Region guide · nearest airport Paphos (PFO)

Paphos

Roman mosaics, a walkable harbour and the island’s most relaxed coast.

History on foot
Winter sun
Families

The catch. Kato Paphos fills with tour groups at midday in summer; go early.

Our picks in Paphos

UNESCO site · Paphos

Kato Paphos Archaeological Park

Birth of Dionysos - House of Aion - Paphos Archaeological Park. Photo: George M. Groutas · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Floor mosaics from Roman villas, still in place where they were laid, beside the harbour.

Wow 5/5

Ease 5/5

Value 5/5

Quiet 3/5

Why go. Few places let you walk this close to mosaics of this quality. The House of Dionysos alone justifies the visit, and the park sits a short walk from the harbour, so it needs no car.

The catch. Almost no shade and the site is large. In July and August midday is draining. The site is only partly wheelchair accessible.

Local tip. Arrive at opening, start at the covered mosaic houses, then walk the open ruins before the heat builds.

Entry: €4.50
Hours (16 Apr – 15 Sep): Daily 08:30 – 19:30
Hours (16 Sep – 15 Apr): Daily 08:30 – 17:00
Closed: Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Orthodox Easter Sunday

Sources: Visit Cyprus: Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos, checked 2026-11-09. They can change without notice.

Archaeological site · Paphos

Tombs of the Kings

Underground tombs cut from rock, some with columned courtyards, near the Paphos shore.

Wow 4/5

Ease 5/5

Value 5/5

Quiet 3/5

Why go. It feels like exploring rather than viewing: you climb down into the chambers yourself. Cheap, close to town and easy to fit into a morning.

The catch. Steep steps and loose ground, so not for everyone. There are no kings here; the name refers to how grand the tombs look.

Local tip. Wear proper shoes and bring water; the tombs with columned courtyards are worth the climb down.

Entry: €2.50
Hours (16 Apr – 15 Sep): Daily 08:30 – 19:30
Hours (16 Sep – 15 Apr): Daily 08:30 – 17:00

Sources: Visit Cyprus: Tombs of the Kings, checked 2026-11-09. They can change without notice.

Coast · Paphos

Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra tou Romiou)

Roca de Afrodita, Chipre, 2021-12-10, DD 65. Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The sea stack where, in myth, Aphrodite rose from the foam, on the coast road between Paphos and Limassol.

Wow 4/5

Ease 4/5

Value 5/5

Quiet 2/5

Why go. Free, on the way to everything, and one of the island’s classic sunset views.

The catch. A pebble shore with open sea: swim only when it is calm. The viewpoint car park gets busy at sunset.

Local tip. Stop on a drive between Paphos and Limassol rather than making a trip just for it.

Entry: Free

Guides and 3D models in Paphos

Coast

Paphos Harbour

A fishing harbour turned promenade, with a small castle at the end of the quay.

Open in 3D

UNESCO site

Paphos Harbour and Archaeological Park

A harbour with a small castle, and Roman floor mosaics a few steps away.

Open in 3D

Archaeology

Tombs of the Kings

Underground tombs cut from solid rock, some with columned courtyards, by the Paphos shore.

Open in 3D

Coast

Aphrodite's Rock

The sea stack where, in myth, Aphrodite rose from the foam.

Open in 3D

Where to stay

Pick a base close to what you want to do most, then compare prices on more than one booking site. Our planning page lists where to compare and what to check before you pay.