About Paphos

Paphos is a city where myth and reality mingle freely. In Paphos you can see Roman Villas, Byzantine churches and crusader castles. Modern hotels come together with ancient buildings. Paphos, one of the largest resorts in Cyprus has expanded rapidly. The city is easy accessible cause of the airport nearby. Paphos became the capital of Cyprus under the successors of Alexander the Great. The resort town has a charming fishing harbour by Paphos Fort, lined with open-air cafés and taverns that serve a tempting menu of the day's catch.

It was here that Aphrodite, goddess of love, walked in from the sea to found a thousand love cults across the Hellenic world. Landmarks associated with Aphrodite are the chunky, rugged rocks of her beautiful birth shore known as the Aphrodite Rocks or "Petra Tou Romiou", the evocative sanctuary of Aphrodite at Kouklia Village, one-time shrine and scene of pagan festivals for thousands, the Baths of Aphrodite at Polis, supposed source of fertility and the Fountain of Love, or Fontana Amorosa, a few miles further into the Akamas Peninsula. Even the town's name is linked to the Goddess, for Paphos was the name of the mythological daughter of Venus and Pygmalion. Among the treasures came along are the remarkable mosaics in the houses of of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, beautifully preserved after 16 centuries under the soil. Then there are the mysterious vaults and caves, the Tombs of the Kings, the Pillar to which Saint Paul was allegedly tied and whipped, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the Byzantine Museum and the District Archaeological Museum.

Paphos nests in the lee of the Western Troodos Mountains, with a population of just 38.000. Paphos has an air of holiday charm combined with history.

Paphos' archaeological sites are its main attraction, and tourists must visit sites like the Paphos Archaeological Park, Temple of Aphrodite, Odeon Theatre and Medieval Castle, also try the Paphos Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum and Ethnographic Museum.