There’s plenty to see and do on a trip to Cyprus. Famous as the legendary birthplace of the Goddess Aphrodite, Paphos is a holiday destination that’s easy to fall in love with. History, good food and architectural gems all wrapped around a pretty harbour make for a fascinating trip.
Watch the waves: According to local mythology the Greek Goddess of love, Aphrodite, arose from the waves at the coastal spot of Petra tou Rominou, east of Paphos.
She emerged from the bubbling sea foam just off shore at Aphrodite’s Rock, which is claimed to have magical powers. And anyone brave enough to swim three times around the rock is said to be granted eternal youth.
Eat at: Paphos town itself is split in two. Ktima (upper) Paphos is the higher part of town and the home of the old quarter. Beneath lies Kato (lower) Paphos, where you can find the pretty harbour. If you love fish, this is the perfect place for lunch. My favourite was a sumptuous seafood mezze at Theo’s restaurant, overlooking the waterfront right next to the Pelican restaurant (complete with a famous resident pelican always on the lookout for leftovers.)
Historic hotspot: Don’t miss a visit to one of the most inspiring spots on the island, The Paphos Archaeological Park, nestled just behind the harbour. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it contains some of the best preserved ancient Greek floor mosaics in the world and dates back to the 2nd century AD. The remains of four villas were discovered on farmland here in 1962 and the intricate mosaics suggest it must have been a place of lavish wealth.
Touring the House of Dionysus (also known as Bacchus in Roman history) with a guide was fascinating. Alternatively, if you want to visit at your own pace, make use of the QR codes at various points around the site. These contain plenty of information to really bring the stories to life.
Wander through the Tombs of the Kings: Behind the entrance to the main site sits the dramatic Tombs of the Kings. Despite the name the underground tombs were actually used for aristocrats and high-ranking officials during the Hellenistic and Roman periods rather than royalty. Carved directly out of the solid rock, the tombs owe their regal name to the scale and impressive Doric columns found here.
Stroll the harbour: Spot Paphos’s Byzantine castle guarding the harbour on the western tip or head eastwards along the promenade for a longer walk. Strolling past a selection of bars brings you to the municipal beaches and watersports hire shops, and the chance to book a trip on a jet ski. It’s also where to find many of Paphos’s larger hotels. Here the coastal boardwalk leads right to the picturesque blue and white St Nicholas Church at ‘Sunset point’. As the name suggests, it’s perfect for photo opportunities.
Catch the breeze on the water: In the heat of the summer, a trip on one of the many boat tours running direct from the harbour (including a half-day BBQ cruise) is a great way to keep cool. Alternatively, opt for the sunset cruise which promises the chance to spot Loggerhead turtles swimming off the coast west of Paphos. Environmentalists are fighting hard to protect the undeveloped coastline and breeding grounds. Find out more about conservation at the Innia-Lara Turtle Museum in beautiful Innia village on the edge of the Akamas Peninsular. There are no live turtles kept there but the museum makes for a great stop on the way to the famous Lara Bay nesting beaches.
Go shopping in the Old Town: by day take in the shady boutiques, galleries and shops of the Old Town. Years ago, the centre of town housed a traditional local food market. Today, European money has helped transform the centre into an array of pedestrianised streets.
Meet the locals at The Place on Constantinou Kanari 56. This a local art gallery and craft shop is housed in a renovated warehouse and is one of the best hidden gems in the Old Town. Try your talent on the pottery wheel or have a go at wood carving at a hands-on workshop.
It’s the place to buy local delicacies, from honey to carob syrup, and all are sold in handy ‘airport friendly’ 100ml size.
At night, the Old Town is the place to dine at distinctly Cypriot family restaurants or go people-watching at one of the hip cocktail bars.
Head for the mountains: If you’re feeling adventurous, hire a car to head out from Paphos up to the Troodos mountains. Discover local villages or tour a vineyard to sample local wines. An easier option – without the worry or driving – is to book a one-day food and wine tour with a guide.
My tour also included lunch at the Spring of Life family restaurant in the pretty village of Amargeti. Their lemon chicken was, without doubt, my favourite meal in Cyrpus. Owner Alexandros is certainly a jack of all trades. Not only is he the unofficial mayor of the village but he also has a microbrewery onsite, producing both local beer as well as making homemade carob syrup.
You can book a food and drink tour with Alexia Christodoulou at www.privatetourscyprus.com.
Walk around the green: Golf and crown green bowls enthusiasts are well catered for in this area of Cyprus. There are four nearby championship golf courses and Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort offer professional lessons for anyone wanting to improve their skills.
Constaninou Bros Hotel chain offers the largest bowling facilities outside of the UK with 18 outdoor bowls rinks shared between three of their four Paphos beachfront hotels.
Stay at: Anne stayed at the Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel, Paphos and you can check out her review of the hotel here.
Author Bio:
Anne Gorringe is an award-winning travel writer with over 30 years’ experience as a journalist. In the last year, she’s travelled to Bali, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia and France and her favourite trips always include good food and sunshine. You’ll find her on X and Instagram as @annegorringe.
Photographs courtesy of Visit Paphos
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