A Guide to Paphos: The Best Things to Do in Paphos
There is a reason it is one of the most popular islands in the med; a rich heritage, stunning landscape and a pretty good food scene makes it the perfect holiday destination. While some might perceive Cyprus as merely sun, sea and sand, we found Paphos offered the perfect balance for touristy activities and chilled relaxation. Read on to hear all we got up to and our favourite things to do in Paphos!
Fancy visiting a different city in Cyprus? Visit our Larnaca blog to find out about the third largest city in Cyprus!
Best things to do in Paphos
As one of the most popular cites in Cyprus, Paphos has a beautiful waterfront promenade with the perfect sunset view. You can easily head up the coast and relax at Coral Bay or explore the ancient ruins on Paphos’ doorstep. Plus, the charming Old Town is definitely worth exploring.
📍Wander around PaPhos waterfront
Paphos harbour and waterfront is the hub for all visitors, with bars and restaurants lining the promenade there is no limit to the options for dinning in Paphos. With a lively atmosphere, the waterfront is the perfect place for strolling before dinner. At the end of the promenade, you will find Paphos harbour – the launch pad for various boat trips, but, make sure to read up online before booking as some are targeting the party goers.
From the promenade you can also reach the main strip of the town if you head away from the Castle. The inclined street offers a line of bars and restaurants attracting an influx of tourists. At the top, you will find the bar and club complex, where you are sure to be handed a flyer advertising the best clubs Paphos has to offer. Visiting in early October, we saw a very small crowd enjoying drinks outside the venues, however we are sure in the peak season they are full with the crowds trying to get their Ayia Napa-style party going!.
With limited high rise buildings comes the vacancy of rooftop bars, but we do recommend the Flintstones for a fun buzz or Antasia Beach Club with the best sunset view across the ocean.
📍Visit Coral Bay
A 6km journey from Paphos, Coral Bay is a well-known resort area with good reason. Tourists flock there for the crescent beach, clear waters and beautiful promendes with restaurants and hotels lining the water’s edge.
We popped just past Coral Bay to Coralia Bay, with just a handful of restaurants we stopped at the Coral Beach Hotel and Resort for a quick drink at their waterside bar before heading to Sea You Beach bar.
Cyprus Blue Lagoon in Akamas National Park is also the place to go. As one of the islands most isolated beaches, this is best to visit by boat as it is perched on the north westerly tip of the island. Sadly, we didn’t visit the Blue Lagoon, but it is apparently well worth it if you are one for swimming in stunning blue waters. There are plenty of boat trips and day trip options via 4x4 or quad bikes to visit, plus there are options combining both the Blue Lagoon and Baths of Aphrodite.
📍Pay a visit to Tomb of the Kings
SPOILER ALERT...❗️The Tombs of the Kings doesn't house any kings, but it's believed to be the final resting place of high officials and aristocrats in magnificent tombs and shrines. This is a vast UNESCO World Heritage site, which was practically next door to our Paphos hotel or a short 10 min bus ride from the centre of Paphos. The site is home to tombs dating back to Hellenistic and Roman periods and offers a complex of underground caverns and columns resembling almost small houses!
Along the front, you will find countless stacks of stones; placed for good luck, the piles of pebbles are a memorial gesture. It did get pretty hot whilst we were there so we advise not going mid day (don’t make the mistake we did!), but a trip to Paphos wouldn't be complete if you don't visit Tombs of the Kings. Even if you aren't the biggest stone enthusiast it is definitely worth the €2.50 for entry.
📍Explore Old Town Paphos
Investment in the area has transformed the Old Town, with trendy bars, coffee shops and charming Cypriot restaurants. Hop on the 610 bus from the waterfront to save the sweaty walk up to the old town - leaving every 10 mins this was definitely worth it for us in the midday heat. We were surprised to see that the majority of the town is a little worn down, with not too much to see as a casual visitor, until we stumbled across the market area.
Paphos Old Town has its famous market that is open every day from 8am to 1pm with traditional shops and stalls. Street art murals add to the charisma of the town, and we found great terrace areas serving traditional mezze and stunning views over the waterfront.
Where to eat in Paphos
Oh, and you have to experience the city’s diverse culinary offerings. Make sure to read about our favourite places to eat in Paphos in our foodie blog.
Paphos FOOD & DRINK RECOMMENDATIONS:
📍 Ta Mπavia- Lively Restaurant and bar Over the seafront
📍Agora Tavern - The Best Meze Experience
📍Antasia Beach Club - Eye Catching Architecture & Breathtaking Sunset View
📍 Sea You Beach Bar - Rustic & Romantic Beach Bar
📍 Flinstones Bar - Yabba Dabba Doo!
How to travel around Paphos
We did find that there wasn’t tons to do in Paphos - having no car did come with its limitations, but spending 3 full days here meant we could spend the morning chilling and the afternoon exploring. Staying at the Venus Beach Hotel meant the buses were our friend, at just €5 for a day pass, or €1.5 per journey meant that getting the bus in Paphos was an affordable way to travel around. Be warned to have a little more change later in the evening, as after 9pm the bus increases to €2.5 each way.
If you are wondering about where to stay in Paphos then check out our guide to Cyprus, happy holidaying!
Next stop: Larnaca!