Paphos Travelers Recommend

With beaches, ancient ruins, secluded monasteries, and wild mountain landscapes within easy reach, it can be hard to know where to spend your time in Paphos. But in three days you can cover a lot of ground with coastal cruises, tours of historical sites, and trips to Cyprus’ Troodos Mountains and Akamas Peninsula. Here’s how to do it.

Day 1: Beaches and Bays

The scenic coastline of west Cyprus is among Paphos’ biggest draws and is deserving of a full day’s exploration. You could head to the easy-to-reach beaches of Pachyammos, Vrisoudia, or Paphos Municipal Beach to soak up the Mediterranean rays for the day. But if you’re willing to venture a little farther afield with a half-day cruise, you’ll find even more spectacular stretches of sand such as Coral Bay, a crescent-shaped sweep of golden sand. For a more active experience, join a snorkeling or scuba diving tour that will allow you to take the plunge and observe firsthand the marine life beneath the Mediterranean’s surface.

That evening, hop in the driving seat of an all-terrain vehicle and venture out to Aphrodite’s Rock, the legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess of love and beauty. For a romantic experience, pack a picnic to enjoy at the site. 

Day 2: Escape into Nature

Leave Pathos behind for a half-day or full-day tour out to the Akamas Peninsula on Cyprus’ northwestern tip. Forested hiking trails, beautiful beaches with loggerhead turtles, and the crystal-clear Blue Lagoon make it an attractive day-trip option for travelers based in Paphos. Road access is limited, so if you do want to explore, consider embarking on an ATV tour along the peninsula’s dirt tracks, or—for a more comfortable alternative—a guided cruise. You can also rent a boat and steer your own adventure. 

Other popular day-trip options include guided tours to Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus, where you can cross the Green Line of divided Nicosia (the border between the Greek and Turkish halves of the city) and visit monasteries, abbeys, and castles in the Kyrenia Mountains. Upon return, head inland to the Ktima Paphos neighborhood for dinner in one of the atmospheric tavernas of the Turkish Quarter. 

Day 3: Peer into the Past

Paphos is littered with historical gems, from medieval baths to centuries-old churches—though the city’s standout historical attraction is Kato Paphos Archaeological Park. Take a guided tour around this sprawling UNESCO World Heritage–listed site, viewing Roman villas with well-preserved ancient mosaics, and the Tombs of the Kings necropolis. If you’d prefer to explore independently, use a hop-on hop-off tour bus to travel efficiently between key historic sites, such as the Odeon amphitheater of Fabrica Hill and St. Paul’s Pillar, where St. Paul was said to have been whipped for spreading the word of Christianity. 

Alternatively, take a day tour to the nearby Troodos Mountains. Here, scattered among the valleys are frescoed Byzantine monasteries and churches, quaint villages, and picturesque vineyards.

Back in Paphos, toast the end of your trip on a dinner cruise around the harbor that includes onboard entertainment and a fireworks display. 

The pretty harbor town of Paphos, on Cyprus’ southwest coast, promises sun, sea, sand, and spectacular ancient remains in the form of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Kato Paphos Archaeological Site. With just 24 hours to explore, you can get a taste of all Paphos has to offer with the following action-packed itinerary. 

Morning: Ancient History

Devote the morning to exploring Paphos’ rich history. Get in ahead of the crowds with a guided morning tour of Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, a UNESCO-recognized site famous for its Roman ruins and colorful ancient mosaics depicting Greek myths. For a self-paced tour, take a seat aboard a hop-on hop-off bus and listen to commentary as you cruise by historical attractions including the Tombs of the Kings, an underground Roman burial site, and St. Paul’s Pillar, where St. Paul was supposedly tied and flogged as punishment for preaching Christianity. 

Afternoon: Watery Adventures

As temperatures pick up, cool off with some water-based fun. Don a swimsuit and choose between a range of water-related activities, ranging from the gentle to the high-adrenaline. Rent a boat and steer yourself out to the sheltered Blue Lagoon, try your hand at snorkeling or scuba diving under the instruction of an expert, or ride an all-terrain vehicle to out-of-town swimming spots such as Aphrodite’s Rock (the supposed birthplace of the Greek goddess of beauty) and Geroskipou Beach. Families traveling with young children may opt to visit Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark, where slides, chutes, wave pools, and a lazy river entertain the littles for hours.

Night: An Explosive Evening

End your day on a high note with an intimate dinner cruise along the scenic southwest coast of Cyprus. Set sail from the harbor in early evening, enjoying cocktails from the onboard bar, a buffet dinner, and stunning sunset views. Cruises include live entertainment from singers and dancers, as well as front-row views of a dazzling fireworks display that lights up the skies above the harbor with an kaleidoscope of color—an unforgettable way to end a day in Paphos.

Paphos is a best-of-both-worlds escape, with ample ops for relaxation and discovery along Cyprus’ southwest coast. Here’s how to fill two days exploring sun-soaked Mediterranean beaches and bays, world-class archaeological sites, and the rugged and undeveloped Akamas Peninsula, which juts out into the sea 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of town.

Day 1: Historical Highlights and Water-Based Activities

**Morning:**Start the day with some water-based fun. Join a snorkeling or scuba diving tour, or set sail on a half-day cruise during which you can swim, snorkel, canoe, and tuck into a barbecue lunch. Families traveling with children will enjoy the Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark, or a pirate-themed cruise with onboard games and face-painting.

**Afternoon:**Delve into local history with a a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, where you can see Roman remains, ancient mosaics, and the ruins of the medieval-era Saranta Kolones Castle. For self-directed sightseeing, opt for a hop-on hop-off bus tour instead.

**Night:**Come evening, head back out on the water with a cruise around the harbor. Sip drinks from the onboard bar and dine on a buffet dinner while admiring the sunset, and live music and dance performances. During the return journey, watch as a fireworks display lights up the sky above the sea. 

Day 2: Akamas and Aphrodite’s Rock

**Morning:**Get out among nature in the wild and unspoiled Akamas Peninsula. Much of the promontory is not accessible by paved road, but you can explore it as part of a guided all-terrain vehicle tour or on a boat cruise along the coastline.

**Afternoon:**Embark on a self-drive ATV tour along the coastline south of Paphos to reach Aphrodite’s Rock, a beautiful, oft-photographed place. According to local legend, this sea stack marks the spot where the Greek goddess of love and beauty first emerged from the foamy Mediterranean waters.

**Night:**For dinner, venture inland and away from the more tourist-oriented harbor area to Ktima Paphos, the old town. The Turkish Quarter is filled with low-key cafés and traditional tavernas serving mouthwatering meze dishes; some establishments also offer views over the coast.

Home to millennia-old ruins and landmarks—and itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the coastal city of Paphos feels only slightly removed from the ancient world. From temples devoted to Aphrodite and ancient tombs to mosaic-strewn villas, here are some of Paphos’ key historical sights.

Paphos Archaeological Park

The crown jewel among Paphos’ historical destinations, the sprawling Paphos Archaeological Park—also known as Nea Paphos—stands on the site of the ancient city of Paphos, founded in the fourth century BC. Be sure to seek out the park’s Roman villas (the House of Dionysos, House of Aion, House of Theseus, and House of Orpheus), which are home to some of the ancient world’s most exceptional mosaics.

Tombs of the Kings

Also part of the Paphos Archaeological Park, the Tombs of the Kings are an extensive series of monumental, subterranean burial sites. The excavated landmarks are renowned for their scale, and were designed to imitate the houses of the living. Despite the name, no kings were buried here—instead, the necropolis served as the final resting place for members of the local aristocracy and important officials.

Sanctuary of Aphrodite

Paphos was famously home to the cult of Aphrodite, and the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Aphrodite was created as a place of worship in the 12th century BC. The hilltop site offers enviable seaside views. In addition to its ruins, there is also an on-site museum full of ancient artifacts. Round out your trip with a jaunt to Aphrodite Rock, where, according to legend, the goddess of love was born.

Agios Neophytos

Roughly a 20-minute drive from Paphos proper, Agios Neophytos traces its origins to the 12th century AD, when a reclusive monk first carved a dwelling space into the mountains. Today, the monastery is particularly renowned for its Byzantine frescoes.

Paphos Castle

First built as a Byzantine fort, Paphos Castle was later dismantled and rebuilt by the Venetians and the Ottomans. Poised right on the harbor, the castle’s heavy, block-like architecture hints at its defensive past and lends it an appealing grandiosity.