The western third of Cyprus is home to a great variety of landscapes and activities. From relaxing on the pristine beaches of Akamas during a desert safari, learning about ancient history and mythology to partying the night away - Paphos has a little bit of everything, making it the perfect destination for families and solo travelers alike. Combine your visit with a tour of the rest of the island or simply use the time you have to explore the region, you can't go wrong with a visit to Paphos. And the best part? Wherever you go, you are not far from the next breathtakingly beautiful sunset!

Good To Know

• Paphos city has good public transport and connections to the rest of the area. However, some places require a vehicle to get to! Prepare to get a hire car for at least a couple of days, but make sure it is suitable for what you want to explore. Otherwise, you will need to book a tour or safari, which can get quite expensive.
• Stay in the city if you are planning on going out to bars every night or stay around Coral Bay for nicer beaches.
• Check out our other trips about Cyprus and find out all the other amazing places to visit around the island!

Highlights

Peyia:

Just north of Paphos lies the residential town of Peyia. The taverns in Peyia are not visited by many tourists, so this is where you meet the locals (who always have great inside tips!) and eat traditional Cypriot food. For the best views of the coast stop at the hillside just above the old town, preferably right at sunset, so you can see the Mediterranean in a golden glow and the sea of sparkling lights of the towns below right after. Peyia's coastline is known for its amazing beaches, which is why many hotels have decided to build down in Coral Bay. Coral Beach is often even named among the best beaches on the island, but it is mostly very crowded nowadays. However, if you just want a nice day at the beach, swim in calm waters, and enjoy some food or cocktails, these are the beaches to go to. While there certainly are many sandy beaches around, much of the shore is rocky. Through corrosion by the sea, Sea Caves and other geological features have formed in the cliffs, giving the coastline its distinct look. In 2011 a cargo ship from Norway ran on the rocks by the sea caves. All crew was rescued safely, but the wreck was never towed. The Edro III is now a popular subject for photos and the rocks on which it stranded a great place to view the sunset behind the ship. Coral Bay also has decent nightlife, with good restaurants, live music, and few bars.

Paphos:

Even though it is just a 20-minute drive from Peyia to Paphos, there is a still lot to see on the way. Sea You Beach Bar at Potima Bay (Warning: do not go swimming here, due to rip tides), serves delicious food to live music and with a gorgeous view of the bright blue bay. From there, consider taking a detour to see the (Reconstructed) Prehistoric Settlement in Lempa and the Cyprus College of Arts. The excavation site is small, without much signage but worth a short visit nonetheless, while the outside of the little art school is decorated with sculptures and pottery works and makes for a fun stop along the way. To explore the center of Paphos, park at Kato Pafos, the city's harbor. Right by the harbor lies the Nea Paphos, a large excavation site covering about a third of lower Paphos. Most structures within the park date back to the Romans, such as the House of Dionysus constructed around the 2nd century AD. The villa is known for its intricate mosaic flooring depicting scenes from Greek Mythology and is a must-see when coming to Paphos. There are four more villas with gorgeous mosaics in the archaeological park that are all also worth a visit. Plan a few hours for the main park by the harbor, as there is a lot more to see here. To continue with ancient excavation sites, visit The Tombs of the Kings, the tombs, and Egyptian-style burial chambers of around 100 aristocrats, dating back to between 300 AD and 300 BC. Most of the tombs are rather simple, but a few larger ones resemble ancient houses, with their entrances even being held up by large Doric columns! To get a change from antiquity, consider visiting Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa, one of the oldest Christian Churches still actively hosting mass today. Alternatively (or in addition!) tour Agios Neophytos, a monastery built within a cliffside cave. Be sure to spend at least one evening at Petra Tou Romiou, about a half an hour drive from the city. It is said, that the goddess Aphrodite was born here, emerging from the waves, and first stepped foot on Cyprus. The myth earned the large rock that stands where she surfaced the name of Aphrodite Rock and Cyprus the name of The Home of Aphrodite. Watch from the pebble stone beach or cliff above how the sun tinges the sea in a reddish-gold and ultimately sets behind the rock. Without a doubt, this is the most magical moment on the island.

Akamas Peninsula:

The Akamas Peninsula in the northwestern corner of the island is an adventurer's paradise. To explore the countless natural attractions in the shrublands of Akamas, you will need to rent an off-road vehicle (or book a guided jeep/quad bike tour) for the day, as the rocky dirt roads are inaccessible for other vehicles. Don't worry, the Akamas Peninsula is well worth the investment: The effort needed to explore the desert inhibits the mass tourism found in other parts of the island, ensuring that you'll have the place (mostly) to yourself! Coming from Peyia, your first stop should be the Avakas Gorge, a narrow canyon formed by two tall cliffs. The 8.2 km (5 miles) trail through the gorge leads across a small stream, through narrow pathways, and over large rocks, but is an easy, yet exciting, hike for those wearing sturdy footwork. At the end of the canyon, the walls open up to reveal a stunning stone valley. A short drive north from the Avakas Gorge, keep your eyes open for the dirt road to famous Lara Bay. There are two beaches under the name: The South Beach, which is usually visited even less but offers a small kiosk and cliffside café, and the North Beach, also known as Turtle Bay. Lara is among the best places in the Mediterranean to watch Loggerhead Sea Turtles come to shore to lay their eggs (between May and July) and later to watch the young ones hatch and head to sea (between August and September). If you weren't so lucky as to see a turtle, the Lara Bay Conservation Station has small tanks for early hatchings to gain more strength for their journey at sea and signs giving more information on the conservation efforts. You can find the small hut at the tip of North Beach. Despite seemingly being a highly coveted tourist destination, both beaches are virtually almost empty. This means having a long stretch of beautiful soft sand and clean, azure water to yourself! After Lara, you can of course continue north along the rocky roads leading into the mountains. Just beware, that roads get narrower and turns get tighter the higher up into the hills you go. The main road will take you around the tip of the peninsula, into the town of Latchi, passing some more sights. However, you may also head back into Peyia, take the road to Latchi and re-enter northern Akamas from here or visit the upcoming sights via boat. Boat tours from Latchi Harbor will take you along the shoreline to the stunning Blue Lagoon. The warm, crystal clear waters, contrasted by desolate rocky cliffsides, seem to be giving the Maldives a run for their money! Most tours will sail to the lagoon and anchor there for a few hours, giving guests enough time to enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Some tours also offer an onboard barbeque. During the boat ride, the tour guides usually give a small introduction to other sights along the shore, most of which are only accessible via the dirt roads of Akamas. Consider driving along Akamas' northern shore to visit The Baths of Aphrodite, a small pool inside a grotto where Aphrodite is said to have come to bathe. Explore some more by going on the 7.7 km (4.8 miles) long Aphrodite-Adonis Loop Trail and enjoy the breathtaking vistas of the coast along the way! Optionally, you could also rent a small boat for a day and visit the secluded coves and beaches along the coastline. After your excursions, be sure to stay around Latchi for a little while longer. Adrenaline junkies will get their kick through the various watersports offered at Latchi Harbor. Parasailing, Jet Skiing, Tubing - you name it, you can do it. If the activities of the day have tired you out too much, take the main road back to Paphos. However, if you have some energy left, try driving through the villages up in the hills toward Peyia (namely Androlikou and Ineia) at sunset, where awe-inspiring views from within the clouds await. The side streets join the main road just before Peyia, leading you back to your accommodation. Important Note: Much of the Akamas Peninsula is protected. Be sure to be cautious of your environment, and please don't touch or disturb the wildlife and pick up your trash. Beware that during the summer months, the Akamas shrubland is extremely dry and fires catch easily. Lastly, bring enough water!

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