Paphos is located in the southwest of Cyprus and is one of the most beautiful destinations for holidays on the island.. The city impressed us with its perfect combination of ancient history, stunning beaches, and a variety of activities. Additionally, Paphos serves as an excellent starting point for exciting day trips.
Our journey began and ended here, as the international airport in Paphos offers direct flights from Berlin. During our stay, we explored the most impressive attractions, tried out a variety of activities, and discovered the beach that became our personal favorite in the region.
Contents Paphos Holidays
Paphos Holidays: Our Apartment Between the City Center, Kato, and the Top Attractions
For our stay in Paphos, we chose an apartment on Tombs of the Kings Avenue*. This location was perfect, as it was situated right between the city center and the popular district of Kato.
Another great advantage was that the first impressive attractions were located directly across from our accommodation – the famous Tombs of the Kings of Nea Paphos.
The Tombs of the Kings of Nea Paphos – A Journey into Antiquity









The Tombs of the Kings of Nea Paphos are an impressive site from the Hellenistic period, located right on the coast. On this expansive archaeological site, you can discover numerous ancient tombs carved into the rock.
We visited the Tombs of the Kings at the very beginning of our stay in Paphos and were captivated by the unique atmosphere of this historic site. You should plan about two hours for your visit to explore the grounds at a relaxed pace.
Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos – A UNESCO World Heritage Site by the Sea








South of the Tombs of the Kings lies the Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this expansive site, you can admire well-preserved mosaics depicting scenes from Greek mythology. You’ll also find ancient columns, remnants of residential buildings, and a fully intact theater.
The park is located right by the sea, offering a beautiful combination of history and breathtaking views. For us, visiting the park was an absolute highlight. Plan to spend around two hours here to take in all the details of this remarkable site at a relaxed pace.
Kato – The Most Exciting District in Paphos and St. Paul’s Pillar






After visiting the two most important ancient sites, we headed to the district of Kato. Located directly south of the Archaeological Park, Kato is one of the liveliest and most attractive areas in Paphos.
Kato offers a perfect blend of history and modern lifestyle. Here you’ll find the harbor, a beautiful promenade, and numerous cafés, restaurants, clubs, and bars. We enjoyed dining here in the evenings and letting the day come to a relaxing end.






In the heart of this vibrant district lies St. Paul’s Pillar, a landmark with a fascinating history. According to legend, the Apostle Paul was tied to this pillar and whipped for preaching Christianity. The pillar remains preserved to this day and is marked with an inscription.
Right next to the pillar are the impressive ruins of the Panagia Chrysopolitissa. This monumental basilica from the early Christian period adds a unique historical atmosphere to the area.
Just north of Kato, you’ll find the city center, which features a pedestrian zone with many excellent restaurants and shops.
Top Activities for Your Paphos Holidays
Paphos offers a variety of activities, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures or a relaxed shopping experience, there’s something for everyone.
Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark – Fun and Adrenaline






Located on the eastern outskirts of Paphos, the Aphrodite Waterpark is the perfect spot if you’re looking for action and fun in the water. While the park is slightly smaller compared to similar parks, such as those in the Algarve, it still offers everything you need for an entertaining day.
Highlights include thrilling water slides like a free-fall slide, a wave pool, and a lazy river for more relaxed moments. We spent half a day here and had a lot of fun. You can book tickets for the Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark online in advance*.
Shopping at the Kings Avenue Mall



If you prefer going on a shopping spree, the Kings Avenue Mall in Paphos is the best place to visit. This modern shopping center is located in the Kato district and offers a wide variety of international brands, restaurants, and leisure options.
Here, you can shop to your heart’s content and take a relaxing break at one of the many cafés or restaurants. The mall is air-conditioned, making it the perfect spot to unwind, even on warm days.
Top Three Day Trips to Enjoy During Your Paphos Holidays
For us, the location of Paphos was one of the city’s highlights. Around Paphos, there are countless opportunities for excursions that offer a glimpse into the impressive nature and history of the region.
We took three completely different day trips, each with its own unique highlights. These experiences are absolute musts in our opinion, and we highly recommend them if you’re spending your holidays in Paphos.
Hiking through the Avakas Gorge






Our first day trip took us west of Paphos to the impressive Avakas Gorge. This natural attraction is famous for its limestone formations, which are only four meters wide in some places but rise over 30 meters high. Here, you can hike through a spectacular landscape and enjoy the untouched wilderness.
For your visit to the Avakas Gorge, make sure to wear sturdy shoes and allow plenty of time. You can read more about our experiences in our travel report. On the way back, we recommend stopping at the Edro Shipwreck, which sits dramatically on the coastline. A large parking area makes access easy, and the view of the wreck is truly stunning.
Exploring the Akamas Peninsula



Our second day trip took us to the Akamas Peninsula, located west of Paphos. This nature reserve is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the most popular activities here is taking a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon*, where you can swim in crystal-clear turquoise water.
During our visit, we spontaneously rented buggies and drove through the nature reserve, which was an exciting and unforgettable experience. Another highlight of the region is the famous Bath of Aphrodite, which is also worth a visit. We’ve written a separate travel report about this as well.
Day Trip to the Troodos Mountains









Our third trip took us into the island’s interior and combined several highlights. First, we visited the picturesque wine village of Omodos, located about an hour away from Paphos. Here, you can stroll through charming alleys and take a relaxing break at the central square. The main attraction is the Timios Stavros Monastery, which you can visit free of charge.






From there, we continued to Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Cyprus. Here, you can hike along the Artemis Trail at an altitude of about 1850 meters. In November, it was already much cooler up there, so don’t forget to bring a sweater and jacket.
To round off the day, we visited Kykkos Monastery. The winding drive there takes about 45 minutes and is a bit challenging. However, the monastery’s artistic courtyards and unique atmosphere make it well worth the effort. If you prefer to spend more time at Mount Olympus, you can skip the monastery, as doing both the hike and the visit may be too much for one day.
Our Favorite Beach in Paphos



The most famous beach in the region is undoubtedly Coral Bay. It is often highlighted as a top attraction in many blogs and travel guides.
To be honest, we were a bit disappointed with Coral Bay. This was mainly because the descriptions had set very high expectations. Additionally, we had previously visited the beaches of Ayia Napa, such as Nissi Beach, which are simply unbeatable in Cyprus.
That being said, Coral Bay is still a beautiful beach. The water is very clean, and the beach offers good infrastructure with bars, toilets, and showers. However, it is located slightly outside of Paphos, making the journey a bit more time-consuming.



Our personal favorite beach turned out to be SODAP Beach. This beach is located right next to the Kato district and offers equally excellent infrastructure. There are toilets, showers, and changing rooms, and a large parking lot above the beach makes getting there especially convenient.
SODAP Beach is smaller than Coral Bay, but the futuristic design of the Antasia Beach Club building directly on the beach adds a unique atmosphere. For us, this beach was the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing day by the sea.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paphos Holidays
The best time to visit Paphos is between April and October. During this period, you can expect warm temperatures, sunny days, and perfect conditions for a beach vacation and excursions.
A car is highly recommended, as many attractions and day trip destinations are located outside the city. With a rental car, you can explore the surrounding area flexibly and easily reach more remote places like the Avakas Gorge or the Akamas Peninsula.
Two to three days are enough to experience the main attractions and activities in Paphos itself. However, with the many exciting day trips available in the area, you can easily spend a week or more in Paphos.