Best Things To Do In Paphos, Cyprus

I recently spent four days in Cyprus on a press trip and was lucky enough to experience some of the best things to do in Paphos and the surrounding areas.

If you’re planning a holiday there and are wondering what to do in Paphos besides chill at your hotel, my guide to the sunny coastal city will lead you to some of the most interesting off-the-beaten-path attractions, cultural sights and adventurous activities in Paphos.

Oh, and one uber cool Instagram-friendly spot for sundowners in Paphos, because it’s me you’re dealing with, and I value a strong cocktail and a good view more than I probably should. We all have our weaknesses, right?

I have to admit that I (ignorantly) didn’t expect to find much to do in Paphos beyond its sprawling hotel resorts, but was pleasantly surprised to find that the 2017 European Capital of Culture – while perfect for a relaxing holiday – also offers curious travellers a plethora of exciting local experiences. 

Plus, there’s halloumi. What more reason do you need to visit Cyprus than for the cheese?

I hope you find my Paphos travel guide helpful!

Best Things To Do In Paphos

If you’re going on holiday to Cyprus and want to know what to do in Paphos aside from staying on your sun lounger, this guide has you covered. I’ve compiled the main points of interest in Paphos as well as Paphos tours, excursions and top places to go.

1. Ride into the sunset in Pegeia

If you’re staying in or near Pegeia, a town in Paphos, get yourself down to George’s Ranch in the late afternoon. Tourists can go for a sunset hack along the coast, which is the perfect way to end a day otherwise spent lounging at the pool.

Even with zero horseback experience, I absolutely loved our ride. Read my full post about horse riding in Cyprus for more information.

2. Have cocktails and dinner at Cap St George’s, Pegeia

For those celebrating a special occasion in Paphos or perhaps indulging in a luxury getaway, Cap St George Beach Club Resort offers all the glitz and glamour you could ever hope for.

This stylish resort serves mouthwatering seafood in a swanky setting – and it’s the best spot for sundowners in Paphos. Go for dinner, cocktails or both – and be sure to get some shots for the ‘gram.

There was a small wedding taking place during our visit and we were allowed to peek into some of the gorgeous accommodation there. The entire resort is just so chic!

This place is now my sole motivation to get rich or die trying’. I had to resist the urge to sneak off and hide in an empty suite at the end of our meal there.

3. Get your zen on in the wilderness

Nestled in the Sarama Valley near Simou, Paphos; Yurts in Cyprus is the place to go if your soul is craving a digital detox. You can stay in one of their quaint Mongolian yurts for the full eco B&B experience – but if you don’t fancy going completely off the grid, why not try a yoga session there?

I experienced a ‘Forrest Yoga’ session on a platform overlooking the breathtaking valley below. It was a wonderfully serene experience, and I’d love to go back and stay one day!

The venue also hosts events now and then – Sandi Thom (I Wish I Was A Punkrocker singer) was performing the night after my visit. Gutted I missed that.

4. See Kato Paphos Mosaics

History buffs will love the well-preserved mosaics at Kato Paphos, an archeological site that dates back to the 3rd century AD. It’s one of the main points of interest in Paphos. The site is still being excavated and it’s startling to imagine how much more it still has to reveal.

This archeological treasure trove was only found accidentally by a farmer as he worked on his own property in the 1960s – what a find!

Entrance only costs 4.50 Euros and you could easily spend a whole day exploring the vast site, getting lost in the Greek stories depicted in the mosaics. We went in the midday heat, which I’d recommend avoiding.

5. Stroll along Paphos Harbour

It’s also worth walking along Paphos Harbour while you’re in the area as it’s a popular place to visit in Paphos for tourists and locals alike.

The harbour dotted with bars and restaurants and Paphos Castle sits at its entrance. You can visit the castle for a small fee or just watch the local fishermen work. After dark, the restaurants are filled with throngs of tourists.

6. Take a cooking class in Lysos

I certainly didn’t expect to come back from Cyprus a few pounds heavier, but every bite was worth it. I even got to learn how to cook some of the local dishes and found out that Cypriot food doesn’t quite begin and end with halloumi!

If you’re looking for things to do when it rains in Cyprus, why not book a cooking class?

At Paradisos Hills in Lysos, I took a cooking class with Nikki, the lovely owner. She taught us to make comforting moussaka, stuffed veggies, homemade halloumi-stuffed bread, village salad and Kleftiko, which is a classic but simple lamb dish.

Once everything was ready, we tucked into our feast on the hotel’s terrace with panoramic views of the dramatic Paphos forest around us. Nikki even gave us copies of the recipes to take away – can you think of a better souvenir than a local recipe which you can replicate at home?

7. See Aphrodite’s Rock

This famous sea stack is one of the most popular must-see attractions in Paphos so it’s an essential stop while sightseeing. My guide told me she’d overheard a Greek lady telling her friend on the phone, “The Cypriots are taking advantage of every rock!” and I guess she’s right. Good on ’em, I say.

Petra tou Romiou is no ordinary sea stack though – it’s dripping in Greek mythology. It’s located off the shore along the main road from Paphos to Limassol and legend has it, its the birthplace of Aphrodite.

From what I can gather, Mother Earth told her son to mutilate his old man (Uranus), so he cut his dad’s balls off and threw them into the sea. It got all foamy, and Aphrodite appeared. What a tale, eh?!

The beach is beautiful but it’s best not to swim here. If you’re just passing by, the viewpoint from the main road has stunning vistas. Or why not make a day of it and book a 4×4 safari tour to Aphrodite’s Rock?

8. Paraglide over the landscape

Okay, I didn’t pluck up the courage, but I did watch some brave paragliders take off from the coastal road and felt very jealous! It was a windy day but it still took them a few attempts to get going, which was quite funny to watch.

Could you do it?

More tours and activities in Paphos

If you’re looking for more outdoor activities or fun things to do in Paphos, I’ve selected a few of the best book-ahead options below.

Best day trips and excursions from Paphos

My favourite day trip from Paphos was the day we spent in the mountains. Check out my guide to Cyprus’ Troodos Mountains for more information.

Where to stay in Paphos

I was lucky enough to experience some of the best places to stay in Paphos during my trip, the first of which was Constantinou Bros Pioneer Beach Hotel, a four star deluxe all-inclusive hotel on the beachfront in Kato Paphos.

It’s just a 15 minute drive from the airport, so it’s perfect for people who hate the thought of long transfers after their flight. I stayed in a massive fourth floor suite which had a huge balcony complete with a sun lounger the size of a large single bed.

The hotel spa was a dream – strongly recommend booking a massage to get into vaycay mode on your first day.

Coral Beach Hotel is also rather special. I loved the design of the resort because it embraces typical Cypriot styles. My balcony wasn’t so much a balcony but a private patio, which was very exciting! They also have Studio Suites with pools. Fancy.

If you’re looking to splash out on a high-end hotel in Paphos, Cap St Georges is undoubtedly the best you can get. It’s so sleek and my dinner there has made me want to go back and check in one day. I didn’t realise there was such luxury to be found in Cyprus.

Travellers who prefer secluded hotels for absolute tranquility will love Paradisos Hills. Say hello to Nikki for me!

Those looking for a unique experience in Paphos should definitely book a few nights at the Yurts in Cyprus. They’re dog friendly, super eco-friendly and very chilled.

Search for all hotels in Paphos on Booking.com

Booking.com

Essential Information for your holiday in Cyprus

If you’re looking for a cheap holiday to Paphos, I did a bit of digging and found some great deals on TravelSupermarket, Lastminute.com and OnTheBeach. It’s definitely worth shopping around!

If (when) I return, I’d definitely hire a car to explore the island. We did this on our last day and zooming along the scenic coastal roads was such a lovely, free feeling! Oh, and Cypriots drive on the same side as the UK, so it’s easy peasy for us Brits.

Compare prices from all major car hire companies with Skyscanner

Book a private airport transfer

Use my Travel Resources page to save money on your Cyprus holiday

The Lonely Planet Cyprus guide has lots of good recommendations for the best places to see, eat and stay in Cyprus, if you’re planning to explore the whole island.

I have more Cyprus posts coming soon so sign up to receive new post alerts by email if you’re interested in reading those.

I hope this gives you some great ideas for what to do in Paphos, and where to go! The city is a fantastic holiday destination all year round and far exceeded my expectations. Go for the sunshine, the culture, or the halloumi. Just go.

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I was a guest of Visit Cyprus but views are my own.

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