Paphos

Not only does Paphos contain ancient archaeological remains; it is also the perfect base for discovering the delights of a region that combines wonderful beaches, picturesque hamlets and unspoilt nature.

Vrysoudia beach

This beach, the best in the area, has soft golden sand. No time for boredom here, both in and out of the water. In summer, beach-volleyball matches are organised spontaneously giving rise to fun and sport.
Because of its calm waters it is also recommended for water activities such as windsurfing, water scooters or pedaloes. There is a rocky area that has a wide variety of fish and is perfect for snorkelling.

You can hire all the necessary material in the Hotel Riu Cypria Resort, which is situated on the beachfront.

Petra tou Romiou beach

This is the most spectacular beach in southern Cyprus, with gigantic rock formations that rise out of the water just a few metres from the sand, lending it an epic look. The water is turquoise but the sand, mixed with pebbles, has a singular greyish colour.
Magnificent white and brown hills slope down to the beach, presiding over it. The sight of this mixture of colours from the neighbouring cliffs is impressive - don't forget to take your camera.

Lara beach

Its as spectacular as Petra tou Romiou, and also one of the best in Cyprus. Its sand is golden and its waters clear and calm. This unspoilt beach is also one of the most important nesting sites for turtles. Access is via an unmade road, giving it even more charm.

Hiking

The Paphos area is ideal for going on easy walks in which you will discover beautiful coastal and mountain scenery:

Avgas gorge: This easy walk runs along a beautiful trail amidst high walls of limestone. In some places these become so narrow that if you stretch out your arms you'll bee able to touch both sides with your hands. The area is home to numerous species of birds and reptiles.
At the entrance to the gorge there is a cafeteria with excellent food. This is a good place to stop on the way back from the walk.

Pissouromouttis trail: This route affords spectacular views of the bays of Lara to the south and Chrysohou to the north. It's located in the beautiful Akamas peninsula, an area of great natural interest.

Aphrodite trail: Also on the Akamas peninsula, the trail begins at the baths of Aphrodite, a beautiful cave with a waterfall, and ends on top of Moutti tis Sotiras, from where there are magnificent views of the coast. Halfway along the trail lie the ruins of the castle of Rigena, a Byzantine monastery.

Diving and snorkelling

There are a large number of immersion points along the coast of Paphos:

Roman wall: The remains of the old Roman wall of Paphos are now a refuge for a great range of fish species. This underwater archaeological site is very close to the port, and recommended for beginners and learners.

Amphorae Reef: The Romans left many amphorae here. And its possible to see them in a good state of conservation on this reef, which also stands out for its multiple caves. 
 
Vera K: This wreckage of a Lebanese freighter is now home to a wide variety of fauna such as turtles, barracudas and rays.

Specialities

Mezze: Delicious Spanish tapa-style dishes based on meat, fish or vegetables. They are normally served in three parts: first the accompanying sauces such as hummus or tzatziki; then the vegetables and sausages; and finally the lamb, pork or veal.

Zivania: Aniseed-flavoured liqueur made from grapes. It is usually drunk as an aperitif or to accompany mezze.

Wine: The red wine of Commandaria, in Kolossi, is the most famous on the island and stands out for its fruity flavour. Its perfect as an accompaniment to mezze.

Shopping

Paphos receives a large amount of craft products from all over Cyprus. The embroidered items from Lefkara, handmade by the village women, are particularly noteworthy, as are the clay objects manufactured in Kornos, formerly used for storing wine and water and now very popular for their decorative use. The handmade baskets, with a wide variety of motifs and colours, are also interesting.

Tomb of the Kings

This impressive complex of tombs and cave-houses is carved out of the limestone cliffs near the coast. The caves, used by Greeks and Romans from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, are remarkable for the number of chambers they have, with the niches carved out in every room.

Their structure and conception are of Egyptian influence. The Egyptians believed that the resting place for the dead should be similar to the place they lived in, which is why the tombs were constructed in living spaces.

Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, this spectacular legacy from the past lies a few kilometres to the north of Paphos.

Paphos archaeological complex

This cultural treasure, known as Nea Paphos, is the original site of the town. In this place you'll find remnants of its numerous settlers from the 4th century BC until its decline in the 15th century:

Roman mosaics: Elaborate, colourful collection of mosaics of incalculable cultural value. Very well-preserved and extremely beautiful, they adorn the floors of the 3rd-century Roman residences and tell stories dedicated to different Greek gods. The most impressive ones are in the House of Dionysus (the god of wine), who is the main character in many stories.

Agora: This is the original site of the town, dating from the 2nd century BC. Highlights are the Odeon, the large Greek amphitheatre, and the marble columns that dominate the site.

Saranta Kolones fortress: This once impressive fortress was mostly destroyed by an earthquake in 1222. There are still some archways bearing witness to its past grandeur.

The Akamas heights

These mountains have some of the most picturesque hamlets in Cyprus, with beautiful scenery and delicious local specialities:

Dhrousia: Beautiful village embodying the typical image of rural Cyprus, with men sitting drinking coffee after coffee in the rustic cafes, many fig trees and the odd donkey at the edge of the street. As you leave the village on the main road, there is a strange gravity hill effect that locals call the "magic road phenomenon": it is an optical illusion that makes a gentle downhill slope seem like an uphill slope. If you are travelling by car, you will have the impression that your vehicle is going up a hill with the engine off when in fact you are going downhill.

Kritou Terra: This village of 90 inhabitants has well-kept stone houses and a pretty Byzantine church. The villagers are very welcoming and will not hesitate to invite you into their houses or to the local café for something to drink. Without doubt one of the most typical images of Cyprus.

Kathikas: Stop in this picturesque town and have something to eat in its taverns, which are famous for their good wine and fresh products.

Akamas peninsula

This is one of the last natural sanctuaries left in Cyprus and it's outstanding for its biodiversity: 600 species of plants (35 of them endemic), 68 bird species and 12 mammal species. There is also an abundance of an endemic butterfly, Glaucopsyche Pafos, which is the symbol of the region. Part of this area is used as an operations zone by the British army. The military presence has, incidentally, prevented construction in this area that offers wonderful scenery.

Valley of the Cedars

Here you will be able to see impressive woods of Cyprus cedars, an endemic species which is quite similar to the Lebanese cedar. The road that links it to Paphos will enable you to discover spectacular landscapes.

Stavros tis Psokas nature reserve

A picturesque road leads to this nature reserve standing at a height of 1200 m., which constitutes the last refuge of the Cyprus mouflon, an endangered species of endemic wild sheep. Special observation zones have been prepared to enable people to observe this rare, shy animal, which usually flees from people.