Sightseeing in and Around the Paphos Area

Paphos is a small city in the South West of Cyprus. There are a few places to see of a historical nature and there are some local attractions too.

The Beaches in Paphos

The beaches in Paphos are rocky and sandy. There are a few places where you can sunbathe, such as, at the harbour beach, further along at Alexander the Great beach or behind Tomb of the King's Road. The best beach for water sports, swimming and scuba diving is in Coral Bay. The water at Coral Bay is so clear that it is perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Historical Sites in Paphos

Visiting Paphos Harbour is a unique spot. There you will see the castle. This castle once formed part of the defence system. It was built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbour. It was rebuilt by the Lusignians in the 13^th century and then later it was dismantled in 1570 by the Venetians, who found themselves unable to defend it against the Ottomans, who later restored and strengthened it after they captured the island. Since 1935, it has been declared an ancient monument and is now considered as one of the hallmarks of Paphos.

The Byzantine Museum is also another historical place to visit. The Byzantine Museum has a fascinating collection of objects, including Byzantine icons from the period of the 12^th to 18^th century.

The Tomb of the Kings is, also, a place to visit where there is a vast spread of underground tombs dating back to 4^th century BC. The tombs are carved out of solid rock and some decorated with Doric pillars. The tombs are buried with high officials rather than Kings and it was named Tomb of the Kings for the brilliance of the tombs. Tomb of the Kings is situated on the Tomb of the Kings Road.

The Paphos Mosaics is one of the historic sites on the island of Cyprus. Situated between the harbour and Kato Paphos, they are considered one of the finest mosaics in the Eastern Mediterranean. They show scenes from Greek Mythology dating back from 2^nd to the 5^th century AD. They are still in excellent condition today.

The House of Dionysus and the House of Theseus are two great historic places to see. The houses are fabulous to explore and have beautiful mosaic decorations of art.

There is, also, the Paphos Odeon to visit. This 2^nd century Odeon was built of well-hewn limestone blocks and seats 1200 people. It is now used for musical and theatrical performances. Nearby are the remains of the Roman Agora (an ancient marketplace), the remains of the ancient city walls and a building dedicated to the ancient God of medicine, Asklipeios.

The Adonis Baths are waterfalls located just outside of Paphos. It is a peaceful area with water all around and waterfalls. According to Greek Mythology, Adonis the lover of Aphrodite used to bathe in these waters. Here you can swim and swing from ropes into the mountain waters. It is only a short drive from Paphos.

The Akamas peninsula situated to the north west of Paphos is a unique area with wildlife, landscapes and coasts. Most people take safari trips up into the Akamas from Paphos, as it is one of the most famous trips to do whilst in Paphos. The Akamas has a rich historical and cultural heritage. According to the Greek mythology the area took its name from Akamas, son of Theseus. It is, also, believed that this is where Aphrodite and Adonis had their love trysts.

Shopping in Paphos

If you want to shop in Paphos, then go to the harbour. There are many boutiques and some souvenir shops to visit. There is, also, the old town of Paphos for shopping. There you will find a market, which opens at 7.30 a.m. and closes at 1.30 p.m. and is open daily except Sundays. In the old town of Paphos, there is a precinct of further shops out on the street. It is also known for its many shoe shops, which Paphos is famous for high quality leather shoes. Shops are open from 8.30 a.m. until 6.30 p.m., but sometimes shops can be open until 8 p.m. in high season or during the Christmas period. In high season, there is a siesta between 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. where all shops are closed and Wednesdays and Saturdays are half days.

Nightlife in Paphos

There are many places to eat in Paphos. Restaurants and tavernas can be found in the Harbour area or on Tomb of the Kings Road. There is the famous Fat Mammas restaurant on Tomb of the Kings Road, where the food is plentiful with fun entertainment and live shows. Most tourists visit this restaurant when it is open between May to October.

For bars and night clubs, there is the famous Bar Street of Paphos where most young people visit until the early hours of the morning. There are also some great tavernas to be found around Bar Street too.

Fun Days Out

For a fun day out there is the local water park where many families visit in high season. Another, way to spend the day is to visit the Paphos Aquarium or go to Aphrodite's Rock for a swim in the waters of Aphrodite and take a picnic. There is also the Paphos Bird Park for a fun day out with family or friends.

So, if Cyprus is the holiday location for you, then make sure you visit Paphos.