With a range of archaeological treasures, a holiday in Paphos allows you to blend both the ancient and the modern. With superb beaches this lively holiday destination might sound like a typical island resort but with its winding streets and historical sights Paphos is full of traditional charm. As with most of Cyprus the weather is good all year-round, peaking during the summer months when temperatures often hit 35°C. Flights to Paphos airport are regular from most UK airports and operate year round taking approximately four hours 30 minutes. The main resort sits just 40 minutes from the airport.
One of the more upmarket Cypriot resorts, Paphos is made for families and couples seeking a relaxing but fun holiday...
Widely considered to be a more upmarket resort than Ayia Napa, Paphos is well suited to families and couples who want to visit a lively resort with superb beaches. The area certainly has a vibrant feel with bars, restaurants and clubs but there is a refined nature to Paphos thanks to its tree-lined boulevards and a pretty fishing harbour. Paphos is also popular with sightseeing tourists, particularly from England, Germany and Scandinavia, with numerous historical sites for visitors to explore.
Paphos consists of two areas - the coastal resort (Kato Paphos) and the town (Pano Paphos). Beach activities are well catered for with watersports including diving, waterskiing, jet skiing and paragliding.
The most popular nearby beaches are Coral Bay and Agios Georgios. Coral Bay is perfectly suited for families with a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere in a peaceful setting with charming surroundings just 12km from Paphos. There are a number of local bars and restaurants in the area as well as a superb sandy beach surrounded by banana plantations. Agios Georgios is a stony beach and the waters get deep very quickly, much like a swimming pool. There is a harbour close by which makes a nice walk when the weather gets too hot.
The resort itself is full of history, and is claimed to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love. Its most notable jewel is the Tomb of the Kings, which bears a strong resemblance to Egyptian tombs having been carved out of solid rock and having frescoed walls. It is open daily, and often late, during the summer. The Catacombs are also well worth visiting - they were used by the early Christians as chapels - while the Bath of Aphrodite is a natural waterfall on the Akamas Peninsula where legend has it that the Greek Goddess used to take her baths.
For partygoers, Paphos has a diverse nightlife with many popular bars and clubs. Bubbles is especially busy with many retro nights, cheap drinks and friendly bar staff, while for real clubbers, The Gallery at the back of Bubbles offers foam and popcorn parties.
The choice of restaurants is also diverse with a number of international cuisines available such as Palermo, an Italian restaurant, and Chloe's, a Chinese restaurant. Local cuisine is of the highest quality with lots of syrup-soaked Greek style pastries and many other Mediterranean dishes that are lighter on the use of oil than other islands.
Shopping in Paphos is high on the list for most tourists with prices much cheaper than they are in the UK. Leather goods, ceramics, embroidered lace and baskets are sold widely while local spirits are a regular purchase. There are many smart, fashionable boutiques, some British stores and a variety of souvenir and clothes shops. Much like in every aspect of the resort, there is something for everyone.
