Tombs of the Kings★★★
★★★ Tombs of the Kings
The necropolis of Nea Paphos, 2 km north of the harbor, is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The name is misleading — no kings are buried here, but high-ranking Ptolemaic and Roman officials (3rd century BC – 3rd century AD). However, the monumentality of the site led later visitors to assume royal burials.
The tombs are carved into the rock and partly designed as underground palaces: with Doric columns, courtyards, and decorated chambers. Tomb 3 is the most spectacular — an underground peristyle courtyard with massive columns that looks like a sunken palace. Tomb 8 has an impressive columned courtyard with a view of the sea.
The site is located on a flat peninsula directly by the sea. The light in the late afternoon is magical — golden light between rock tombs and the Mediterranean.
Leoforos Tafon ton Vasileon, 2 km north of the harbor. 2.50€. Daily 8:30–19:30 (summer), 8:30–17:00 (winter). 1–1.5 hours. On foot or bus 615 from the harbor.
