Tombs of the Kings – A complex of monumental underground tombs that are carved out of solid rock and date back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Rather than kings, it is actually high-ranking officials and aristocracy that were buried here, but the size and splendour of the tombs gave this site its grand name. Some of the tombs imitate the houses of the living, with the burial chambers opening onto a peristyle atrium.
Kato Pafos Archaeological Park – This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site includes monuments that date back to prehistoric times, the Middle Ages, and the Roman period. At the heart of this archaeological park is the site’s most prized possession. Considered among the finest in the eastern Mediterranean, the intricate floor mosaics are feted for their excellent preservation and vibrant colors, depicting various scenes from Greek mythology.
Archaeological Museum of the Pafos District (free entrance) – It houses a rich and notable collection of antiquities originating from excavations at various archaeological sites in the Palos region. The collection is housed across five rooms and includes finds dating from the Neolithic Age up to the 17th century AD. Of special interest are a set of surgical instruments and a rare sculpture of warrior Aphrodite.
Fabrica Hill – Is a historically rich, free-to-visit archaeological site located directly across from the Kings Avenue Mall. It features a Hellenistic pebble mosaic, a network of ancient quarry caves, the ancient Hellenistic-Roman theater, and stunning panoramic views of the city and Mediterranean sea.
Agia Solomoni Christian Catacomb – Is a chapel that forms part of a small underground complex of chamber tombs from the Hellenistic period. Agia Solomoni was one of the first to reject idolatry and embrace Christianity on the island. According to tradition, Solomoni took refuge in the cave to escape persecution from the Romans. The site consists of an open court, surrounded by five rock-cut chambers, one of which has a spring. Above the catacombs stands a sacred tree with its branches adorned by colourful rags and bits of clothing left by the faithful as offerings to the saint. It is believed that the tree has curative powers.
Hani tou Ibrahim (lbrahim’s Inn) – This multi-purpose centre is basically a historical inn with an inner courtyard, which was built during the Ottoman era. Such inns served merchants, craftsmen and other individuals, when travelling from district to district. The buildings were restored and now house several artisans’ workshops and a theatre.
Municipal Art Gallery – Exhibits various works of art casted by local Paphian artists. Visitors admire contemporary works of art, oil, acrylic or aquarelle paintings inspired by local nature and everyday life. Further to that the Gallery exhibits other forms of art such as sculptures of stone, wood or metal, mosaic works and other modern art artifacts.
Pafos Castle (Pafos Old Port) – The Castle was originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the port. and was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, but then demolished by the Venetians. The Ottomans rebuilt it in the 16th century when they conquered the island. What survives today is the 1592 Ottoman restoration of the western Frankish tower with its Venetian additions. An inscription above the only entrance of the castle bears witness to this restoration.
Ethnographical Museum of Pafos – A private museum belonging to the Eliades family. Situated at the heart of Palos and housed in one of the area’s oldest and finest heritage buildings. The exhibits include amongst other items: representative costumes, carved wooden furniture, Venetian mirrors, farming tools, kitchen utensils, as well as archaeological finds that date mainly from the Chalcolithic period.
Pafos Mosaics (Roman Villas) – Marvelous mosaic floors were discovered at the ruins of four lavishly decorated roman villas. The mosaic floors date from the 2nd to the 5th century AD and are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They depict scenes from Greek mythology and are considered masterpieces of mosaic art. The villas were named after the scenes depicted in the mosaics: The House of Dionysos, the House of Theseus, the House of Aeon and the House of Orpheus.
Pafos Odeon – Was part of the ancient city’s Roman Agora buildings and dates back to the 2nd century A.D and is built entirely from perfectly hewn limestone rocks. To the south of the Odeon are the remains of the Roman temple of Asclepius, God of Medicine and to the north are remains of ancient city walls. The Odeon is partly restored and is still used for various cultural events.
Paphos Old Town – Seek out the street art in old town Paphos, check out local handicrafts at The Place, or visit the Municipal Market in the pedestrian zone of Ktima, which sells everything from fruit and vegetables to clothing, pottery and jewellery. Paphos Old Town sits high above the rest of the town, so stop for a coffee at one of the cafes for panoramic views over the countryside to the coast.
Seafront Beaches – If you feel like swimming and sunbathing, visit one of the blue flag beach front beaches that are located literally in the heart of Kato Palos near the port. Some of the most popular seafront blue flag beaches that offer amenities like showers, sun beds, umbrellas etc are: Municipal baths. Alykes, Vrysoudia A, Vrysoudia B and Faros Beach.
Cami-i Kebir (Great Mosque) – The mosque in the town of Pafos used to be an old Byzantine Church known as Agia Sofia. This is a classical Byzantine cruciform building with a central dome. A tall minaret was added in the northwest corner.
Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark – Plunge 50 feet down on the Free Fall ride, have a friendly race on the tube water slides, or relax on the lazy river and in the wave pool here.
The Island Cove mini golf near the Geroskipou village is a small American-style golf club, with 18 holes and surrounded by picturesque nature. The Coral Bay Go Karting track is located just a few minutes from Coral Bay Beach, featuring modern facilities.
Municipal Gardens – In the center of Paphos, next to Dionysios Solomou Square, there is a beautiful green area with several points of interest. Here, one can take a leisurely stroll among the cypress trees in this quiet part of the city, and also admire the beautiful visual creations that have been placed in various parts of the park. The works were designed by Cypriot and foreign artists. On the north-eastern side of the garden you can see a statue of hero Evagoras Pallikaridis.
Agia Kyriaki Church and St. Paul’s Pillar (free entrance) – These were built in the 13th century over the ruins of the largest Early Christian Basilica on the island. Within the compound is St. Paul’s Pillar, where according to a folktale, Saint Paul was flogged before the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus converted to Christianity.
Agia Solomoni Christian Catacomb (free entrance) – Is a chapel that forms part of a small underground complex of chamber tombs from the Hellenistic period. Above the catacombs stands a sacred tree, believed to have curative powers, with its branches adorned by colourful rags and bits of clothing left by the faithful as offerings to the saint.
Paphos Zoo – This attraction was once the private menagerie and aviary of a local businessman and animal collector, Christos Christoforou. At the turn of this century Christoforou decided to open his zoo up to the public with the aim of showing off his collection and educating visitors about animal conservation. The zoo is situated in a landscaped environment of gardens and ponds, and houses monkeys, giraffes, tigers, white lions, kangaroos, meerkats and more. The bird area is possibly the most interesting, with more than 200 species including a wide range of birds of prey.
Agia (Saint) Paraskevi Church and Ecclesiastical Museum of Pafos – This is one of the most interesting and beautiful churches in Cyprus. It is located in Geroskipou village, 5 km east of Palos and it dates back to the 9th century. Architecturally it is a three-aisled five domed Basilica and it is decorated with beautiful frescoes that date from the 9th and the 15th century. The Byzantine Museum of Palos, also located in Geroskipou village, has an important collection of artefacts from the Byzantine period.
Saranta Kolones Castle – This Byzantine castle is located just north of Palos Port. and takes its name from the large number of granite columns that were found on the site. The castle is believed to have been built at the end of the 7th century AD to protect the port and the city from Arab raids, and was later remodelled by the Lusignans. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1223, the castle was subsequently abandoned.
Ancient Tomb at Kostis Palamas – Discovered during the renovation of the square, this ancient tomb is completely carved in natural rock. It has a monumental entrance to the southwest, from which begins a winding road leading to a peristyle atrium. At a slightly higher level, opposite the entrance, a chamber is formed inside the rock, on the inner walls of which three burial chambers are opened. In one of them, an elaborate sarcophagus was found.
Pre- Historic Settlement of Lemba (free entrance) – Excavations near the village of Lemba, which is located 5 km north of Palos, unearthed an important settlement of the Chalcolithic Age. Near the site, replicas of five houses from this period have been reconstructed using the same materials and the same building methods that were used in historic times.
EDRO III Shipwreck – The coast of Cyprus is littered with shipwrecks, but most of them are submerged and only visible if you go diving. The Norwegian cargo ship EDRO III is a rare shipwreck above water, making it an excellent location for a sunset photoshoot. It ran aground during a storm in October 2011. A distress call went out to the British Army based at Limassol, and the crew was airlifted to safety. But despite several attempts to move the wreck, the ship remains stuck on the coast near Paphos. The wreck of the EDRO II is close to the sea caves and the Blue Lagoon, so it’s easy to combine with a visit to these popular Paphos landmarks. If you want to use the shipwreck as a backdrop for photos, it’s best to visit in the early morning or in the evening, when the hull is transformed by the golden light of sunset.
Petra tou Romiou (Birthplace of Aphrodite) – A beautiful beach, easily accessible from the Palos – Lemesos motorway. Here according to mythology, Aphrodite emerged from the waves. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou means the Rock of the Greek man, referring to the Byzantine hero Digenis Akritas, who kept the marauding Saracen Arabs (7th – 10th centuries) at bay with his superhuman strength. According to legend he heaved the huge rock seen today on this beach and tossed it into the sea crushing a Saracen ship, which was trying to dock.
Loukoumi (Cyprus Delights) – Opposite Geroskipou village Square, there is a workshop producing loukoumi a traditional sweet that is known as Cyprus Delight. The workshop which operates continuously since the 19th century, is producing traditional Loukoumi in a variety of flavours such as rose, bergamot, vanilla etc. The workshop is open for visits. Loukoumi Geroskipou is a product that bears a Protected Geographical Indication.
Coral Bay/Sea Caves – Is a popular tourist destination near the village of Peyia, 11 km north of the city of Palos. The coast to the north and to the south of Coral Bay is characterized by rocky headlands and beautiful sea caves. Coral Bay Beach itself is a 600m crescent of soft white sand that offers amenities like showers, sun beds, umbrellas etc.
Agios (Saint) Neofytos Monastery – Is located 9 km north of Palos and was founded around 1200 by a Cypriot hermit, which was later recognized as Saint Neofytos. A nearby cave, called “Enkleistra”, is where the hermit lived and is covered with some of the finest examples of Byzantine frescoes that date back to the 12th and 15th centuries.
Sanctuary of Aphrodite and Palaipafos Museum – Is located near Kouklia village, 14km east of Palos and was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the classical Greek world and an important city-kingdom. Here lie the ruins of the famous sanctuary of Aphrodite that date back to the 12th century BC. A dedicated museum is housed in a nearby Lusignan manor and its collection includes impressive finds, dating from the Chalcolithic up to the Middle Ages. It depicts how the cult of the Goddess of fertility developed into the cult of Aphrodite.
Troodos Mountains – For a change of scenery head to the Troodos Mountains. It’s the largest range on the island, with Cyprus’ tallest peak, Mount Olympus. In the foothills the range has sleepy old villages next to terraced olive groves and vineyards, woven by chuckling streams that are ensconced in deciduous woodland. As you go higher you’ll come to peaks forested with pine trees and here in winter you can even go skiing. For culture keep your eyes peeled for Troodos’ UNESCO-listed Byzantine churches and monasteries. These medieval buildings may look modest from the outside, but have the most incredible painted murals within.
Shopping
In the old city of Palos in the pedestrian zone (Makarios Avenue and Agoras Street) one can find unique locally made items such as icons, mosaics, jewellery, pottery and other handicrafts. There are also many shops selling local food products such as carob syrup, olive oil and Cyprus herbs and spices.
If you enjoy shopping in a mall, visit Kings Avenue Mall which is located 500 hundred meters from Palos Old Port.
Tourist Info