View of the Mediterranean from the Almyra Beach Resort in Paphos, Cyprus
If you're looking for holiday that combines sandy beaches and turquoise blue seas with interesting historical and archaeological treasures and plenty of night life you may want to consider Paphos for your next vacation. Paphos is located in the South West of the beautiful island of Cyprus which has a long, fascinating history. Paphos is closely associated with the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite, who was said to have been born of the ocean foam close by. Paphos is so rich in archaeological treasures and historical interest that it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Paphos itself is made up of two districts, the town itself called Kato Paphos and the beach and hotel area called Pano Paphos. Pano Paphos has a famous promenade running alongside the beach, very popular with both holidaymakers and locals as a place to stroll on a warm summer's evening. There are a wealth of places to visit including The District Archaeological Museum where you can see antiquities found in the surrounding area, Byzantine Museum and the ancient Odeon Theatre.
The Tomb of the Kings
The remains of the Roman market place (the Agora) is another interesting site and you can also see a building that was dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of healing and medicine. It is from the snake entwined staff of Asclepius that the modern symbol for medicine is derived.
Visit the ruins of a Roman villa to see the famous, remarkably preserved floor mosaics from around the fourth century, depicting beautiful mythological scenes. Underground catacombs, used by the early Christians, and the extensive Tomb of the Kings are also fascinating to visit. The Tomb of the Kings, named for its wealth of decoration not its occupants, features below ground Doric columns and wall friezes.
Venturing further from Paphos into the surrounding hills you will come across a quieter way of life unchanged for centuries where crafts are still pursued as they were in the past. Silver smithing, weaving and lace making are all still pursued here and you can buy exquisite examples to take home as a souvenir.
Paphos Castle
The most famous myth involving Paphos recounts the story of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite's birth in the ocean close by. She was born of the ocean foam and carried to the land on a scallop shell, gently blown by the breezes of the Zephyrs until she came to land at the rock known as Petra tou Romiou. You will see the image of Aphrodite all over Paphos!
The climate in Paphos is pleasant throughout the year with warm summers, with low humidity and mild winters. Paphos enjoys at least 340 days of sunshine a year. It is also close to mountains which have a cooler climate and which are usually snow topped in the winter months. A popular activity in the winter is cycling or walking in the mountains.
Acknowledgments
Tomb of the Kings by johnthurm
Castle of Paphos by Iacovos Constantinou
View of the Mediterranean by conceptDawg
