Paphos, also spelt Pafos, in Cyprus is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, clear blue seas, and glorious sunshine, but it’s so much more than just a sunny weather destination. With a fascinating history, interesting culture, and delicious cuisine, there’s plenty here to keep you busy for a week or longer.
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Situated on the southwest coast of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, there’s more to Paphos than all-inclusive hotels and sunbathing.
So, if you’re thinking of visiting this beautiful Cypriot city, read on for some of the more unusual things to do in Paphos.
How to get to Paphos
I visited Paphos on a package holiday to Cyprus with Jet2Holidays. Jet2 Paphos holidays are a great, hassle-free way to travel as everything is included: flights, accommodation, Paphos transfers and 22kg of luggage – perfect if you’re not a fan of packing light.
I flew from Stansted but as well as flights from London Stansted Airport, Jet2 offers flights to Paphos from airports across the UK including Birmingham, Bristol, and Manchester. Flight times are just under five hours.
Once you’re in Paphos, I would recommend hiring a car to go sightseeing. They drive on the same side of the road as we do in the UK and the traffic didn’t look too hectic so I think driving here would be quite easy.
What is Paphos like?
Paphos has a rich history as it was once the capital of Cyprus and the seat of the imperial governor during the time of the Roman Empire. It is full of archaeological finds that are still being discovered today and, because of this, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1980s.
There are two parts of Paphos – the Old Town and the New Town, and there are plenty of things to see in the district outside of the city. Yes, there are lots of bars, restaurants, and beaches, but there’s also history and culture to soak up.
When to visit Paphos
Paphos is an excellent destination for winter sun holidays as it has a year-round mild climate with plenty of sunshine. We visited in February which was a great time for exploring as it wasn’t too hot and was a lot quieter than the summer season, July and August.
Unusual things to do in Paphos
Although you can check out the beaches and the pool scene here, if you fancy doing a bit more during your trip to Cyprus, I’ve got plenty of suggestions for unusual things to do in Paphos. From hiking to halloumi making, there is something for everyone in this Cypriot district.
Akamas National Park Paphos
The Akamas National Park is home to sandy beaches, dramatic valleys and lush green gorges. It’s also a habitat for wildlife with over 160 varieties of birds, 20 reptiles, and 12 different mammals.
If you’re into hiking, you can explore one of the nature trails on the Akamas peninsula. We did the Aphrodite Nature Trail, a circular walk stretching over 4.7 miles (7.5 kilometers).
The trail starts at the Baths of Aphrodite and is said to follow in her mythical footsteps. There are spectacular coastal views along the way and the path is easy to follow, although there are some challenging uphill sections.
We did the hike on a gorgeous sunny day and it was quite hot so remember to bring plenty of water with you, especially if you’re planning to do this hike during summer.
Shipwreck in Paphos
The EDRO III shipwreck in Paphos is worth a visit. It’s a great spot to take some pictures and the coastline here is really breathtaking.
The Paphos shipwreck was once a cargo ship carrying plasterboard that was heading to Rhodes in October 2011. Bad weather caused it to run aground and get stuck on the rocks near the sea caves and it now lies on its side here.
This location is also a great spot from which to watch one of Cyprus’s epic sunsets.
Jeep safari Paphos
One of my favourite ways to see somewhere new is on a full day jeep safari. These 4×4 tours take you off-road to places you can’t usually get to by car and show you a different side to your location.
We had a brilliant driver who was very knowledgeable and fun – he even let us pose on the 4×4 for pictures! On our tour we visited the Paphos shipwreck, some incredible gorges, and went wine tasting.
This was one of my favourite excursions in Paphos.
Paphos Mosaics
The Paphos mosaics are part of the Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos and were discovered in 1962 by a farmer ploughing his field. Here you will find the ruins of four villas owned by Roman noblemen and some of the best examples of Roman mosaics in the eastern Mediterranean.
Tombs of the Kings
Another part of the Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos is the Tombs of the Kings. These are really impressive underground tombs carved out of rock which date back to Roman and Hellenistic times.
The tombs were built for high ranking officials and aristocracy and are quite spectacular. I could have spent a good few hours looking around here.
The entrance fee is only a few euros and the site is open all year round.
Halloumi making and cookery classes
Cyprus knows what’s what when it comes to food and halloumi is one of the foods that this area is famous for. If you fancy trying some traditional halloumi, this is one of the day trips from Paphos you should take.
You can see halloumi being made, learn about its production, and taste some fresh halloumi in Koili village at Eleni’s Farm. For even more halloumi, pop over to Giorgoula Christofi’s workshop to see how halloumoti (halloumi bread) is made in the village’s outside oven.
Weaving Museum
There is a traditional weaving shop in the village of Fyti which is run by a mother and daughter team and it’s very much a hidden gem. They are so very welcoming and taught me how to weave!
The village itself is really cute and worth a wander round too.
Wine tasting
I didn’t know before I visited but Cyprus is a great producer of wine with over 40 boutique wine producers on the island. We went to the Vasilikon Winery where over 350,000 bottles of wine are produced annually.
This is one of the first local wineries in Cyprus and was established in 1993. We toured the wine cellar here and sampled both white and red wines.
I particularly loved their white wine which you can find in bars and restaurants in Paphos. It’s also really reasonably priced, with a bottle costing under 10 euros.
Visit Aphrodite’s Mythical Birthplace
The Birthplace of Aphrodite is a rock off the coast of a beautiful, unspoilt beach in Paphos. It is said that Aphrodite was born and rose out of the waters here.
It’s a pebbly, wild beach, with gorgeous views along the rugged coastline and it’s also a swimming spot popular with both locals and tourists thanks to its crystal clear waters. Legend has it that anyone who swims around the rock will be blessed with eternal beauty.
There’s a car park, restaurant, and souvenir shop here too.
Episkopi Environmental Centre
The Episkopi Environmental Centre is one of the more unusual things to do in Paphos. It’s a great place to learn more about the flora and fauna of the Ezousa Valley.
The guide here is so passionate about her work and full of knowledge about all of the species that live here. You can also enjoy incredible views over the valley.
Once you’ve visited the indoor and outdoor exhibits in the centre, head to the monolith that dominates the landscapes. This is a protected landscape and you can often spot peregrine falcons here.
The Place Handicraft Centre
The Place is a quirky handicraft centre where you can buy crafts and art created by local artists. You can also take part in one of the workshops here with everything from painting to leather making, and glass design to mosaics available to choose from.
We made our own fridge magnets which was such a relaxing, wholesome activity. I’m not crafty at all but I was pretty pleased with mine and it now has pride of place on my fridge.
Restaurants in Paphos, Cyprus
One of the things that I loved most about Cyprus was the incredible food in Paphos. I ate so much during this trip!
Restaurant portions are generous and we often had the meze which included dips, salads, and breads for starters, followed by meat or seafood dishes. With the meze, more food kept coming out!
Some of the best places to eat in Paphos that I tried included the Minthis Hills Golf Club Paphos, the Baths of Aphrodite Resturant, Antigo Meze Dopolio and Ta Mpania.
Where to stay in Paphos
During our trip to Cyprus we stayed at the Constantinou Bros Athena Royal Beach Hotel, a luxury beachfront hotel in Paphos. It’s an adults-only hotel with lots of facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gym, and a spa.
The rooms here are spacious and comfortable with balconies to sit out on. I stayed in one of the classic junior suites and I enjoyed the most stunning sunset over the sea from my balcony.
You can choose your board basis from bed and breakfast, half board, full board, or all inclusive. One of my favourite things about the hotel was the breakfast buffet which had everything you could think of including traditional Cypriot food, cooked options and continental choices.
If you’re looking for a spa hotel in Paphos then I would definitely recommend this one!
FAQs about Paphos
What is the currency in Paphos?
The official currency in Paphos, and the rest of Cyprus, is the euro. I found that most places take card, so you don’t need to draw too much cash out before you travel.
What plugs are used in Paphos, Cyprus?
Paphos uses a type G plug which is the same one that we use in UK sockets. This means you can save space in your luggage as there’s no need to take an adapter with you.
What is the flight time to Cyprus from the UK?
The flight time to Cyprus from the UK varies by airport but it is usually just under four hours.
Flight time Birmingham to Paphos: 4 hours 45 minutes
Flight time to Paphos from Bristol: 4 hours 40 minutes
Flight time from Manchester to Paphos Cyprus: 4 hours 45 minutes
Flight time from London Stansted to Paphos: 4 hours 30 minutes
Is Paphos expensive?
I found Paphos to be very reasonably priced. The food and drink prices in Paphos Cyprus are especially good. For two people you can expect to pay between 40 and 60 euros for a meal with wine.
What is the time difference between Paphos and the UK?
Cyprus is two hours ahead of UK time.
What is the weather like in Cyprus?
Cyprus has a warm, Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and mild winters. The warmest months are between June and October.
Winter temperatures can be as low as 17 degrees whereas summer can be as high as 31 degrees. The wettest months are January and December.
