Holiday in Paphos

About Paphos

Paphos is the mythological cradle of love — the place on the west coast of Cyprus where Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love, is said to have emerged from the foam of the sea. This small coastal town combines 9,000 years of civilization history, a vast archaeological park with world-renowned Roman mosaics, and the mild, sun-drenched climate of the eastern Mediterranean. The Archaeological Park of Kato Paphos (UNESCO World Heritage) is one of the most impressive open-air museums in the Mediterranean: The houses of Dionysus, Theseus, Aion, and Orpheus house Roman floor mosaics from the 3rd to 5th centuries AD, which are among the most beautiful in the ancient world in terms of preservation and artistic quality. The Tombs of the Kings in Nea Paphos are tomb complexes carved into the limestone cliffs from the 3rd century BC, featuring peristyle courtyards and Doric columns, reminiscent of an underground Greek city. They are particularly spectacular in the late afternoon hours when the light turns the limestone cliffs golden. The Rock of Aphrodite (Petra tou Romiou) lies 25 km to the east on a dramatic coastline: Massive limestone cliffs rise from the turquoise sea, and at sunset, it becomes clear why the ancient Greeks chose this place as the birthplace of love. The harbor of Paphos with the medieval castle is the heart of the evening life: Restaurants line the promenade, and the castle serves as a backdrop for the Paphos Aphrodite Festival with operas under the stars in summer.