The Best Things to Do in Paphos, Cyprus

1Paphos Archaeological Park & the Roman Mosaics

This is the reason Paphos is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Spread across a seafront site by the harbour, the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park protects the remains of grand Roman villas whose floors are covered in extraordinarily well-preserved mosaics depicting Greek myths—the House of Dionysus is the standout—alongside an ancient odeon, agora and lighthouse. A guided half-day city tour is the easiest way to see the park and the nearby Tombs of the Kings with the context that brings them to life.

Best for: The one unmissable sight and world-class ancient mosaics. Duration: 1.5–3 hours. Note: little shade—go early or late and bring water.

2The Tombs of the Kings

Despite the name, no kings were buried here—but Paphos’s aristocracy certainly were, in a vast necropolis of grand underground tombs carved straight out of the rock from the 4th century BC. The most impressive are built like houses, with open courtyards ringed by Doric columns, all just steps from the sea. It’s atmospheric, uncrowded compared with the mosaics, and easy to combine with the Archaeological Park (both are covered on the guided city tour above).

Best for: Ancient history without the crowds. Duration: 1–2 hours. Entry is inexpensive; wear sturdy shoes for the uneven ground.

3Watch Sunset at Aphrodite’s Rock

About 25 minutes east of town, the sea-stack of Petra tou Romiou—Aphrodite’s Rock—rises from a pebble beach where, in myth, the goddess of love was born from the foam. It’s the most photographed spot in the region, and it’s at its best at sunset, when the sky and sea turn gold and pink behind the rock. Local tradition says swimming around it three times brings luck in love. There’s a viewing platform above and a beach below.

Best for: The classic Cyprus sunset and a dose of Greek mythology. Duration: 45–60 minutes. You’ll need a car or a tour to get here.

4Paphos Harbour & the Medieval Castle

The heart of Kato Paphos, the harbour has been in use since the 3rd century BC. Today its promenade is lined with pastel fish tavernas and fishing boats, anchored at one end by Paphos Castle—a squat Ottoman-era fort built on Byzantine and Lusignan foundations that has served as fortress, prison and salt store. Climb to the roof for a panorama over the harbour and the Mediterranean. It’s the perfect spot for an evening stroll and a seafood dinner.

Best for: An easy, atmospheric evening and harbour views. Duration: 1–2 hours. Castle entry is a few euros.

5Eat a Proper Cypriot Meze

No visit to Paphos is complete without a full meze—the Cypriot art of small plates arriving in waves until you can’t move. Expect anywhere from 15 to 25 dishes: grilled halloumi, dips like hummus and taramasalata, village salad, loukaniko sausages, keftedes, calamari and, if you order the meat meze, slow-roasted kleftiko lamb and souvla. Seek out a family-run taverna in the Old Town or a village just outside the city, and wash it down with a local Cypriot wine or a Keo beer.

Best for: Foodies and a long, lazy dinner. Duration: 2–3 hours. Cypriots eat late—tavernas fill from around 8pm.

6Day Trip: Blue Lagoon, Akamas & Aphrodite’s Baths

The wild Akamas Peninsula is Cyprus at its most beautiful, and the star is the Blue Lagoon—a sheltered bay of impossibly clear turquoise water, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. This trip pairs it with the Baths of Aphrodite, a fern-fringed grotto pool where the goddess is said to have bathed, and the rugged coastline in between. Reached by boat or 4×4, it’s the best full day out from Paphos for beach-and-nature lovers.

Best for: Turquoise swimming and the Akamas coastline. Duration: full day.

7Adventure: Avakas Gorge & Turtle Bay Jeep Safari

For a more adventurous day, this 4×4 safari heads off-road into the Akamas to hike the dramatic Avakas Gorge—a narrow limestone canyon with towering walls—then on to Lara/Turtle Bay, a protected nesting beach for loggerhead and green turtles, with a stop at a local donkey farm along the way. It’s dusty, bumpy fun and gets you to corners of the peninsula a normal hire car can’t reach.

Best for: Adventure-seekers and nature lovers. Duration: full day.

8Day Trip: Troodos Mountains & Wine Villages

Head inland and up, and Cyprus changes completely: the Troodos Mountains are cool, pine-clad and dotted with stone villages, Byzantine painted churches and some of the island’s oldest vineyards. A guided day trip takes the driving stress out of the winding roads and usually includes a village or two, a UNESCO-listed church, and a tasting of local wines—including the sweet, ancient Commandaria. A refreshing contrast to the coast.

Best for: Mountain scenery, wine and traditional villages. Duration: full day.

Paphos Old Town & Market — The upper town (Ktima) has a more local, everyday feel, with a covered municipal market and the atmospheric Ibrahim’s Khan courtyard.

Ayia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa & St. Paul’s Pillar — An early Christian basilica with mosaic floors and the pillar where, by tradition, St. Paul was flogged.

Coral Bay — The area’s best family beach: a sheltered arc of soft sand and shallow, clear water a short drive north.

Paphos Zoo & Bird Park — A well-regarded family day out inland, with birds of prey and reptile shows.

Geroskipou & local sweets — The village next door is famous for Cyprus Delight (loukoumi); a quick, tasty stop.