Centuries ago, in fact in Roman times, Paphos was the capital of Cyprus. It is said to be the birthplace of the Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Its decline continued from the Middle Ages, but twentieth century tourism has seen a revival in its economy and it is now a very popular holiday resort. Paphos lies on the south west coast of Cyprus close to the renowned beach at Coral Bay. The coastal area is known as Kato Paphos and it is here, around the medieval port, that there are many hotels, tavernas and restaurants.
The weather in Paphos is pleasant for most of the year, with over three hundred days of sunshine. It is a charming, relaxed place with friendly, welcoming locals, for whom nothing is too much trouble. Paphos is situated in the south west of the island close to many important and interesting archaeological sites. It is also near to some of the best beaches on the island and offers a wide range of water sports. There is also an excellent water park with many exciting attractions.
A Paphos holiday has wide appeal. Families with young children are attracted by the beach and its facilities. Couples of all ages, particularly those with an interest in history, enjoy the ancient sites in the area. Golfers have a choice of excellent courses.
The summer season begins in April when the temperature is a pleasant seventy degrees. This can soar to the high eighties from June until September. Winters are pleasant at sea level but remember that winter is the rainy season and there can be snow in the mountains.
Paphos, in the south west of Cyprus, benefits from a short transfer time from the airport of the same name. It is an attractive town with an ancient history. Its busy harbour is always a hub of activity and it has many restaurants and bars where you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle.
There is a choice of sandy beaches and rocky coves, and if that is not enough, Paphos is close to the Famous Coral Bay Beach with its soft sand and water activities including jet skiing and paragliding. The water here is so clear that scuba diving and snorkelling are very popular sports. Paphos also has a water park with some exciting flumes and rides.
There are three eighteen hole golf courses in the vicinity which play to a par of seventy two.
Paphos is well endowed with shops including many selling local crafts, ideal for holiday mementoes. There are also many restaurants serving a wide variety of menu and catering for most tastes. These include fast foods and English style pubs for the less adventurous palates as well as tavernas serving traditional dishes.
There are many historical sights to see both in and around Paphos. These include the medieval Fort near the harbour, the Roman amphitheatre, the Venus Rock and the Baths of Aphrodite, the Tombs of the Kings as well as a number of interesting churches and museums.
For those who take a delight in the past, Paphos is the perfect holiday. It combines wonderful sunshine with glorious beaches, excellent restaurants, a lively nightlife in an area littered with ancient towns, tombs and monuments.
There are many lively bars, pubs and clubs in Paphos providing entertainment for all. There are ample opportunities for those who enjoy more mellow evenings in the wonderful, restaurants both in the town centre and in Kato Paphos.
Paphos has a good commercial centre offering a wide range of shops from clothing boutiques to specialist retailers. There are many craft and gift shops at the harbour and along the promenade. Cyprus excels in handcrafted goods and the government have recognised the value of this by creating the Cyprus Handicraft Service. There are a number of official shops around the island. There are of course many more unofficial shops in all resorts selling good quality goods that are reasonably priced. Popular gifts and holiday mementoes are the embroidered linens, the Lefkara lace and ceramic pots.
The restaurants of Paphos serve a wide variety of dishes catering for most tastes. Fish features prominently on Cypriot menus with calamari, red mullet and sea bass being particularly popular. Halloumi, a cheese made from goat and sheep’s milk is an island speciality. It is often served grilled and served as an appetiser. The Cypriot equivalent of the Spanish tapas is mezze and it is a good way to sample the variety of local food.
Local wines are tasty and inexpensive.
