Making the most of Paphos
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Paphos is a tender port, with passengers brought to the centre of town by tender.
Pafos, or Paphos, refers to the twin towns of Pano Pafos (Upper Pafos, called the Old Town or Ktima by local people) and Nea Pafos, or Kato Pafos (Lower Pafos).
A printable map to take with you.
On the west coast, the charming town of Pafos centres on an attractive small harbour. Its quayside, lined with colourful fishing boats and pleasure craft, has picturesque open-air fish restaurants. With a population of only 28.000, Pafos lies in the lee of the Western Troodos Mountains, which add another dimension to this scenic area.
A nearby international airport has recently opened up the Pafos area, while luxury hotels grace the resort coastline. The town pairs holiday charm with history, and its classical-style buildings in the upper town, leading towards the shopping area, lend it an olden-day elegance.
Near the sea, the lower town, known as Kato Pafos, has a character of its own despite being so close by. It is home to the harbour, fish tavernas, souvenir shops, several beautiful hotels and important archaeological sites around them.
Greek mythology is woven into Pafos: Aphrodite’s legendary birth on its shores brought fame and worshippers who followed the cult of the Goddess. Her associated landmarks include the chunky, rugged rocks of her beautiful birth shore, called the Aphrodite Rocks or "Petra tou Romiou"; the evocative Aphrodite sanctuary at Kouklia Village, once a shrine and scene of pagan festivals for thousands; the Baths of Aphrodite at Polis, a supposed source of fertility; and the Fountain of Love, or Fontana Amorosa, a few miles farther into the Akamas Peninsula.
Getting around
Take a Paphos hop-on/hop-off tour.
Ktima is best discovered on foot. Apart from the Archaeological Museum, its principal historic buildings and other interesting sites are within walking distance.
Food and shopping
Both parts of Paphos Town offer plenty of shops to browse. Sparkling jewellery shops sell attractive local products at reasonable prices, while handicraft centres and boutiques offer locally made clothes. Paphos shops stock the island’s main crafts, including delicately woven Cypriot lace, hand-turned pottery, paintings and sculptures. These well-made, reasonably priced items are among the souvenirs and gifts travellers often take home.
Money
Currency: Euro.
Staying connected
The language is Greek.
Opening Hours and
Cyprus public holidays.