Welcome to our guide on the top places to visit in Paphos, Cyprus. This popular west-Cyprus tourist town is one of the island’s best places to visit for a relaxing beach holiday. It has a special place in our hearts, as it’s where we got married. However, it’s also one of our favourite European destinations due to its wide range of sightseeing opportunities and excellent hotel options.
Paphos offers everything from ancient Greek history and cuisine to beautiful coastlines, sandy beaches and nature activities. Travel inland from the coast and you’ll find an incredible mountain range known as Troodos. Paphos is quite an affordable destination to visit too. Hotels offer good value for money and you can see the main sites on a budget.
Continue reading our travel guide to discover the very best places to visit in Paphos, Cyprus.
Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra tou Romiou)
Petra tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite’s Rock, is not just any rock. In Greek mythology, it’s said to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. This makes it a place of myth and legend, and anyone with an interest in Greek mythology will know how iconic the rock is. According to the story, anyone that swims around the rock will be blessed with eternal beauty.
Aphrodite’s Rock is easy to get to from Paphos town and is well worth a visit. Stop by to gaze at this historic site and walk down the beach. The rock stacks and pebble beach set the scene for some excellent photos.
Paphos Harbour
Paphos Harbour is the vibrant tourist centre of the area. It’s where most tourists choose to stay, boasting a long promenade of hotels, and plenty of bars and restaurants. The harbourside is a nice place to visit at any time of the day. Grab an ice cream and watch the boats arrive and depart from the marina, or dine with a view in one of the harbour restaurants.
This area is a top place to visit in Paphos for scenic walks, gift shopping and the to see the top-rated ancient ruins, Kato Pafos Archaeological Park.
Kato Pafos Archaeological Park
Kato Pafos Archaeological Park is one of the town’s most important archaeological sites. It houses the remains of the Greek and Roman city and is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the park is still under excavation, you can visit today to see many of the old ruins up-close. It’s a large site near the coast, and whilst most ruins are only a shadow of the structures they once were, the historic significance and stories of the ruins will captivate you for a couple of hours.
Some of the top sites to see at Kato Pafos Archaeological Park include a Hellenistic Theatre, Byzantine Castle, Acropolis and Odeon. You’ll also find well-preserved floor tiles of the era in the House of Dionysos. Entry to the site costs just under 5 euros per person.
Paphos Castle
Another iconic site in the harbour area is Paphos Castle, which sits at the end of the marina jetty. It was built on the site of an old Bzantine fortress, which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1222. These days, you’ll find a Western Frankish design tower with Venetian additions from the Ottoman Empire period.
Admire the views of Paphos Castle from afar or pay the few euros’ entry fee to have a look inside.
Paphos promenade
The long seaside promenade is one of the top places to visit in Paphos for travellers that love a scenic stroll. At any time of the day, it’s a great place for some exercise, or to access the main town if you’re staying in one of the many seafront hotels. Along the stretch of Paphos promenade, you’ll find small beach coves, water sports vendors and plenty of sea-view bars and restaurants.
Avakas Gorge
Fancy a mini hike during your time in Paphos? Akavas Gorge is part of the protected Akamas National Park. Set back away from the coast, this scenic valley has a trail that’ll take you up a river stream and between two giant rock faces. The hike through the gorge is an adventurous but easy walk for all levels of hiking experience.
Visit Avakas Gorge to experience the nature of the island and to capture some cool photos standing in the middle of the gorge.
Edro III Shipwreck
The Edro III Shipwreck is an unusual coastal attraction in Paphos. Located just off the shore amongst crashing waves and some nice coastal scenery, you’ll find the abandoned wreck of a cargo ship. Edro III ran aground in 2011 after encountering heavy storms on its way to Rhodes, and whilst the crew were saved, the wreckage has stayed in place.
Stop by the shipwreck to get up close to the decaying cargo ship and capture some unique holiday photos. It’s an excellent place to visit at sunset. We also recommend grabbing lunch in the neighbouring Oniro by the Sea (view on Google Maps) restaurant. It overlooks the shipwreck and serves up some excellent food.
Peyia Sea Caves
Venture north of Paphos and you’ll soon reach a dramatic coastline of small beach coves, jagged cliffs, and the main attraction, Peyia Sea Caves. The caves have been carved out of the rock face over many years, creating some of the most unique land formations on the island. There are dozens of small caves scattered along one area.
To see the Peyia Sea Caves, you can peer out from one of several viewpoints or head to the small beach cove. Alternatively, hire a small boat or join a boat tour and explore the caves away from the shore.
Coral Bay
Coral Bay boasts one of the nicest sandy beaches in the Paphos area. Located just a short car, taxi or bus ride from the centre of Paphos, this sleepy beach down is a top choice for water sports and sunbathing. It features vibrant turquoise waters and soft white sand, and it’s large enough to never feel too busy.
Go for a long walk along Coral Bay beach, try some parasailing or hire a sun lounger for the day and enjoy Cyprus’ hot weather. Aside from the beach, Coral Bay has a long strip of shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s a great spot to grab lunch.
Agios Neophytos Monastery
Escape to the Paphos mountainside and you’ll find the quiet and peaceful Agios Neophytos Monastery. Founded by monks in the 12th century, the monastery has long been an active place of worship. Its hillside location is surrounded by lush forest terrain and you’ll find scenic views of the valley throughout the monastery grounds.
Visit Agios Neophytos Monastery for a morning of sightseeing. Light a candle in the quaint church, wander through the gardens or pay a couple of euros and you can explore the inner sanctum of the monastery, which was built into the side of the rock face.
Tomb of the Kings
Next up on our list of places to visit in Paphos is the town’s most important historical site, Tomb of the Kings. With structures dating back over 2000 years, it was once the burial site for important aristocrats and officials of the era. Contrary to the name, kings weren’t actually buried here.
Pay the small entrance fee and proceed to explore the tombs on foot. There are several ruins and underground chambers, some of them more preserved than others. Tomb 3 is where you’ll find a labyrinth of underground crypts and the iconic standing pillars. Tomb of the Kings is a must-see during your time in Paphos, but be sure to visit early on a morning. The open area gets very hot on an afternoon and there’s very little shade.
Kings Shopping Mall
Fancy a bit of retail therapy during your time in Paphos? Kings Shopping Mall is the go-to shopping spot for popular retail stores such as Zara, Pull and Bear, Under Armour, H&M and many more. It also has a good selection of snack stalls and restaurants. We recommend visiting Kings Shopping Mall on a day where you want to take a break from the sun. It’s just down the road from Tomb of the Kings, so you can visit both attractions in a few hours.
Blue Lagoon boat trip
We’ve mentioned some of the best places to visit on the Paphos mainland. However, being a Mediterranean island, it has a beautiful coastline that you can’t miss. You’ll find various boat tours operating from Paphos harbour. However, to really see the beauty of the island, you’ll need to travel further north to the town of Latchi.
Boat tours depart from Latchi Harbour throughout the day, taking you on a seafaring adventure around the Akamas National Park area of the coast. The most iconic site here is a turquoise cove known as Blue Lagoon. It’s a great spot for snorkelling, and the bright, transparent water is excellent for swimming.
Book a boat tour to Blue Lagoon for a fun day of sailing, swimming and beautiful coastal scenery.
Paphos Old Town and Market
Many people visit Paphos and only see the area of town near the coast. After all, it’s where most hotels, bars, restaurants and attractions are located. The wider Paphos area is a major residential and business area, home to almost 40,000 people. To get a local experience of Paphos away from the main tourist centre, head to the Old Town.
Located inland from the beaches, Paphos Old Town is a hillside area with panoramic views of the countryside and sea. It has some excellent gift shops, high street stores and restaurants. It also has a bustling outdoor market, which is open every day of the week except Sunday.
Browse the market stalls, check out the local cafes and see if you can spot one of the many street-art murals. You’ll find creative designs on the side of several buildings in the old town.
Venus Beach
Venus Beach is one of the best places to visit in Paphos for a relaxing beach day. It’s widely regarded to be the prettiest beach in Paphos, and due to the land formation, it’s sheltered from the waves. Golden sands, refreshing waters and plenty of sun loungers make it a great beach for those that want to relax, swim and sunbathe. There are also a few water activities for those that fancy something a little more exhilarating.
You can get to Venus Beach by driving there in a hire car or catching the local bus. It stops just outside the car park.
St Solomon’s Catacombs
Located a short walk from Paphos waterfront, St Solomon’s Catacombs is a free-to-visit cave and chapel with a rich history. It’s named after Agia Solomoni, the first Cypriot to reject paganism to become a Christian. She fled to the cave to take refuge. However, the Romans found her and covered the entrance, leaving her trapped inside.
Take time to wander around the cave complex. It has a series of hidden tunnels, shrines and a staircase that leads to a viewpoint. It’s a small but interesting site to see.
St Paul’s Pillar and the ruins of Panagia Chrysopolitissa
St Paul’s Pillar is another must-see monument in the harbour area. Very little stands of this historic pillar today. However, the area has been preserved as an archaeological site and many old ruins can be seen here, including the basilica of Panagia Chrysopolitissa. Legend has it, a Roman Emperor ordered for St Paul to be tied to the pillar and there are references to the site in the bible.
Learn about this historic location on a guided walking tour or read the information boards and see it yourself for free. The ruins are located just around the corner from St Solomon’s Catacombs so you can see both attractions in an hour or so.
Lara Beach
Lara Beach is one of the most remote beaches in the Paphos area. Only accessible by 4×4, off-road buggy or boat, it’s a place that feels completely different to the other beaches in the area. Part of Akamas National Park, Lara Beach is a protected turtle nesting spot. Visit during nesting season and you might be lucky to see baby turtles hatching and scuttling into the water.
In addition to seeing the local turtle wildlife, Lara Beach is a nice place to relax or enjoy nature. It’s peaceful, remote and untouched. To get there, you can join a guided tour of the national park or hire an off-road vehicle and drive there yourself.
Tsangarides Winery
The countryside surrounding Paphos offers the perfect conditions for growing wine grapes and olives. As such, you’ll find small wineries all over the west of Cyprus. Tsangarides Winery is one of the top-rated wineries in the area and you can reach it in a short drive from town. It’s the perfect place to visit in Paphos for an afternoon of peace and quiet in nature, and of course, lots of wine!
Its hilltop location offers beautiful views of the vineyards and surrounding hills as you sip a glass of their local red or white. You can visit the winery during opening hours without needing to book a tour. Simply drive up, wander around the grounds and settle in on the terrace to sample some of their finest wines.
Adonis Baths Waterfall
The next Paphos attraction on our list admittedly has mixed reviews. Adonis Baths is a rural forested area with a small waterfall and bathing pool. It’s a nice place to relax on a hot day. However, many people see this attraction as being overrated and not worth the entry fee. We visited ourselves and tend to agree with the negative reviews. The waterfall and baths are pretty, but the entry-fee doesn’t seem worth it. There are much bigger and impressive waterfalls in the Troodos Mountains, all of which are free to visit.
Do your research to decide whether Adonis Baths is an attraction you’d like to add to your itinerary.
Paphos Forest
Are you an avid hiker? Escape to the countryside and explore one of the biggest nature parks on the island, Paphos Forest. Partly located in the Troodos Mountains, the forest stretches for 70,000 acres. It’s full of viewpoints, walking trails and a handful of small towns. It’s also where you’ll find the visually impressive Kykkos Monastery, one of the island’s most visited religious buildings.
Pack your most comfortable pair of walking shoes, choose a trail and have a fun morning out walking between the pine trees, streams and trails of Paphos Forest.
Troodos Mountains
If you’d like to do a day-trip during your time in Paphos, we highly recommend venturing to the Troodos Mountains, which are located in the centre of the island. This vast mountain range is home to quaint hillside towns, waterfalls, monasteries and viewpoints. It also has an abundance of nature. If you like walking or hiking, Troodos has countless trails to explore.
We recommend starting your day-trip in the small town of Omodos, which is home to local wineries and olive oil producers. It also has a selection of picturesque streets, an old church and lots of shopping stalls. Pano Platres is the best town to visit if you fancy going on a trek to a waterfall. Want to reach the highest point on the island? Drive up to the top of Mount Olympus for stunning views of Cyprus.
You can see the Troodos Mountains on an organised coach trip from Paphos. Alternatively, do what we did and hire a car. Driving along the winding mountain roads was a highlight of our trip!
Troodos Monastery
The Troodos Mountains have many amazing hillside monasteries nestled between its peaks. Trooditissa Monastery is one of the prettiest and most accessible options. Located between a valley on the drive up to the highest peak, Toodistissa is an active place of worship for monks. Drive to the monastery and you’ll be amazed at its stunning hillside location, which overlooks rows of pine trees below.
Trooditissa Monastery has an interesting past, which we recommend reading up on before you arrive. You can walk around the monastery grounds yourself and peer inside the old chapel to see the ornate golden carvings and intricate wooden design.
Archaeological Site of Palaepaphos
If you’re a history lover and want to explore more of Paphos’ ancient past, add the Archaeological Site of Palaepaphos to your list. It was first inhabited in 3900 B.C. and was then later developed to include many buildings dedicated to the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. The Sanctuary of Aphrodite is the main attraction at the park.
Many of the ruins at the archaeological site are only a shadow of the buildings they once were. However, there’s still plenty to see here for the 4.50-euro entry fee.
Asprokremmos Reservoir
Not necessarily an attraction but a nice place to go for a scenic walk, Asprokremmos Reservoir is an active dam and reservoir. It has a woodland trail that stretches around the reservoir and bridge where you can capture some nice views of the dam. If you’re hiring a car, this point of interest is worth a quick stop whilst in the area. However, it’s not worth going out of your way to get here.
That brings us to the end of our guide on the best places to visit in Paphos. There’s plenty to see and do in this popular Cyprus beach town no matter what time of the year you visit. If you’re staying for 2 weeks or more, we recommend planning a few day trips to other areas of Cyprus. The vibrant town of Limassol on the south coast, the beaches of the east and city of Nicosia are all worth visiting.
If you have any questions about the places we’ve featured, be sure to post a comment below.
BY SUSIE
Author bio:I’m a passionate traveller that loves a sunny beach holiday, but also appreciate the cultural side to a trip and checking out undiscovered destinations. I’m the go-to Toucan Traveller for great holiday stories, cool photos and foodie recommendations.