Beautiful countryside, a cosmopolitan resort, historic sites as well as sporting activities, the Paphos Region has something for everyone at any time of the year.
Whether you are a sunseeker, an explorer or someone looking for relaxing holiday with great scenery, there are so many reasons to visit this beautiful part of Cyprus.
Paphos is one of the most important centres of ancient civilisation in the Mediterranean. The whole town of Paphos, which was the ancient capital of Cyprus, is included in the official UNESCO World Heritage list.
Ancient temples, rock-cut tombs and Roman villas with elaborate mosaic floors all reflect the highly sophisticated societies which inhabited Paphos in the past. With a history dating back more than eight thousand years, the town offers a wealth of treasures to the visitor.
From the Stone Age, through Hellenistic and Roman times to the Byzantine era, many of Paphos town ancient monuments are included in UNESCO’s Global Heritage List.
See the stone column in Paphos where, legend has it, Paul was flogged in AD 45 before converting the Roman governor. Byzantine art survived and flourished here, as the island escaped the iconoclastic decrees of Byzantium. Marvel at the vivid wall paintings in the apses of many medieval churches and admire many beautiful religious artefacts. Paphos is not just a region it represents the glory of Christianity.
With 27 beaches in the district open to the public, and 16 beaches boasting the Blue Flag award for high environmental and quality standards, Paphos is ideal for swimming, diving and snorkelling all year round.
Whether you’re looking for a sunny beach getaway or a cross-country road trip, in Paphos you can find everything you need to plan one the best ever holidays for your family, and the hospitality of the locals will make you feel especially welcome.
Paphos region is the perfect place for diving with its warm and clear sea. With warm waters that range from 16-27 degrees almost all-year-round, the island enjoys one of the longest diving seasons in the Mediterranean, further enhanced by fantastic visibility – thanks to an absence of plankton. An ideal place for training due to lack of undersea currents and close proximity to all dive sites.
The weather in the region plays a huge part in allowing visitors and locals alike to venture all year round onto nature trails and tracks ideal for keen walkers and trekking groups. The area is an unspoiled paradise for bird watchers, with a bird list of 378 species including the francolin, kestrel, Cyprus red-footed falcon, the protected Griffon vulture, even great spotted cuckoos. Some visitors also catch sight of the richly coloured kingfisher.
If you’re a nature lover, or into photography or painting, the Akamas peninsula will enchant you. With its rugged coastline, alternating between rocky shores, promontories and sandy bays, it is an area of breath-taking beauty exuding an aura of ancient peacefulness, while inland there are picturesque little villages nestling in the hills.
Year-round sunshine is a great reason to indulge in a favourite outdoor sport or for the family to take up a new challenge. Paphos offers facilities for all ages, from football and golf to water sports, horse riding, cycling, bowls, tennis and hiking.
Professional athletes train here during the winter months but many visitors come simply to have fun in the sun, whether it be canoeing, scuba diving, sailing, fishing or mountain biking. There is, literally, something for everyone.
For lovers of beauty and the tranquillity of nature, the Paphos region offers a unique experience: the chance to stay in old-style village houses (“Agrotourism”). Mostly constructed from wood and stone, their traditional interiors give an insight into bygone days while the cosy atmosphere is often enhanced by modern touches that ensure every comfort. For the more adventurous visitor, camping sites are the ideal option.
Paphos combines ideal weather conditions and a choice of diverse accommodation and catering facilities that operate all year round. It offers beautiful countryside, picturesque villages, historical sites, cultural activities, Byzantine treasures, natural wilderness and much more.
Cypriot culture remains strong in Pafos, and many traditions have been handed down through the ages. Discover remote villages where customs have been kept alive and age-old crafts, such as lace-making, basket-weaving and pottery have been passed on for generations.
Pafos, with an age-old reputation for service and diversity is an ideal place for conferences and incentives.
Indeed, Paphos is the perfect choice when considering a conference or a company incentive package. It offers an abundance of hotels with state-of-the-art equipment and convivial conference areas, as well as highly-trained, efficient and friendly staff able to welcome and accommodate both large and small groups for mini-seminars or full-scale conferences with over a thousand attendees.
“Well met in Cyprus”. Othello’s words in Shakespeare’s play still ring true today, as the island continues to attract visitors whose sole purpose is to get together.
