We spent a day in Paphos as part of our Cyprus road trip. This popular holiday destination has plenty of beaches, bars and restaurants. But there is more to Paphos than just sun, sea and sand. Although, to be honest, when we visited, sun was in very short supply!
How to get to Paphos
There is an airport in Paphos, located 10 miles south east of the city. We flew into the island’s main airport at Larnaca and drove to Paphos, which is an easy 83 mile drive along the A3/A5/A1/A6 motorways, taking around 1.5 hours.
Getting around Paphos
There is ample free parking near the harbour, from where you can explore the castle and Archaeological Site. The Tombs are 1.5 miles further north. You can can either drive between the two sites and park for free, or walk along the coastal path. The Old Town is 1.5 miles inland from here.
Where to stay in Paphos
The coast around Paphos is lined with hotels, so there is plenty of choice of accommodation. We opted to base ourselves a few miles further along the coast in Limassol at the Harmony Bay Hotel.
Paphos in 1 Day Itinerary
| Day 1 | Paphos Promenade Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos Paphos Castle Coastal Path The Tombs of the Kings Paphos Old Town Aphrodite’s Rock |
Paphos Promenade
Running along the bay towards the harbour is Paphos Promenade, which is lined with shops and restaurants. It’s a pleasant place for a stroll.
Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos
The highlight of a visit to Paphos is undoubtedly the huge Archeological Site of Nea Paphos. The ancient city of Paphos was built in the 4th Century BC, with the Romans gaining control in 58 BC. The site of this original city includes the ruins of many buildings, most notably of four Roman villas exquisitely decorated with mosaics (the Houses of Dionysus, Theseus, Aion and Orpheus).
The House of Dionysus
The House of Dionysus (named because of the number of mosaics featuring Dionysus, the God of Wine) is the largest and best known of the mosaic houses. A building has been erected over the top, so and you can admire this beautifully preserved marvel from raised walkways.
Saranta Kolones Fortress
At Saranta Kolones Fortress, you can see the remains of the what was once a grand building containing 40 columns. The columns were felled during an earthquake, but one persistent arch remains amid the fortress ruins.
Other sights include the Asklepieion (healing temple), the Odeon (theatre) and the Agora (market place). Also within the archaeological site is the 19th Century Paphos Lighthouse.
The Archaeological Site is open daily from 8:30 am until 5 pm (7.30 pm in summer). Entry costs €4.50.
Paphos Castle
Paphos Castle is all that remains of a Lusignan fort built in 1391; the rest of it was destroyed by the Venetians less than a hundred years later. It sits above the harbour entrance and is entered via a stone bridge over a moat.
There isn’t much to see inside, but visitors can climb to the castle ramparts and enjoy the sweeping harbour views. When we visited, it was very windy!
The castle is open daily from 8.30 am until 5 pm (7.30 pm in summer). Entry costs €2.50.
Coastal Path
The Coastal Path runs north from the castle. If you walk along it, you will be rewarded with stunning sea views and 12 works of art. The first of which is located near the castle. We only made it a short distance before being driven back by the weather.
The Tombs of the Kings
At the northern end of the Paphos Archaeological site, linked by the coastal path, you will find the Tombs of the Kings; a former burial site for the city’s dignitaries. Here, you can see the underground tombs and chambers with Mediterranean views to die for.
The tombs are open daily from 8:30 am until 5 pm (7.30 pm in summer). Entry costs a further €2.50.
Paphos Old Town
The old town has old buildings and street art. When we visited, the weather was terrible and we couldn’t find anywhere to park, so we gave up and went back to our hotel to get dry/warm. Note: If you are lucky enough to find a parking space in Paphos, you will need to pay for it on the Paphos Smart Parking App.
Aphrodite’s Rock
16 miles east of Paphos is Aphrodite’s Beach, where Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra tou Romiou), is one of two rocks sitting just off the shore. The rock got its name from the legend that the goddess Aphrodite emerged from the sea here. Another legend says that anyone who swims round the rock three times will be blessed with eternal youth and beauty. We visited in January, so didn’t put this to the test!
There is a car park opposite; Petra tou Romiou Pavilion, from where the beach can be accessed via a tunnel, which brings you out near the rock. Alternatively, there is another car park a mile further to the east for a panoramic view.
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
- Trip taken: January 2024
- Updated: April 2025
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