By air
Paphos International Airport (PFO), ~15 km
Europe · Cyprus
Paphos, Cyprus
Roman mosaics and the birthplace of Aphrodite
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October — warm sea, less heat
Don't miss
Paphos Archaeological Park
The Tombs of the Kings
Paphos Castle
Petra tou Romiou
Things to do
Exploring ancient sites
Swimming at coves
Boat trips along the coast
Hiking in Akamas
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Anatoliy Smaga · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Swimwear, sunscreen, sun hat, walking shoes
A quieter corner
Avakas Gorge on the edge of the Akamas Peninsula
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Paphos?
April to June and September to October — warm sea, less heat. What to pack: Swimwear, sunscreen, sun hat, walking shoes.
How do I get to Paphos?
Fly into Paphos International Airport (PFO), ~15 km.
What is there to do in Paphos?
Exploring ancient sites, swimming at coves, boat trips along the coast, hiking in Akamas. A quieter find: Avakas Gorge on the edge of the Akamas Peninsula.
What should I eat in Paphos?
Halloumi, meze spreads, souvla, kleftiko slow-cooked lamb and fresh fish.
About Paphos
- Coastal
Where it is
Paphos is a coastal city in the south-west of Cyprus, facing the Mediterranean Sea.
History
Nea Paphos was founded in the late 4th century BC and became the capital of Cyprus under the Ptolemies and Romans. Wealthy Roman villas here were decorated with fine floor mosaics that survive today. The town and its ancient sites were listed by UNESCO in 1980, and Paphos was a European Capital of Culture in 2017.
People
Paphos's people speak Greek in the Cypriot dialect, with English widely used, and life centres on the harbour, village tavernas and the Orthodox Church calendar.
Known for
- Roman floor mosaics
- The Tombs of the Kings
- Aphrodite's Rock
- The harbour and castle
Did you know?
In Greek myth Aphrodite was born from the sea foam at Petra tou Romiou, a rock off the coast east of Paphos.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.