In recent years, the city of Paphos and its surrounding areas have become the leading tourist center on the island of Cyprus, attracting over 50% of the total tourists visiting the island annually.
The reasons are clear: Paphos International Airport, offering daily flights to many cities in Europe and the Middle East (including Tel Aviv), handled over 4 million passengers in 2019. Most of these passengers are tourists who stay in the city and its surroundings—over 2 million tourists vacationed in the Paphos area in 2019. The year 2023 is shaping up to be the year of full recovery from COVID-19, with a dramatic increase in the number of tourists compared to previous years. Undoubtedly, the international airport facilitates quick and easy access to and from vacation for the average tourist. The Paphos area offers a unique combination of attractions for tourists: basic vacation needs including wonderful weather, sandy beaches, excellent accommodation options, restaurants, clubs, and pubs, as well as more personalized attractions like leading archaeological sites, geographical, and cultural attractions. Paphos is situated between the Mediterranean coast and the Troodos Mountains, and the distance between the sea and the mountains is relatively short, allowing tourists to enjoy both. A tourist vacationing in the Paphos area can enjoy sunny days by the pool or at the beach, or choose to spend some time at world-class UNESCO archaeological sites, take a walk along the Sea Caves beach, or discover ancient, still-active villages in the high Troodos Mountains. The ease of arrival and departure from Paphos, along with a wide range of restaurants, attractions, and entertainment options, has turned Paphos into a paradise for tourists.
Why is a luxury villa in the Paphos area an excellent vacation option? Is it the right choice for me? The Paphos area in Cyprus offers a huge variety of accommodation options: from small and relatively inexpensive hotels to five-star luxury hotels, from rental apartments to luxury villas with private pools. Each of these options caters to a different tourist market. Many tourists planning a luxury vacation struggle to decide between luxury hotels and luxury villas. For many, it’s a personal decision, but for families or groups of friends who need more than one room, the answer is simple: a villa is clearly the better choice! Why? First, the price! When comparing the cost of several rooms in a luxury hotel to the price of one luxury villa, the villa will always be much cheaper. Second, for the peace and privacy! In a hotel, once you leave your room, you’re in a public space (public pool, public lobby, public dining room). In contrast, in a villa, your family or group of friends has a private house, private pool, private kitchen, and private dining room… Holiday villas always offer a fully equipped kitchen. And even if you choose to eat out, no problem—most villas are located close to major tourist centers where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and pubs.
Should you rent a car? Yes. Definitely. Renting a car at the airport, for example, is a relatively inexpensive option and highly recommended. A small car will add very little to the cost of your vacation (you can rent a small car for 20-30 euros per day), but it will greatly enhance your vacation. A rental car gives you the freedom and independence to explore the area easily or simply the ability to reach the beach quickly or perhaps drive to a nice, recommended restaurant just a few minutes away.
Remember, many times you can rent a car for your entire vacation for less than the cost of a taxi to and from the airport! It just makes sense… and don’t forget! In Cyprus, they drive on the left side of the road! You’ll get used to it quickly. The roads are calm and not crowded, and rental cars are marked with a red license plate so everyone knows you’re a tourist and are even more patient than usual.
Here are some links to recommended places to visit, restaurants, and sites that will give you a full picture of your planned trip to Paphos:
Akamas and Latchi Nature Reserve:
- Avakas Gorge for experienced hikers; a short half-hour trail is possible.
- Lara Beach with turtle enclosures—there’s an explanation about the turtles’ nesting near the beach.
- Aphrodite’s Baths.
- The marina in Latchi—from here, boats depart to the Blue Lagoon from June to October; seafood restaurants in the area.
- One of the recommended restaurants is Porto in Latchi.
- On the way back from Latchi towards Paphos or Peyia, it’s recommended to stop at the Droushia Dairy cheese factory.
Paphos Forest:
- Several ways to reach the area. If staying at villas in the Coral Bay area, the route passes through the villages of Kathikas, Lysos.
- Wild sheep (Mouflons).
- Cedar Valley.
- Kykkos Monastery—the first President of Cyprus, Makarios, is buried here. Be sure to visit the gold room inside.
- The Venetian bridges—Tzelefos Bridge.
Sea Caves and Coral Bay:
- St. George’s Church and the small fishing harbor.
- Cap St. George Club— for gourmets.
- The shipwreck and Sea Caves viewpoint.
- Oniro by the Sea—ONIRO BY THE SEA from March to October—a special and recommended restaurant.
- Yialos—a simple, family-run fish restaurant: Yialos Tavern by the Sea
- Porto Antico—recommended restaurant.
- Coralia Beach.
- Coral Bay Beach.
- The Coral Bay Strip—a street full of restaurants and pubs, marked by a Japanese restaurant with a unique experience: Samisen Japanese Restaurant
- The large supermarket in Coral Bay—Philippos.
- Peyia village center— with many restaurants around.
Recommended among them are Peyia Tavern, The Old Cinema.
Additional Points of Interest in the Paphos Area:
- Neophytos Monastery and the Cat Monastery located below the main monastery.
Recommended breakfast—It’s advisable to call and book in advance: Minthis Resort Dining Kikas Garden
- The House of Sofia—It’s recommended to book in advance— a meal accompanied by explanations about Cypriot village life.
Water Park in Paphos:
- Petra tou Romiou—Aphrodite’s Rock—According to mythology, this is the birthplace of Aphrodite. A beach with giant pebbles. Worth a visit before your flight home:
- Pissouri—A village atop a hill with a beach and many restaurants: Saffron Pissouri
Troodos Mountains – Western Side:
- Omodos Village—a picturesque village. Walk around the village center. There are many shops with souvenirs and Cypriot sweets.
- Oenou Yi Winery—It’s recommended to go inside to the terrace and see the impressive view. A two-year-old winery built by a lawyer is becoming a tourist attraction in the area. Wine tasting with a tour is available for a fee: Oenou Yi Winery
- Foini Village—mainly for the stunning rural scenery between the mountains. Some say that anyone who drinks from the fountain will never leave the village.
- Recommended local restaurant—Cypriot village cuisine Neraida Family Restaurant.
- Milomeris Waterfalls Trail, Pano Platres—the marker is for the parking lot close to the waterfall.
- Sparti Platres Rope Adventure Park: Sparti Rope Adventure Park
- Caledonia Waterfalls—a half-hour walk each way is required.
- The ski site on Mount Olympus in the Troodos Mountains. There are 3-4 short trails.
- Kakopetria Village. An ancient and beautiful village. It is recommended to stroll up the old street. There are small museums telling about the place and village life in the Troodos Mountains. There is also a watermill—The Mill Hotel and restaurant that serves trout fish.
- Kalopanayiotis Village—the village that turned into an amazing spa hotel. Worth a visit. Usually fully booked. Casale Panayiotis Traditional Village Hotel & Spa. The hotel has a good restaurant. Be sure to visit the beautifully designed library.
- Highly recommended restaurant—Symposio. It’s recommended to order the meze meal. The ingredients for the meal are seasonal, depending on what grows around the restaurant on the farm. Don’t forget to send regards to Nikos, the owner, from Alice in Peyia. Restaurant for lunch—until 3:30 PM. It’s advisable to notify a bit in advance… They also offer cooking classes.
Troodos Mountains – Eastern Side:
- Pano Lefkara Village—a lot of handmade craft stores, embroidery—the village specializes in silver jewelry, decoration, and fine silverware—hence there are many silver shops. There is also a pleasant atmosphere with small cafes.
- Kato Drys Village—a small and beautiful village to stroll around its center. And here’s another nice activity there—the owners are welcoming: Bee & Embroidery Museum Kato Drys.
- Vavatsinia Village—a beautiful village with dark stone buildings. There’s also a nice tavern located in the village center.
- Choirokoitia—an ancient settlement from the Neolithic period, including several reconstructed huts and historical information.
- Zygi fishing village—https://g.page/ArchipelagosTavern?share
