Paphos Special Interest

PAFOS FOR THE ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL LOVER
This region offers much to suit your special interests, whether they are cultural, historical, culinary, nature loving or sporting.

Pafos has something for everyone, whether your are a sunseeker, explorer or someone looking for a relaxing holiday with great scenery. There are so many reasons to visit this beautiful part of Cyprus.

Indulge in your passion and speacial interests while at the same time realxing and enjoying all that a Mediterranean island can offer you. From golfing to photography, Pafos can cater for your needs. Pafos is only a short flight away from most European and Middle Eastern cities, and there is a wide range of top class accommodation to choose, from five star hotels to traditional village houses.

Pafos is one of the most inspiring places for appreciating nature. The variety of plant and animal life and the beautifuk unsoilt scenery make it a delight. If you're a nature lover or into photography or painting, the Akamas peninsula will enchant you. With its rugged coastline, it surely is an area of breathtaking beauty exuding an aura of ancient peacefulness. For birdwatchers there is a world list of birds to see. Cyprus is a must visit spot to endemic the Cyprus warbler and wheatear. 

In the spring you might see flocks of storks and demoiselle cranes riding thermals over the sea, hoopoes, larks and wagtails flying in.
Rare endemic plants, such as the Cyprus orchid, tulip and crocus grow here in the spring along with wild anemones, making it a botanist's paradise.

The island's capital for six centuries in antiquity, Pafos is an area with unique archaeological legacy, large parts of which have been put on UNESCO's world heritage list. See the colomn in Pafos where, legend has it St Paul was flogged in AD45 before converting the Roman governor. Byzantine art survived and flourished here, as the island escaped the iconoclastic decrees. Marvel at the vivid wall paintings in the apses of many medieval churches and admire many beautiful religious artefacts.

In Pafos Cypriot culture remains strong with many traditions handed down through the ages. Disocver old villages where customs have been kept alive down the generations.

Blessed with an abundance of sunshine and warm year round temperatures, Pafos is an ideal location for sport and it is formaly known to be the latest destination for golfers. Other popular activities include hiking, biking and even horse riding as a great way to explore the region as well as to keep fit.

Of course being an island, there's every variety of water sports, such as paragliding, jet skiing, water skiing, banna boat and canoeing, available from most of the large hotels. Windsurfing, sailing, coastal cruising and deep water fishing van be enjoyed all the year round. With warm crystal clear seas, no tide or dangerous currents, Pafos is perfect for discovering the magic of the underwater world by snorkelling or diving. And after the exertions of the day are done, allow yourself to be pampered at the health spa & wellness centre of one of Pafos' luxury hotels where friendly and attentive staff will ease any muscle tension and revitalise and energise you.  

Go on a wine tour of the Pafos district and visit the many regional wineries in picturesque hillside villages. Here you can taste the produce from a traditon that goes back 4,000 years. Cyprus' sweet wines were famous in antiquity with writers, preists, explorers, soldiers and rulers all praisung what were known as Cyprus "sweeties". One such dark, sweet, treacly wine, Commandaria, is acknowledged ro be the oldest named wine in the world and probably the first ever to be given an 'Appellation of Origin'

Everywhere you go you can find local tavernas serving typical Cypriot specialities. Enjoy the many different tastes in a selection of 'mezedes', which can include up to 20 or 30 dishes of various delicacies. In the summer a plate of refreshing watermelon with halloumi makes an enticing combination of flavours. You will be made to feel welcome everywhere you go and get a taste of the true spirit of Cypriot Hospitality.