A Tourist’s Guide to Paphos

Paphos, the mythical birthplace of the beautiful goddess Aphrodite, is a highly popular destination in Cyprus. Loved by people of all ages for its wealth of things to do and lovely scenery, as well as its happening night life, Paphos is a top holiday choice for people from all over Europe.

Best Time to Travel

If you’re looking for a summer holiday then best to visit Paphos during the traditional summer months of June to September. The weather will be warm, chance of rain is slim, and average temperatures range between between 22°C and 37°C (but can reach 40°C or more). If you’re looking for something a bit more secluded (and a bit cheaper) it’s best to avoid August as this is the peak of the tourist season and accommodation will be priced to reflect this. October to May are quieter months to visit, but beware of the unpredictable weather during the winter.

Amazing Attractions to See

No matter what type of holiday you’re after, there are plenty of attractions to see in Paphos. The Medieval Castle is open daily from 8am and costs CY £1.00 to enter. Located 20 minutes from the town, the Ayios Neophytos Monastery is free to enter and is home to a small group of monks which hosts a two day fair in January where you can purchase Cypriot crafts, foods, and monastic goods. Alternatively, if you’re traveling with children they might enjoy Paphos Bird Park, which is open daily from 9am.

If taking a tour is more your thing then you can hop on a bus or a boat for a reasonable fee to see the sites from a comfortable vantage point. The ancient ruins of Kato Paphos Archaeological Park are free to visit, and include sites and monuments including the fantastic mosaic floors of four Roman villas, the Odeon, the Forty Columns of Saranta Kolones, the "Limeniotissa" and the ruins of an early Christian Basilica. If you only have time to visit one site in the park make it the Tombs of the Kings, underground tombs carved from the natural bedrock, located just north of the harbor.

Exquisite and Delicious Restaurants

There are some excellent restaurants in Pathos. There are your usual western options such as KFC and McDonalds, and plenty of local restaurants if you’re looking to sample some of the Cypriot cuisine. The Colosseum and Il Classico offer high end dining and you’ll find plenty of traditional tavernas a little outside Paphos in Kathikas Village. Paphos restaurants offer many cuisines including Chinese, French, Italian and Mexican which also cater for a variety of budgets.

Going Places in Paphos

Whilst the immediate town is small enough to explore on foot you’ll want some transport if you’re looking to travel further afield. Although there are three bus companies running in the area public transport in Paphos is not the most reliable so car hire is recommended if you’re interested in seeing the rest of the island.

If you’re looking to get around on two wheels then you can rent mountain bikes, mopeds and motorcycles in Ktima.

Paphos is serviced by Paphos International Airport which is situated 8km southeast of the town. It’s worth noting that there are no buses to the airport, so booking a car or a taxi is necessary (usually between CY£5 and CY£7)