Paphos, Cyprus | Travel Guide
WHERE TO EAT, SHOP & EXPLORE IN PAPHOS
Paphos is located on the south-western coast of Cyprus and is a cultural UNESCO world heritage site since the 1980s.
After receiving an email from an airline company with a sale on flights we decided to book a short trip to a location we know little about. We went with Paphos as it’s roughly a 4-hour flight from the UK, the flights are cheap, there would be sun while we were in a cold November and we wanted a little break! After booking the flights we started to do our research and realised it’s full of interesting archaeological sites and history!
Paphos was awarded joint European Capital of Culture in 2017 and after going there now ourselves we can see why!
Below are our top recommendations if you’re planning to visit.
things to do
Tomb of the Kings / A collection of underground tombs and chambers carved out of solid rock which dates back to the 4th century BC. Apparently, no kings were actually buried here, just high ranking officials but still a very interesting place to explore and right on the coast. The entrance is €2.50.
➜ You can book a Half-day city tour here.
Paphos Archaeological Site / The ruins of an entire city which was once a very important port of the Mediterranean. The site includes some of the best-preserved and colourful floor murals dating back to the Roman era. The entrance is €4.50.
A Quad Bike Tour / TT Motorcycle Rentals and Tours is a company that provides quad and buggy tours around Paphos. They have a number of tours, all in different length to choose from. We did the ‘Village & Mountain’ tour which was 3-4 hours in length. We drove through beautiful agricultural and mountainous landscapes and an authentic Cypriot village, with a stop for a coffee in the Episkopi village. We loved this tour because it was off the beaten path and it provided us with views and scenery we would never have discovered had we not gone on the tour.
➜ You can book the tour here.
Glass bottom boat cruise / Around the harbour, there are many stalls enticing tourists to join their glass-bottom boat rides out to sea. The tours are €10 and the tour is 1 hour in length. The boat has a bar and a downstairs deck area with a big glass bottom. From the bottom, you can see fish, sponges and reef and also the shipwrecked Vera K which sunk in the 1970s.
➜ You can book a glass-bottom boat cruise here.
Wonder through the old town / With old, beautiful buildings and an abundance of street art, the old town is a great place to spend an afternoon, wander the streets and have a coffee in one of its cute cafes.
places to eat
Namaste / Rated top restaurant in Pathos on TripAdvisor, we felt like this was a must-visit and we’re glad we did, so much so that we ate here for dinner twice in our 4-night stay in Paphos. Featuring authentic Indian street food with a cosy interior, warm and chatty staff and original Namaste recipes, it was an amazing experience.
Hondras Tavern / Being the oldest traditional restaurant in Paphos, dating back to the 50’s and family-run, it’s a great place for lunch. You can sit outdoors under the vines and relax in the sun.
Tea for two / A chain of 3 restaurants in Paphos, with a very English feel, these restaurants are a great place for a comforting fry-up or the biggest piece of lemon meringue pie you’ll ever see!
Τα Mpania / We came here 3 times during our 4-night stay which reflects how much we loved this place! Set on the seafront, it’s a great spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. With a DJ during the evenings, it’s a great place for cocktails too.
where to drink
The Rose Pub / A great pub just off the harbour which offers live music most nights and is always busy with locals.
Muse / If you’re up by the old town, a visit to Muse is a must. This hidden gem sits on the top of a cliff in central Paphos. Here they offer a beautiful view of the town and the prime location to watch the sunset whilst sipping a cocktail.
PAPHOS TIPS
We found 4 days in Paphos was enough to see the town, explore what we wanted to see and also have a chill-out.
When visiting the Tomb of the Kings and the Paphos Archaeological Site, be wary that it can get very hot at the peak of the day and there’s little shade so it may be best to go early morning. Take plenty of water and suncream with you.
It’s easy to get the bus from the airport to the harbour (which is within walking distance of everything we have mentioned above) and about €1.50 for a single ticket.
