What to see and do in Paphos
Paphos has a rich history and loads of places to see and visit below are just a few.
Acropolis
Near the modern Paphos lighthouse is sited a complex of ancient buildings, including a Roman Odeon, built in the 2nd century AD, which has been restored and is now used for summer orchestral and stage performances. The Odeon was the focus of the ancient city centre, of which some ruins still remain in the area. South of the Odeon are the remnants of the Roman Temple of Asclepius, the God of Medicine, and north of the lighthouse are the ruins of the ancient town walls. Property is available in or near this area in the form of luxury apartments, villa’s or townhouses.
Geroskipou: The Sacred Garden
Not far from the mythological birthplace of Aphrodite, lies the Municipality of Geroskipou. The name comes from the ancient "Hieros Kipos", or Sacred Garden, dedicated to the goddess. Live the legend of the goddess at the hilltop spot where her temple once stood, one of the most celebrated places in the ancient Greek world for its association with the cult of Aphrodite.
Browse the many roadside stalls selling handicrafts such as basketry and pottery for which Geroskipou is known for nowadays and visit the Folk Art Museum for a striking representation of traditional Cypriot life.
Catacombs
A large pistachio tree marks the entrance to the underground catacombs of Agia Solomoni in Kato Paphos. The tree is a strange sight, festooned as it usually is with pieces of cloth tied onto it by the faithful as offerings, in the hope that this sacred tree will cure various ailments. The catacombs themselves were carved into Fabrica hill, below the ancient Roman city wall, in the 4th century BC, and later became chapels for the early Christians. The underground chapels feature some interesting frescoes and graffiti left by 13th century Crusaders, and there are numerous legends and stories attached to the patron saint Ayia Solomoni. Visitors are advised to take a torch along to explore the catacombs.
Pegeia: Byzantine Marvels
Pegeia, perched on a hillside overlooking the sea, is known for the fountains in its picturesque village square, a beautiful construction with typical arches, where women used to meet in days gone by in order to wash their clothes and fetch water.
If you love culture and history, stop off at the church of Agios Georgios and admire some superb examples of Byzantine art in the form of a 6th century basilica complex with extensive panels of geometric and animal floor mosaics, rare in Christian iconography. Or visit Maa-Paleokastro, the site, on a peninsula near Coral Bay, where the Mycenaean Greeks first landed in Cyprus in the Bronze Age. Property is available for rent or to buy in or overlooking this area spectacular area and is available in the form of luxury apartments, villa’s or townhouses.
Tombs of the Kings
There are actually no kings buried here. Rather the site known as the Tombs of the Kings, one mile (2km) northwest of Paphos harbour towards Coral Bay, was the final resting place of about 100 Ptolemaic aristocrats who lived and died in the city between 3 BC and 3 AD. The tombs are impressive, carved out of solid rock, some featuring Doric pillars and frescoed walls. Archaeological excavations are ongoing at the site, which also features a church known as Paleoekklisia, which sports traces of Byzantine frescoes.
Baths of Aphrodite
A romantic side trip from Paphos is a visit to the natural grotto on the Akamas Peninsula near Polis (30 miles/48km north of Paphos) where legend has it that the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, used to take her baths. The serene pool, shaded by a fig tree and surrounded by beautiful examples of Maindenhair fern, can be reached by nature trails from Akamas.
