Itineraries for Your Trip to Paphos
2 Days in Paphos for First Timers
I’ve been all over Cyprus, and while I’m a huge fan of the mountainous interior, I find Paphos equally enchanting—and not just because of its great beaches. What I love about this coastal city is its ancient attractions, including the Tomb of the Kings (a beautifully preserved Ptolemaic necropolis) and the UNESCO–listed Paphos Archaeological Park. It’s also a great city for immersing yourself in local culture, thanks to excellent restaurants serving traditional meze and Cypriot wine, and its coastal location makes for easy access to evening cruise excursions. With two days in Paphos, you’ll be able to really get a feel for the city and all that it offers. Here’s one way to do it.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the Paphos Archaeological Park.
Visit during the spring or fall shoulder season for great weather and fewer crowds.
Spend your first morning in Paphos getting familiar with the lay of the land. While you can explore on foot, it's more efficient—and educational— to join a Segway tour that will make it easy to get between some of the city's must-see attractions, including the Paphos Archaeological Park, quickly and easily.
In the afternoon, visit a local winery in the vicinity of Cyprus' mountainous inland. Sample different Cypriot wines paired with local snacks and learn about the country’s wine industry at the same time. For the safest experience, join a wine tour and leave the driving to the pros so that you can sample wine to your heart’s content.
Return to Paphos after your tasting experience. Instead of going out to a restaurant to eat, hop aboard a night cruise and set sail for a meal at sea. Night cruises from Paphos typically include live music and dance performances along with a full buffet dinner service, followed by a fireworks display.
On your second morning, book a snorkeling trip in the waters just beyond the city. If you're interested in marine wildlife, opt for a turtle-watching experience that will take you to areas with large concentrations of sea turtles so that you can see them from a respectful distance.
In the afternoon, head down the coast to the Rock of Aphrodite (Petra tou Romiou), a UNESCO–listed sea stack and the legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. While you can visit on your own if you have a rental car, you may find it more fun to head out on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tour instead.
In the early evening, head north to the nearby town of Latchi where you’ll find crystalline waters that are equally ideal for kayaking as they are for swimming and snorkeling. Kayaking tours typically include everything you’ll need for a successful evening out on the water, so you won’t have to worry about packing your own gear.
