Top 10 Things To Do In Paphos
Author: Rick Lockwood
The most famous of all Cyprus beaches is at Petra Tou Romiou (Aphrodite beach) where Aphrodite arose from the sea. A little further on are the many lovely beaches of Paphos. These include the horseshoe shaped Cyprus beach of Coral Bay which is full of golden sand. The beach is between two headlands and is surrounded by many lovely villas.
Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek) known as Aphrodite Rock Folk-hero Digenis Aakritas hurled a large rock (petra) at the Saracens during a battle. The rock landed by the sea in Paphos and became known as Petra Tou Romio or Aphrodite Rock.
Roman Mosaics - Kato Paphos near the harbour Attractions in Pafos such as the renovated Greco-Roman Theatre which was built in the 2nd century BC are truly amazing. The floors of the Roman villa are covered with spectacular mosaics illustrating Greek mythological scenes. They are known by the house the floor is situated in. For example there's the House of Dionysos, House of Theseus and the more recently excavated House of Aion.
Medieval Fort - Kato Pafos - Harbor One of the major attractions in Pafos is the lovely harbor which is the setting for the three day Opera event which takes place at the beginning of September every year. Originally built to protect the harbor, the Byzantine fort was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century. Dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 and rebuilt after the Ottoman conquest of the island in the 16th century.
Tombs of the Kings Another popular attraction are the underground tombs carved out of solid rock, some with Doric Pillars and dating back to the 4th century BC. This is where the nobility of the area are said to have been buried.
Saranta Kolones - Kato Pafos (near the harbour) Built by the Lusignans at the beginning of 13th century on the site of a previous Byzantine Castle, it was unfortunately destroyed by an earthquake in 1222.
Ethnographical Museum Monday-Friday 9am-5pm/Saturday 9am-1pm (Admission Cyprus £0.50) The museum is dedicated to how people used to live in Cyprus and contains everyday things like a workroom with creatively carved chests and pottery plus a bedroom and kitchen.
Byzantine Museum Pafos Bishopric, Andreas Ioannou Open: Monday - Friday 9.00am-5.00pm/Saturday 9.00am -1.00pm Admission Cyprus £1 The museum houses some of the most beautiful religious icons from Cyprus churches and is dedicated to the Byzantine period of the Greek Orthodox Church. It also contains the oldest icon found in Cyprus dating back to the 7th century.
Aphrodite's Baths Akamas Peninsula, near Polis - 48km north of Pafos The legend of Aphrodite lives on in this grotto where the baths Aphrodite used to bathe in are located.
Paphos Aphrodite Water Park It is set within 35,000 sqm of natural landscaped grounds and situated at the far eastern end of the Kato Paphos coastal road and offers a wide and varied selection of rides, attractions and facilities, which include spacious changing rooms and secure locker rooms. In addition the park is also equipped with handicap facilities.Young or old, swimmer or not, there's something there for everyone! Why not take a break and soak up the warm Paphos sun and enjoy the leisure pool where you can chill out and relax. Cyprus Car Rental Click here for a selecton of James Villas in Cyprus