Paphos
Region: South Cyprus
A whole town on the World Heritage list: Roman mosaics, rock-cut royal tombs, a harbour fort and the rock where Aphrodite rose from the sea.
Paphos, on the west coast, was the capital of Cyprus in Roman times, and the town and its ancient sites are on UNESCO's World Heritage list. It is compact and easy to walk, with the harbour at one end and most of the archaeology a short stroll away.
The mosaics and the tombs
The Paphos Archaeological Park holds the floors of Roman villas, including the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, with some of the finest mosaics in the Mediterranean, as well as an odeon and the remains of a lighthouse. North of the harbour, the Tombs of the Kings are underground tombs cut from the rock in the 4th century BC, some with Doric columns around open courtyards.
The harbour
Paphos harbour is guarded by a small medieval fort and lined with fish restaurants and boats leaving for coastal trips. Walk the seafront path at sunset towards the lighthouse.
Aphrodite's Rock and Akamas
East along the coast, Petra tou Romiou is the sea stack where, by legend, Aphrodite was born from the foam. North of the town, the Akamas peninsula is a protected wild coast of gorges, sea turtles and clear water; walk the Avakas Gorge or take a boat to the Blue Lagoon from Latchi.
