The most interesting things to visit in Paphos. Interesting places and attractions of Paphos (Cyprus). Sculpture “Modern Aphrodite”

Paphos is a small and cozy town in the southwest of Cyprus. We chose it among all the other resorts on the island because it differs from other places in its diversity in everything, collecting a little bit from each city. Every person can find their own in it. Someone will see in him fashionable resort With expensive hotels and restaurants, someone will find in it historical places and attractions, for some it will become the center nightlife, and someone in it will see an ordinary noisy city with traffic jams, shops and various offices. We were not mistaken in our choice, looking ahead, I will say that the vacation was eventful and thanks to Paphos for that. This is a city of contrasts that has no borders.

For me, Paphos was a small piece of Greece itself on this island separated from the main territory of the country. Its cute little beaches that hide among the rocks, the majestic fortress on the edge of the endless promenade, which is so pleasant to stroll along in the evening or, in my case, ride on a longboard, pleasant places with stunning views of the sea and the sunset. All this made me forget about everything in the world and just enjoy a quiet and measured vacation.

Short video about Paphos

How to get there

You can get to Paphos from anywhere in Cyprus by bus, car, taxi, or even on foot if you wish. By the way, a European road passes through the entire island. walking route E4.

But first you need to get to the island itself, and this can be done in two ways: by plane or by ferry.

Of course, by plane is faster and more convenient. In addition, there is an airport near Paphos. Below I will describe in more detail both the plane and the ferry.

By plane

It is worth mentioning that citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa to Cyprus; it is enough to apply for a visa via the Internet. For provisions, you can only enter the country through Larnaca or Paphos. Clearing customs in other cities on the island will require a tourist visa or a Schengen visa.

Paphos Airport

Since we were going on vacation directly to Paphos, it was most convenient to fly there. The airport is located approximately 15 km from the city center.

The small Paphos airport receives both charter flights various tourist operators, as well as regular flights from different parts of the world. Since we did independent travel, then they were flying on a regular flight. There are flights both with transfers and direct.

When searching for tickets, S7 airline flights turned out to be the most optimal in terms of price and convenience. They fly daily from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and others major cities Russia. You can view offers on all well-known aggregator sites or.

There is a bus from the airport to the city embankment every hour. bus No. 612. The bus schedule can be viewed. The ticket costs 1 EUR and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes.

Price Taxi from the airport 20–25 EUR. Taxi drivers stand right at the exit from the terminal, the price is fixed, there is no point in haggling.

If you are a confident driver and plan not to sit in one place for the entire trip, then the best option would be to rent a car at the airport and immediately hit the road. You will also have to return the car at the airport. Or pay extra additional cost for a return elsewhere. Price average car per day is 30–35 EUR. Do not forget that traffic in Cyprus is on the left, and cars are right-hand drive. You can rent a car from large companies: Avis, Budget or Herz, which have offices at the airport and in the city. You can also see prices.

Larnaca Airport

Another major international transport hub is. There are also flights to suit every taste. Direct flights from S7 or Aeroflot airlines will be a little more expensive than with a transfer, for example, in Athens or others European cities(by the way, to walk around the city for a couple of hours, you will have to get a Schengen visa).

Although there are more flight options to Larnaca, they do not differ much in price, but getting from Larnaca airport to Paphos is longer and more difficult. The distance between the cities is approximately 130 km.

The cheapest way to get from Larnaca to Paphos is bus. You will have to go with a transfer in Limassol to the Agios Georgios Havouzas Church station. Rooms intercity buses no, so you need to look at the name and direction. The bus stop is located next to the terminal exit. Our bus is a shuttle bus Limassol Airport Express. The fare from the airport to Limassol is 9 EUR, the journey is about an hour.

There is already a bus from there Intercity Buses to Paphos, trip duration is about an hour, cost is 4 EUR. In Paphos the bus has 3 stops: near McDonald's, at the central stadium and Karavella bus station in the city center.

Just like from Paphos airport you can order a taxi, the cost of a taxi ride is approximately 120 EUR or to rent a car, the cost of a car per day is no different. In this case, it is more profitable to rent a car for the entire period, since when returning it at another point (for example, in Paphos), an additional fee is charged, it depends on the rental company, and can be from 50 to 100 EUR.

By ferry

When planning my trip, I also considered the option of getting to the island by ferry.

Ferries mainly run from Turkey to the Northern (Turkish) part of Cyprus. But entering the island from Turkey is not recommended, as these countries are not friendly, and crossing the border can be problematic, and there is a chance that you will never be allowed onto the Greek side of the island again.

There is also a route from Tel Aviv to. The cost of a one-way ticket will be approximately 70 USD.

Ferry crossing requires a lot of time and money. Therefore, after studying general information As for ferries, we chose a more traditional way - by plane.

Clue:

Pathos - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Ekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Paphos - holidays with children

It is difficult to say clearly whether Paphos is a good place for families with children. Since I was on vacation without children, I can’t judge this from a parent’s perspective. Therefore, I will give the main points that I think will be important.

1. There is an airport near the city, from which it is easy to get to the hotel.
2. The city has places to walk both in the streets and along the shore. There are many attractions that may be of interest to children.
3. Since the beaches within the city are mostly rocky, it is worth paying attention to the good sandy beach “Coral Bay”, which is located a 30-minute drive from Paphos. You can live there, and sometimes go to the city in the evenings.
4. This place is quite quiet and peaceful. Bars and clubs are located on a separate street. In principle, the contingent of vacationers is mainly families and elderly people.
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Today about the outskirts of Paphos, where we lived. Cyprus is a fairly small island, so if you have a car you can make radial trips from anywhere day trips anywhere in the country. The distance from Paphos even to Ayia Napa, which is located in the south-eastern corner of the island, is only a little more than 200 kilometers.

Today I will write about interesting places closest to Paphos.

Coral Bay

10 kilometers north of Paphos is the resort village of Coral Bay. It began to be developed in the early 80s. Several large development companies have begun to build hotels and other amenities here. tourism infrastructure. It turned out to be quite separate resort village with a central street, shops, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. This place is famous sandy beaches. The village has two bays with beaches, around which there are hotels in a semicircle.

We went here to the beach several times. They are paid and well-equipped here, and most importantly they are sandy; in Paphos there are tensions with sandy beaches.

Along the coast north of Coral Bay there are many villas, large private houses with large grounds, usually with swimming pools.
And there are banana plantations around.

Despite the fact that bananas grow in Cyprus, in addition to small, tasty local bananas, stores sell giant bananas from Ecuador - exactly the same as in our stores.

Agios Georgios

Further west of Korl Bay there is another resort town - Agios Georgios. The settlements themselves are practically continuous, with villas standing here and there.
Agios Georgios is the last village before the protected Akamas peninsula. This is where asphalt and civilization end.
In the middle of the village stands the Church of St. George.

A picturesque place with views of the islands and coastline.

Directly below the church there is a small marina and beach.

The beach is behind the breakwater, so it's a good place for bathing small children.
If you drive further along the coast, then after 500 meters the asphalt ends. The road descends into the river valley, which, like most Cypriot rivers, dries up in the summer. There is a small tourist tavern here, and at the mouth of the river there is a very nice beach; when we were there it was almost empty.

The monumental price tag announces the prices for sun loungers and umbrellas. But we stayed here for 3 hours, and during this time the payment collector never showed up.

Southern coast of the Akamas Peninsula

The Akamas Peninsula is the largest of the least developed protected areas in southern Cyprus. It is located at the northwestern end of the island. There are not many roads leading here and these roads do not have asphalt. And there is absolutely no human habitation here. Akamas is a national park, and Cypriots deliberately do not develop this territory - they are trying to preserve a piece of the island as it was before.

Along south coast Along the peninsula there is a rather broken dirt road.

But at the same time, quite a lot of cars with curious tourists drive around it.

Small, very poor roads go deeper into the peninsula. Along one of them you can get to the gorge and Avakas caves, which are located in the valley of the river of the same name. We didn’t go there, it’s difficult to walk there with a baby, this is what it looks like: http://uralpanda.livejournal.com/469429.html.

In theory, the most interesting object on this road is Lara beach. This is the place where sea turtles lay their eggs. There are only one or two such reserves left in the Mediterranean, and they are few and far between. Finding Lara Beach is quite difficult; there is no sign for it. Just 7 kilometers after the asphalt runs out, you need to check all the forks towards the sea. We planned to sunbathe and swim there, but then it turned out that you can’t use umbrellas and sunbeds on the beach, and you can’t put up tents. God bless them with sunbeds and tents, but for me and a small child it was impossible without an umbrella. But just then clouds rolled in and partially solved our problem.

There were very few people on the beach. Among others, a bronze-bodied nudist sat proudly in the corner of the beach, sticking an umbrella in the sand despite the ban.
There really were turtle clutches here. These places are fenced off with ropes. In the photo below you can see such a fence.

You can't be on the beach after sunset. In Paphos, I read in the tourist brochure that sometimes night excursions are organized to Lara Beach to look at the turtles. But now I haven’t come across any links to such events on the Internet.

Guidebooks write that the Akamas Peninsula is a wild place, where you shouldn’t go in simple cars, but it’s better to go with a tour. This is bullshit. By taking reasonable precautions such as not driving too fast on a rocky road or jumping off a cliff into the sea, nothing bad will happen to you.

Monastery of Agios Neophytos

North of Paphos is one of the main Orthodox shrines of Cyprus - the monastery of St. Neophytos. Neophytos lived in the 12th century and became famous as the author of numerous literary religious works, as well as historical chronicles. At the age of 25, he settled north of Paphos, carved three caves into the rock with his own hands and began to live as a hermit. Over time, a monastery was formed here.

The monastery is picturesquely located at the foot of the mountain. There is a lot of greenery inside.

There is a monastery in Cyprus (not far from Larnaca), which is popularly called "cat's monastery", where people live great amount cats. In Agios Neophytos, cats also feel good.

Empa

Empa is a nearby suburb of Paphos, located 6 kilometers north of the city. Not particularly noteworthy locality, but it houses the famous and very beautiful church of Panagia Chryseleous (Panaia Chryseleous). We got to the church by accident, wandering around looking for the turn to the Agios Neophytos monastery
Like all churches in Cyprus, it was built in a characteristic Byzantine style. But this is the original Byzantine style, and not a remake - the church was built in the 12th century. on the ruins of an early Christian basilica.

Baths of Adonis

The Baths of Adonis are one of the most popular attractions of local tourist offices. A small waterfall and lake in the vicinity of Paphos received the proud name “Adonis Bath”, and now crowds of tourists are transported here by bus.
If you remove tourists, or try to get here at some inopportune time, then the place is actually very nice, by the way, they ask for 9 euros for entry :)))

Adonis's bath looks like a tiny mountain lake, surrounded by greenery and flowers. The bottom of the lake is calcareous, so the water near the shores is a good green color. The water here, which is very pleasant after the sea, is fresh and icy; this was very important after a long road in the heat.

On the road from the highway from Paphos to Coral Bay to the baths there is a reservoir.

Peyia - Kafikas - Druseia

From Paphos to Polis you can take different roads. One of them, the shorter one, goes straight north from Paphos, and the other turns inland from Coral Bay. Here on the hill is big village Peya.

That's all about the surroundings of Paphos. Stay tuned! Three more posts are planned about the trip to Cyprus.

There are many attractions to visit and see in Paphos. It’s better to do this on your own in order to truly enjoy the beauty of Cyprus without spending money on excursions.

Archaeological Park (Kato Pafos Archaeological Park)

One of the main attractions of Paphos. The park is a must-see for all lovers of antiquities. The archaeological park is protected by UNESCO and is remarkable for its mosaics, which date back to the 2nd-5th centuries. n. e. Some of them are under open air, and some - in special rooms. In addition to the famous mosaics, in the park you can admire the ruins of the Saranda Kolones castle, the Agora, Odeon, Asklepion and other antiquities.

The archaeological park is very atmospheric, especially if you come to opening or closing, when there are no tourists and it is not so hot. The main entrance to the park is located near the port, and there is parking nearby. The ticket price is 4.5 euros, and it takes an average of 2-3 hours to explore the park.

Necessarily Wear a hat and comfortable shoes, and bring water and sunscreen. There is a map of the park and a free toilet at the entrance, and behind the exhibition pavilion where guidebooks and other printed materials are sold, you can get water if you take a container first, because drinking water on the embankment dear - 1.5 euros for 0.5 l. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (June-August).

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Tombs of the Kings

The Tombs of the Kings is perhaps a more atmospheric place than the park, as it attracts fewer tourists, so if you are wondering what to see in Paphos on your own, feel free to go there. It is noteworthy that there are no tombs of kings here - in fact, nobles were buried here (from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD).

In the necropolis there is room for fantasy to run wild: the impressive size of the rock with the gaping black mouths of the graves inside involuntarily evokes thoughts of disturbed souls. Finding yourself in a tomb alone with the lingering blackness of the graves and feeling the characteristic damp smell, you feel a chill of fear creeping down your back.

Get to the tombs You can take bus number 615, which goes from the port to Coral Bay. From the stop there is a road straight to the entrance. The cost of a ticket to the Royal Tombs is 2.5 euros. At the entrance there is a stand with a map. Opening hours: from 8:30 to 18:30.

(Photo © Glen Bowman / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

Aphrodite's Rock / Petra-tou-Romiou

Aphrodite's Stone, or Petra tou Romiou - the most popular tourist place, which is one of those attractions that are worth seeing in Paphos on your own. There are many beliefs associated with the Aphrodite Stone: if you find a heart-shaped pebble on the beach, you will find love; if you circle the Aphrodite Stone three times counterclockwise, you will have eternal youth and beauty. The main thing is not to confuse the rocks - the Aphrodite stone looks somewhat unpresentable compared to others: it is a black semicircular stone in the sea.

Be careful: Despite the popularity of the beach, it is not safe to swim here - often strong waves hit the rocks, and the water is very cold. The beach consists of large pebbles, so the sea is clear, but the breaking waves raise pebbles, which injure the feet of swimmers. Also hidden at the bottom are large stones that pose a danger. We witnessed how an adult was thrown on the waves like a child. A wave can also blow away your phone or camera if you decide to go into the water with it in search of a good angle.

The place is really charming, despite the crowds of tourists who come here mainly in excursion tours. So try to arrive early- the first bus No. 631 from Harbor station leaves at 7:25. The advantage of early flights is also that it will not be so hot (there are practically no places on the beach where you can hide from the scorching sun).

Some tourists, getting off at the final stop, try to cross the road. However, to get to the beach, you need to go through an underground passage, next to which there is a small restaurant and part-time souvenir shop. There is also a free toilet and paid showers (1-2 euros).

(Photo © disparkys / flickr.com)

Baths of Aphrodite

Aphrodite's Bath is a shady grotto with a small pond and stream. They say that whoever swims here will be forever young. However, swimming here is strictly prohibited, and drinking the water is also prohibited. Many tourists specially take containers with them and fill them with water from the bathhouse.

Like Petra tou Romiou, the Baths of Aphrodite is one of those attractions that are worth seeing in Paphos on your own. We recommend arriving here early to enjoy the solitude and coolness of the grotto of the goddess of love, as tourist groups greatly spoil the impression of the Baths of Aphrodite. In general, we did not experience much delight from visiting the bathhouse.

How to get there: from Karavella station by bus number 645 to the city of Polis (Polis Chrysochous - Chrysochou - Goudi - Choli - Skoulli - Giolou - Stroumbi - Tsada - Paphos). There you need to change to bus number 622 (Polis Chrysochous - Prodromi - Latchi - Baths of Aphrodite), and from final stop follow the path to the bathhouse.

(Photo © hAl1927 / flickr.com / License CC BY 2.0)

Early Christian basilica (Church of Agia Kyriaki)

Agia Kyriaki is also known as Panagia Chrysopolitissa. The church was partially built on the ruins of an early Christian basilica built in the 4th century. n. e. The territory is under UNESCO protection. You can enter the church freely, but you will only have to admire the columns and mosaics from specially erected platforms.

(Photo © site)

Not far from Agia Kyriaki there is the famous St. Paul's Column. According to legend, when Saint Paul arrived in Cyprus in 45 AD. e. In order to preach Christianity, he was tied to this column and given 39 lashes.

(Photo © speedygroundhog / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Facing the Church of Agia Kyriaki, on the left are the Frankish Baths, which were built during the Lusignan period and were used as public baths. Nowadays it is impossible to get inside the buildings.

The entire complex can be visited completely free of charge; it is officially open from 8:00 to 19:00 (in fact it closes a couple of hours earlier).

How to get there: from the bus station up Apostolou Pavlou Avenue, from there take Stasandrou or Pafias Afroditis, they will lead you straight to Agia Kyriaki.

(Photo © Shelley & Dave / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC 2.0)

Fabrica Hill

Fabrica Hill - complex underground caves and chambers carved into the rock in the 3rd century. BC e., the purpose of which is unknown. It is very interesting to explore the caves: a minute ago you were on a noisy avenue, and now you are in mysterious and dark chambers!

The Catacombs of Saint Solomonia is a burial complex that was a refuge for Christians subjected to Roman persecution. The catacombs are open to visits at any time.

How to get there: from the port by bus No. 603-606-611-612-615 along Apostle Paul Avenue. Fabrica Hill is located diagonally from Kings Mall Avenue. If you walk through the entire complex from above, you can come out to the Roman amphitheater, which, unfortunately, is fenced off. Walking along the street along the amphitheater, you will come to Agia Kyriaki.

(Photo © dimitrisvetsikas1969 / pixabay.com)

Medieval fort of Paphos

Paphos Castle, as it is also called, is considered one of the main attractions of Paphos. The fort was originally a Byzantine fortress, which was destroyed by an earthquake. In the 13th century the castle was restored by the Lusignans. During the Turkish capture, the fort was dismantled by the Venetians and later restored and fortified by the Ottomans.

Finding the fortress is easy - it is located near the port, not far from the entrance to archaeological park. You can see it from afar, you definitely won’t miss it. Entrance fee - 2.5 euros. We haven’t been inside, but judging by the reviews of tourists, there is nothing particularly interesting there. Great view The fort opens from the side of the archaeological park.

Paphos has a reputation as the best Cypriot resort for romantic trip or for a quiet, respectable holiday. The city is surrounded by picturesque bays and secluded beaches, where you can endlessly enjoy the sound of the sea waves.

The historical sights of Paphos are valuable architectural monuments that were left to people from the greatest civilizations of antiquity. Greek and Roman buildings, medieval castles, the first Christian monasteries - all these places will certainly attract the attention of tourists.

Paphos and its surroundings have everything for a quality and complete holiday - excellent hotels with European service, taverns with delicious Cypriot cuisine and magnificent well-kept beaches with clear water.

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What to see and where to go in Paphos?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

An open-air museum where the remains are located ancient city Nea Paphos and the medieval fort of Saranta Kolones, dating back to the 7th century. In the 1960s inside buildings of the Roman era of the 3rd-5th centuries. – well-preserved mosaics created in accordance with the plots of ancient mythology were discovered in the houses of Orpheus, Theseus, Aion and Dionysus.

The remains of an antique mansion from the 2nd century that once belonged to a Roman aristocrat. The name “Villa of Dionysus” was assigned to it for the reason that the mosaic “Triumph of Dionysus” is located here, which depicts the Greek god of wine, seated on a chariot drawn by leopards. He is accompanied by the gods Pan and Satyr. The villa is located on the territory of the Archaeological Park.

A Byzantine fortress built in the 7th century to protect Paphos from the claims of Arab conquerors. At that time she was part of powerful system defensive fortifications. In 1200, the structure was rebuilt after the Knights of the Order of St. John (Hospitaliers) settled here. In 1222 the castle was destroyed by an earthquake and since then it has been in ruins.

An ancient amphitheater of the 2nd century, the construction of which was carried out by the Greeks and Romans. The Odeon is quite well preserved due to the fact that it was almost completely carved out of monolithic rock. That is why the earthquake of the 4th century did not bring significant destruction to it. The theater was discovered in 1973 during excavations. Nowadays, festivals and concerts are held on its territory.

A medieval fortress of the 13th century, which previously served as a defensive structure, a prison and a warehouse. The fortification existed until 1570, after which it was dismantled by the Venetians. After the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottoman Turks, the castle was restored and fortified. In 1935 it was declared historical monument and has become one of the tourist attractions of Cyprus.

An underground necropolis carved out of rock, where aristocrats and high officials were buried until the 3rd century. The first graves date back to the 4th century BC. e. Many tomb crypts are decorated with columns and frescoes, others are made in the form of full-fledged residential buildings. The first adherents of the Christian religion hid from persecution in these catacombs.

The catacombs were dug in the 4th century BC. e. and were originally used as tombs. At the end of the 2nd century, Saint Solomonia, who fled Palestine with her sons, took refuge here from persecution. The martyr's children were killed before her eyes by order of King Antiochus; she herself died while praying over their bodies. It is believed that the relics of Saint Solomonia are buried in one of the grottoes of the catacombs.

It is believed that the Apostle Paul was subjected to corporal punishment on the site of the temple in the 1st century, after which he converted the first Roman official to Christianity. In the 4th century, an early Christian basilica in the Byzantine style was erected here. Around 1300, a large three-nave church was built next to it, which existed until the 16th century. Modern temple was built on the ruins of the basilica around 1500. Today it is an important pilgrimage center.

The monastery was founded in the 12th century by the wandering monk Neophyte the Recluse. The complex is located approximately 10 km. from Paphos. After the conquest of Cyprus by the Turks, the monastery was plundered and gradually fell into decay. Its revival began only in the middle of the 18th century. The main church of the monastery houses the relics of St. Neophytos, discovered in 1756. Today, the monastery is a center of pilgrimage and a popular tourist attraction.

The men's monastery is 40 km away. from Paphos, founded by the hermit Ignatius in the 12th century. The monastery complex acquired its modern appearance in 1770, when new buildings appeared on its territory. The main relic of the monastery is the ancient icon of the Mother of God, which Ignatius miraculously caught from the waters Mediterranean Sea(according to another version, the hermit found the image of the Virgin Mary in one of the mountain caves).

The museum's exposition consists of finds discovered during excavations in the area of ​​Marione, Lempe, New Paphos, Geroskipou and other ancient settlements. The collection is housed in five rooms. It consists of stone sculptures, pottery, jewelry and other artifacts belonging to a time period spanning several millennia. The museum was opened in 1936; in 1966 it moved to a separate building.

The museum was created in 1983 with the participation of the highest church hierarchs of Cyprus for the purpose of studying and popularizing ecclesiastical Byzantine art. The exhibition consists of valuable Orthodox icons of the 7th-19th centuries, frescoes and iconostases taken from the destroyed churches of the metropolis of Paphos, manuscripts, church utensils and ancient theological literature found on the territory of decaying monasteries.

Private collection of the Eliadis family, which has existed since 1958. The museum is located in historical building XV century. Antique furniture, ceramics, works of folk art, interior items, dishes, textiles, coins and other valuable exhibits are exhibited here. The Eliadis family was seriously interested in the history and culture of Cyprus. They collected their collection over several decades.

The park grew out of the private collection of ornithologist C. Christoforou, who kept exotic birds at his home for a long time. In 2003, there was not enough housing space, so it was decided to create public park. Today this place has become one of the most visited attractions in Cyprus. Besides large quantity birds, crocodiles, tigers, giraffes, kangaroos and other animals live here.

The park is located in a relatively small area. It consists of 13 themed gardens, where thousands of plants grow, including roses, cacti, conifers, tropical flowers and many other species. The park has a small exhibition made up of items from Cypriot everyday life. There is also a tavern for visitors, where they can have lunch after a walk along the picturesque park alleys.

A stretch of coastline about 18 km from Paphos, dotted with picturesque grottoes, bays and bizarre rock formations in the form of arches. In some places, tourists have a safe descent to the water so that they have the opportunity to plunge into the gentle Mediterranean Sea. Sea caves– an incredibly beautiful place that attracts romantics and lovers of stunning landscapes.

17. Akamas Peninsula National Park

A protected area located 50 km from Paphos. The park is a unique area of ​​pristine nature in Cyprus. Rare endemic plants grow on the territory of the reserve, more than 168 species of birds, several dozen species of reptiles and mammals live. The Akamas ecosystem is located on the border of several natural zones, which is why rare climatic conditions are created here.

Petra tou Romiou is also known as Aphrodite's Rock. It was here, according to legend, that the Greek goddess of beauty emerged from the foam of the sea. According to another legend, the Achaeans landed in this place after arriving from Troy. Near the rock is picturesque beach, where a harmonious and cozy atmosphere reigns. Natural beauty This place attracts many tourists who want to admire the picturesque landscapes.

The swimming area is located in the center of the tourist part of the city near Paphos Castle. The beach stretches 150 meters along the coast. It is surrounded by numerous bars and taverns, and is equipped with all the necessary infrastructure. On the beach you can rent catamarans, jet skis, banana boats and others aquatic species transport.

Aphrodite is the third largest park water attractions on the island of Cyprus. There are 23 slides for tourists here, designed for both adults and children. On the territory of the water park there are several outdoor swimming pools and comfortable recreation areas. Landscape designers worked on the interior space and managed to create a paradise of tropical vegetation.

The Odeon is one of the main attractions of the city of Paphos, which is an ancient Roman theater located near the Villa of Dionysus. It was built in the 2nd century from well-hewn limestone blocks. The total capacity of the Odeon is approximately 1,200 seats. It was discovered in 1973 by scientists from the Cyprus Department of Antiquities. After the excavations were carried out, the Odeon was partially restored, and now it is a semicircle consisting of 12 rows of seats.

Nowadays, this place is not only a historical landmark, but also takes an active part in cultural life city, providing its arena for theatrical and musical productions, as well as an annual choir festival. Next to the Odeon are the remains of the Roman Agora, which in ancient times served as market square. Also nearby are the ruins of city buildings and walls, which were once dedicated to Asklipios - to the ancient god medicine. Next to the Odeon and the rocky mound that was once the city's necropolis, stands the Modern Lighthouse.

Paphos Airport

Paphos Airport is one of the largest international airports State of Cyprus, located in the western part of Cyprus, 15 km from the city center. It has developed infrastructure: on its territory there are shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, ATMs, and car rental companies. A free mother and child room is also available at the airport, and there are emergency medical services. Charter flights operate mainly through Paphos Airport.

There are two buses from Paphos airport regular buses- No. 612, up to Coral Bay, Chloraka district, harbor, Geroskipou village (from 8.30 to 22.00, once an hour) and No. 613, to the city market, the center of Ktima, Timi district (2 times a day).

What attractions of Paphos did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Bath of Aphrodite

Aphrodite's Bath is a secluded grotto, the bottom of which, due to natural springs and springs, is filled with water approximately knee-deep. Here, surrounded by fragrant flowers and songbirds, the goddess of love Aphrodite preferred to take a bath and here she met Adonis, whose heart could not resist the beautiful sight of the goddess. By the way, they all met at the same source.

The water in the bath is always cold, but, according to legend, it has a wonderful property, giving eternal youth and beauty. However, unfortunately, it will not be possible to check this - swimming is prohibited here.

Instead, you can explore the protected areas surrounding the bathhouse. Two tourist routes start here walking routes and from here there are gorgeous views of the sea, going down to which you can feel all the charm of bathing in crystal clear water.

Aphrodite Bay is one of the most romantic and beautiful places Europe, located on the island of Cyprus. According to legend, it was here that the ancient Greek goddess of love Aphrodite emerged from the sea foam. When it gets dark, the cliffs washed by the gentle sea are painted in whimsical colors by the sunset, and pink oleanders and green bushes further emphasize the eternal beauty of this amazing paradise.

It seems to tourists that time has no power over this corner of nature, and that the beautiful landscape here has remained unchanged since ancient times. In the bay there is a rock overhanging the water, at the base of which there is a small grotto. It was there, according to myth, that the goddess of love took baths from spring water in preparation for dates. On the way here, you will notice a lot of different beads and ribbons left by tourists on the branches of roadside trees, so that you can come back here at least once again.

Not far from the grotto there is a beach where you will not find any infrastructure; it is a wild place, left in its original form. Be sure to visit it, because those who swim in this bay will receive a wonderful gift from Aphrodite - youth and beauty that will remain forever.

Church of St. George

The beautiful white stone Church of St. George was founded in Paphos in 1939. Since the temple does not have its own priest, a clergyman from Larnaca comes here every two weeks. In 1951, a Sunday school was opened on the basis of the church, which is still functioning, but requires major repairs. Next to the temple there is a small museum, the collection of which contains ancient vestments, icons and various church utensils. Every time you visit this magnificent monastery, looking at its ancient iconographic images, you discover something new for your soul.

Inside the temple you can see beautiful wall paintings from the 15th century. Also here are kept the relics of the great Saint Apostle Philip, which are a source of grace for thousands of pilgrims. All Russian-speaking parishioners living in the city of Paphos sincerely thank Metropolitan George for granting them the right to conduct monthly services in Russian in the church of the Monastery of St. Lazarus and St. George.

Catacombs of Saint Solomonia

The Catacombs of Saint Solomonia is one of the main Christian shrines in Cyprus. Under the Byzantines, there was the Church of Saint Solomonia - a saint who in the 2nd century BC was killed along with her sons because of her refusal to eat pork (forbidden by the Jewish faith).

The ashes of the great martyr are buried in an underground grotto, the entrance to which is guarded by an ancient pistachio tree (this tree also fulfills wishes made near it). Due to the nature of its activity, the tree has to endure the clothes, ribbons and scarves of those who believe that a rag tied on a branch will get rid of all diseases.

In the catacombs there is another miracle - a spring with the purest and very clear water, which, according to legend, helps to cure eye diseases. Of course, due to the constant visits of tourists, the water in it is not so clear, but, as they say, this does not affect its healing properties.

Avagas Gorge

Avagas Gorge is a gallery of luxurious rocks, thickets of tall bushes sprinkled with pink flowers, coquettishly reflected in a flowing stream, and a lot of other visual impressions. The gorge, located on the Laona plateau, was formed as a result of an earthquake, because the landscape here is amazing and will captivate both lovers hiking, and connoisseurs mysterious places.

One of the most mysterious places in the gorge is a cave discovered in 2003 by local shepherds. To get inside, you need to go through one of the passages, then crawl along a narrow (30 centimeters in diameter) hole, after which you need to overcome a zigzag tunnel, and only then will a plateau dotted with huge stalactites, stalagmites and bats open to your eyes. In addition, a copper arrowhead and ancient pottery were discovered in the cave. Who, when and why brought these objects into the cave? Scientists are looking for an answer. So far to no avail.

However, unfortunately or fortunately, both entrances to the cave are constantly closed. As a precaution.

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Lara Beach

The deserted and spacious Lara Beach on the protected Akamas Peninsula is often called Turtle Beach. The sandy strip bordering the picturesque bays is a place for laying eggs of turtles, including rare species green and hawksbill turtles. Scientists at the local special station observe unique animals and at the same time protect them from the possible annoying attention of tourists. During the laying season, the beach is dotted with special frames that protect future turtle offspring from accidental trampling. To complete the experience, you can temporarily become a volunteer at a local nature reserve to communicate directly with the animals.

Otherwise, Lara Beach fully corresponds to the definition of “wild”. There is no tourist infrastructure here; it is prohibited to place sun umbrellas and sun loungers. Here there is only a long strip of sand practically devoid of vegetation, the wavering clear sea, the southern sky and the natural beauty of nature. It is very beautiful and very calm here. Sometimes you don't need anything else other than this.

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