Travel to Paphos

Travel to Paphos

Steeped in mythology and history, Paphos is an ancient city located on the southwest coast of Cyprus. The city combines stunning archaeological sites with a modern resort lifestyle, and is considered so historically important that the entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The weather is perfect year-round, attracting hordes of tourists from all over the world.

Transportation to Paphos

Paphos can be a little difficult to get to. Its international airport serves scheduled flights every other day, with the majority of traffic being summer charter flights. There is a second international airport at Larnaca that has a broader range of scheduled flights. There are good bus links between Paphos and other towns and cities in western Cyprus, and the road network is equally convenient and safe for those travelling by car. Although Paphos is a port, commercial ferries dock farther east along the southern coast at Limassol.

What to see

Paphos archaeological sites are its main attraction, and tourists must visit sites like the Paphos Archaeological Park, Temple of Aphrodite, Odeon Theatre and Medieval Castle. Although many of the artefacts unearthed at Paphos have been moved to Athens, there is enough remaining in the citys museums to deserve a visit. Try the Paphos Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum and Ethnographic Museum.

Daytrips

The hinterland regions surrounding Paphos have some great areas for daytrips. You can choose to follow the coast around to Polis, from where you can access the picturesque Akamas Peninsula with its Baths of Aphrodite. Alternatively, you can head away from the coast and discover lovely mountain ranges and time-lost villages that are rarely visited by tourists. Other towns near Paphos are also worth visiting, such as the resorts near Larnaca and Limassol and the traditional town of Lemesos with its stunning Kolossi Castle.

Activities and leisure

Paphos is a haven for water sports enthusiasts; however, there is also a wide range of land-based activities such as horseback riding, cycling and hiking. Paphos has some unique and spectacular annual events, while shopping or lying on the beach are the two most popular leisure pursuits.

Safety issues

Paphos is considered very safe, with violent crime almost unheard of. The danger to tourists unfortunately comes from other tourists, who prey on their fellow travellers. There are no health concerns, but many people are put off by the odour of the water and choose to drink bottled beverages instead.