Where to go in Cyprus in Paphos. Interesting places and attractions of Paphos (Cyprus)

So, you bought a ticket to Cyprus, rented inexpensive apartments in Paphos and rented a car immediately upon arrival. Congratulations on a great start to your vacation and an impeccable choice of location. All that remains is to figure out where to go, what interesting places to visit and what beaches to relax on in the vicinity of wonderful Paphos.

1| Akamas Peninsula

The most impressive natural attraction in the vicinity of Paphos. The westernmost National Park of Cyprus and best place for the soul in Cyprus. Located west of Paphos, just 40 km. from the city.

Everything is here - beautiful deep canyons, gorges, valleys, romantic sandy bays and the famous Blue Lagoon. That this is extremely cool is indicated by the fact that from now on it is under the protection of the European Council and UNESCO, which included it in the list world heritage.

To get there you need to drive from Paphos along the B7 road to the port of Latchi - the first attraction of the Akamas Peninsula. Now it's small resort with a fishing village past - a standard story for many villages along the Mediterranean coast. For a traveler or tourist, Latchi is remarkable because here you can rent a boat (from 50 Euros) and go explore the beauty there. Or you can leave your car in the parking lot, rent an ATV and go through the valleys and hills to explore the surrounding area.

2| Lara Beach

This beach is located on the opposite side of the Akamas Peninsula from the village of Latchi and is accessible by car directly from Paphos. It is also called turtle beach because it is this place that green turtles and Caretta turtles have chosen for their clutches.

It’s worth visiting this place, if only to touch real nature, not spoiled by sun loungers and the bodies of tourists. You will spend at least two hours here and you won’t notice how time has passed, I promise.

3| Half-sunken ship Edro III

Unusual attraction near the area sea ​​caves near Paphos and Coral Bay beach - a half-sunken cargo ship that ran aground off the coast of Cyprus. His story is like this. The ship Edro III left the port of Limassol and was heading to the Greek island of Rhodes, but was caught in a storm and ran aground. This happened almost at the very shore, just 15 meters near the village of Peyia in 2011.

Raising the ship from the shoal was at first either for no one or very expensive, but one way or another the ship still stands near the shore, fairly covered with rust, which plays beautifully in the sunset light. A great place for a photo shoot overlooking the sunset, one of the most romantic places in Cyprus despite its tragic history.

half-sunken ship near Paphos

4| Sea caves

A very cool place near the famous and most beautiful Coral Bay beach in Paphos. To get here you need to drive a little further beyond Coral Bay along the road called See Cave Ave. This road runs right up to the coast, where there are sea caves.

Another landmark is the sunken ship Edro III, which I wrote about above. The caves are in the next harbor behind the ship. They can be easily found on Google maps or Maps.me.

sea ​​caves of Paphos

5| Coral Bay Beach

It is rightfully considered the best beach in the vicinity of Paphos, which in general is certainly behind in terms of beaches and.

Dark yellow golden sand, gentle curve, large parking lot and a restaurant on the beach. - this is a kind of cash cow, so rest assured that all the beaches of Cyprus will always be clean, well-groomed, sun loungers are arranged in a line, and the water is pure turquoise.

There are several average and above average hotels near the beach price category, bus number 615 goes to the center of Paphos

Coral Bay beach in Paphos

6| Kykkos Monastery

Mountains and an ancient monastery in a cool place, a breathtaking serpentine road along the way and an atmosphere of peace, what could be cooler?

The number one place not only in the vicinity of Paphos but also on the entire island named Cyprus. The Orthodox Cypriot monastery of Kykkos was founded in the 11th century byzantine emperor Alexei I Komnenos. The place can confidently be called great, despite the fact that the monastery itself is small in size.

You also need to go to Kykkos from Paphos, the distance is 75 km, the travel time must be at least 2 hours, and taking into account the mountain serpentine and stops - 2.5-3 hours. Stopping in the mountains, breathing in the fresh morning air and admiring the panorama - you couldn't ask for a better day!

Kykkos Monastery

7| Paphos Archaeological Park (Kato Pathos)

Kato Patos is an archaeological park containing the remains of 4 Roman villas, the Asklipion, the ancient Odeon, and the Agora. The Forty Columns Fortress ("Saranta Kolones") is the ruins of an ancient castle located north of Paphos harbor and the ruins of "Lemeniotissa" - an early Christian church, as well as the "Tomb of the Kings".

This ancient splendor is located near the Paphos embankment and Paphos Castle, which stands alone on the shore. The archaeological park is included in all guidebooks and official tours of the city. Such a classic cerebral attraction that is worth seeing.

Kato Paphos benefits greatly from its location near the sea - romantics will love the views.

Entrance to the park costs 4.50 Euros, Tombs of the Kings - an additional 2.50 Euros.

Opening hours of the archaeological park:

• April 16 - September 15 daily: 08:30 - 19:30;
• September 16 – April 15 daily: 08:30 – 17:00

8| Paphos embankment – ​​The Harbor area

The Harbor area and the embankment were restored in the early 90s, the embankment became pedestrian, the old customs house was restored and now

The Paphos Harbor area was improved in the early 1990s when the promenade was pedestrianized and the old customs house was restored. Now, the harbor and embankment are a lively and fun place, where life goes on around the clock. There are many bars, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. Prices are correspondingly higher by 20-30 percent than in the rest of the city.

9| Walking path along the sea and lighthouse

There is a long walking trail along the coast of Paphos. Moreover, on both sides of the embankment and the harbor of Paphos. Along the trail there are hotels, sports grounds and secluded gazebos for admiring the sea. From the path that starts from the fortress, the Paphos lighthouse is clearly visible. I recommend walking along this promenade at least once and enjoying watching the people and the sea.

pedestrian promenade in Paphos

10| Fikardos Winery

Cyprus has long and successfully produced wine, which, in my opinion, is better than Greek continental wine. It is near Paphos in the mountains that there are several wine places and one of them is the Fikardos winery. It is located very close to Paphos in the village of Mesogi, take the B7 road. Along the road you can find several Cypriot taverns: To Tavernaki, Gyros Mega Claudio, Acropolis Tavern, Kalos Heights and Ollie’s Taverna - to the left of the road, a little to the side. I recommend having lunch at one of them.

In the same area there is a ranch where you can ride horses, Horse Riding Paphos - to the right of the road, there are signs for it.

11| Asprokremmos Dam

Cyprus has problems with fresh water historically, therefore, fresh water supplies are replenished by building reservoirs and blocking rivers with dams. One of these dams is located in the vicinity of Paphos and is called the Asprokremmos dam.

It was built in the last century in 1982 and, in addition to its engineering and technical interest, is a beautiful attraction that is worth including in the route, especially if you are vacationing in Cyprus during the low season and the goal is to travel more than indulge in a beach holiday.

reservoir near Paphos

12| Paphos Aquarium (Paphos Aquarium)

A great place for a family holiday or a holiday with children is the aquarium in Paphos. There is a cool collection of marine reptiles and strange fish, both Mediterranean and tropical.

I have seen a lot of different aquariums, and the Paphos one is in no way inferior to the best European analogues. In general, if walking along the embankment seems banal, take a walk along the seabed of the aquarium in Paphos. Children will appreciate it, adults will not regret it.

13| Bath of Adonis

The Bath of Adonis is located in the village of Kameres in the vicinity of Paphos. It is a small reservoir with flowing streams of water from a waterfall. According to legend, a meeting between a mere mortal youth Adonis and the goddess Aphrodite took place in this place. The place is notable for the color of the water, which is white and turquoise due to limestone deposits. There is a small museum, sculptures and cafes everywhere.

Bath of Adonis

14| Avakas Gorges

A place for those who are tired of beach life, all these umbrellas, sun loungers and the same people sipping beer in bars on the embankment. Escape for a while from beach and sea life and wander alone among majestic rocks– that’s why nature created the Avaks Gorge.

How to get to the Avakas gorge. We drive by car or quad bike along the sea in the direction of Lara Beach. We drive past the sea caves, a little further to the left of the road there will be Troxeftra Beach, near this beach we turn right onto Avakas Gorges Road and reach the parking lot in front of the gorge. We leave the car and go on foot, there are many signs to hiking trails– let’s wander around and have fun. I recommend this place.

Avakas gorge

15|Aquapark Aphrodite

One of the water parks in Cyprus along with the water park of Limassol and Ayia Napa. On an area of ​​35,000 sq. m. there are several unique slides, including those with a short-term weightlessness effect. Children and many adults are delighted with it. You can get there by buses No. 11 and 15, it’s free - the fare is refunded when you pay for a ticket to the water park.

Water park address: Off Poseidonos Avenue, Paphos

Ticket price: 30 Euro – adult, 15 Euro – child, children under 3 years old – free, locker rental – 5 Euro.

Water park opening hours: May-June from 10:30 to 17:30; July-August from 10:00 to 17:00, September – October from 10:00 to 17:00.

16| Church of St. Paraskevi (Agia Paraskevi)

One of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Cyprus from the Byzantine period is located in village of Geroskipou in the vicinity of Paphos. Ancient frescoes, vaults and an unusual architectural style make this place a must-see.

If you are vacationing in August, then on August 8, on the day of St. Paraskeva, a liturgy is held in this church, and a fair is held on the nearby streets, where people from all over the area come and go. An excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the customs, traditions and way of life of local residents.

Church Hours: It is usually open until lunchtime on weekdays.

17| Paphos Zoo

The largest zoo in Cyprus is located in Paphos near Coral Bay and the beach of the same name. Next to the zoo is also the Church of St. George (Agios Georgios). A huge number of animals, low-flying exotic birds, a rich terrarium and a parrot show that takes place three times a day - you will like it, I guarantee.

How to get to the zoo. You can get to Coral Bay by city bus No. 615, get off near the bay and transfer to bus No. 616, which will take you to the Zoo. By car you need to go towards Lara Beach on the Akamas Peninsula, after turning to Pegia we look at the signs or simply put the Paphos Zoo point in the maps.me application.

18| Church of St. George the Victorious

A very simple and uncomplicated church, nevertheless, attracts the eye. Probably because the monks knew how to choose a place to build such places. On the edge of a cliff on Cape Drepano, below there is an azure sea and, as a rule, no tourists in the surrounding area.

The church is located in the village of the same name Agios Georgios, which is located on the way to the Akamas Peninsula and Lara Beach, 20 km away. from the Paphos promenade.

It’s worth stopping here on the way to Lara Beach and the Akamas Peninsula to relax, admire the sea from the observation deck near the church, and feel the atmosphere of peace and space.

Paphos hotels

How to rent a car in Limassol

We rent a car on the Myrentacar website, which brings together most local rental companies. The prices are good, 24/7 Russian-speaking support, I have used them 6 times in three years. There are no complaints, the conditions are stated transparently, so you can always find an acceptable option.

Paphos is divided into two parts: lower (Kato Paphos) and upper (Pano Paphos, or Ktyma). Lower Paphos stretches along the sea, the upper one is located 6 km from the sea, on a hill. From the harbor begins the main street of Paphos - Apostle Paul Street, which ends in the center of upper Pano Paphos.

The main attractions of Paphos are located in the lower city - these are two large archaeological zones: ancient Paphos with mosaics and the Royal Tombs, quarries, an amphitheater, the catacombs of Solomonia, the ruins of the early Christian basilica of Chrysopolitissa with the column of the Apostle Paul, Turkish baths, a port fortress.

IN upper city There are museums: archaeological, ethnographic, Byzantine.

Sights of Paphos on the map

It is better to start exploring Paphos with its main attraction - to which I have dedicated a separate story.
Having left the archaeological park, we still remain within the boundaries of ancient Paphos. The museum area remains behind the fence, but we cross the busy Apostle Paul Street and continue our inspection ancient city, the attractions of which are already in the public domain.

Quarries

First of all, we find ourselves in the quarries (Fabrica Hill). We go down the stairs underground and find ourselves in large halls. Yes, there were no problems with the building materials here. Cut blocks and structures from limestone.

Entrance to the quarries

Cyclamen on the rocks

Rising from the quarries, we see under a canopy the remains of an antique house with a preserved fragment of mosaic floors.

Villa with mosaics

Having walked a little along the plateau, we find ourselves on the edge of a large, strong, ruined theater - the main amphitheater of ancient Paphos, built in the 4th century BC.

Ruins of the amphitheater

Catacombs of Saint Solomonia

We return to Apostle Paul Street and reach a pistachio tree hung with rags (it is located right next to the bus stop).

Tree in front of the entrance to the catacombs of Solomonia

Near this tree is the entrance to the catacombs of St. Solomonia. Her seven sons (in the Bible they are mentioned as the seven holy martyrs of the Maccabees) were tortured for their faith in front of their mother, who died after the execution of the last, youngest son. This happened in pre-Christian times, in 166 BC. They were forced to worship Zeus, but they remained faithful to the true and one God. Saint Solomonia, the seven Maccabean martyrs and their teacher Eleazar are revered by both the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

It has not been reliably confirmed that it was in these catacombs that they hid when fleeing Palestine, and that Solomonia is buried here. However, the place is considered holy and healing.

Let's go down into the catacombs. Icons hang in the cave hall.

A steep staircase leads down to underground spring- the most transparent.

Spring with healing water

I, not seeing the border of the water, (I highlighted it with my mobile phone) stepped into the water with both feet. And you are supposed to wash your eyes with this water - it is believed that water from the source heals vision.

The pistachio tree bent over this holy place also has healing powers. You need to tie a rag to it, which you used to cover the sore spot, and when this rag on the tree decays, health will return.

The holy places don't end there.

Basilica of Panagia Chrysopolitissa

Again we walk along the busy street of the Apostle Paul. We reach Stasandrou Street and turn left. Stasandrou Street will lead us to the remains of the Basilica of Chrysopolitissa.

All that remains of the basilica are the foundations with the remains of mosaics and two rows of columns, however, even from the little that remains one can imagine the grandeur of the structure. The church was built in the 4th century on the site of an ancient Roman forum and temple.

Now there are walkways over the remains of the basilica and the ancient forum.

In the far corner of the archaeological zone stands the small church of St. Kiriyaki, built in 1500.

What remains from the ancient temple is part of a white marble column, to which, as legend says, the Apostle Paul was tied and beaten with whips.

Column of the Apostle Paul

However, later Paul still managed to attract the Roman proconsul Sergius to his faith, and Christianity reigned on the island - already in the 40s AD.

To the left of Paul's column lie the ruins of a Gothic church (presumably Franciscan), built around 1300. Under the Turks (in the 1570s), the church was rebuilt into a mosque, but served them for just a couple of decades and was destroyed during an earthquake.

Gothic church ruins

To the left of the Gothic church there are ancient Turkish baths with interesting semicircular domes.

If, on the contrary, you go to the right from the entrance to the basilica, then the street will lead you straight to the Harbor city bus station.

The Tombs of the Kings is another archaeological site in Paphos, which is located on a limestone plateau along the sea.

It’s better to get there from the Harbor bus station by bus 615. This bus goes to Coral Bay, it runs about once every fifteen minutes and always stops near “Tombs Of The Kings”.

A ticket to this open-air museum costs 2 euros. Open daily from 8 am, in winter until 5 pm, in summer until 7:30 pm.

An hour is enough to explore the “Royal Tombs”.

The area contains numerous underground tombs from the Hellenistic and Ptolemaic periods (3rd-4th centuries BC). Called “royal” for their pomp, these are in fact the burials of local nobility, not kings.

One of the mounds

The burial complexes imitate the houses of that time. A stepped corridor (dromos) leads to the central hall (atrium).

Dromos, entrance to the underground tomb

Columns often line the perimeter of the atrium.

We go into the atrium

From the atrium one passes into the burial rooms, in the walls of which burial niches (loculi) are carved.

Funeral rooms

Burial niches - loculi

Some cells were covered with frescoes. The entrances were decorated with carvings imitating the facade of the temple.

The burials are in varying states of preservation. The path runs along the mounds, near each there is a sign with a description in Greek and English.

Houses built underground for the dead, with columns, frescoes, wells, make up an entire settlement. This city of the dead amazes with its scale.

Paphos is the administrative center of the district of Cyprus of the same name, located in the southeastern part of the island. According to Greek myths, this city is the birthplace of the goddess of love Aphrodite: Aphrodite's Rock (Petra tou Romio) - the place where the goddess emerged from the sea foam - is located on the coast of Paphos and attracts many tourists. Also in the city and its surroundings you can visit the Temple of Aphrodite, the Baths of Aphrodite and many tourist places named in her honor, and since 1999, in early autumn, the city hosts the Aphrodite Festival, in which opera houses from all over the world take part.

The modern city is divided into two parts: Lower Paphos (Kato Paphos), located along the coast, contains the main attractions and most of the tourist sites, and Upper Paphos (Pano Paphos) houses administrative buildings and residential buildings.

Paphos has preserved traces of ancient Greek civilization dating back to 300 BC. At the early stage of the birth of Christianity, the apostles Paul and Barnabas came to the city with sermons, during Roman rule important architectural monuments were erected in it, and at the end of the 4th century the residence of a bishop was located in Paphos. After a devastating period of Arab raids and the annexation of the island to the Byzantine Empire (965), the revival of Paphos began, but later, during Venetian and Turkish rule, the city, subject to frequent attacks from the sea, fell into decay. In the 20th century the city became one of tourist centers Cyprus, and in 1980 Lower Paphos was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Today, guests of the city can see the ruins of ancient Greek temples, the necropolis of the Royal Tombs, the birthplace of Aphrodite, several Byzantine churches and the ancient, albeit rebuilt several times, Paphos Castle. In addition, the city has several museums, a zoo, a diving center, several equipped beaches and, of course, many restaurants and cafes with traditional Cypriot cuisine.

Cultural holiday in Paphos

It was built by the Lusignans on the site of the Byzantine fort “Forty Columns” and a watchtower, destroyed by an earthquake in 1222. The castle was built from hewn limestone and consisted of a wall connecting two towers. In 1373, the castle was forced to surrender to the Genoese after a whole year of defense. At the end of the 15th century, the castle was fortified, but less than a hundred years later the Venetians, fearing that the castle would be occupied by the Turks, dismantled it. In 1592, the Turks restored and fortified the fort, and from the beginning of British rule until 1935, the castle was used as a salt warehouse.

Currently, the castle, consisting of a central tower and a fenced courtyard surrounding it, serves as a venue for the annual opera festival (Aphrodite Festival) and other cultural events, and is also one of the historical monuments Pathos.

Orthodox male monastery 10 kilometers from Paphos. According to legend, Saint Neophytos sought to become a hermit from his youth, but the abbot of the monastery of Saint John Chrysostom, of which he was a novice, did not allow him to embark on this path, since the young man was too young. Eventually, Neophytos tried to travel to Palestine penniless, but was detained at the port of Paphos and imprisoned. After his release, Neophytos, who became even more firmly established in his desire for solitude, built a residential grotto in a rock not far from Paphos and began the life of a recluse. 10 years later, he took several novices, and a little later, he wrote the first charter of the monastery, but since with the advent of new pilgrims and novices, monastic life became too vain for Neophyte, in 1197 he dug another cell above the monastery, in which he died at the age of 90 years.

Since the mid-18th century, the relics of Neophyte have been kept in the main church of the monastery. The frescoes, which can still be seen on the walls of the monastery, date back to 1183 and 1196, and the main monastery church, consecrated in honor Holy Mother of God, was erected at the beginning of the 16th century.

There is a museum on the territory of the monastery, the exhibition of which presents an impressive collection of icons, ancient ceramics, church manuscripts (including the manuscripts of Neophytos himself) and other historical objects.

This is an open-air museum located near Paphos harbor, which displays archaeological sites from different periods: from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Visitors have the opportunity to look at the unique floor mosaics and mythological compositions that decorated the walls of four Roman villas (House of Dionysus, House of Theseus, House of Aeon and House of Orpheus), see the ruins of the ancient Odeon theater and the nearby ruins of the ancient city wall, as well as buildings dedicated to Aesculapius (used as a hospital), the former main square of Nea Paphos, the ruins of the Temple of Asklepios and other objects. In the park there is the Byzantine fortress “Saranta Kolones” (“Forty Columns”), founded in the 7th century, an ancient lighthouse and the ruins of the basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa.

Before visiting the park, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with its map, since some of the archaeological sites are located at a considerable distance from each other, and moving around the park on foot can be difficult. Entrance to some park facilities is paid.

Church of Panagia Chrysopolitissa It is also located near the harbor of Kato Paphos. Initially it was an early Byzantine basilica, later, in the 13th century, rebuilt into a medieval one Catholic Church(Currently Catholic and Anglican services are held in the church). Some of the mosaics that decorated the floor of the basilica have survived to this day; they can be seen when visiting the ruins of the basilica.

It is believed that Saint Paul, who visited Paphos in 45, was punished by the governor and sentenced to scourging. The stone block at which the punishment took place was called Column of St. Paul, and it is located in close proximity to the Church of Panagia Chrysopolitissa.

A royal estate 14 kilometers east of Paphos, consisting of a complex of buildings from the 13th century, on the territory of which is located, among other things, the Archaeological Museum.

One of the main attractions is the Temple of Aphrodite, the picturesque ruins of which date back to the 12th century BC.

In the Archaeological Museum of Paleo Paphos you can see figurines, household utensils, fragments of mosaics and other objects found by archaeologists on the territory of the royal estate during excavations.

Also in Kouklia are the Church of Saints Constantine and Helena, built in the 12th century (services in the church are held once a year - May 21, the day of remembrance of the saints), and the cave chapel of Palea Enclestra, carved into a steep stone wall - one of the cells that appeared in the 15th century at the monastery of Saints Constantine and Helena. In the cave chapel you can see ancient frescoes, the technique of which shows Western European influence (this is explained by the fact that the frescoes were apparently created during the period of Venetian rule in Cyprus).

Located at Griva Digeni 43 (Upper Paphos), there is a collection of objects from antiquity from the Neolithic to 1700 AD. All exhibits were found in the vicinity of Paphos. Among other things, in the museum you can see a tombstone from Marion with an inscription in Cypriot script, a marble statue of Aesculapius and a marble bust of Aphrodite.

From Monday to Friday the museum is open from 8:00 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday are days off. Entrance to the museum is paid.

This is the private museum of the Eliades family, which displays a rich collection of cultural treasures, most of which are folk art. In addition to household items and tools, in the museum you can see rural costumes, lace, wooden furniture and much more. In addition, the museum includes the following natural objects like a rock-cut tomb (Hellenistic period) and a turpentine tree.

The address of the museum is 1 Exo Vrisis Street, entrance fee. The museum is open seven days a week, from 9:30 to 17:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 10:00 to 13:00 on Sundays.

In Paphos it is located in the eastern wing of the residence of the Metropolitan of Paphos at 5 Andrea Ioannou Str. The oldest of the Cypriot icons “Agia Marina” (VII or VIII century), Byzantine icons of the 12th-19th centuries (more than a hundred copies), liturgical books, crosses, priestly vestments, wood and silver items and other items of church art are presented here. The museum's opening hours in summer and winter differ, so it is better to check them by phone. Admission is paid.

A small museum in the Coral Bay area, designed by Andrea Bruno, a professor at the University of Turin and one of Europe's foremost architects. The place where the museum is built is of particular importance for the culture of Cyprus: it was here that the first Greeks settled in 1200 BC, with whom the emergence of Hellenism on the island began. The museum exposition is dedicated to the history of the colonization of Cyprus by the Mycenaean Greeks. Admission is paid, opening hours: from 8:30 to 16:00 from Monday to Sunday.

The men's is located in the Troodos mountains, approximately 40 kilometers from Paphos. The hermit Ignatius, who founded the monastery in 1152, found the main icon of the Mother of God Chrysoroyatissa ( main shrine monastery) on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

In 1821, the abbot of the monastery, Abbot Joachim, was arrested and executed by the Ottoman authorities for supporting the rebels during the Greek War of Independence. Currently, visitors to the monastery can see the collection of icons and other items of church art collected there.

Entertainment in Paphos

Paphos Water Park is located at Poseidonos Avenue, Kato Paphos. This is the largest water park and water entertainment center for the whole family in the region. At the water park, you can go down the slides, go down the Wet Bubble or climb the Water Volcano, explore the pirate ship, raft the Lazy River and swim in several pools, and grab a snack or a cold drink at one of the several cafes and bars For children, the water park has a special area with water attractions. There is free Wi-Fi on the territory of the water park, there are lifeguards, and you can leave things in a storage room.

There are 12 in the Paphos area beaches, marked with the “Blue Flag”, indicating the cleanliness of the water and coastal zone and high quality related services. Also in the vicinity of the city (for example, next to Aphrodite’s Stone) there are small secluded sandy beaches up to 100 meters long, often with cliffs near the shore. There are pebble beaches near Paphos (Aphrodite's Baths) and rockier places (between Lara and Cape Arnaoutis). And on the beach, located close to Paphos International Airport, you can see turtle nests.

Located next to the busy tourist streets of Lower Paphos. This sandy beach is easily accessible by public transport, by bicycle and even on foot. Throughout the season, you can rent sun loungers, umbrellas and various water sports equipment.

The beach called in the village of Peyia is considered one of the best beaches in the region. This is a long sandy beach with convenient entry into the water and all the necessary accompanying services. There are lifeguards on the beach from 11:00 to 17:30.

From the beach Vrisudiya B overlooking the city port and Paphos Castle. Location in tourist area Lower Paphos allows you to get to the beach by any public transport. Everything you need for a beach holiday (sun loungers, umbrellas, sports equipment) can be rented right there.

At the ranch, located in the village of Misogi, you can take a horse riding lesson (available for both adults and children) or take the whole family or group of friends on a horseback ride through the nearby olive groves and almond orchards. During the summer months, it is better to book your trip in advance.

The diving center invites tourists to take an underwater walk in the coral reefs or explore shipwrecks in the vicinity of Paphos. Beginners can take a test dive to shallow depths in calm water. Instructors teach future divers the necessary basic skills and explain why diving is not scary. Children can also try themselves in this sport if they are already 10 years old.

A water sports center located on the grounds of the Amathus Hotel on Poseidonos Avenue. In the center you can fly and go down to the sea on a paraglider, ride a jet ski or water ski, rent a jet ski and try other active entertainment on the water.

There is also one in Paphos (address - St. George, Peyia Paphos), which is home to more than 500 animals and about 1000 birds, including endangered species. Among the birds that can be seen in the zoo are flamingos, parrots, birds of prey, cranes, banana-eaters and others, among the animals are tigers, elephants, giraffes, kangaroos, various types of rodents and primates. Also in the zoo you can see reptiles: turtles, snakes, lizards and crocodiles. In addition, on the territory of the zoo there is a restaurant, a natural history museum, an exhibition hall, a souvenir shop, a farm with pets that you can feed and pet, and a theater where performances and performances of trained animals take place. The zoo is open all year round.

For lovers of one of the most leisurely sports in the world, Paphos has five golf clubs: , and in Kouklia, (Chlorakas).

Located on the territory of the estate of the same name. The course was designed by Sir Nick Foldo, a world-renowned golfer, who made the most of the natural terrain and features views of the Mediterranean Sea while playing.

Another popular type of holiday in Cyprus is jeep and quad bike tours, which are offered by companies such as EcoTour Adventures Cyprus, Chris Andreou - Buggy, Jeep and Quad Bike Safaris, Jimmys Jeep Adventures, TT Isle of Man Rentals & Tours, STS Motor Rentals. Tours are designed for different numbers of participants and vary in duration.

The company has been preparing and conducting tours for 15 years. Jeep drivers act as tour guides and willingly share their knowledge about the history, culture, flora and fauna of the region. Tours include exploring traditional life in villages around Paphos, lunch at a tavern, visit to the Baths of Aphrodite, Avakas Gorge walk, swimming and snorkeling (May to October).

Tourists are offered to go on a boat tour from Paphos from Paphos harbor with. From the hold of the ship, you can observe underwater life through the windows (the route passes by sunken ships and “turtle” sites), and in the middle of the trip, participants can swim in the deep water. Tour duration is from 1.5 to 2 hours.

Bowling club in Paphos is located at Ap. Pavlou Avenue. The club has 12 lanes in total and has a café-bar. The club regularly holds competitions, including the Cosmic Cup.

And - interactive quest games, organized according to the “Get out of the room” principle. Participants are offered several scenarios suitable for different ages. Teamwork and brainstorming should end with the successful "liberation" of a group of friends, colleagues or relatives who have exactly 60 minutes to find the keys.

Mingame's rooms are located in the basement of an old mansion located at 25 Martiou 4, and Lockdown's quests can be found at Shop 1, No.4 Parmenionos Street.

Restaurants and cafes in Paphos

The Italian restaurant is located in the tourist area of ​​Lower Paphos at 68 Poseidonos Avenue. The menu includes classic Italian dishes: pastas (including, of course, seafood), risotto, pizzas and desserts. The menu also includes steaks, fish and chicken dishes. There is a wine list.

In the same building (on the second floor) there is another restaurant -. As a gift, visitors are offered sets of snacks and mini-sandwiches. Guests of the establishment can also try duck in sweet sauce, octopus salad, vegetarian salad with avocado and orange, chilled soups and much more.

An English-style tavern serving Cypriot and British cuisine, located near Paphos, in the village of Letimvou. Here you can try traditional meze starters, fried halloumi cheese with carob sauce, battered prawns, Yorkshire pudding, pork chop in honey mustard sauce and homemade desserts prepared according to original recipes. The menu includes vegetarian dishes, and in the tavern you can also try locally produced wine.

Restaurant Greek cuisine can be found in Paphos at Anth. Georgiou M. Savva 37. They serve homemade raisin bread and homemade jam, many types of appetizers (anchovies, dried meats, pickles and smoked meats), meat and fish meze (dishes included in the meze set are served until visitors will not be asked to stop), kleftiko and other classic dishes, original desserts (for example, warm pie with date honey). You can also try homemade organic wine, zivania and Cypriot coffee at the restaurant. There are high chairs for children and access for wheelchairs.

The restaurant specializes in Cypriot and Mediterranean cuisine. The dishes use local, seasonal ingredients (so the menu changes throughout the year), as well as aromatic herbs grown in the restaurant's garden. The menu includes fish carpaccio with raspberry sauce, tomatoes stuffed with anchovies, marinated octopus with olive oil and oregano, lobster pasta, duck with honey and chili and much more. And for those who cannot choose one or two dishes, they offer a special set of meze appetizers, consisting of most menu items “in miniature”. Restaurant address: Georgiadi Kyproleondos 5.

Indian restaurant in Paphos, located at Theoskepastis 7. Here you can try chicken curry (the curry can be made more or less spicy according to customers' wishes), samosas, biryani, korma, keema and other traditional dishes. The restaurant is closed for the winter.

The bar and restaurant is located in Lower Paphos (5, Poseidonos Avenue). Breakfast is served here, and also offers several types of salads and light dishes for lunch. The bar serves wine, beer (nuts and chips are offered free of charge) and several types of cocktails. There are DJs performing here on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The restaurant is also located on Poseidonos Avenue, in the Amphora Hotel (no. 48). The restaurant is notable for the fact that its visitors have the opportunity to dine right on the beach, sitting under palm trees. From time to time, the restaurant hosts concerts and parties for vacationers. The menu includes wide choice smoothies and fresh juices, including fruit and vegetable drinks.

The cafe is located in Kouklia, the exact address is Michalaki Christodoulou 1B. The interior is designed in a traditional style, the cuisine is Greek, there are vegetarian dishes. The menu includes meze appetizer sets, salads, traditional sauces, hummus, sheftalia, moussaka, chicken kebab and pork kebab, as well as a large selection of desserts and drinks.

Today about the outskirts of Paphos, where we lived. Cyprus is a fairly small island, so if you have a car you can make radial trips from anywhere day trips anywhere in the country. The distance from Paphos even to Ayia Napa, which is located in the south-eastern corner of the island, is only a little more than 200 kilometers.

Today I will write about interesting places closest to Paphos.

Coral Bay

10 kilometers north of Paphos is the resort village of Coral Bay. It began to be developed in the early 80s. Several large development companies have begun to build hotels and other tourist infrastructure here. It turned out to be quite a separate resort village with a central street, shops, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. This place is famous sandy beaches. The village has two bays with beaches, around which there are hotels in a semicircle.

We went here to the beach several times. They are paid and well-equipped here, and most importantly they are sandy; in Paphos there are tensions with sandy beaches.

Along the coast north of Coral Bay there are many villas, large private houses with large grounds, usually with swimming pools.
And there are banana plantations around.

Despite the fact that bananas grow in Cyprus, in addition to small, tasty local bananas, stores sell giant bananas from Ecuador - exactly the same as in our stores.

Agios Georgios

Further west of Korl Bay there is another resort town - Agios Georgios. The settlements themselves are practically continuous, with villas standing here and there.
Agios Georgios is the last village before protected peninsula Akamas. This is where asphalt and civilization end.
In the middle of the village stands the Church of St. George.

A picturesque place with views of the islands and coastline.

Directly below the church there is a small marina and beach.

The beach is behind the breakwater, so it's good place for bathing small children.
If you drive further along the coast, then after 500 meters the asphalt ends. The road descends into the river valley, which, like most Cypriot rivers, dries up in the summer. There is a small tourist tavern here, and at the mouth of the river there is a very nice beach; when we were there it was almost empty.

The monumental price tag announces the prices for sun loungers and umbrellas. But we stayed here for 3 hours, and during this time the payment collector never showed up.

Southern coast of the Akamas Peninsula

The Akamas Peninsula is the largest of the least developed protected areas in southern Cyprus. It is located at the northwestern end of the island. There are not many roads leading here and these roads do not have asphalt. And there is no human habitation here at all. Akamas - national park, and the Cypriots are deliberately not developing this territory - they are trying to preserve a piece of the island as it was before.

Along the southern coast of the peninsula there is a fairly broken dirt road.

But at the same time, quite a lot of cars with curious tourists drive around it.

Small, very poor roads go deeper into the peninsula. Along one of them you can get to the gorge and Avakas caves, which are located in the valley of the river of the same name. We didn’t go there, it’s difficult to walk there with a baby, this is what it looks like: http://uralpanda.livejournal.com/469429.html.

In theory, the most interesting object on this road is Lara Beach. This is the place where sea turtles lay their eggs. There are only one or two such reserves left in the Mediterranean, and they are few and far between. Finding Lara Beach is quite difficult; there is no sign for it. Just 7 kilometers after the asphalt runs out, you need to check all the forks towards the sea. We planned to sunbathe and swim there, but then it turned out that you can’t use umbrellas and sunbeds on the beach, and you can’t put up tents. God bless them with sunbeds and tents, but for me and a small child it was impossible without an umbrella. But just then clouds rolled in and partially solved our problem.

There were very few people on the beach. Among others, a bronze-bodied nudist sat proudly in the corner of the beach, sticking an umbrella in the sand despite the ban.
There really were turtle clutches here. These places are fenced off with ropes. In the photo below you can see such a fence.

You can't be on the beach after sunset. In Paphos, I read in the tourist brochure that sometimes night excursions are organized to Lara Beach to look at the turtles. But now I haven’t come across any links to such events on the Internet.

Guidebooks write that the Akamas Peninsula is a wild place, where you shouldn’t go in simple cars, but it’s better to go with a tour. This is nonsense. By taking reasonable precautions such as not driving too fast on a rocky road or jumping off a cliff into the sea, nothing bad will happen to you.

Monastery of Agios Neophytos

North of Paphos is one of the main Orthodox shrines of Cyprus - the monastery of St. Neophytos. Neophytos lived in the 12th century and became famous as the author of numerous literary religious works, as well as historical chronicles. At the age of 25, he settled north of Paphos, carved three caves into the rock with his own hands and began to live as a hermit. Over time, a monastery was formed here.

The monastery is picturesquely located at the foot of the mountain. There is a lot of greenery inside.

There is a monastery in Cyprus (not far from Larnaca), which is popularly called the “cat monastery”; a huge number of cats live there. In Agios Neophytos, cats also feel good.

Empa

Empa is a nearby suburb of Paphos, located 6 kilometers north of the city. Not particularly noteworthy locality, but it houses the famous and very beautiful church of Panagia Chryseleous. We came to the church by accident, wandering around looking for the turn to the Agios Neophytos monastery
Like all churches in Cyprus, it was built in a characteristic Byzantine style. But this is the original Byzantine style, and not a remake - the church was built in the 12th century. on the ruins of an early Christian basilica.

Baths of Adonis

The Baths of Adonis are one of the most popular attractions of local tourist offices. A small waterfall and lake in the vicinity of Paphos received the proud name “Adonis Bath”, and now crowds of tourists are transported here by bus.
If you remove tourists, or try to get here at some inopportune time, then the place is actually very nice; by the way, they ask for 9 euros for entry :)))

Adonis's bath looks like a tiny mountain lake, surrounded by greenery and flowers. The bottom of the lake is calcareous, so the water near the shores is a good green color. The water here, which is very pleasant after the sea, is fresh and icy; this was very important after a long road in the heat.

On the road from the highway from Paphos to Coral Bay to the baths there is a reservoir.

Peyia - Kafikas - Druseia

From Paphos to Polis you can take different roads. One of them, the shorter one, goes straight north from Paphos, and the other turns inland from Coral Bay. Here on the hill is the large village of Peyia.

That's all about the surroundings of Paphos. Stay tuned! Three more posts are planned about the trip to Cyprus.