Tombs of the Kings
There is no royalty buried in the Tombs of the
Kings, a grand mausoleum found one mile (2km) northwest of Paphos
Harbour towards Coral Bay. Rather, it's the final resting place of
about 100 Ptolemaic aristocrats who lived and died in the city
between 3 BC and 3 AD. The tombs are carved into the solid rock of
the cliff above the sea and are beautifully situated, with some
featuring Doric pillars and frescoed walls. Archaeological
excavations are ongoing at the site, which also features a church
known as Paleoekklisia, sporting traces of Byzantine frescoes. The
Tombs of the Kings usually feature very high in tourist reviews of
Paphos and are thrilling to discover.
Address: 1 mile (2 km) north-west of Paphos harbour towards Coral
Bay, Kato Paphos
Tombs of the Kings
Mgiganteus1
The Mosaics of Paphos
The Mosaics of Paphos are a series of striking floors
in a number of ancient Roman villas, dating from the 3rd to the 5th
centuries. The sites are still being excavated on around 300 metres
from the Paphos Harbour. The mosaics featuring mythological scenes
are visible in the Houses of Dionysos, Orpheus, Aion, and the
Theseus. There are also stunning mosaics to be seen in the House of
Four Seasons. All the mosaics were made from small cubes of marble
and stone, called tesserae, with glass paste added to widen the
range of colour.
Address: Kyriakou Nikolaou Street
Villa of Dionysus
Tony Woods
Agia Solomoni Catacombs
A large pistachio tree marks the entrance to the
underground catacombs of Agia Solomoni in Kato Paphos. A strange
sight, it's usually festooned with cloth tied onto it by the
faithful as offerings in the hope the sacred tree will cure various
ailments. The catacombs were carved into Fabrica Hill in the 4th
century BC, below the ancient Roman wall. Underground chapels
feature frescoes and graffiti left by 13th century crusaders, and
there are numerous legends and stories attached to the patron saint
Ayia Solomoni. There's little to no guidance or information on
offer at the site so it is best to do some research before you go
to understand what you are looking at.
Address: Agio Pavlou Street
Tree and cloth pieces
Monika
Acropolis
Near the modern Paphos Lighthouse is the Cypriot Acropolis, a
complex of ancient buildings which includes a 2nd century Roman
odeon restored and now used for summer orchestral and stage
performances. South of the odeon are the remnants of the Roman
Temple of Asclepius, the god of medicine, and north of the
lighthouse are the ruins of the ancient town walls. One of Cyprus's
world-renowned ancient treasures is the stunning set of mosaics of
the acropolis near the harbour. These incredibly well-preserved
artworks often top the list of Cyprus attractions and have been
delighting visitors for decades.
Address: Kato Paphos
Odeon and Paphos lighthouse
Sergey Galyonkin
Cyprus Medieval Museum
Built in the 14th century, Limassol Castle stands
guard over the old harbour on the site of an earlier Byzantine
castle. Today it houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum with a host of
fascinating exhibits dating back to the Early Common Era (384-650).
The museum's collection boasts an array of weaponry and armour,
including swords, helmets, and the 500 year old canons which still
adorn the battlements. The castle is most renowned for being the
place where crusader King Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria
of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England in 1191.
Address: Limassol Castle, Richard and Berengaria Street
Opening time: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Sunday, 10am to
1pm.
Limassol Castle
Bayreuth2009
Kourion
Believed to have been founded by the Argives, the
ancient city of Kourion is one of the most beautifully-positioned
ancient sites in Cyprus. It has passed through different phases,
including the Hellenistic, Christian, and Roman periods, the
(market place), Christian Basilica, and large public
bath bearing testament to this city's impressive list of
inhabitants. The restored Greco-Roman theatre hosts open air
performances and is one of the venues for the International
Festival of Ancient Greek Drama. Attractions around the complex
include the House of the Gladiators, the Roman baths, the House of
Achilles, and the Temple of Apollo.
Address: Located nine miles (14 km) west of Limassol
Opening time: September 16 to April 15, daily from 8.30am to 5pm.
April 16 to September 15, daily from 8.30am to
7.30pm.
Kourion
Sergey Galyonkin
Fasouri Water Mania
If you are visiting Limassol and need a break from
sightseeing and the Cyprus heat, you should splash in the cool
waters and enjoy the fun slides at Water Mania. The water park is
suitable for travellers of all ages and is a great attraction for
the whole family. If you are travelling in Cyprus with kids, then
this is the ideal way to let them blow off some steam. The park has
a somewhat cheesy Polynesian theme but it provides good wholesome
fun and a safe environment. Don't forget the sunblock.
Address: Fasouri area (15 mins outside Limassol)
Fasouri Water Mania
Peter Clarke
Paphos International Airport
Location: The airport is situated nine miles (15km) east of
Paphos.
Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to
last Sunday in October).
Getting to the city:
Taxis offer transport to the city centre from outside the
airport terminal and there is a regular bus service into town
departing outside the terminal building.
Car Rental:
Avis and Europcar are represented at the airport along with
several local companies.
Fascilities:
Airport facilities include a bureau de change, ATM and bank,
bar, cafe and restaurant, medical centre, duty free shopping and a
hotel reservation desk. Light refreshments are available. Disabled
passengers are catered for.
Paphos has a reliable and inexpensive bus system connecting Kato
Paphos and the upper town. Hiring a car is a good way to explore
the surrounding areas but the main parts of town can be easily
navigated on foot.
Municipal taxis are available and tend to be reasonably priced,
servicing Paphos and its surrounds. But it's recommended that these
are hailed rather than pre-booked as drivers tend to turn on meters
when leaving to pick up passengers. If taxis are unmetered be sure
to agree on a fare before setting out for your destination.
For the more adventurous, hiring a scooter can be an exciting
way to explore Paphos but accident rates are very high. If you are
brave enough to enjoy this mode of transport then be sure to invest
in a helmet. In general, Paphos is not a difficult or expensive
city to get around.
Paphos is one of the most popular sightseeing
destinations in Cyprus and it continues to attract more and more
tourists who enjoy its beautiful setting and archaeological
treasures. Visitors will find a lot to see and do in Paphos, if
they can tear themselves away from the stunning beaches.
Near the Paphos Lighthouse, the Cypriot Acropolis
offers numerous archaeological attractions, including the restored
Roman Odeon and the remains of a Roman temple. Possibly the
greatest attraction of Paphos is the collection of ancient mosaics
found at sites around the city. People can see some examples of
these ancient works of art at the acropolis. It's definitely also
worth making time to visit the Roman noblemen's villas where the
best examples of mosaics can be admired.
Two special monasteries close to Paphos are popular
as quick excursions out of the city or as a stopover when seeking
out one of the gorgeous beaches in the area. The Ayios Neophytos
Monastery is a great spot to enjoy some peace and tranquillity away
from the bustle of the city, and the Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery
has the added attraction of producing its own wine, made onsite by
the monks.
Paphos is surrounded by lovely landscapes and
attractions like the Rock of Aphrodite; a great spot to enjoy a
beautiful swim. There are also a number of attractions in Paphos
that capitalise on the mythical significance of the area, like the
famous Baths of Aphrodite.
Tombs of the Kings
Mgiganteus1
Villa of Dionysus
Tony Woods
Tree and cloth pieces
Monika
Odeon and Paphos lighthouse
Sergey Galyonkin
Limassol Castle
Bayreuth2009
Kourion
Sergey Galyonkin
Fasouri Water Mania
Peter Clarke
