Things to do in Paphos Cyprus

If you visit Paphos to simply enjoy a very good hotel, the sea, and the sun, although perfectly fine, you are narrowing your options for a more comprehensive holiday. Paphos offers so much more than just sea and sun. With friendly people, thousands of years of history, ancient monuments, wonderful beaches, natural attractions, interesting places, traditional villages to explore, activities for young and old, cultural events, and rich gastronomy, Paphos is a top tourist destination with something for everyone.

Table of contents - What is included in this article

1. Visit Kato Paphos Harbor and Castle

2. Visit Paphos Old Town

3. Discover and enjoy Cyprus Cuisine

4. Visit Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, the House of Dionysus and Paphos Mosaics

5. Visit the Tombs of the Kings

6. Visit Chrysopolitissa Basilica Church and Saint Paul’s pillar

7. Visit Agios Neophytos Monastery and other centuries-old monasteries

8. Visit the Akamas Peninsula National Park

9. Visit Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s birthplace)

10. Swim at Coral Bay beach and other sandy beaches around Paphos

Visit the Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark

Visit Paphos Zoo

Visit Polis Chrysochous

Take a day trip by boat to Blue Lagoon

Explore the traditional villages of Paphos

Buy traditional products

Go for wine-tasting

Do shopping therapy at Paphos Mall

Landmarks of Paphos – why is Paphos worth visiting

Despite its small size Paphos offers a full package to its visitors. Most of the people who visit Paphos fall in love with it, and many make it something like their second home, where they return year after year.

So, why is Paphos worth visiting? It is not just because there are so many things to see and do. It is mainly because Paphos represents a unique way of life, carved through thousands of years of history and civilization. Its unique people welcome visitors wholeheartedly, and its diverse terrain and nature add to its charm. This combination of friendly, polite, and easy-going people, along with numerous attractions and activities, is why thousands of visitors keep coming back to Paphos again and again.

 
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Petra tou Romiou, Aphrodite's Birthplace

Paphos Byzantine Museum

Paphos Zoo

Paphos Aphrodite waterpark

Tombs of the Kings

Agrina at Stavros tis Psokas

Kato Paphos promenade

Central Square at Paphos Old Town

Ten things you must do when in Paphos

Exploring Paphos in just one visit is very difficult. Almost everybody, however, returns home with something in common: the sweet memories of their holidays and the promise to themselves to come back again.

So, if you visit Paphos for the first time and want to understand and feel what is Paphos, then, in my opinion, these are what to do:

1. Visit Kato Paphos Harbor and Castle

The seafront from Paphos Municipal Beach (Ta Mpania), until the small harbor of Kato Paphos, known as the Promenade, is the main landmark and the focal point of Paphos. It is the area where the locals used to go to walk by the sea and to socialize. Especially on Fridays and Saturdays, late in the afternoon or early in the night, it is like a gathering, and everybody enjoys it. The visitors to Paphos follow the tradition of the locals and they also visit the area, making the Promenade look like a festival or a celebration every night.

On the promenade have fun enjoying an ice cream or a corn baked on the charcoal, a traditional goodie, while watching musicians performing and artists drawing portraits. Buy small, hand-made jewellery or other things from the stalls in the flea market that takes place every evening on the promenade. A very nice experience and fun for the whole family.

2. Visit Paphos Old Town

The old town of Paphos is the place where most of the locals live, and it has many gems to discover. The central square of Paphos is a very nice place to visit at night, with many bars and restaurants for dining. Discover many other nice places at the nearby market. During the day visit the Archaeological Museum and the Art Gallery. At the old market discover many shops for arts and crafts and watch craftsmen on the job. Learn more about Paphos Old Town.

3. Discover and enjoy Cyprus Cuisine

Cyprus cuisine is a mixture of Greek cuisine,  with spicy influences of the nearby Middle East cuisine. Taste Cyprus cuisine at one of the traditional tavernas in the villages around Paphos and in the Old Town.

Go for Cyprus Meze, which is a feast including anything between 15 and 30 plus dishes. Each one of them just includes a small personal portion of a traditional Cypriot dish. This way you will have the opportunity to taste almost all the main dishes of Cyprus cuisine.

While trying hard to taste every new dish that is served more or less every 10 minutes, the bet is that you are going to manage to taste every dish until the end. And after the last dish is served, you must still keep a small space available for desserts and a Cyprus coffee.

Paphos has a long history of more than eleven thousand years, so it is not a surprise that there are wonderful ancient sites to admire here. Among the many historical and religious sites the following stand out:

4. Visit Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, the House of Dionysus and Paphos Mosaics

Behind the Kato Paphos harbor lies the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known, among others, for the impressive mosaics and the wonderful ancient Odeon, a small ancient theater that is used even today, the archaeological park is one of those places to include in your program for sure.

5. Visit the Tombs of the Kings

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tombs of the Kings despite its name was used to bury noble people of ancient times and not Kings as the name suggests. It is an impressive ancient monument, with wonderfully carved tombs in single enormous rocks. Very impressive and easy to access by bus or on foot, as it is located in Kato Paphos.

6. Visit Chrysopolitissa Basilica Church and Saint Paul’s pillar

Paphos was the first place on Earth to accept Christianity. Paphos was the first place where Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas the Apostles preached Christianity when they left Israel.

Visit the ruins of Chrysopolitissa Basilica, a very ancient church almost 1800 years old, and Saint Paul’s pillar. Walking in the footsteps of the Saint, at the exact place where he preached and was punished for doing so by a Roman Governor of Cyprus, who later became Christian. The punishment was 39 lashes for which he was tied to a marble pillar called today Saint Paul’s pillar, which is still on site.

At the same historical site visit also a very ancient church dedicated to Agia Kyriaki, which is used by the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church for both masses and weddings.

7. Visit Agios Neophytos Monastery and other centuries-old monasteries

Visit Agios Neophytos Monastery, Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery and the nearby Agia Moni Monastery. Each of these Monasteries is nearly 1000 years old and a visit to them is not just religious, but something you will enjoy.

There are many more monasteries and ancient churches that deserve your visit. They are beautiful, and each one of them has a very long history behind it. Entering any of the monasteries is like diving into an oasis of serenity and calm in a green environment.

8. Visit the Akamas Peninsula National Park and Avakas Gorge

Akamas peninsula is the biggest national park in Cyprus. A virgin area with no buildings at all, it combines beautiful nature, unique flora and fauna not found anywhere else on Earth, and fantastic sandy beaches where endangered species of turtles come to lay their eggs. The turtles' beach and the wonderful Avakas Gorge are the two main attractions to see if you visit the Akamas National Park.

9. Visit Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s birthplace)

Paphos is closely connected to Aphrodite, the ancient Goddess of Love and Beauty. According to the ancient myth she was born in Paphos, at the beautiful beach of Petra tou Romiou, and was worshiped at the temple devoted to her in the nearby Kouklia village. Kouklia was the ancient Palaipaphos, and the Aphrodite’s Temple was famous all over the ancient world. Petra tou Romiou is a very beautiful area, and Kouklia village with the ancient temple of the goddess is a very interesting village to visit. It is very easy to combine a visit to both of them and devoting 4-5 hours of your holidays to this, is time well spent.

10. Swim at Coral Bay beach and other sandy beaches around Paphos

The Mediterranean Sea surrounds you from every side and you should enjoy it. Paphos offers some very good sandy beaches to do so. Most of the beaches hold the Blue Flag, which means that the waters at the beaches are very clean, there are many amenities like changing rooms and baths, they are accessible for disabled persons, and there are lifeguards for your safety. There are many water sports to do at the beaches in addition to swimming and sunbathing.

There are, of course, many more things to do and places to visit in Paphos. Just to include a few more:

Visit the Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark

Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark is an attraction for all the family. It is a great way to spend a day with fun. Visit it and swim, slide the various sliders, play water games, or relax in the lazy river.

Visit Paphos Zoo

At Paphos Zoo see more than 350 species, interact with animals, and even watch a parrot show, fantastic for everybody but especially for the youngsters. You can take the free bus from Kato Paphos to visit the Zoo, which is at the Coral Bay area.

Both Paphos Zoo and Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark are great attractions and favorites for children.

Visit Polis Chrysochous

Explore the small town of Polis Chrysochous and the villages around it. Polis area is the northern part of Paphos district. Visit Loutra tis Aphroditis, Aphrodite’s Baths, where according to the old myth the Goddess used to take her bath. Swim at some of the best sandy beaches and visit Akamas National Park, as Polis is the north-west entrance to the park.

Take a day trip by boat to Blue Lagoon

While in Polis, visit the Blue Lagoon, a wonderful area with crystal clear waters. There are boat trips to Blue Lagoon starting from the small fishing port at Latchi village. The trip lasts 4-5 hours and includes going with the boat to the area and a stop for diving, before returning to Latchi fishing port. Very enjoyable and fun.

Explore the traditional villages of Paphos

Paphos villages in the mountainous center of the district are, in general, small, very beautiful, serene, and lush in green surroundings. They keep their charming character, and the friendly villagers make them even more delightful. Many of the villages are known for their local traditional products or traditions, like basket weaving in Mesoyi village, or Fitiotika laces at Fyti village.

Read this article about the villages of Paphos and discover the next village you will visit.

Buy traditional products

There are many unique products only produced in Paphos and in Cyprus, like Loukoumi Geroskipou, soutzioukkos, Commandaria, and Zivania. They are delicious to taste and fantastic as memorabilia and gifts from your holidays in Paphos to family and friends back home.

Go for wine-tasting

Wine-making dates thousands of years back, to the ancient times of Paphos and Cyprus. Visit a few of the wineries of Paphos for wine tasting or go with a group for a trip of wine tasting around Paphos.

Do shopping therapy at Paphos Mall

Visit Paphos Mall, a modern shopping mall at Kato Paphos, with many shops to visit and shop. There are many local and international brands for your shopping. In addition to the international brands found everywhere, there are a few shops (like JUMBO for example) where you can find things like equipment for the sea or many stylish little presents at very good prices for family and friends back home.

For a different type and style of shopping, visit the market at Paphos Old Town. Here you can buy souvenirs, hand-made artifacts, and traditional products.

Things to do in Paphos with family and kids

Paphos, like all of Cyprus, is a family-friendly destination. Spend quality time with your family and children. Visit the attractions of Paphos and make wonderful memories for the years to come.

Just a few ideas when you are in Paphos with kids: Visit water parks (either Paphos Aphrodite Water Park or one of the water parks at the hotels), visit the Paphos Zoo, or a donkey's farm/sanctuary, and ride and play with these nice and noble animals. Go for horse riding and play mini golf.

Read the full article for things to do in Paphos with children.

Free things to do in Paphos

From wonderful ancient sites to interesting museums and galleries to visit, natural wonders and fantastic sightseeing to admire, there are a lot of free things to enjoy in Paphos.

Read this article and find out many ideas for free things to enjoy in Paphos.

Day trips and excursions from Paphos

There are many very interesting places to visit around Paphos. The short distances and the good and dense bus connections make it easy to visit and enjoy many half-day trips at your own leisurely pace or attend an organized excursion to visit a place of interest.

Read this article and discover day trips and excursions in Paphos.

Events, festivals, and celebrations in Paphos

Throughout the year there are many festivals and events to attend. Cultural events, athletic events, concerts, there is something for everybody to enjoy. Check out just a few of a long list of festivals and events in Paphos Cyprus.

Visit other areas of Cyprus from Paphos

Troodos mountains and Limassol are easy to visit from Paphos because of their proximity. Visit the section for Day trips and Excursions in Cyprus to discover many more interesting trips.

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