One of the best resorts in Cyprus, Paphos is more popular with tourists with solid bank accounts. He tops the list of the most elite and expensive on the island. Paphos doesn't have much fun for kids or cheap hostels for backpackers. Wealthy people who are accustomed to perfect service fly to Paphos airport. But do not think that the rest on the local beaches is boring and varied. The ancient city on the southwestern coast of Cyprus was the first in the country to be included in the World Heritage List, and UNESCO can answer the question of what to see in Paphos in detail and in detail. You will find Byzantine temples and medieval castles, archaeological parks and historical museums in the homeland of Aphrodite, and fans of natural attractions will love the beautiful bays and secluded coves, it seems, created in order to put thoughts and feelings in order.
TOP 10 attractions of Paphos
Archaeological Park Kato Paphos
In the coastal area of the old part of Paphos, there is an archaeological park, which can be called an open-air museum. You will see ruins of a medieval fortress, ancient villas and magnificent mosaics dating back to the 3rd-5th centuries BC on the territory of the park.
The ancient structures were found by a local farmer who was cultivating a field and accidentally discovered fragments of a floor mosaic. Further excavations made it possible to see the whole city, which was surrounded by a fortress wall. The world has seen villas and houses, streets and temples, in which mosaic illustrations to ancient Greek myths and legends have been perfectly preserved.
The most interesting mosaics tell about the battle of Theseus with the Minotaur, about Narcissus admiring his own reflection, about the changing seasons and about the monster Scylla, who personifies the abyss of the sea.
In the archaeological park of Paphos, you can see the ruins of the ancient Odeon amphitheater, built in the 3rd century AD. BC, on the ruins of the Byzantine fortress Saranda Colones and on the remains of the market square.
Ticket price: 4.5 euros.
Rock of Aphrodite
Legend has it that the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite was born off the coast of Cyprus. She came out of the sea in the bay of Paphos and now on the place where white foam formed from the seed and blood of the castrated god Uranus, the rock of Petra tou Romiou rises.
The most beautiful bay with the rock of Aphrodite is a place of pilgrimage for tourists arriving to rest in Cyprus. Dozens of tourist groups arrive here every day, whose members believe in an old legend. It says that by swimming in the sea on the beach of Aphrodite, you can lose a few years and rejuvenate. However, swimming is now prohibited, because the sea in these places is very rough and the rocky coast is dangerous. Therefore, everyone who wants to rejuvenate can only wash in the magic bath of Aphrodite.
Kouklia
In ancient times, on the site of the modern village of Kouklia not far from Paphos, there was the state of Paleo Paphos. Today, in the open-air museum, you can look at the ruins of ancient buildings and imagine how the Cypriots lived many centuries ago. The rich history of Kouklia tells about the Byzantines, and about the Lusignans who ruled the Kingdom of Cyprus in the Middle Ages, and about the Turkish nobility who once occupied these lands.
There are several objects worthy of your attention in Kouklia:
- Ancient ruins left over from the temple of Aphrodite. Its construction dates back to 1200 BC. The sanctuary was considered the largest known in the Mediterranean region.
- Lusignan castle. The museum within the walls of the citadel demonstrates antiquities found during archaeological research. The main treasure is the mosaic floor of the House of Leda, depicting mythological subjects.
- Sarcophagus with paintings on the themes of Homer's poems. Artists worked on it presumably in the 5th century BC.
- Temple of Panagia Catholics of the XII century. The stones for its construction were taken from the ruins of the sanctuary of Aphrodite. Particularly valuable is a fragment of a 14th century icon depicting St. Therapont.
Do not forget to try the Cypriot specialties at the restaurant in Kouklia. It is called Laledes and can rival some of the island's museums in interior design.
Tombs of the Kings
Two kilometers northwest of Paphos harbor, archaeologists have discovered a large burial that amazed scientists with its rich decoration. The splendor of the necropolis gave it the name "Tombs of the Kings". The oldest burials date back to the 4th century BC, but researchers believe that the necropolis served until the 3rd century AD.
The tombs are carved into the rock. They belong to noble aristocratic families. Some of the burials are decorated with frescoes, stone coats of arms and Doric columns.
In later times, underground passages and catacombs were used by the early Christians as shelters.
Ticket price: 2, 5 euros.
Bird park
The founder of the most interesting park in Paphos was the ornithologist Christ Christopher. The naturalist in love with his work decided to give all the inhabitants of the island and tourists a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the birds living in these latitudes. Later, mammals appeared in the aviaries of the bird park, and the object turned into a small but interesting zoological garden.
The most interesting part of the park begins three times a day in the arena of a small amphitheater. The performance is called "The Parrot Show", and exotic birds of different sizes and colors participate in it.
Ticket prices: 16.50 and 8.50 for adults and children, respectively.
Geroskipou village
The name of a small village a couple of kilometers from Paphos translates as "sacred garden". In ancient times, pilgrims who went to worship the temple of Aphrodite stayed in Geroskipou. In the 9th century, the Byzantine church of St. Paraskeva was built in this place. It was dedicated to a woman who converted pagans to Christianity. The Byzantine Basilica is famous for its icon of the Mother of God and Child, the history of which has been passed down from generation to generation in Cyprus.
The image appeared to a peasant who saw the light from an icon lamp in the thickets. Nearby lay an icon, now revered on the island as miraculous. Saint Paraskeva heals many diseases, and believers come to the temple to ask for healing.
In the village of Geroskipou you can visit the exposition of the Museum of Folk Art. The mansion, where the museum is open, belonged to the British consulate in the 19th century. The Antiquities Department then acquired the building and opened an exhibition that contains works of artisans from different regions of the island.
You will be offered lunch at a nearby café. On the menu you will find the best local cuisine and Cyprus wines.
To get there: bus. N601 and 630 to the stop. "Eroskipu".
Museum ticket price: 2 euros.
Catacombs of Saint Solomon
Catacombs a few kilometers from Paphos already existed in the 4th century BC. In those days, the dead were buried in them. Then the first Christians hid in underground rooms from persecution, and a little earlier, in the II century A. D. In the caves, Solomonia, who fled from Palestine, died.
Legend has it that the Syrian king betrayed her seven sons to martyrdom for refusing to worship the ancient Greek gods. The mother died mourning the children. Their relics are considered miraculous, and the catacombs themselves have attracted pilgrims from many countries for centuries.
A pistachio tree grows in front of the cave of Saint Solomon, on the branches of which scarves and belts are tied in order to be healed. Nearby, there is a spring with holy water, which brings relief to the sick and suffering.
To get there: bus. N15 and 615 to the stop. "Catacombs of Solomonia".
Monastery of Saint Neophytos the Hermit
In the middle of the 12th century, the monk Neophytos retired from the world and built a cell in a cave in the rocks near Paphos. During his retreat, he wrote religious treatises and chronicled historical events, and then his cave became a center of attraction for people with similar views on life. So Neophytos was overgrown with disciples and like-minded people, and a monastery appeared next to his cave.
In the 16th century, the novices of the monastery built a temple dedicated to the Most Holy Theotokos. It was decorated with a carved wooden iconostasis. The monks painted the walls and ceiling with frescoes and laid out with mosaics, some of which, fortunately, have survived to this day, despite the raids of the Ottomans. The Turks ravaged the monastery, but in the 18th century they began to restore the monastery and even found the relics of St. Neophytos under the ruins.
Now in the monastery you can touch the shrines and see a small exposition of the museum. The most valuable exhibits are the manuscripts of Saint Neophyte the Recluse. Holidays dedicated to the creator of the monastery are celebrated on January 24 and September 28. At this time, especially many pilgrims come to the cell.
To get there: by car from Paphos to the village. Mesogi, and then to the village. Tremitus.
Castle in Paphos
As usual, medieval castles, built as defensive fortifications, have had time to perform a variety of functions during their existence. Paphos, too, was no exception, and since it was erected in the XIII century, it has served as a warehouse, and a dungeon, and a mosque.
It was built by the Byzantines, restored by the Lusignans, conquered by the Genoese and taken by storm by the Ottomans. Now a museum is open in the fortress, you can get to it by walking along the old stone bridge. The fortress will not be able to impress with its rich interiors, but you will be able to look at the beautiful panoramas of Paphos from its upper terrace.
Ticket price: 2 euros.
Paphos water park
At Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark, you can easily spend a whole day with the whole family. In the entertainment complex you will find more than two dozen attractions and water slides of various difficulty categories, built on the slopes of the mountains. In the children's town there are suitable entertainment for the little ones, and in the souvenir shops you can buy cute trinkets and useful things in memory of a trip to a beach holiday in Paphos.
To get there: bus. N11, 15 and 611.
