Jan

10

Paphos Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Paphos

Located on the southwest coast of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, Paphos is historically significant as the principal location for the worship of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, and UNESCO has deemed it worthy as a World Heritage site. When you begin to explore the ancient sites in and around town, it becomes easy to see why. The beautiful harbour is complemented by a well-preserved old town that has held on to its past during the process of modernisation.

Flights to Paphos

Reachable from most of Europe as well as from Northern Africa and the Middle East, Paphos International Airport is where most visitors land when visiting the region. An alternative is the nearby hub in Lanarca. At either airport, there are taxis and shuttles waiting to take you into the city. If you’ve booked yourself into a resort, chances are they will be able to pick you up at the airport. Ferries also run to Paphos from Rhodes, Crete, Patmos, Athens and as far as Israel. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Paphos try Ebookers.

Paphos Cyprus


Sightseeing in Paphos

The real treasures to be found here are the many ancient historical sites in the area. A subterranean group of king’s tombs dating from the 4th century BC are one of the biggest attractions, with many others ancient wonders to complement the site. The villas that belonged to noblemen from the 3rd century BC, with their incredible mosaic patterns on the floors, are also well worth visiting. The tiles show scenes from Greek mythology and are some of the finest examples of the craft in the Mediterranean. Pathos Castle, built in the Byzantine period, is just beside the harbour.

As a place with so much history, Paphos has no trouble filling the local museums with artefacts and archaeological information. There are three museums well worth visiting on the island: the Ethnographical Museum, Byzantium Museum and the Archaeological Museum.

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Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Paphos is a quaint town, and as such it doesn’t get too rowdy at night. That’s not to say there isn’t anywhere to go; there are some night spots, but the real ambiance is in the restaurants and taverns along the waterfront. Being a Mediterranean island, the food is as good here as it is anywhere else in the Med, with lots of crossover items on the menu from Greece and Turkey.

Cyprus doesn’t do a bad job in producing its own red wine either, and local brands make a perfect accompaniment to a nice dinner in one of the town’s excellent restaurants.

Fun by day- shopping and activities
There is no lack in things to do around Pathos. Simply walking around the town and taking in its historical ambiance can be a relaxing endeavour, while there are many beaches within striking distance of the city. Lanarca is a popular spot for a combination of beaches, resort amenities and historical sights.

The town is not exactly known as a shopper’s haven, and most of your purchases will probably be things you use during your trip or souvenirs for friends and family back home.


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