphos!

Our Paphos destination guide and Paphos tour suggestions will tell you all you need to know about the best places to visit in Paphos. And be sure to check out some general Cyprus travel information, or some of the local highlights of Limassol, Athens or Lebanon.

Paphos is a small destination but it does have quite a lot of highlights to offer the history fans. So much in fact that UNESCO has added most parts of the town to its World Cultural Heritage List. In Lower Paphos you will come upon Roman buildings, a Byzantine palace, Christian churches, a Frankish bath and Turkish castle architecture. On the other hand, Upper Paphos (Ktima), which once used to be the burial grounds for New Paphos, has three small museums to offer.

Things to See & Do in Paphos

Paphos District Archaeological Museum


This museum has an impressive collection of antique treasures from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD. The museum is at Griva Digeni 43.

Byzantine Museum


Located at A. Ioannou 3, the museum holds an interesting collection of objects from the Byzantine period, including Byzantine icons from the Seventh to Eighteenth centuries, and the oldest icon found yet in Cyprus of the Seventh or Eighth century.

Ethnographical Museum


Located at Exo Vrysis 1, the museum holds an interesting private collection of objects from the Neolithic Age to the present day.

Paphos Mediaeval Fort


At the Kato Paphos harbour, this was originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour. It was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the Thirteenth century, dismantled by the Venetians in 1570, and rebuilt by the Ottomans after they captured the island in the Sixteenth century.

Ayia Solomoni Church


These magnificent tombs from the 4th century BC are located in Kato Paphos. The subterranean tombs are spread over a huge area and carved out of rock. Some tombs are decorated with Doric pillars. In spite of the name, the tombs were not those of kings but of high officials.

Tombs of the Kings


In Kato Paphos, spread over a vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to the Fourth century BC. They are carved out of solid rock with some being decorated with Doric pillars. High officials rather than Kings were buried here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.

The Mosaics of Paphos - House of Dionysos, House of Theseus and House of Aion.


Located in Kato Paphos, these noblemen’s villas have mosaic floors dating back to the 3rd and 5th centuries AD. Displaying scenes from Greek mythology, they are believed to be the best mosaics in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Paphos Odeon


This theatre was built in Kato Paphos in the 2nd century using limestone blocks. Music and theatre shows are still hosted here during the summer. The remains of the walls of the ancient city, the Roman Agora, and a building dedicated to the God of Medicine, Asklipeios, are nearby.

Saranta Kolones


In Kato Paphos, near the harbour, the Lusignans built this castle at the beginning of Thirteenth century on the site of a previous Byzantine Castle. An earthquake destroyed it in 1222.

Panayia Chrysopolitissa Church and Byzantine Basilica


Built in the 13th century, this church is located in Kato Paphos and it was constructed over the ruins of the biggest Byzantine basilica in the area. Also seen in the church compound is St. Paul's Pillar, where St. Paul was believed to have been whipped. This was before the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus became a Christian.

Theoskepasti Church


Theoskepasti Church is located in Kato Paphos. It is believed that God sent a fog to protect the church from Arab invaders – hence the name Theoskepasti, which means, “Veiled by God”. The church seen today was built in 1923.

Yeroskipou Folk Art Museum


In Yeroskipou village, the name of the village comes from the Greek phrase, 'Hhieros Kepos', the sacred garden of Aphrodite. A fascinating collection of folk art and crafts is gathered together in Hadjismith.

Ayia Paraskevi Church


Built in the 10th century, this is an attractive and fascinating Byzantine church located in the village Geroskipou. It has wall paintings that are from the 5th century and its most unusual feature is its five domes. They are positioned above a vaulted basilica in such a fashion that they form a cross.

Sanctuary of Aphrodite


Palea Paphos or Old Paphos, located in Kouklia village, and 14 km east of Paphos, was at one time an ancient city-kingdom of Cyprus and also a famous centre of pilgrimage of the ancient Greeks. The Sanctuary of Aphrodite is located here and parts of it date back to the 12th century BC. The sanctuary’s fame lasted till the 3rd or 4th century AD. Today, there is a museum in Lusignan Manor and it contains a variety of interesting finds. The city, the necropolis and the site of the sanctuary still continue to pique the interest of archaeologists, and excavations continue.

Petra Tou Romiou


The Petra Tou Romiou or the Rock of the Greek is located around 25 km east of Paphos. Legend has it that this is the rock from which the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, rose from the waves. The Greek name is actually associated with the legendary Dighenis Akritas. He was a frontier guard during Byzantine times and he kept away the plundering Saracens with unbelievable strength. It is believed that he once hauled a huge rock (petra) and threw it into the sea, completely destroying the enemy ship.

Panayia Chryseleousa


In Polemi Village, this is a complex of two churches. The oldest is the northern one, which is a domed cross-in-square type building possibly of the Twelfth century. Later in the Eighteenth century, a barrel-vaulted church was added to the south. Excellent Sixteenth century icons survive on the iconostasis.

Pegeia (Ayios Georghios Basilica and the fountains of Pegeia)


The ruins of two early Christian basilicas can be seen at a site close to a fishing village, around 4 km from Pegeia. They have very fascinating mosaic floors that depict animals. It is believed to have been a place of some significance in early Christian times. Pegeia’s fountains in the stone-paved village square are quite famous too. Rock-cut tombs from Roman times can also be seen above the sea.

Lempa Village


Lempa Village is a pretty little village near the sea. It is historically significant as it was the site of a Chalcolithic settlement. Many dwellings have been reconstructed and the site gives visitors a glimpse into the Chalcolithic life of the past.

Ayios Neophytos Monastery


Founded at the end of the Twelfth century by the Cypriot hermit and writer, Neophytos. The 'Engleistra', an enclosure, carved out of the mountain by the hermit iteself, contains some of the finest Byzantine frescoes dating from the Twelfth to the Fifteenth century. In the monastery's church there is an interesting collection of icons and remains of Sixteenth century frescoes.

Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery


This monastery was first built in the 12th century, although the present building was built as recently as 1779. It is set in very picturesque surroundings and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate. A beautiful religious ceremony along with celebrations is held annually on 15th August. Incidentally, some of the best vintage wines in Cyprus are made in the old winery here!

Pano Panayia


The first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, was born here. The house where he was born is to the west of the Troodos range and about 1.5 km from Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery. His home is now a museum.

Polis Chrysochous


This town is located 37 km north of Paphos, on the same site where the ancient city-kingdom of Marion once thrived. Marion was an important centre of commerce during the Classical and Hellenistic era. The area has very pleasant climate in addition to the lovely scenery and beaches, making it very attractive as a tourist destination. Wonderful homes, built about hundred years ago, are still standing.

An interesting building in the centre of the town is the Church of Agios Andronikos. This tunnel-vaulted church was built in the 16th century. The church was converted into a mosque when the Turks reigned over the area. The northern part of the building was also constructed during the Turkish period and they covered the 16th century wall paintings with asbestos wash. However, the paintings have been recovered and restored in recent times. The Church of Agia Kyriaki is next to the Church of Agios Andronikos and dates back to the 18th century.

Lovely beaches, villages, and fascinating churches can be seen all around this area. Agia Aikaterini and Panagia Chorteni are two noteworthy churches.

Baths Of Aphrodite


Legend has it that Aphrodite frequented this spot. There is a pool shaded by a fig tree in the natural grotto here, and Aphrodite is believed to have taken her beauty baths in this pool. There are nature trails from the Baths and they lead to several areas of Akamas, including the Fontana Amorosa area. The Baths of Aphrodite are located in Akamas Peninsula, around 48 km north of Paphos and near Polis.

Paphos Aquarium


A trip to the Paphos Aquarium makes for a lovely family outing. It is located in downtown Paphos and has a great restaurant and gift shop on its premises. The view from the restaurant is lovely too – the town’s picture perfect port and castle are easily visible. The aquarium has a fantastic range of aquatic life including both freshwater and sea fish.

St. Paul’s Pillar


St. Paul’s Pillar is also located in Pyphos and is to which St. Paul was believed to have been tied and whipped

Geroskipou Village


The village Geroskipou is famous for its sweet delight, the “loukoumi”. It also has a Folk Art Museum and an extraordinary Byzantine church with five domes, called Agia Paraskevi.

Agios Neofytos Museum


The hermit Neofytos founded the Agios Neofytos Museum. Its most remarkable feature is the Encleistra enclosure, which was carved by Neofytos himself. It displays some of the best Byzantine frescoes, dating back to the 12th and 15th centuries.

Peninsula of Akamas


The foothills of the western Troodos range slope gently along the lower regions of Paphos, an area dotted with banana plantations. This attractive area is the entrance to the Peninsula of Akamas. The peninsula boasts of incredible natural beauty, with astounding gorges, incredible coastlines and picturesque nature trails.





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Kalos Orisate! Welcome to Paphos!

Meet Tommys and George, your local connection in Paphos.

We are a Father and Son team with a vast collection of experince in the hotel and tourism industry. Passionate about Cyprus we will be happy to assist with all your travel arrangements.

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