Paphos

Aphrodite is said to have risen from the sea off western Cyprus, and the entire town of Paphos is a World Heritage site. A trip to Paphos takes you to Roman mosaics and royal tombs, to the coast of the Akamas Peninsula, to mountain villages in the Troodos range and to bays such as Coral Bay.

Location and Landscape

The Paphos District covers the entire west of the island. The coastline is varied, with rocky coves, sandy beaches and sea caves. In the northwest, the Akamas Peninsula juts out into the sea, a nature area with gorges such as the Avakas Gorge, in whose bays sea turtles nest. Inland, the land rises toward the western foothills of the Troodos, with the Cedar Valley in Paphos Forest, home to mouflon. In between you'll find vineyards, banana plantations near the coast and villages that are cooler in summer than the coast.

Paphos and the Coastal Towns

Paphos was the capital of Cyprus in Roman times. In the Archaeological Park you'll find villas with mosaics that rank among the finest in the Mediterranean, such as those in the House of Dionysus and the House of Aion. The Tombs of the Kings, burial complexes carved into the rock, date from the Hellenistic period. A small fortress stands at the harbor, and in the church of Agia Kyriaki you can see St. Paul's Pillar, where the apostle is said to have been flogged. East of the town, Geroskipou has a Byzantine church with five domes and is known for loukoumi. To the north lie Chlorakas, a hotel resort, and Peyia with Coral Bay, a sandy beach lined with vacation apartments. There are also smaller districts such as Ekso Vrisi, where locals live away from the hotel zones.

Sights in Paphos

Petra tou Romiou, Aphrodite's Rock, lies on the coastal road to Limassol and is one of the most famous spots on the island. In the nearby village of Kouklia stood the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, a major pilgrimage destination in antiquity. The Monastery of Agios Neophytos has a hermitage carved into the rock, decorated with frescoes. In the north, Polis Chrysochous sits on a wide bay, a relaxed town from which you can reach the Baths of Aphrodite and hiking trails on the Akamas. Neapolis, a residential district in the north of Paphos, is home to a university. Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery in the hinterland tends its own vineyards.

Nature and Active Vacations

The Akamas is a destination for hikers, for example on the Aphrodite Trail or through the Avakas Gorge. Boat tours start from Latchi to the Blue Lagoon, where you can snorkel in clear water. At Lara Bay, sea turtles nest under protection. Inland, wine tastings in villages such as Kathikas and excursions into the cedar forest with its mouflon are well worth your time.

Food, Getting There and Best Time to Visit

The cuisine offers meze, fish, kleftiko and halloumi, along with wines from villages such as Kathikas and Stroumbi. Geroskipou is the home of loukoumi, a gummy confection dusted with powdered sugar. Paphos Airport has direct flights from many European cities. A rental car is handy for the Akamas and the mountain villages, though keep in mind that traffic in Cyprus drives on the left. The best time to visit is spring, with its blossoms, and fall, when the sea is warm; the summer months are hot.