Antique ruins against a backdrop of seascapes
We will take you to the birthplace of the Greek gods, the Christian apostles, mosques, catacombs, and castles. Stroll through the streets overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, see ancient ruins and mosaics in the open air, and finally try the local dishes served in surprisingly large portions.
Castle in the old town
Walk along the promenade of Kato Paphos (the lower town) to the end and you’ll find a Romanesque castle on the water. It has served at various times as a prison, a fortress and… a salt warehouse, and today one of its walls is used as a stage for the September Aphrodite Festival.
The entrance to the fortress costs 2.5 euros. You’ll get a chance to see the walls from inside (no interior details have been preserved, so don’t expect a museum tour) and enjoy a peaceful view of the harbor from the top of the castle. It’s best to come by sunset to enhance the experience. There are a dozen cosy cafes in the harbour next to the castle and another must-see site nearby is the Pafos Archaeological Park, where you can see the island’s most ancient finds.
The Rock of Aphrodite
Remember Botticelli’s painting “Birth of Venus”? A ten-minute drive from Paphos is the place where, according to legend, the goddess of love came ashore from the foam of the sea. The Greek island of Kythira, near which Aphrodite was born, for some reason she did not like it, and she decided to swim to Cyprus and there come ashore. It seems that only the ancient Greek goddess can come out of the sea near the rock Petra-to-Romio alive and unharmed – it is dangerous to swim here, and climbing up the rock is prohibited. But people come here not for swimming, but for the beautiful sea scenery.
You can get to the place by bus, and then take the same bus back (the trip costs 3 euros). Or you can rent a car.
The entrance to the territory is free. Near the beach there is a parking lot, souvenir and grocery store.
Archaeological Park
Never seen what an archaeological excavation looks like? In Paphos this can be remedied: the open-air park gives a full view of the ruins of the ancient city. Archaeologists are still studying them to this day. Visitors won’t have to dig anything up – well-preserved mosaics will be right under your feet. On the territory there are several houses of rich citizens, the ruins of a Byzantine castle, an amphitheater and a lighthouse. All objects are accompanied by detailed descriptions in English. The subjects of the mosaics, however, are clear without words: four girls in wreaths depict the seasons, and next to Narcissus is admiring his reflection. We won’t spoil further, but we want to warn you that you can easily lose track of time here and spend 4 hours, so make sure you have plenty of time. It is better not to plan the tour in the middle of the day, because the sun in Cyprus can be aggressive even in autumn and spring. In summer the park is open from 8:00 to 19:30, and the rest of the year it closes earlier. Ticket will cost 4.5 euros.
Church of Panagia Chrysopolitissa with the Column of the Apostle Paul
If you want to visit the romantic and secluded ruins, visit the church near the waterfront. It is not the most popular place with tourists, and there are usually not many people here. The site has a layered history: Roman, Byzantine, and Gothic cultures intertwined. The site of the Roman forum was once the site of the scourging of the Apostle Paul, who was tied to a column. Four centuries later, a Byzantine basilica with picturesque mosaic floors, which have survived to this day, grew here. In the Middle Ages next to this basilica built a Gothic church, and later converted it into a mosque. Unfortunately, a powerful earthquake in the 16th century destroyed almost the entire structure and only the floors and parts of the walls survived.
Entrance to the territory is free. Several times a year there are services held in the church.
