Paphos Attractions    

The whole town of Pafos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world heritage. Wherever one treads in Pafos one comes across its glorious history which dates back thousands of years, when the cult of goddess Aphrodite who emerged from its seas, flourished in this beautiful part of the world attracting many visitors from inland and abroad. 

Today it is a small harbour town, but in Hellenistic and Roman times it was the capital of Cyprus. Still under the spell of her Beauty- goddess, the area retaining her magic, has remained intact by time. It seduces its visitor with its majestic landscape, lovely coastline, historical treasures and delightful villages where tradition is still a way of life. Kept in harmony with nature are divine mediaeval monasteries which lie peacefully in the Pafos heartland.

Tombs of the Kings
Kato Pafos, Tel: (06) 240295
Spread over a vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC. They are carved out of solid rock with some being decorated with Doric pillars.
High officials rather than Kings were buried here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.

Paphos District Archaeological Museum
Griva Digeni 43, Tel: (06) 240215
Attractive collection of Cypriot antiquities from the Pafos area, dating from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD

The Mosaics of Paphos
House of Dionysos, House of Theseus and House of Aion
Kato Pafos, near the harbour,
Tel: (06) 240217
The mosaic floors of these noblemen's villas dating from the 3rd to the 5th century AD are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mainly depict scenes from Greek mythology.

Agia Solomoni Church
Kato Pafos, Leoforos Agiou Pavlou
Originally a Christian catacomb retaining some of the 12th century frescoes. A sacred tree at the entrance is believed to cure the ailments of those who hang a personal offering on its branches.

Byzantine Museum
A. Ioannou 7, in the premises of the Bishopric.
Tel: (06) 232092.
An attractive collection of objects from the Byzantine period, including Byzantine icons from the 12th to 18th centuries.

Ethnographical Museum
Exo Vrysis 1, Tel: (06) 232010
Interesting private collection of objects from the Neolithic Age to the present day.

Saranta Kolones
Kato Palos, near the harbour.
This castle was built by the Lusignans at the beginning of the early 13th century on the site of a previous Byzantine Castle. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1222.

Paphos Odeon
Kato Pafos
A small 2nd century Odeon built entirely of well-hewn limestone blocks, it is now used in the summer for musical and theatrical performances. Nearby are the remains of the ancient city walls, the Roman Agora and a building dedicated to Asklipeios, god of medicine.

Paphos Mediaval Fort
Kato Pafos harbour.
Originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 and rebuilt by the Ottomans after they captured the island in the 16th century.

Panagia Limeniotissa Basilica
Kato Pafos, near the harbour.
Built in the early 5th century and dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Harbour', it was almost completely destroyed during the 7th century Arab raids.

Theoskepasti Church
Kato Pafos.
Theoskepasti means 'Veiled by God'. According to tradition, a fog was sent by God to protect the original church during the Arab raids. The modern church was built in 1923.

Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church and Byzantine Basilica
Kato Pafos
Built in the 13th century over the ruins of the largest Early Byzantine basilica on the island. Within the compound one can see St. Paul's Pillar, where according to tradition Saint Paul was flogged before the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity.

Geroskipou Folk Art Museum
Geroskipou village, 3 km east of Pafos.
Tel: (06) 240216
The name of the village comes from the Greek phrase 'Hieros Kepos' the sacred garden of Aphrodite. A fascinating collection of folk arts and crafts is exhibited in the beautiful Chatzismith house.

Panagia Chryseleousa
3 km north of Palos, Empa village.
A 12th century church standing in the centre of the village. A series of icons and two panels with the 12 Apostles date back to the middle of the 16th century.

Petra tou Romiou
Birthplace of Aphrodite
25 km east of Pafos.
According to legend, Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou 'The Rock of the Greek' is associated with the legendary frontier-guard of Byzantine times Digenis Akritas, who kept the marauding Saracens at bay with amazing strength. It is said that he heaved this large rock into the sea destroying the enemy's ship.

Agia Paraskevi Church
Geroskipou village, 3 km east of Pafos.
One of the most interesting Byzantine churches on the island, dating to the 10th century. It is a basilica surmounted by five domes forming a cross and has beautiful mural paintings dating mainly to the 15th century.

Agios Neofytos Monastery
9 km north of Pafos.
Founded at the end of the 12th century by the Cypriot hermit and writer Neofytos. The "Egkleistra", an enclosure carved out of the mountain by the hermit, contains some of the finest Byzantine frescoes dating from the 12th - to 15th century. In the monastery's church there is a very interesting ecclesiastical museum.

Pegeia
Agios Georgios Basilica and the fountains of Pegeia.
Pegeia village, 19 km northwest of Pafos.
Near a fishing refuge 4,5 km from the village of Pegeia are the ruins of two Early Christian basilicas with some very interesting mosaic floors depicting animals. This site must have been an important establishment in Early Christian times. There are also rock-hewn tombs of the Roman period above the sea.
Pegeia is famous for its fountains in the stone paved village square.

Lempa
5 km from Pafos
At Lempa village excavations have brought to light an important settlement of the Chalcolithic period. Near the site replicas of two houses from this period have been constructed.

Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery
40 km northeast of Pafos, turn right before Stroumpi village. The monastery is also reached from Kykkos Monastery via the forest.
Set in beautiful surroundings, the monastery, originally founded in the 12th century AD, is dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate'. The monastery, whose present building dates back to 1770, has a collection of important icons and treasures. An impressive religious ceremony and celebrations are held on 15th August. The old winery of the monastery produces some of the best vintage wine of Cyprus.

Sunctuary of Aphrodite
Kouklia village, 14 km east of Pafos, off the Lemesos - Pafos road,
Tel: (06) 432180
Palaipafos, Old Pafos, was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world, and once city-kingdom of Cyprus. Here stood the famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite, the most ancient remains of which date back to the 12th century BC. The glorious days of the sanctuary lasted till the 3rd-4th century. The museum, housed in the Lugnan Manor, contains many interestingfinds from the area, and excavations continue on the site of the sanctuary, the city and the necropolis.

Baths of Aphrodite
Akamas Peninsula, near Polis. 48 km north of Pafos.
According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to take her beauty baths in a pool of a natural grotto, shaded by a fig tree, which can still be visited. Nature trails set off from Akamas to lead nature lovers to incomparable views of unspoilt land. More details on these trails can be obtained from a special leaflet issued by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation in co-operation with the Forestry Department. 

Polis
37km north of Paphos
Polis tis Chrysochou lies where there once stood the ancient city-kingdom of Marion, an important commercial centre in the classical and Hellenistic times. Its beautiful climate, crystal clear beaches and breathtaking scenery have made the area an attractive popular resort.

Pano Panagia
On the west of Troodos 1,5 km from Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery. The birthplace of Archbishop Makarios Ill, first President of Cyprus. The house where he was born was been converted into a museum.

Coral Bay
Coral Bay is famed for having one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the island, and with its sparkling clear waters, safe swimming and sport facilities, it’s not surprising that it’s a favourite with tourists and locals alike. Close by you can find shops, supermarkets, and also restaurants and taverns which serve fresh fish and Cyprus delicacies. 

Lara Bay
Lara Bay is a beautiful remote area with one of the best beaches on the island although the dirt track is quite poor, and its advisable to go with a jeep type vehicle, it’s worth it because here some of the finest scenery on the island can be found. Famed for its turtle hatchery where loggerhead and greenback turtles lay their eggs, one of the few places in the Mediterranean where they can still be found, Lara is also home to the Mediterranean monk seal, another very rare species. Beyond the turtle hatchery, the most beautiful beaches with white sand and clear waters can be found, but the water can suddenly get deep and wavy, so swimmers should be careful. The ideal way to reach the beautiful bay is to get a boat from Paphos to Lara so visitors avoid the difficult and time-consuming road trip. 

Latchi Beach
Latchi is a small fishing village located on the northern coast of the island. Before becoming known as a tourist area, it was a sponge diving area, until sponge supplies run out. On Latchi’s pebble beach many tourists and locals alike get their suntan and enjoy a swim but swimmers should be careful because the water suddenly deepens, which is perfect because the water suddenly deepens, which is perfect for the water sports and scuba diving that are very popular in the area. There are many coffee shops and traditional little tavernas that specialise in seafood close to the beach.