Paphos has an interesting story to tell. It’s a region that has had human inhabitants since the Paleolithic period and since then, many civilisations have come and gone, leaving behind remnants of their necropolises, theatres, cities and fortresses.
Exploration of the city and its rich cultural heritage will allow you to follow in the footsteps of both the Hellenic cultures and the Romans, whose mosaics still adorn the floors of Paphos’ Archeological Park, followed by the Byzantine and Venetian rulers who also left their mark in the form of churches, castles and mosques.
While the dual UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Tomb of the Kings and the Archeological Park are well known for their well-preserved floor mosaics housed in ancient villas and their ornate underground mausoleums, there are other signs of ancient societies wherever you look.
Archaeological sites are scattered everywhere in Paphos district that allow you to capture a glimpse into the ancient history of the island. Here are a few of the sites that I think you must visit while in Cyprus.
Pafos Archaeological Park & Nea Pafos
The archaeological park, found in Kato Paphos, is one of the most important ancient monuments in Cyprus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers a sizable area and incorporates several significant archaeological gems dating as far back as prehistoric times, through the Roman period and to the middle ages.
Ancient Nea Paphos, considered ‘Aphrodite’s Sacred City’ makes up a large proportion of the site and is mostly made up of the remnants of Roman architecture, the most prominent being the Ancient Odeon. This 2nd century AD amphitheatre built into the side of the Fabrica Hill was used up until the 5th century and following extensive renovations, is used for performances today.
Close by you will find the Agora, which was the central square of the city, and the Asklepieion, a sanctuary dedicated to Asklepeios, the ancient god of medicine. The Park also features the remains of early Christian basilicas, a Byzantine castle, and a medieval harbour.
Although much of the site has been uncovered, excavations by the Cyprus Antiquities Department and university archaeology departments are still ongoing, such is the historical value of the area.
I highly recommend taking a guided tour to get a historical insight into everything you see
Opening times: Between April 16 and September 15, open daily from 8.30am – 7.30pm; Between September 16 and April 15, the castle is open daily from 8.30am – 5pm. Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday
Entry Fee: €4.50
The Mosaic Houses
Although the Pafos mosaics are part of the Pafos Archaeological Park and Nea Paphos, I feel that they require their own section in this article. Depicting Greek Mythology, scenes of daily life, and images of Greco-Roman legends, the ancient floor mosaics of Kato Paphos occupy the excavated remnants of 5 villas that date between the second and fourth centuries, beginning with the Hellenistic period and extending until the Byzantine era. These mosaics are considered amongst the finest in the world.
Originally built in the 2nd Century AD and later destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th Century, the enormous House of Dionysus occupies 2000 square metres made up of 40 rooms, of which you will find 15 mosaic floors with some depicting the Greek god of wine, Dionysos
The House of Aion is from a later date – the 4th Century – and its flooring depicts five different mythological scenes such as Leda and the Swan, the Epiphany of Dionysos, the beauty contest between Cassiopeia and the Nereids, the punishment of Marsyas, and most notably, the depiction of the god Aion, after which the house is named.
The largest of the villas, and also the largest of any known building from the Roman period in Cyprus is the House of Theseus. This 2nd-century structure once contained over 100 rooms, organised around an open courtyard as well as ruins of baths that were unearthed in the south-eastern part of the building. It also contains what I think is one of the most impressive of the Pafos Mosaics, an enormous circular depiction of Theseus fighting the Minotaur from Greek mythology.
Opening times: Between April 16 and September 15, open daily from 8.30am – 7.30pm; Between September 16 and April 15, the castle is open daily from 8.30am – 5pm. Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday
Entry Fee: €4.50, and included with entry to the Archaeological Park
Tombs of the Kings
Sitting beside the crashing Mediterranean waves amongst a sparse, rocky landscape you will find an ancient necropolis of vast, underground tombs carved out of solid rock with elaborately decorated walls.
The network of chambers, crafted during both the Hellenistic and Roman periods between the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD covers quite a large area; There are seven excavated tombs are dotted around the site with a network of trails that wind their way through the scrubland, give you a real sense of exploration and discovery.
Although it is easy to spend an entire day here, most visitors head for tomb No.3, the most impressive of the bunch, which features an open-top atrium surrounded by Doric columns and walls adorned with frescoes.
Despite the name, no royalty is buried here. Instead, these are the final resting places of aristocrats and high-ranking officials with the tombs designed to imitate the homes of the living, where burial chambers open out onto a peristyle atrium. It is thought that the similarity to tombs found in Alexandria shows the close connection between the two cities during the Hellenistic period.
Some of the tombs imitate the houses of the living, with the burial chambers opening onto a peristyle atrium. They are similar to tombs found in Alexandria, demonstrating the close relations between the two cities during the Hellenistic period.
Opening times: Between April 16 and September 15, the castle is open daily from 8.30am – 7.30pm; Between September 16 and April 15, the castle is open daily from 8.30am – 5pm. Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday
Entry Fee: €2.50
Paphos Castle
The iconic waterfront landmark of Pafos Castle has stood at the western end of the town’s harbour since it was constructed by the Byzantines during the medieval period. It’s undergone a few changes since then; the castle was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, but then dismantled by the Venetians before being rebuilt again by the Ottomans in the 16th century when they took control of the island, giving the structure a new lease of life as a mosque. The British restored the castle further in 1780, using it as a prison.
What you see today is a restoration of the 1592 Ottoman construction. Surrounded by a moat, the square tower hides an enclosed courtyard and central hall while the roof is home to 12 battlements that once hosted the same number of cannons that were unfortunately taken by the Ottomans when the castle was handed over to the British.
The fort is one of Cyprus’ most iconic landmarks and was declared an Ancient Monument under the Antiquities Law in 1935.
Opening times: Between April 16 and September 15, the castle is open daily from 8.30am – 7.30pm; Between September 16 and April 15, the castle is open daily from 8.30am – 5pm
Entry Fee: €2.50
Saint Neophytos Monastery
Just outside of Paphos, 9km north of the centre, the Agios Neophytos Monastery perches 612 meters above the head of a secluded and remote valley.
The monastery by the Cypriot recluse and writer Neophytos in the second half of the 12th century. He fled into the Cypriot hills after being jailed for pursuing an ascetic life, where in 1159 he discovered this small cave and began excavating it to create his hermitage cell, a small chapel, and his eventual tomb.
Although he originally intended the location to be a hermitage for himself only, he gradually gained a small following which developed into a quiet monastic community of less than 20 monks.
The Enkleistra is an awe-inspiring sight, still covered in some of the finest examples of Byzantine frescoes that date back as far as the 12th to the 15th centuries. However, the majority were completed during the saint’s lifetime by Theodore Apsuedes in 1183.
Many additions have been made to the site over the years, most notably a Venetian-inspired Basilica – the katholikon – which is thought to have been constructed in the 16th century and also houses a museum, created to educate visitors on the history of the monastic community and showcase their icons and manuscripts.
Opening times: Between April 16 and September 15, the castle is open daily from 8.30am – 7.30pm; Between September 16 and April 15, the castle is open daily from 8.30am – 5pm
Entry Fee: €2
How to Get to Paphos
Paphos International Airport is located just 6.5km southeast of the city and is well-served by the majority of UK airports.
The Paphos Airport bus offers frequent connections from the airport to Kato Paphos and Paphos Harbour with two services, the number 612 which terminates at Paphos Harbour Bus Station, stopping outside many of the major hotels along the way, and the number 613 which takes a slightly different route, ending its journey at Karavella bus station in Paphos old town.
Getting Around
The central areas of Paphos are walkable and fairly easy to navigate on foot, but if you are planning on travelling between archaeological sites or venturing further afield, then the region has an extensive bus network that is inexpensive and reliable.
A single journey will set you back just €2 (with the price increasing to €3 for journeys taken after 9pm), while a 24-hour ticket costs a very reasonable €6.50
For timetable information, check out the website of the Pafos Transport Organisation.
Where to Stay in Paphos
A jumble of different eras, Paphos is made up of the thriving modern half and the charming old town where you will find ancient archaeological sites and quaint streets. Wherever you choose to stay, from the palm-lined waterfront with its blue-flag beaches to the bustling centre filled with lively bars and classic tavernas, there are plenty of accommodation options.
Budget
Bee Hostel
Bee Hostel may seem a little basic when compared to the more luxurious offerings that backpackers can find in other European cities, but budget accommodation and dorm rooms are relatively hard to find in Paphos and this is the best of the relatively small handful of hostels.
Yes, it lacks some of the amenities offered by the big hostel chains and the bunks are enclosed in MDF and chipboard, but there is everything you will need if you are travelling to Cyprus on a shoestring; air-conditioned dormitories, a shared kitchen, and decent Wi-Fi, plus a central location that is perfectly situated for exploring the city.
Midrange
Athena Royal Beach Hotel
The Constantinou Bros chain has four hotels that span the length of Paphos’ beachfront; The Pioneer Beach Hotel, Athena Beach Hotel, Asimina Suites Hotel, and the Athena Royal Beach Hotel, all differing in levels of luxury and service, but offering a standard of accommodation that people have come to expect from the Constantinou Bros brand.
I stayed at the Athena Royal Beach, a 4-star, adults-only offering surrounded by private gardens and sea views. While the communal areas of the hotel are a little dated, they still have a certain elegance and the enormous rooms more than make up for this.
Luxury
Annabelle
Set on the beachfront within six acres of stunning tropical gardens and located just a few minute’s walk from the harbour, not many hotels in Paphos can boast such a desirable location.
Annabelle has been wowing guests since 1985 and refers to itself as the grande dame’ of Cyprus hotels. It’s a deserving title as the hotel exudes glamour, offering local produce and cuisine in their signiture restaurants, spa treatments and multi-layered pools with cascading waterfalls, swim-up bars and plentiful lounge spots in sun and shade.
