Paphos isn’t just a coastal resort town – it’s a time capsule of a thousand stories and historic moments piled on top of each other. While there’s plenty of opportunity to bronze yourself on the beach, I encourage you to see what else Paphos has to offer. As I recently discovered, it happens to offer an eclectic array of attractions within close proximity.
All within an hour’s drive, you will find an abundance of scenic coastal walks, crumbling history, cinematic shipwrecks, fire-grilled food, and the kind of sunsets that make you dream.
My biggest advice to anyone visiting Paphos and further afield is to take it easy and go with the flow. The locals even have a word for this – “siga-siga” – adopted from Greek, it means “slowly-slowly” and is embedded in Cypriot culture. It’s a reminder to slow down, take things step by step, and savour the moment.
Whether in nature or simply sitting down to enjoy good food, you will see these “siga siga” moments all across Cyprus.
Things to do in and around Paphos
Disclaimer: My trip to Paphos was hosted by Jet2 and Cyprus Tourism Board, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
1. Wander around the Tomb of the Kings
Despite its name, no kings were buried here. Just the rich. The powerful. VIP suites for eternity. Walk among the columns, run your hands along the stone walls, and climb through burial cambers that look like something straight out of Indiana Jones.
Built around the 3rd century BCE, during the Hellenistic period, these tombs were carved into solid rock and they have stood the test of time.
Come early, before the crowds arrive so you can wander around in peace. No velvet ropes. No “Do Not Touch” signs. Just you and a few thousand years of history to explore at your feet.
Address: Tombs of the Kings Ave 63, Chlorakas 8015
2. Try homemade cheeses at Mrs Sophia’s Kitchen
If you’re driven by authentic experiences as well as your taste buds, a trip to Sophia’s house will leave both your heart and stomach full to the brim with love and pure satisfaction. If there’s one meal I could eat again from my trip to Cyprus it would be the one that Sophia rustled up straight from her kitchen.
During our visit to Sophia’s she demonstrated how to make bread and halloumi from scratch. She doesn’t cut corners. She kneads and rolls the bread herself and uses her traditional stone build oven to cook it to perfection.
Sophia, however, is arguably most famous for her halloumi. This defiantly bouncy cheese originates from Cyprus and Sophia’s halloumi is renowned as the best.
After gathering in her garden to watch a brief cheese-making tutorial, she sieved out a serving of halloumi and ricotta that was ready for us to try. For the final touch, she added a sprig of mint to the halloumi before folding it in half. Warm, soft and with a hint of fragrance – I can confirm it was easily the best I’ve ever tasted.
Before inviting us to sit down for a mouth-watering feast of her most well-loved recipes, we had the chance to take a peek inside her beautiful home. It’s a traditional Cypriot house made from stone and oozes with charm inside. All across the walls and furnishings are beautiful tradition woven fabrics and ceramics. If this isn’t want you call a local experience, I don’t know what is.
Address: VG48+8JJ, Letymvou 8546, Cyprus
Further reading: Food Lover’s Guide to Cyprus & Cypriot Hospitality
3. Discover the shipwreck of Edro III
Adding some drama to the coastline of Paphos is the shipwreck of Edro III. In 2011 the vessel ran aground in stormy seas. Luckily there were no fatalities among the crew of nine. Still, the captain didn’t want to relinquish his ship so he continued to live aboard the vessel for a few years until the conditions were no longer tenable.
It has been sitting abandoned ever since, completely lodged into the rocks at a 12-degree angle. If you’re looking for an iconic backdrop for a photoshoot, this is the place to go. Everything about this setting is cinematic, from the surreal rock formations to the vast expanse of clear water, and from the ghostly shipwreck to the little flowers that bloom all along the paths and trails in spring.
4. Hike the Aphrodite Nature Trail
As regular readers of my blog will know, I try to cram in a hike whenever I’m visiting a new destination. Sometimes this isn’t always possible, but I was thrilled to discover that my trip with Jet2 included the fabulous Aphrodite Nature Trail.
This isn’t a stroll in the park – it’s a punch in the lungs and a handshake with history. They say Aphrodite herself walked these cliffs, bathed in the hidden pools, loved and fought among these wild olive trees. The trail gives you craggy coastal cliffs, ancient gnarled forests, the scent of thyme and sunburned earth.
You’ll sweat, you’ll feel your heart beater faster, and if you’re lucky, you’ll share the path with wandering goats just going about their day.
Afterwards, stop in a mountain village taverna. Order whatever they’re cooking. Smile and nod when they bring you more food than one human should legally eat. You’ve earned it.
5. Wine Villages: Kathikas and Beyond
The Cypriots have been making wine longer than almost anyone – like, Bronze Age yonder. Head into the hills around Kathikas, where dusty vineyards sprawl under the sun and family-run wineries pour reds so strong they could stand up in a fight. Try the Commandaria — a sticky, caramelized dessert wine the Crusaders couldn’t stop stealing.
I had the pleasure of trying a variety of local wines at Tsangarides Winery which I couldn’t recommend enough. The owner, Angelos, clearly loves what he’s doing. His passion shines through his words, and of course, through the quality of the wines.
Important to the ethos of this family-run business is promoting Cypriot wines, which dare I say, compete with top wine producers around the world. Don’t just take my word for it, take a look at all their positive reviews on Trip Advisor. Wine is accompanied by a scrumptious cheeseboard and part of your visit also includes a short guided tour around the winery.
Address: Lemona, Paphos 8545
6. Marvel at the White Cliffs
It’s strange, while I’ve never been a ‘beach person’, I love nothing more than walking along cliff tops. I don’t know whether it’s the excitement of being at a great height and standing close to the edge, whether it’s capturing the view from what feels like a bird’s-eye perspective, or whether it’s simply staring out to a boundless body of water that I like the most.
Anyway, the coastline in Cyprus is full of adventure and relaxing moments, and for me, I found no where more relaxing and beautiful than the White Cliffs. Take a walk and capture the otherworldly geology, truly nature at its most surreal. Arrive before before sunset and watch everything illuminate gold, silver and white. It’s utterly breathless.
7. See ancient mosaics at Paphos Archaeological Park
If you’re in full-blown history and archeology mode after your trip to the Tomb of the Kings, head to Nea Paphos archaeological park, the former ancient capital. A place were Egyptian priests, Greek traders, Roman governors, and everyone in between rubbed shoulders and traded gods.
Here, you will find Roman villas, temples, amphitheaters, and some of the world’s best preserved mosaics in the world dating back to the second century A.D. These aren’t museum pieces behind glass – they’re right under your feet.
My favourite room in the complex is the House of Dionysus. The mosaics inside are truly captivating, depicting gods chasing lovers, heroes slaying beasts, Dionysus getting drunker than you ever could, and my personal favourite – the depiction of Narcissus. You can clearly see Narcissus looking at his reflection while wasting away by his unsatisfied love for himself. If that’s not a warning to perils of vanity, and I’m not sure what is.
8. Get crafty at The Place
Want to pick up a souvenir? Head to The Place in the centre of Paphos Old Town which has a treasure trove of local items for sale. They offer a wide selection of crafts designed by local artists. Homemade soaps, herbs, olive oil, wine, pottery, they have it all.
If you’re travelling to Paphos with kids, it’s a wonderful place to take them. We had a demonstration from a master potter who showed us the tricks of his trade while simultaneously making us laugh with his improvised comedy.
The Place holds craft workshops and we were lucky enough to try our hand at some mosaic making. This was an ideal activity after admiring all the ancient mosaics at the Archeology Park. While I can’t claim that I unlocked any new talents (definitely not), I am now the proud owner of a homemade mosaic fridge magnet.
Address: Constantinou Kanari 56, Paphos 8010.
9. Relax on the beach
As I mentioned, I’m not really into beaches. You won’t catch me lazing on a beach for hours. I’m putting this down to childhood trauma. Too many summer holidays spent in Blackpool and Skegness trying to build sandcastles and watching them bulldozed to the ground by my older brother. Adding to this, I vividly remember the discomfort of being vigorously scrubbed down with a towel to get the sand off my body. Against my skin it felt like being dried down with sandpaper.
However, thirty over years down the line, and unfortunately no longer in possession of baby skin, I’m slowly out-growing my aversion to beaches. Call it exposure therapy. After visiting a fair few nice beaches around the world, including those in the Caribbean, Australia and South East Asia, I have finally come to the conclusion that they can be nice.
Around Paphos you will find some lovely beaches. Coral Bay – famed for its picturesque golden sand and gentle clear waters. Lara Bay – wilder, harder to reach, and where the turtles come to nest. Then there’s Petra tou Romiou – Aphrodite’s Rock. The so-called birthplace of a goddess. There are no bars, no lifeguards, no DJs pumping beach club remixes. Just sand, sea, and the sound of the waves. Nothing like Blackpool.
10. Food challenge: finish a Cypriot meze
You don’t order a meze. A meze happens to you.
It starts small. A few olives. A village salad and a few small dishes of tzatziki, taramasalata, tahini. You think, “Okay, I got this.” But then it grows. Dishes keep arriving. Little clay bowls of things you can’t pronounce but suddenly can’t stop eating. Vine-wrapped rice, stuffed vegetables, sheftalia – those stubby little sausages packed with homegrown herbs and memories.
A Cypriot meze isn’t just a meal. It’s a way of life. It’s not just about feeding hungry bellies, it’s about family and friends and bringing people together. If food is your love language, you know what I’m talking about. You don’t rush a Cypriot meze. It’s slow, generous, and absolutely unforgiving to picky eaters.
Recommendations
If you’re all about seafood, swing down to the old harbour and head to Y&P Tavern Latchi. Expects plate after plate of whitebait, calamari, prawns, crab legs and fish of the day.
If you’re all about meat, make your way to Yiannis Taverna in the picturesque village of Kathikas. Here, it’s all about halloumi paired with lountza (pork loin slice), juicy sheftalias and slow-cooked Kleftiko.
If you’re looking for more veggies, I recommend Laona in the centre of Paphos Old Town. While it serves meat and fish, it also has a great selection of vegetarian dishes. Think moussaka, stuffed vegetables and kolokythokeftedes (zucchini balls).
11. Stroll around the harbour and visit Paphos Castle
Down at the harbour, where the beer’s cheap and boats depart in seek of the catch of the day, is a perfect spot for people watching. It’s not the prettiest harbour in the world, but it’s real. Boats come in and out with their catch of day, while others offer sightseeing trips to holiday-goers. On a sunny day it’s hard to resist the ice cream vendors who serve up cooling scoops of fruity flavours. If you’re looking for a cheeky cocktail or two, there’s plenty of options to pull up a seat at one of the seafront bars and restaurants.
The harbour, equipped with a boardwalk, is also a great way to get from A-B by foot. The boardwalk throws up some interesting gems, including sculptures, sea views, access to the archaeological sites and also Paphos Castle.
The castle, though rather unassuming, has stood the test of time. Originally built in the late 1200s, it has been punched, patched, and passed around by every empire that’s travelled to the shores of Cyprus. The Lusignans built it. The Venetians dismantled it, and the Ottomans reforged it in the 1600s. Now it squats at the edge of the harbour — a stone survivor watching over the Mediterranean.
Where to stay
Cali Resort & Spa
For pure relaxation and luxury, I honestly can not fault Cali Resort & Spa by Louis Hotels. It’s quite big but feels and operates more like a small boutique hotel – modern, stylish, cosy and the service is wonderful.
There are so many nice touches to speak of I could be here all day. I will say that I, or rather my sweet tooth absolutely loved the little edible treats they left in my room each day. Speaking of food, the breakfast buffet at Cali Resort really pushes the boat out with an array of options fit for a king. No joke, you can literally get honey from a honey comb – something I’ve never seen before at any hotel breakfast. Fancy, eh?
For peak holiday vibes, head to the lovely outdoor swimming pool and lounge area which is surrounded by plants and flowers. Guests also have the option to dip inside the indoor pool or relax inside Jacuzzi which is set back inside what looks like a hidden cave.
The hotel caters to adults with a minimum age of 16. It has been selected as part of Jet2’s range of adult only holidays. If you’re looking for family-focused hotels, I recommend browsing booking.com for more options.
How to get to Paphos
Since I live in London, my flight departed from London Stanstead Airport, but you can find flights to Paphos and other cities in Cyprus from an array of airports in the UK.
From Paphos Airport to the centre of town, the journey only takes around 20 – 25 by car or taxi. Easy!
Best time to visit Paphos
Cyprus has great weather all-year round, however, it can get very hot in the summer so bear this in mind if you’re a shade-seeker rather than a sun-seeker.
I visited at the end of March and the weather was perfect and there were very few tourists. So if you want to avoid the crowds, and see the explosion of wildflowers before they disappear in the summer, I recommend visiting from March to the end of June. If you’re into hiking, I would especially recommend springtime because the trails are simply too hot if you go later. Plus, did I mention less crowds? It’s worth repeating twice!
Final thoughts
Paphos isn’t about pretty postcards or polished experiences. It’s about dust, salt, crumbling history, food made with love, and the kind of sunsets that make you believe in gods again — even if only for a night. It’s a place where reality and mythological tales blur together.
It is impossible to summarise Paphos in some neat little story, so I encourage you to explore the ruins, the small cave-like churches, the countryside villages, and sit down to feast in a taverna.
As I finish writing this blog post, I’m left remembering that dreamy coastline. Impossible to forget. It offers a calmness, a sense of peace and tranquility that makes you forget about your deadlines, your emails, the world around you.
Yep, that coastline is pure magic.
