Itineraries for Your Trip to Paphos
3 Days in Paphos for First Timers
My first introduction to Paphos was on a work trip. I was charged with visiting, inspecting, and reviewing a few dozen hotels in and around the city over the course of just two weeks, which meant a lot of driving around town, touring rooms, and—much to my delight—sampling tasty dishes from massive buffets.
However, I also took advantage of this time on Cyprus to sneak away from my work obligations as much as I could, stopping between meetings to visit archaeological sites and sandy beaches. I quickly fell in love with the historic side of the city, and it’s drawn me back many times since. Here are some of my favorite things to do in and around Paphos.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the Paphos Archaeological Park.
If you come to Paphos in the early fall, you can expect great swimming weather, with fewer crowds than in the summer.
Spend your first day in Paphos checking out its archaeological attractions. Begin at the Tombs of the Kings, a beautifully preserved necropolis dating to the third century BC. Then make your way to the heart of the city to visit the Paphos Archaeological Park, known for its ancient Roman villas adorned with beautifully preserved floor mosaics.
In the evening, head to the beach to take some sunset photos (or hire a photographer and get in front of the camera), before wrapping your evening up with a dinner of *mezze at the Agora Tavern.
Get active on your second day with a visit out to the nearby forest areas. Join a guide on an electric bike tour and spend the morning coasting through wooded landscapes and visiting local villages.
After lunch, return to Paphos for an afternoon cruise out to the Blue Lagoon, a beautiful swimming area that’s just a short boat ride from the shore. For an extra fun experience, choose a cruise that has a waterslide that goes straight from the boat into the waters.
On your final day in town, take a day trip up to the scenic Troodos Mountains, an area known for its beautiful villages, historic monasteries, and abundance of local products, from haloumi to a local carob toffee known as pastelli.
Head back to Paphos before nightfall, and freshen up quickly before climbing aboard a dinner cruise. Enjoy a buffet supper, live music, and a fireworks show before returning to shore.
