Jul 31, 2024

The 7 Best Things to Do in Paphos

Paphos is one of the most popular places to stay in Cyprus. An ancient Cypriot city on the coast with an impressive cultural offering, there’s something for everyone when it comes to the attractions on offer here.

The best things to see and do in Paphos range from outdoor activities to gastronomic experiences to historical sightseeing, the latter of which the city has plenty of. From archaeological parks housing perfectly preserved remains to famous sites said to be connected to ancient deities, there’s a massive amount of history and stories to discover.

When you visit Paphos it can be easy to be lured in by the city’s impressive beaches and varied culinary scene, but there’s so much more to do when you explore. In this article, we share seven of the best things to do in Paphos for all ages, helping you to make the most out of your trip to this popular Cypriot city.

Visit the Tombs of the Kings

Located close to the Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos, the ‘Tombs of the Kings’ is one of the most important historical sites in all of Cyprus and one of the most popular Paphos attractions. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, these seven excavated tombs were not actually used as a burial place for royalty, but were given the name because of their impressive size and appearance.

Thought to have been created during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the tombs have a strong ancient Egyptian influence in that they have been built to resemble small houses. One includes an underground atrium, and all have been impressively preserved despite no longer housing the bodies or the objects that would have been buried with them.

Visiting the Tombs of the Kings is one of the top things to do in Paphos, sharing insight into the island’s impressive history and offering a glimpse into some of the best-preserved tombs in Europe. There’s a small fee to enter the site and a regular bus to and from the nearby Harbour Bus Station, and we recommend you visit alongside a trip to the Nea Pafos Archaeological Site.

Explore the Old Town in the Evening

The Old Town in Paphos is on the southwest coast of the island and is the hub of the city. Also referred to as Ktima, it was originally established as a place for inhabitants to hide from raiders that came from the coast over one thousand years ago, and is a fascinating mix of old architecture and modern developments that is perfect for exploring. 

The best time to visit Paphos Old Town is in the evening, when the biggest rush of tourists will have gone but the atmosphere is still great. If you arrive in the early evening then many of the shops will still be open, especially in the summer season, and you can browse in cooler temperatures on your way to a bar or restaurant.

Speaking of bars and restaurants, one of the best things to do in Paphos Old Town is enjoy the food and drink on offer. Sample some of the best Cypriot cuisine on the island before moving to a local bar to either wind-down or get your evening started.

Walk Along the Seafront

Paphos harbour and seafront are the perfect place for a leisurely stroll at any time of day. The port is one of the oldest places for boats to dock on the entire island, but has been updated and expanded since its creation to include a range of different seafront attractions along the coast which includes cafes, bars and restaurants.

A walk along the seafront is one of the best things to do around Paphos whether you’re visiting in the middle of the day or later in the evenings. When the sun is up it’s a hub for travellers visiting the city to enjoy views of the sea and enjoy the offerings from a range of different shops and eateries. In the evening, it’s a great spot for nightlife.

Overlooking the seafront in Paphos is the city’s famous Byzantine castle, built to protect the harbour and rebuilt in the 16th century by the Ottomans, which is evident in its architectural style today. A trip to the castle is one of the top things to do with kids in Paphos if they like to get involved with a destination’s history, and its proximity to the centre of town makes it an easy attraction to reach on foot.

Admire the Adonis Baths Waterfalls

If you’re looking for things to do around Paphos then a trip to the Adonis Baths Waterfalls is a great way to combine culture and history with time spent in Cyprus’ lovely scenery. Located outside of central Paphos near the Kili Village, this site is said to be the place where the goddess Aphrodite held her lover Adonis whilst he died after being wounded in the surrounding woods.

The people of Paphos are said to be the distant descendants of Aphrodite and Adonis, but the destination has grown increasingly popular with tourists as well because of the legend that bathing in the water grants virility and youthfulness. Touching the statue of the mythical lovers is also said to help improve the chances of couples trying for children, as well as the whole area being a site strongly associated with romance.

Visiting the Adonis Baths Waterfalls is one of the best things to do in Paphos for couples and fans of mythology, so it’s well worth making the trip. The waterfalls are part of a privately owned park so you do have to pay for entry, but then also get access to a watermill and museum and can admire the ruins of an amphitheatre that is estimated to be over 1500 years old.

Take a Blue Lagoon Boat Trip

The Blue Lagoon in the Akamas Peninsula National Park is one of the top attractions in Cyprus, especially over the summer. The sheltered bay is known for its stunning beautiful scenery and crystal-clear water, which makes swimming and snorkelling here an absolute dream.

Paphos isn’t massively close to the Blue Lagoon, but the good news is that you can take a boat from the city’s harbour and spend the day visiting it without having to hire a car or navigate the local buses. Enjoy the trip around the coast to the lagoon, spend the middle of the day sunbathing on board and swimming in the bay, and then cruise back to Paphos in the evening admiring the views of the island as you go.

The Blue Lagoon is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Cyprus, and staying in Paphos doesn’t mean that you can’t take a trip to the northwest area of the island. If you want to tick off more Paphos attractions on your trip, consider a boat tour that also takes you past Aphrodite’s Rock, where the ancient Greek goddess was said to have emerged from the sea.

Walk the Paphos Coastal Path

If you’re visiting Paphos in the shoulder season then the weather is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking or cycling. Travellers looking for a bit of gentle exercise should plan to walk along the Paphos Coastal Path, which runs from Geroskipou Beach near the harbour all the way to the Tombs of the Kings. 

It’s about 3km between the harbour in Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings, which is a good distance for a pleasant walk. If your children are older, it’s one of the best things to do in Paphos for families if you’re looking for an activity to get you all out and about whilst you’re on the island.

As you walk along the Paphos Coastal Path you’ll come across 12 pieces of artwork that were commissioned as part of the city’s time elected as European City of Culture in 2017. In the spring and summer there will also be plenty of wildflowers along the path as well as stunning views of the sea, providing a feast for the senses as you stroll along the coast.

Discover the Agios Neophytos Monastery

If you’re looking for a day trip from Paphos, the Agios Neophytos Monastery is about 9km north of the city and is a great place for an afternoon of historical exploration. Said to have been first built by Saint Neophytos the Recluse towards the end of the 12th century, the monastery was expanded and properly established in the 16th century and is still inhabited by a handful of practising monks.

Located up in the hills near the village of Tala, the monastery is surrounded by the Agios Neophytos forest and is an incredibly peaceful setting where visitors can learn more about history at the small, onsite museum. The real highlight however is the ‘Enkleistra’, which roughly translates to ‘retreat’ and is a small cave space with a beautiful array of frescos lining the walls.

A visit to the Agios Neophytos Monastery is one of the best Paphos things to do if you want to absorb as much history and culture from the area as possible. It’s easy to reach by car or by bus from the centre of Paphos, and can be a nice place to enjoy some peace and quiet after all the excitement of the city and its beaches.

Summary

Paphos has a wonderful mix of modern activities, historic attractions and lovely coastal landscapes, making it easy to plan a holiday itinerary here that has plenty of variety. It’s known as being one of the best places in Cyprus for archaeological sites and ancient buildings, but the cultural offering is also very rich, as is the collection of places to eat and drink.

The popularity of Paphos amongst travellers means that the city can feel very busy in the summer months, although this is also when some of the best events take place, so it’s definitely still worth visiting. If you visit in the off-season you’ll find a more sedate atmosphere in which to explore the various attractions, or simply to enjoy the beaches and Old Town without quite as many crowds.

If you’re thinking about visiting Paphos in Cyprus, The Villa Collection has a fantastic portfolio of luxury holiday properties around the city that are a great place to stay whilst you explore. Take a look at our villas in Paphos or get in touch to speak to our team about the kind of trip to Cyprus you have in mind.