Look past its golden sandy beaches, warm weather and idyllic scenery and you will discover the real Paphos. The hospitality of the locals, its cultural and historical value and its range of monuments makes Paphos the ideal holiday destination for those who expect a lot more from an Island than simply the Sun Sea and sand.
Paphos is an ideal holiday destination for couples and families as there is plenty on offer to keep all entertained. The beachside promenade boasts cafes and restaurants offering traditional Greek and European dishes. The atmosphere is very laid back and relaxed and the good weather is hard to beat. Rumor even has it that Aphrodite the Goddess of Love was born here, so you may even be in for a little bit of romance when you visit!
Paphos is filled with architectural and historical wonders to discover. The area itself has a very rich historical and cultural tradition. The Palace of the Knights is worth a trip where you can take in the Light and Sound show extravaganza that takes place throughout the year in the gardens. The kids will love it if you are travelling to Paphos as a family. The original archeological site of Paphos extends further than the Acropolis and has within it a wide range of monuments worth exploring. The Temple of Athena and The Church of the Panayia take you back in time to the early 1400’s. The Hrysopolitissa Church is still being excavated, the foundations of the original Christian basilica can still be seen and demonstrate the sheer size of the original structure that was originally built in the 4th century.
To expand your historical knowledge further, take a trip to the Byzantine Museum in Paphos complete with its collection of icons from as early as the 13th and 14thcenturies. Staff members at the museum will be more than happy to show you around this wonderful Paphos site. Impressive and one of the popular favorites in Paphos is the Tomb of the Kings. This is a World Heritage Site that contains well preserved tombs and underground chambers that were used during the Roman period in the 4th century. An interesting fact is that the tombs were designed with such grandeur as if made for Kings but the tombs themselves are not of any Kings, rather the residents of this region at that time. Located near the Paphos harbour are a number of Roman Villas known for their gorgeous mosaic floors that outline details of the history of Cyprus and various mythological scenes. They truly are a spectacular site to take in and definitely worth a visit. Make sure you see the Villa of Theseus and the House of Orpheus.
Popular family attractions include a visit to the Paphos Aquarium and the Polis Nature Reserve. Both have a wide selection of marine and wild life and make perfect day trips for the family. Near here you can also find the natural grotto where Aphrodite according to legend bathed regularly. The natural spring water pool is accessible via many nature trails that lead from the Akamas Peninsula. A perfect way to relax the day away and cool off!
Paphos has a large variety of accommodation to suit all requirements and budgets, choose from self catering apartments which are popular with families and groups to beautiful 4* hotels. We have a great selection of accommodation for you to choose from, whatever your requirement and whatever your budget. So all you need to worry about is what you will be taking with you on your holiday to Paphos!
A popular favourite is the traditional tavernas that you will find dotted around Paphos that serve up meze and fresh seafood daily. The exotic blend of spices mixed with fresh vegetables meats and fresh seafood will tingle your taste buds! Along the promenade as well as in all the hotels you will always have a good selection of European favorites, so you will never be too far away from some egg and chips or a traditional English roast.
Paphos is fortunate to benefit from a warm Mediterranean climate all year round. The summers are dry with no rainfall and temperatures averaging in the mid thirties. For those of you that prefer slightly cooler weather, travel to Paphos between April and June where temperatures level off nicely in the mid twenties. Due to its geographic location Cyprus doesn’t really experience harsh winters. The sun still shines for at least 6 hours on most days even in the winter! Read our weather guide for a full review.
The island of Cyprus is so stunning, it’s almost a shame not to see as much of it as possible. We’d really recommend hiring a car in Paphos and taking in some more of the sites. In Cyprus they drive on the same side of the road as us here in the UK, so it’s nice and easy and the views along the coastline are breathtaking. In peak season in Cyprus, the main bar area in Paphos can become very lively so be sure to check the proximity of your hotel to the bars if you want to be able to escape the party goers! There are a number of restaurants and bars that provide live entertainment and are suitable for all the family..just take a wonder around and you’re sure to like what you see!
Off the beaten track in Paphos
All you nature lovers will not be disappointed in Paphos, the natural landscape around the resort offers fantastic walking trails which lead out into the wilderness. Take yourself away from the craziness of the tourist areas and find yourself a secluded spot to relax and really take it all in. The perfect way to get off the beaten track in Paphos.
Here at Travel Club, we love Paphos! The harbor area is bustling and full of great shops, bars and restaurants. The local bus service is great and a really inexpensive away of visiting Coral Bay for the day and you can catch a bus anywhere along the harbor area. One thing we would advise about the harbor area, is there tends to be lots of people selling time share and offering scratch cards to entice you to them. If you are not there to buy property, remain firm and they won’t bother you for too long! We’d also recommend a visit to a restaurant in Coral bay that has become famous over the years and loved by all – Fat Mammas. With fantastic food and incredible entertainment you won’t be disappointed, but good luck trying to eat all the food you’ll be presented with! Don’t forget to get in touch with us when you’re back to let us know what you thought of Paphos and your hotel. Happy Holidays from all the team at Travel Club!