Fall in love with Cyprus and Paphos; birthplace of Aphrodite
The Paphos region is at the southwestern end of Cyprus and has long been a favourite holiday destination for many visitors to the island. It’s impossible to resist those glorious beaches, crystal clear Mediterranean seas, fabulous climate and friendly locals. There is further and unique appeal in that Paphos is the mythical birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, an EU Capital of Culture and a UNESCO world heritage site. Visitors can sunbathe on a choice of beaches, wander around the harbour, or delve into the ancient tombs, fortresses and villas of Paphos Archaeological Park. The city of Paphos has a truly universal appeal.
A thumbnail sketch of Paphos; ancient and modern
When compared to other Cyprus resorts such as Ayia Napa, Paphos benefits from not being so blatantly developed. It has, however, bucket loads of olde-worlde charm and a genuine relaxed quality. There are, also, all the facilities expected from a major resort. Hotels range from five-star luxury to budget rated. There are also plenty of B&Bs, hostels and apartments; so there is accommodation in Paphos to suit everyone. The city is built on a hill and consists of two layers. Kato Paphos, or New Paphos, is the top section and this is where you’ll find sassy shops, boutiques, bars and restaurants. Going downhill, but uphill in the estimation of many, is Palaepaphos; Old Paphos. The old harbour, tavernas, mosaics of Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings are in this area. In addition to local beaches, the Paphos region has nearly 30 beaches with more than a dozen of these achieving Blue Flag status. Whether you prefer ancient ruins or sunbathing, Paphos offers delightful choices.
Fancy a snowball fight during your Paphos holiday?
A great way to see the city of Paphos is to purchase a 24-hour ticket for the Hop-On, Hop Off bus tour. There are many other tours though that will take you further afield to other parts of Cyprus. Some will even conveniently collect you from your Paphos hotel. Famagusta, to the east of the island, is a fascinating emblem of the troubles of the mid-1900s. Boat trips from Paphos are always appealing, particularly those that take in Aphrodite Baths and the Blue Lagoon, part of Paphos Nature Reserve. Can the sands get any whiter, or the sea any clearer and bluer than this? The Troodos Mountains shouldn’t be missed either, but maybe take some warmer clothing with you. At certain times of the year, early morning sunbathing in Paphos gives way to icy roads and snowdrifts as the tour coach struggles along its journey. The snow-capped mountain views, though, are sensational and form another unforgettable memory … of this sun-kissed and sometimes snow-capped island of Cyprus.
Paphos cuisine is the food of the gods
Some hotels in Paphos offer a small taste of Cyprus as part of their menus; but really you need to venture out into the restaurants, bars and tavernas to appreciate local dishes to their best advantage. Meze means small dishes and is similar to the Spanish tapas. Calamari is known the world over but somehow tastes better and fresher, here in Cyprus. Main dishes include the pork-based Afelia ; beef stew Stifado and the Sheftalia sausage. If you’ve got a sweet-tooth, you’ll love the desserts served in Paphos restaurants. Nuts, honey and fruit are common ingredients in puds such as Soutzoukos, Glyko, Finikia, Loukoumi and many more. Drinks complete most meals in Paphos and there are local specialities in this category too. Frappe is a delicious iced coffee drink and Ouzo is popular throughout Greece and beyond. Commandaria is a traditional wine, Zivania will … knock your socks off … and KEO is a popular beer. There’ll certainly be cheers all-round when you experience authentic dining and wining, Paphos-style.
There’s always something happening in the Paphos region
In this Paphos region, every single day is special. There are, though, events throughout the year that are planned to create additional highlights. The year begins energetically with the Cyprus Marathon and during June, the Choir Festival is a popular feature. Then, there’s food and drink at the Arkadia Festival in August. Opera performances during September form part of Paphos Aphrodite Festival - and it’s difficult to imagine a more idyllic setting than this. During the same month, there is the Paradise Jazz Festival and in the village of Stroumbi, the Dionysia Festival bids a final farewell to the summer. There’s always something happening in the Paphos region and hotels here really go to town during the Christmas and New Year periods. Whenever you visit Paphos, you are bound to leave with everlasting memories of a great climate, incredible scenery, friendly people, wonderful food and lots of fun … surely, all that is required of a perfect holiday.