Paphos: things to do, beaches and historical sites
Last verified 19 October 2026
South of the Green Line. Greek: Pafos. Turkish: Baf.
Paphos (Pafos, Baf) is the island’s west, and for many visitors its best introduction: a whole town listed by UNESCO, a coast that gets wilder the further north you go, and the stretch of shore where Aphrodite is said to have come out of the sea. Kato Paphos, the lower town by the harbour, is where most of the sights and the hotels are. Ktima, the upper town, is the older market centre. The airport is fifteen minutes south east.
The sights in town
Kato Paphos Archaeological Park. The reason Paphos is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The Roman mosaic floors of the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion and Orpheus are among the finest in the Mediterranean, and the same site holds the Odeon, the old Agora and the ruined Saranta Kolones castle. Allow at least two hours. Entry was €4.50 when we checked, and it is open daily from 8.30am, until 7.30pm in summer and 5pm in winter.
Tombs of the Kings. Underground tombs cut from the rock in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, some with columned courtyards. Despite the name they were built for officials and wealthy families rather than kings. Ten minutes north of the harbour, same hours as the park, entry €2.50.
Paphos harbour and castle. The small fort at the end of the harbour wall was built and rebuilt by Byzantines, Lusignans, Venetians and Ottomans. Climb to the roof for the view back over the town. Entry €2.50.
The Department of Antiquities sells multi site passes (from €8.50 for a day) that cover these and the other state sites on the island, which pays off if you plan to see three or more in a short trip.
Along the coast to the east
Petra tou Romiou, Aphrodite’s Rock. The sea stack on the coast road towards Limassol where legend has the goddess born from the foam. Park on the inland side of the road and use the underpass to reach the beach rather than crossing the road. The beach is pebbles and the seabed is rocky, so it suits confident swimmers. Go at sunset.
Kouklia and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite. Palaepaphos, the old Paphos, was the goddess’s chief place of worship in the ancient world. The site and its small museum, in a medieval manor house, are a few minutes inland from the rock. Closed on Mondays.
North to the Akamas
Coral Bay. The area’s best known organised beach, a sheltered sandy crescent in Pegeia with lifeguards from April to October and every facility. Busy in summer for good reason.
Agios Neophytos Monastery. In the hills above Tala, built around the cave cell a 12th century hermit carved for himself, with wall paintings inside the rock. Dress modestly.
The wine villages. Kathikas and the villages around it sit on the Laona plateau, on a signposted wine route through vineyards growing the local Xynisteri and Maratheftiko grapes. Worth a slow drive in spring or after the autumn harvest.
Polis and Latchi. Polis Chrysochous is a small, relaxed town at the head of Chrysochou Bay, and Latchi is its fishing harbour four kilometres west. Boats from Latchi run out to the Blue Lagoon, the clear water cove on the Akamas coast, which ordinary cars cannot reach by road. The walk there from the Baths of Aphrodite is about six kilometres each way with little shade. The Baths themselves are a small spring fed pool in a grotto, to look at, not to swim in.
The Akamas peninsula and Lara Bay. The island’s wildest coast: no towns, rough tracks, and the beaches at Lara where loggerhead and green turtles nest. From June to the end of September you cannot put up umbrellas or sunbeds at Lara or stay on the beach after dark, and driving onto the sand is banned all year. Most of the inner Akamas is reached on gravel tracks, and many hire contracts forbid unsealed roads, so read yours before you go. Several of the tracks are steep and rough enough to be dangerous in an ordinary car.
Avakas Gorge. The popular gorge walk near Lara was closed by the Department of Forests in December 2025 because of rockfall risk and slippery ground, and was still closed in mid 2026. Check its status before you go, and do not climb past the chains if it is shut.
Getting around
Paphos airport is linked to the town by public bus, and the local bus network reaches Coral Bay, the Tombs of the Kings and Aphrodite’s Rock. Fares are cheap and cash is the safest way to pay. For the Akamas, the wine villages and Polis you really need a car. Our car hire guides cover the options, and the best time to visit guide explains when the area is at its best.
Opening times and prices at the state sites change without much notice. The figures here were correct when this page was last verified.
Beaches
- The best beaches in and around Paphos
Paphos beaches from the town strip to Coral Bay, Latchi and the turtle bays of Lara, with what each is like and the rules that apply.