A complete guide to iconic places. Sightseeing in Paphos - things to see

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Weather in Paphos by months:

Month	Temperature		Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Water temperature in the sea	Number of solar hours per day
Month	Happy	At night	Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Water temperature in the sea	Number of solar hours per day

January	15.4°C	12.1°C	27.9%	6 days (77.8 mm.)	17.9°C	10 a.m. 7m.

February	16.3°C	12.2°C	23.7%	3 days (32.1 mm.)	17.2°C	10 a.m. 56m.

March	18.1°C	13.4°C	19.5%	2 days (29.3 mm.)	17.2°C	11h. 59m.

April	21.0°C	15.6°C	13.0%	1 day (12.0 mm.)	18.2°C	13h. 5m.

May	24.7°C	19.1°C	11.5%	1 day (16.7 mm.)	20.8°C	13h. 59m.

June	28.4°C	22.2°C	6.3%	-	24.3°C	14h. 27m.

July	31.2°C	24.5°C	1.8%	-	27.5°C	14h. 13m.

August	31.5°C	25.3°C	2.3%	-	28.4°C	13h. 26m.

September	29.3°C	24.0°C	5.2%	-	27.3°C	12h. 23m.

October	25.9°C	21.3°C	8.5%	1 day (17.4 mm.)	25.2°C	11h. 18m.

November	21.7°C	17.7°C	16.0%	2 days (28.1 mm.)	22.6°C	10 a.m. 22m.

December	17.5°C	14.1°C	24.9%	4 days (55.4 mm.)	20.0°C	9 a.m. 52m.

* This table shows average weather data collected over more than three years

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Prices for holidays in Paphos. July 2019.

tour cost

By the middle of summer, we decided to fly to a small island located in the Mediterranean Sea. Of course, we visited Cyprus, where we had a great rest. We flew together, the ticket cost about 550 euros for two. .But the visa and food were not included in the ticket. The visa cost us 35 euros and food separately.

Although Cyprus is a small island, there are plenty of places for excursions. The first thing we decided to visit the seven shrines of Cyprus - 32 euros; we were also advised by the Orthodox Heritage of Cyprus - 43 euros; and one more special offer Grand tour - 37 euros.

Food and products

We had to eat separately, as food is not included in the ticket. Lunch at an inexpensive restaurant starts from 13 euros, you can skimp and cook your own food. take chicken breast in pepper sauce: 22 euros; fondue for two people: 65 euros

Souvenirs and other goods

The girl forgot her swimsuit, I had to buy it locally; the swimsuit cost - 18 euros. Two T-shirts cost - 15 euros

Cost of services and entertainment

Quad bike safari – 45 euros

Total money spent on vacation

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Irina

Holiday experience in March

Cool, especially in the evening. We never did without autumn jackets, they usually wore a warm sweater under them. But at least it didn’t rain, the sun was very bright. By the end of March, we even managed to swim a couple of times. Well, how to swim ... Run into the water, take a dip, take a couple of beautiful pictures and bask back to the beach. But you can sunbathe, I even got a little burnt nose. :) Of the advantages of resting in March, I can note that there are very few tourists, the beaches are almost empty, you can walk for your own pleasure.

Why is it better to travel in July?

If you want to swim, then you need to go in July-August. And it’s a shame to look at the sea and swim through the force and risk getting sick. Yes, and fruit in bulk in the summer, you can stock up on vitamins.

Youth rest

In Paphos, even in March, it boiled night life. Bars and discos were open until the morning, we also got to the Champions League period, so football matches were broadcast in every cafe. Finding a free table was very, very difficult.

What to take with you on vacation?

Don't forget to bring comfortable sneakers, they will be just perfect for the evening. During the day, some ballet flats are quite suitable, I would not take sandals, it’s not yet the season. Warm sweaters, jeans, a jacket should also be taken. During the day you can wear shorts or T-shirts. Although it all depends on your "frost resistance", my friend did not even take off her cardigan during the day. :) A cap or any other headgear should also be taken, the sun is hot.

What to do at the resort?

It seemed to me that there was nothing special to see in Paphos itself. In the evening we walked for hours along the embankment, it is very beautiful there, there are many cafes and entertainment venues, full of souvenir shops. We climbed all the beaches, went a couple of times to the beautiful Coral Bay. Also rode in Old city but somehow it didn't really impress me. Maybe because I came to Cyprus after Italy. A couple of times we walked to the Castle, which will be at the end of the embankment, at sunset you can take very beautiful pictures. The rest was boring, sometimes we even stayed at the hotel in the evening to watch TV.

Tours seemed unreasonably expensive. First, we went to an agency near our hotel, where they told us some sky-high prices like 70 euros for an excursion to Nicosia (I rode from Rimini to Rome for 65 euros, so, for comparison). For boat trips asked from 50 euros and above. We then found another agency on the way to the bus station. There the prices were more democratic at times. We took sightseeing tour in Nicosia for 45 euros and boat trip for 20 euros. Didn't bring any great impressions. I liked that during the review we decided to go to the Greek school outside of the plan. We were greeted by a very nice lady who was impressed that we were so interested in the school and even wanted to give us a tour. :) I strongly advise you to go to Israel, but the tour is expensive, more than 200 euros. But there will definitely be a lot of impressions. And another country is always interesting to see.

I liked Coral Bay the most. It was not even a pity to spend half an hour on a bus ride from our hotel. The beach is beautiful, the scenery is pleasing to the eye. By itself, it is clean, fine sand, the water is clear, the sea is calm. I just don’t know whether there is practically no infrastructure there in March, or, in principle, it is not very developed.

In general, Paphos has good beaches, very beautiful and clean. True, in some areas there are huge stones, which is not very convenient.

What can be bought?

Souvenirs are traditionally Greek. I brought home olive soap, olive oil, the olives themselves and cosmetics based on olive oil. :) All very good quality, I liked it. It is best to buy alcohol in the Papa Antonio supermarket, it is not far from the bus station. I also took all the edible souvenirs there. But magnets, key chains, lighters and other similar souvenirs are expensive there, it is better to take them in souvenir shops along the waterfront.

However, the influence of Turkey is also felt - Turkish delight is sold here at every turn. Delicious, you can take a couple of boxes as gifts. Yes, and it's inexpensive.

About product prices

Everywhere you will be offered a "very good deal" - 5 boxes of Turkish delight for 10 euros, don't be fooled, just go ahead and buy the exact same one for 0.95 cents. Olive soap, I always take the simplest, without beautiful packaging, magnets as a gift and any fragrances for 1 euro. And not because I feel sorry for the money, it's just that this soap is of the highest quality and lathers well. The prices for alcohol are different, I took Metaxa for 7 euros and a small bottle of local grape vodka for 3 euros. I gave for oil in the region of 5-7 euros. And olives bought for 2 euros.

Pros of staying in Paphos

Very beautiful nature the island itself, wonderful beaches, clear sea. The food is delicious. The attitude itself local residents Liked - friendly and smiling. Excellent service in cafes and hotels.

This tour will allow you to see all the main popular and interesting places Paphos and, in fact, can replace 3 standard bus tours!

The excursion program is incredibly balanced and harmonious: during our trip you will see natural beauty Cyprus, archaeological excavations, sights of high historical and cultural value and included in the list of world cultural heritage UNESCO, and will also introduce you to the way of life and traditions of life in Cyprus, thanks to places that you will not see from the window of a large tourist bus.

Through this journey, you will discover the real...

All the most significant and interesting sights of the western part of the Paphos region are waiting for you during this trip! An incredibly rich excursion program will allow you to fully experience the local flavor and immerse yourself in this unforgettable atmosphere of Cyprus, and a balanced and well-planned route will allow you to see the maximum of the main attractions of Paphos in just one day!

List of attractions included in the tour:

Adonis waterfall (admission fee, optional);
Coral Bay;
banana plantations;
Church George;
Yacht port of Paphos;
Akamas Reserve, Avakas George Gorge;
"Turtle" Lara beach bay;
Lunch in a fish tavern (optional, for an additional fee);
The fishing village of Latchi;
Baths of Aphrodite, botanical garden;
Zone...

The program of this excursion consists of visiting ten sights, the basis of which is a visit to the Blue Lagoon with the purest turquoise water, snow-white sand and stunning natural landscapes and the baths of Aphrodite, where, according to legend, the goddess of love and beauty herself took baths!

Excursion program:

coral bay,
banana plantations,
Shipwreck site, inspection of a sunken ship,
Anomalous gravity zone,
The fishing village of Latchi,
Lunch at a fish tavern (optional)
Baths of Aphrodite, botanical garden,
Blue Lagoon,
Winery and wine tasting,
Observation deck.

Description of the tour:

Within this individual excursion, besides the most significant sights such as the Blue Lagoon, the Baths of Aphrodite and the fishing village...

Today we will make a small, but, we hope, very interesting walking tour by Paphos. Since we arrive in Paphos by car, the starting point will be a large parking lot, located near the waterfront.

Usually there is always a place on it where you can stick a vehicle, but there are exceptions. On one of the weekends, we managed to find it far from immediately. If you come "from the beach" (we mean, of course, from a hotel located outside the city) by bus, then its stop is also nearby.

34.756400 32.410000 - parking next to the harbor in Paphos

Let's first look at our future route, and then we will talk about the sights of Paphos that will come across along the way.

So, we go from below along the blue line - this is the route "there". We leave the parking lot, cross a busy road, but do not move along it, but go a little further. We are looking for a landmark with our eyes - a fairly large building that will remain on the right hand. We turn behind it and look for a quiet street there.

Let's go along it, but not far, about a hundred meters. This will be our first point, which is marked on the map as "Paul's Column". We don’t even have time to tell anything properly during this time, we will have to explain on the spot. And now we have a view of the picturesque "ruins".

This is nothing more than the ruins of the largest early Byzantine basilica on the island. In the depths we see a church built "already" in the 13th century. And now a few words about the column... No, not about the one we see in the foreground, about a completely different one. In the story about St. John Lampadistus, we have already said that the apostles Barnabas and Paul arrived in Cyprus in the 45th year. Paul, with the help of John, reached Paphos and tried to convert the local Roman governor to Christianity. In the end, he did it! And Cyprus became one of the first to adopt Christianity. It worked, but not right away. The legend says that it was at this (!) column that Pavel was beaten with whips. I received forty lashes ... Let's look to the left, here it is.

And now you can go and see the current church. When we went inside, suddenly the sounds of an organ were heard. Looking around, we noticed the performer. He played for us... or maybe just for himself.

We go further along the route, that is, up the street. Literally in a couple of steps we meet another "strange" building. These are ancient Roman terms - baths in our opinion. If you are curious and go inside, then we will see a vault with a "starry sky". This is natural ventilation and lighting at the same time. For me it's like a planetarium.

By the way, these photos were taken in December 2007. But in June 2010, when Lena's friend came to visit us, and we took her to "pathetic" places, we were surprised to find that the entrance was now closed. It turns out that my then photos of the "observatory" are somewhat unique.

We rise further. If you do not just walk past the houses along the street, but try to notice something else on the sides, then you will certainly see that here and there the remains of ancient structures are visible. It can be a small masonry wall, or a piece of the foundation. They are trying to keep them. Finally, we come to a fenced-off area.

Here is one of the excavation sites.

From this angle it is not very clear what we see. Let's go around the site and go up the path, since the normal road has already ended. And we'll see better from above... It's clearer, isn't it? This is an ancient amphitheater, well, or just a theater.

Since we're up the hill, let's take a look around. Here is a view of upper Paphos, and here is a view to the west, where we actually now move.

As we move forward, we pay attention to the dips in the ground and some buildings above them. It's kind of weird...

And there are even stairs. Let's take a look inside!

We were here shortly before Christmas. In Cyprus, the church is Orthodox, but the dates of church holidays coincide with the Catholic ones. For example, Cypriots celebrate Christmas on December 25th, and Epiphany on January 6th. By Christmas in every city or village you can find similar "installations". In Paphos, I got caught in a cave at all. Yes, and Lena "fit in."

You can still climb, wander around these "rooms", which we then did. Well, now let's go to the light. The exit (or rather the entrance) turned out to be quite civilized. These caves are man-made. Originally there were quarries here. And later, already dug out "apartments" served as a place of residence for Christian hermits.

As a result, we find ourselves on a busy road. We will be going back to it. To do this, turn left. But if you look to the right, then two hundred meters there is an intersection. If you turn left there, then after 1.5 kilometers we will come to one of famous places Paphos - to the Royal Tombs. But this will be our next journey, and today we will go slowly to reverse side. On the map that we gave at the beginning of the story, the return path is marked with a "red" color.

Catacombs of Saint Solomon

On the way, we will meet another attraction of Paphos - the catacombs of St. Solomon.

Imagine, a woman, for reasons of faith, refused to eat pork (she was a Jew), and for this she was killed along with her children. These were the times in the second century BC. Well, then in these catacombs there was the Church of St. Solomon.

Going down you will find a spring with water that heals eye diseases. For those who believe in it, of course. Well, do not forget to tie a ribbon to a tree standing at the entrance so that your wishes come true.

It remains to get to the place where we left the car - and this is about six hundred meters down the street, and this will end our today's tour. If you came from the Coral Bay area by bus, then in principle you don’t need to go anywhere, but just find the nearest stop.

Well, if you are not completely tired, then you can take a little more walk along the embankment and reach the old castle in the harbor.

Medieval castle of Paphos

Paphos Castle was originally a Byzantine fortress built to protect the port. It was built by the Lusignans in the 13th century, destroyed by the Venetians in 1570 during the Ottoman invasion, and rebuilt by the Ottomans after the capture of the island in the 16th century. Initially, the role of the castle was played by the Forty Columns Fortress (Saranta Kolones Fortress), the ruins of which are located a few hundred meters to the north. Throughout its long history, the castle has been used both for defense and as a prison, as well as a salt warehouse during the time the island was a British colony. In 1935, the castle was declared an ancient monument, and today it is considered one of the symbols of the Paphos region.

Open daily:
08.00-17.00 (from November to March)
08.00-18.00 (April, May, September, October)
08.00-19.30 (from June to August)
Entrance: 1.7 euros

On the square in front of the castle are often held cultural events, and in September the annual Aphrodite Opera Festival takes place. The castle building usually serves as part of the scenery. In May 2008, for example, we stumbled upon a dog show being held there.

well one helpful advice for a snack. After the walk, we wanted some ice cream. We approach the first ice cream kiosk that came across on the way from the parking lot to the harbor and buy it. We later encountered similar kiosks every ten meters, but in more distant ones it cost significantly less than in the first one. You yourself will make a conclusion.

Crystal clear air, sparkling beaches and comfortable hotels make Cyprus great place for relax. Modern Cyprus combines European culture and identity, based on centuries-old traditions, and any traveler can find here exactly the experience that he needs. Each resort of the island has its own unique style, for example, Ayia Napa is youthful, Protaras is calm and romantic, and Paphos attracts with its ancient charm. It is to Paphos that lovers of antiquity should turn their attention: there are plenty of picturesque ruins and ancient buildings.

All the main sights are located near the port, they can be seen by walking around the neighborhood. You can start your walk with a visit to the Roman villas near the port. Archaeologists have found the ruins of five buildings here, four of them are open to the public: the houses of Dionysus, Theseus, Hercules (Orpheus) and Aion. Time spared the magnificent floor and wall mosaics of the 2nd-4th centuries AD. e., decorating these ancient buildings.

The villas were given their modern names in accordance with the plots of their most significant mosaics. For example, the mosaic in the main hall of the Villa of Dionysus glorifies him, the god of winemaking and harvest. Most of the mosaics in all the other villas also depict Greek gods, goddesses and hunting scenes. Scientists have found that in the IV century AD. e. the buildings were destroyed by the earthquake and abandoned. Miraculously preserved mosaics were discovered in the last century and became the object of research for historians, as well as one of the most popular attractions of Paphos.

Not far from the villa of Dionysus is the Odeon amphitheater. Despite the considerable age and earthquakes, the building is well preserved. The capacity of the amphitheater is 1200 people, and in ancient times it reached several thousand. Today, the ancient theater has turned out to be an excellent venue for various cultural events.

In ancient times, the temple of Asclepius adjoined the theater building from the west. The ruins liberated by the excavations give an idea of what this structure looked like: the Asklepion was built in the form of terraces located one above the other, surrounded by a spacious courtyard. The sanctuary of the god of healing was located at the top of the building, in the main temple. It is known that in ancient Asklepion not only worshiped the gods, but also treated people.

One of the most picturesque sights of Paphos is Saranda Kolones - the ruins of an ancient fort near the Odeon. Massive foundations, columns and two graceful arches are all that remains of the powerful Byzantine bastion erected in the 7th century, but even from them one can judge the former grandeur of the building. A few hundred meters south of the ruins is the famous Paphos Castle. Founded in the 13th century, it was intended to protect the port and replaced Saranda Kolones. The massive fortification that today stands on the shore was built in the 16th century by the Ottomans on the site of an earlier fortress. The castle once had fortifications and guns on the roof, but today tourists climb it to enjoy views of the city and the sea.
The oldest object of Paphos is the catacombs of Agia Solomonia and Agios Lambrianos. According to research, they were dug in the 4th century BC. e. under the city wall and was originally used for burials, and from the end of the 2nd century, the first Christians settled in the tunnels. They created an amazing underground church here, the frescoes of which attract many tourists. This unusual temple got its name in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Solomonia, whose relics rest in the underground temple.

A little to the east of the catacombs is the church of Ayia Kyriaki (Panagia Chrysopolitssa), one of the oldest religious places in Paphos. The date of origin of the first places of worship unknown. Studies have shown that on the site of the church built by the Crusaders in the 4th century there was already an ancient basilica, its legacy is a magnificent floor mosaic that can be seen today. The current building of the church was built in the 16th century, it is located above the northeastern chapel of the ancient basilica. A legend is connected with this place, according to which the Apostle Paul was beaten with whips near the church. Nearby you can see the remains of the marble column to which he was tied.

On the outskirts of Paphos is an ancient necropolis, consisting of more than a hundred burials. The tombs are deepened into the ground and are palaces with courtyards and colonnades. Even in a dilapidated state, these structures are real masterpieces of architecture, which is why they received the name of the Royal Tombs, although not kings, but representatives of the nobility are buried here.
In addition to the listed attractions, there are many more in Paphos. ancient castles, museums and archaeological parks. Ancient walls, columns and mosaics can be viewed endlessly. The city, which in the old days was the capital of all of Cyprus, has lost some of its grandeur, but has not lost a drop of charm.

The city of Paphos can be divided into two parts - Old Paphos (Palea Paphos) and New Paphos (Nea Paphos). On the site of Old Paphos, according to archaeological research, in the 3rd millennium BC there was a Neolithic settlement. Later, Paleo Paphos was settled by the Phoenicians, and then by the Greeks. Today, on the site of Paleo Paphos, 12 km from modern Paphos, is the village of Kouklia.

According to legend, New Paphos (Nea Paphos) was founded by the hero of the Trojan War, the leader of the Arcadians Agapenor (presumably XII - XIII centuries BC). In Old Paphos, Agapenor founded the temple of Aphrodite, which became a major religious center not only in Cyprus, but throughout the Hellenistic world.

The Phoenician king of Paleo-Paphos, Kineas, became the first high priest of the cult of Aphrodite; later, the high priests and soothsayers of the Temples of Aphrodite in Paphos and Amathous became the kynyrids, who considered themselves descendants of the great Kineas.

The excavation site of the temple of Aphrodite, destroyed by powerful earthquakes, can still be visited today in Kouklia, nearby Archaeological Museum exhibiting priceless archaeological artifacts.

In the IV century BC. the era of rapid development and prosperity of New Paphos began. The city was completely rebuilt - it was surrounded by a fortress wall, the districts had a rectangular layout. Cyprus passes into the subordination of the Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty. The capital of a united Cyprus is transferred to Paphos. The first capital of Cyprus, Salamis (in the area of modern Famagusta), was destroyed by a powerful earthquake. Paphos has become an important trade and military center in the Mediterranean, he gets the right to mint his coin.

In 58 B.C. Cyprus, with its capital in Paphos, becomes a province of the Roman Empire, and a Roman proconsul settles in Paphos. The most famous Roman proconsul in Cyprus, Mark Thulius Cicero, lived in Paphos in 51 BC. It is to the period of the Roman Empire that the main historical monuments Paphos - the archaeological park of Paphos with world-famous mosaics included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Around the year 45-47, the apostles Paul and Barnabas arrived in Cyprus on a missionary mission. Having traveled from Salamis to Paphos, they converted the acting proconsul of Cyprus, Sergius Paul, to Christianity. Cyprus thus became the first province of the Roman Empire to be ruled by a Christian.

In 342, the Mediterranean was shaken by a powerful earthquake that leveled several major cities. Paphos was also badly damaged. Much of New Paphos has been restored. Nevertheless, the capital was moved to Salamis, restored under the name of Constantius (in honor of the current emperor Constantine II). Paphos remains the Christian center of the island; several important Christian churches. In the XII century, the world-famous monastery of St. Neophyte the Hermit was founded.

In the middle of the 7th century, the upper part of the city (Ktima or Pano Paphos) was rebuilt. Tired of the raids of Arab pirates, the population moves away from the restless coast, or even goes deep into the island. Paphos is losing its political and economic influence. Until the 20th century, Paphos was a small, ordinary settlement in the southeast of the island.

The development of Paphos as tourist center began in the second half of the 20th century, after the Turkish annexation northern territories. Having lost the most developed and richest tourist resorts(primarily Famagusta), the Republic of Cyprus has invested all available resources in the development of its regions. A little earlier, in 1962, a Paphos farmer accidentally discovered ancient floor mosaics that have become famous throughout the world.

In 1980, the mosaics of the Paphos Archaeological Park were included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Today Paphos is one of the most beloved tourist resorts in Cyprus, combining both stunning nature and unique historical monuments. In 2017, Paphos, along with the Danish city of Aarhus, was chosen cultural capital Europe.

There are many attractions to visit and see in Paphos. It is better to do it on your own in order to truly enjoy the beauties of Cyprus without spending money on excursions.

Archaeological Park (Kato Pafos Archaeological Park)

One of the main attractions of Paphos. The park is a must visit for all lovers of antiquities. The archaeological park is under the protection of UNESCO and is remarkable for its mosaics, which date back to the 2nd-5th centuries. n. e. Some of them are under open sky and some in special rooms. In addition to the famous mosaics, in the park you can admire the ruins of the castle Saranda Kolones, Agora, Odeon, Asklepion and other antiquities.

The archaeological park is very atmospheric, especially if you come to the opening or closing, when there are no tourists and it is not so hot. The main entrance to the park is located near the port, there is parking nearby. The ticket price is 4.5 euros, it takes an average of 2-3 hours to visit the park.

Necessarily Wear a hat and comfortable shoes, and bring water and sunscreen. There is a map of the park and a free toilet at the entrance, and behind the exhibition pavilion where guidebooks and other printing are sold, you can get water if you take a container first, because drinking water on the embankment is expensive - 1.5 euros per 0.5 l. The park is open from 8 am to 7:30 pm (June-August).

Rent a car- This The best way travel! - reliable and convenient car rental service in Cyprus. Choose a car to your taste and budget - the choice is large. The cost of renting a car from 14 euros per day. Got questions? The Russian-speaking support service will help you in everything.

Tombs of the Kings

The Tombs of the Kings is perhaps a more atmospheric place than the park, as it attracts fewer tourists, so if you are wondering what to see in Paphos on your own, feel free to go there. It is noteworthy that there are no tombs of kings here - in fact, nobles were buried here (from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD).

In the necropolis, there is room for fantasies to roam: the impressive size of the rocks with open black graves inside involuntarily evoke thoughts of disturbed souls. Finding yourself in the tomb alone with the addictive blackness of the graves and feeling the characteristic damp smell, you feel a chill of fear creeping down your back.

Get to the tombs you can take bus number 615, which goes from the port to Coral Bay. From stop is coming road straight to the entrance. The cost of a ticket to the Tombs of the Kings is 2.5 euros. At the entrance there is a stand with a map. Opening hours: from 8:30 to 18:30.

Aphrodite's Rock / Petra-tou-Romiou

Stone of Aphrodite, or Petra tou Romiou - the most popular tourist place, which belongs to the category of those attractions that are worth seeing in Paphos on your own. Many beliefs are associated with the Stone of Aphrodite: if you find a pebble in the shape of a heart on the beach, you will have love, if you go around the stone of Aphrodite three times counterclockwise, you will Eternal youth and beauty. The main thing is not to confuse the rocks - Aphrodite's stone looks somewhat unpresentable compared to others: it is a black semicircular stone in the sea.

Be careful: despite the popularity of the beach, it is not safe to swim here - often strong waves hit the rocks, and the water is very cold. The beach consists of large pebbles, so the sea is clear, but breaking waves raise pebbles, which injure the feet of bathers. Also at the bottom are hidden and large stones that are dangerous. We witnessed how an adult was thrown on the waves like a child. Also, a phone or camera can be blown away by a wave if you decide to go into the water with them in search of a good angle.

The place is really charming, despite the crowds of tourists who come here mainly in excursion tours. So try to arrive early.- the first bus number 631 from Harbor station departs at 7:25. The advantage of early flights is also that it will not be so hot (there are practically no places on the beach where one could hide from the scorching sun).

Some tourists, getting off at the final stop, tend to cross the road. However, to get to the beach, you need to go through an underground passage, next to which there is a small restaurant and part-time gift shop. There is also a free toilet and paid showers (1-2 euros).

Baths of Aphrodite

The Bath of Aphrodite is a shady grotto with a small pond and a stream. It is said that those who bathe here will be forever young. However, swimming here is strictly prohibited, you can not drink water either. Many tourists specially take containers with them and fill them with water from the bath.

Like Petra tou Romiou, the Baths of Aphrodite is one of the sights worth seeing in Paphos on your own. We recommend coming here early to enjoy the privacy and coolness of the grotto of the goddess of love, as tourist groups greatly spoil the impression of the Baths of Aphrodite. In general, we did not experience much delight from visiting the bathhouse.

How to get there: from Caravel station by bus number 645 to the city of Polis (Polis Chrysochous - Chrysochou - Goudi - Choli - Skoulli - Giolou - Stroumbi - Tsada - Paphos). There you need to transfer to bus number 622 (Polis Chrysochous - Prodromi - Latchi - Baths of Aphrodite), and from the final stop along the path, walk to the bathhouse.

Early Christian Basilica (Agia Kyriaki Church)

Agia Kyriaki is also known as Panagia Chrysopolitissa. The church was partially erected on the ruins of an early Christian basilica built in the 4th century. n. e. The territory is under the protection of UNESCO. You can freely enter the church, but you will have to admire the columns and mosaics only from specially erected platforms.

(Photo © site)

Not far from Agia Kyriaki there is the famous St. Paul's Column. According to legend, when Saint Paul arrived in Cyprus in 45 AD. e. in order to preach Christianity, he was tied to this column and inflicted 39 lashes.

Facing the Church of Ayia Kyriaki, on the left are the Frankish Baths, which were built during the Lusignan period and were used as public baths. Now it is impossible to get inside the buildings.

The whole complex can be visited completely free of charge, it is officially open from 8:00 to 19:00 (in fact, it closes a couple of hours earlier).

How to get there: from the bus station up Apostolou Pavlou Avenue, from there turn onto Stasandrou or Pafias Afroditis, they will lead you straight to Ayia Kyriaki.

Mount Factory (Fabrica Hill)

Fabrica Hill is a complex of underground caves and chambers carved into the rock in the 3rd century BC. BC e., whose purpose is unknown. It is very interesting to explore the caves: a minute ago you were on a noisy avenue, and now you are in mysterious and dark chambers!

The Catacombs of Saint Solomon is a burial complex that was a refuge for Christians who were subjected to Roman persecution. The catacombs are open to the public at any time.

How to get there: from the port by buses No. 603-606-611-612-615 along Apostle Paul Avenue. Fabrica Hill is located diagonally from Kings Mall Avenue. If you go through the entire complex from above, you can go to the Roman amphitheater, which, unfortunately, is fenced. Walking along the street along the amphitheater, you will come out to Ayia Kiriaki.

Medieval Fort of Paphos

Paphos Castle, as it is also called, is considered one of the main attractions of Paphos. The fort was originally a Byzantine fortress that was destroyed by an earthquake. In the 13th century the castle was rebuilt by the Lusignans. During the capture by the Turks, the fort was dismantled by the Venetians, and later restored and fortified by the Ottomans.

Finding the fortress is easy - it is located near the port, not far from the entrance to the archaeological park. You can see it from afar, you definitely won’t pass by. Entrance fee - 2.5 euros. We have not been inside, but judging by the reviews of tourists, there is nothing particularly interesting there. An excellent view of the fort opens from the side of the archaeological park.