Paphos is divided into two parts: lower (Kato Paphos) and upper (Pano Paphos, or Ktyma). Lower Paphos stretches along the sea, the upper one is located 6 km from the sea, on a hill. From the harbor begins the main street of Paphos - Apostle Paul Street, which ends in the center of upper Pano Paphos.
The main attractions of Paphos are located in the lower city - these are two large archaeological zones: ancient Paphos with mosaics and the Royal Tombs, quarries, an amphitheater, the catacombs of Solomonia, the ruins of the early Christian basilica of Chrysopolitissa with the column of the Apostle Paul, Turkish baths, a port fortress.
In the upper city there are museums: archaeological, ethnographic, Byzantine.
Sights of Paphos on the map
It is better to start exploring Paphos with its main attraction - to which I have dedicated a separate story.
Having left the archaeological park, we still remain within the boundaries of ancient Paphos. The museum area remains behind the fence, but we cross the busy Apostle Paul Street and continue exploring the ancient city, the sights of which are already in the public domain.
Quarries
First of all, we find ourselves in the quarries (Fabrica Hill). We go down the stairs underground and find ourselves in large halls. Yes, there were no problems with the building materials here. Cut blocks and structures from limestone.
Entrance to the quarries
Cyclamen on the rocks
Rising from the quarries, we see under a canopy the remains of an antique house with a preserved fragment of mosaic floors.
Villa with mosaics
Having walked a little along the plateau, we find ourselves on the edge of a large, strong, ruined theater - the main amphitheater of ancient Paphos, built in the 4th century BC.
Ruins of the amphitheater
Catacombs of Saint Solomonia
We return to Apostle Paul Street and reach a pistachio tree hung with rags (it is located right next to the bus stop).
Tree in front of the entrance to the catacombs of Solomonia
Near this tree is the entrance to the catacombs of St. Solomonia. Her seven sons (in the Bible they are mentioned as the seven holy martyrs of the Maccabees) were tortured for their faith in front of their mother, who died after the execution of the last, youngest son. This happened in pre-Christian times, in 166 BC. They were forced to worship Zeus, but they remained faithful to the true and one God. Saint Solomonia, the seven Maccabean martyrs and their teacher Eleazar are revered by both the Orthodox and Catholic churches.
It has not been reliably confirmed that it was in these catacombs that they hid when fleeing Palestine, and that Solomonia is buried here. However, the place is considered holy and healing.
Let's go down into the catacombs. Icons hang in the cave hall.
A steep staircase leads down to an underground source - the most transparent.
Spring with healing water
I, not seeing the border of the water, (I highlighted it with my mobile phone) stepped into the water with both feet. And you are supposed to wash your eyes with this water - it is believed that water from the source heals vision.
The pistachio tree bent over this holy place also has healing powers. You need to tie a rag to it, which was previously used to cover the sore spot, and when this rag on the tree decays, health will return.
The holy places don't end there.
Basilica of Panagia Chrysopolitissa
Again we walk along the busy street of the Apostle Paul. We reach Stasandrou Street and turn left. Stasandrou Street will lead us to the remains of the Basilica of Chrysopolitissa.
All that remains of the basilica are the foundations with the remains of mosaics and two rows of columns, however, even from the little that remains one can imagine the grandeur of the structure. The church was built in the 4th century on the site of an ancient Roman forum and temple.
Now there are walkways over the remains of the basilica and the ancient forum.
In the far corner of the archaeological zone stands the small church of St. Kiriyaki, built in 1500.
What remains from the ancient temple is part of a white marble column, to which, as legend says, the Apostle Paul was tied and beaten with whips.
Column of the Apostle Paul
However, later Paul still managed to attract the Roman proconsul Sergius to his faith, and Christianity reigned on the island - already in the 40s AD.
To the left of Paul's column lie the ruins of a Gothic church (presumably Franciscan), built around 1300. Under the Turks (in the 1570s), the church was rebuilt into a mosque, but served them for just a couple of decades and was destroyed during an earthquake.
Gothic church ruins
To the left of the Gothic church there are ancient Turkish baths with interesting semicircular domes.
If, on the contrary, you go to the right from the entrance to the basilica, then the street will lead you straight to the Harbor city bus station.
The Tombs of the Kings is another archaeological site in Paphos, which is located on a limestone plateau along the sea.
It’s better to get there from the Harbor bus station by bus 615. This bus goes to Coral Bay, it runs about once every fifteen minutes and always stops near “Tombs Of The Kings”.
A ticket to this open-air museum costs 2 euros. Open daily from 8 am, in winter until 5 pm, in summer until 7:30 pm.
An hour is enough to explore the “Royal Tombs”.
The area contains numerous underground tombs from the Hellenistic and Ptolemaic periods (3rd-4th centuries BC). Called “royal” for their pomp, these are in fact the burials of local nobility, not kings.
One of the mounds
The burial complexes imitate the houses of that time. A stepped corridor (dromos) leads to the central hall (atrium).
Dromos, entrance to the underground tomb
Columns often line the perimeter of the atrium.
We go into the atrium
From the atrium one passes into the burial rooms, in the walls of which burial niches (loculi) are carved.
Funeral rooms
Burial niches - loculi
Some cells were covered with frescoes. The entrances were decorated with carvings imitating the facade of the temple.
The burials are in varying states of preservation. The path runs along the mounds, near each there is a sign with a description in Greek and English.
Houses built underground for the dead, with columns, frescoes, wells, make up an entire settlement. This city of the dead amazes with its scale.
On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, where Aphrodite once emerged from the foaming waves, lies Paphos - a small city with a big history. Here, under the hot Cypriot sun, ancient monuments and modern buildings merged together.
Thousands of tourists come every year to this paradise to find something of their own. Those who dream of the sea will be enchanted by the bays and well-maintained beaches hiding between the rocks, and those who want to touch the shrines of antiquity will be delighted by the numerous attractions of Paphos, which are worth seeing for every guest of the legendary island.
Archaeological Park
If you are looking for traces of ancient civilizations, be sure to visit the open-air museum next to the harbor in Kato Paphos. Here the ruins of ancient Roman villas coexist with the remains of Greek temples and fortifications of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. The archaeological complex includes buildings from centuries gone by - from the 2nd century to the early Middle Ages.
Opening hours: daily from 16.09. to 15.04 - from 08:30 to 17:00, from 16.04. until 15.09. - from 08:30 to 19:30. Ticket price is 4.50 euros.
As you walk among the ruins of the park, pay attention to the well-preserved mosaic masonry. During the times of Ancient Rome, the houses of wealthy citizens were decorated with unusual paintings created from thousands of tiny stone tiles, glass and pebbles of various colors. And today, dilapidated buildings of antiquity preserve magnificent floor mosaics. The most famous of them tells about the feat of Theseus, who defeated the Minotaur, the monstrous son of King Minos, in a mortal battle.
Advice for travelers: when going to the archaeological park on your own, prepare for a long walk. Seeing all the sights will take 2-3 hours. Don't forget hats, sunscreen and a couple of bottles of water.
Villas
The most valuable part of the complex's historical treasures are four dilapidated villas built in the 2nd-5th centuries. The most impressive discovery of archaeologists was the House of Dionysus. Tourists can see a 2nd century dwelling with walls destroyed by an earthquake. According to scientists, the building consisted of 40 rooms surrounding an internal atrium. The well-preserved floors are decorated with 15 mosaics covering an area of 556 m2.
In 1966, the 3rd century House of Theseus, containing 100 halls, was discovered. They are located around a courtyard and form four wings. The floor mosaics are highly artistic paintings reproducing scenes with the participation of mythological heroes. The ruins that remain of the last building - the House of Orpheus - are famous for their mosaic images of Orpheus and animals. The best preserved villa is Eon's home - here you can see the remains of the walls. Archaeological work is currently underway in the building.
Odeon Amphitheater
This park object, found in 1973, is a typical Hellenic theater, built in the 2nd century and reaching its contemporaries in almost its original form. The grandiose horseshoe-shaped structure, carved into a monolithic rock, consists of a stage with a diameter of 11 m and 12 rows of spectators (previously there were 25). Today, the architectural monument is a venue for festivals and cultural events.
Saranda Colones
The ruined bastion, also known as the Castle of Forty Columns, was built by the Byzantines in the 7th century to protect the harbor from Arab sea raids. The defensive structure consisted of two fortress walls, one of which was equipped with a gate and a drawbridge, the other surrounded the castle itself. Inside the fort there were stables, barracks, baths, a chapel, a mill, a swimming pool and outbuildings. Only broken walls, arches and towers have survived to this day.
Royal Tombs
Part of the archaeological park is also a necropolis, the history of which dates back to 300 BC. e. The tombs are located two kilometers from Kato Paphos. The name of this famous landmark has nothing to do with royalty - in the underground rooms, decorated with stucco and frescoes, rest the elite of the ancient city.
On the territory of the complex there are tombs carved into the rock of impressive size. The height of the ceilings, supported by Doric columns, reaches 5 meters. Here, in the realm of tranquility and frozen eternity, you can wander for hours, looking at the wall ornaments, graceful benches, curved niches and secret passages. The memory in the form of numerous images of crosses was left by the early Christians, who used the catacombs as a shelter from persecution.
It is convenient to get to the Royal Tombs by bus route 615, stop Tombs of the Kings Ave. Entrance to the necropolis costs 2.50 euros.
Paphos Castle
At the end of the embankment, where Apostle Paul Avenue meets the sidewalk, is one of the most popular attractions of Paphos - the medieval port fortress.
In the 7th century, the Byzantines, who lived on Cypriot lands at that time, erected a watchtower on the seashore, which was destroyed in 1222 by an earthquake. In 1391, a new fort appeared, but a sad fate awaited it - during the war with the Turks, it turned into ruins. The rectangular stone structure that appears to the eyes of contemporaries was built in the 16th century by the Ottomans.
Today, a museum exhibition is opened in the ancient castle. The basement contains former prison cells. Fans of breathtaking views and spectacular panoramic photos can climb the stone stairs to the battle platform located on the roof. A visit to the fort will cost you 1.71 euros. Address: Kato Paphos Harbour, Coastal Broadwalk.
Aphrodite's Stone
Cyprus is often called the beautiful island “where the gods go on vacation.” This is confirmed by the picturesque bay, located 25 km from Paphos next to the B6 highway leading from Limassol. According to legend, it was here that the foam-born maiden Aphrodite emerged from the depths of the sea. The most beautiful place on the coast is called Petra tou Romiou. Translated from Greek it means “Stone of Romiou”. The second name is Aphrodite's Stone. The legendary rock rises above the emerald water not far from the beach.
The romantic bay has prepared free souvenirs for its guests - sea pebbles in the shape of a heart, bringing good luck in matters of the heart. And for those who are not afraid to swim naked on a moonlit night, the goddess of love guarantees eternal beauty and youth.
Catacombs of Saint Solomonia
The underground structures, dug in the 4th century, received their name in honor of the Great Martyr Solomonia in 166 BC. e. who fled with her sons from Palestine. The persecuted family took refuge in the rocks, but were soon discovered by their pursuers. The children suffered martyrdom, and their mother died from the grief that struck her.
In the 12th century, a church was built under the arches of the grotto. The walls of the underground rooms still contain icons, frescoes and crosses carved on stones. The main attraction of the caves is the holy spring, the healing water of which was used by the first Christian settlers. At the entrance to the catacombs there is a pistachio tree. Its branches are hidden under numerous rags. They say that a person who leaves a personal item on the crown gets rid of all diseases.
Address: Apostolou Pavlou Ave. The catacombs are not exposed to sunlight, so when going on an excursion, don’t forget a flashlight.
Monastery of Saint Neophytos
One of the oldest temples in Cyprus, whose history dates back to the 12th century, is the monastery of the hermit Neophytos. At the age of 18, the young man became a novice of the Church of St. John Chrysostom, and at the age of 25 he realized his true destiny - serving God in complete solitude. In 1159, the hermit settled in the mountains, cutting out the premises of the future temple with his own hands in the rock.
Soon the monk’s followers began to settle around the schema-monk’s cell. In 1170, the Church of Neophytos became the basis of the monastery. Today, thousands of tourists and pilgrims come to this blessed place, imbued with spiritual strength and peace, dreaming of venerating the relics of the saint in the hope of healing.
The monastery is located in a beautiful location at an altitude of 412 m above sea level. Entrance to the monastery is free. Address: Agios Neofytos Ave, Tala.
Bath of Aphrodite
48 km from Paphos, near the picturesque village of Latchi, a small village surrounded by limestone cliffs hides among the trees. According to legend, on its shore the goddess Aphrodite first saw the beautiful hunter Adonis. The meeting became the beginning of an all-consuming love, and the water of the cool spring in which the lovers performed their ablutions acquired a miraculous rejuvenating effect.
Today it will not be possible to test this extraordinary property - swimming in the pond is strictly prohibited. However, hundreds of tourists come to this amazingly beautiful place to moisten their faces and hands with healing liquid and admire the pristine nature of the protected areas of the Akamas Peninsula.
Tip: if you want to take beautiful photos of a romantic bath, come here in the first half of the day - after 13:00 the thick shadow from the plants will interfere with successful photos.
Bird Park
A family holiday would not be complete without a visit to the zoo, located 15 km from Paphos. Representatives of the world's fauna harmoniously coexist on a well-groomed territory with an area of 100 thousand m2. In addition to numerous birds, reptiles and mammals live here: turtles, crocodiles, giraffes, monkeys, tigers, kangaroos and white lions.
Spacious enclosures are home to pink flamingos, exotic hornbills, ostriches, eagles, toucans, pheasants, ibises and many other winged birds. Tame peacocks stroll leisurely along the well-groomed paths, happily allowing themselves to be petted. Three times a day, the amphitheater hosts an owl and parrot show. Trained birds demonstrate not only their beauty, but also amazing talents: they ride miniature cars, dance, play ball and overcome an obstacle course.
Address: Agiou Georgiou, Peyia. The park welcomes guests daily from 09:00 to 17:00 (01.10.-31.03.) and from 09:00 to 20:00 (01.04.-30.09.). Ticket price: 16.50 euros.
Botanical Garden
Another green oasis worth seeing in Paphos is Eleouthkia Park, located 11 km from the city near Anarita Airport. This is not only a botanical garden, with a collection of 50,000 plants. The natural zone with an area of 20 thousand m2 is divided into 13 sectors representing the climatic zones of the planet.
In addition, guests are offered a recreated Cypriot settlement from two centuries ago. Everything here is real: artisans dressed in traditional costumes make wicker baskets, and potters fire ceramic pots. For those who want to taste Mediterranean cuisine and join the company of national dance performers, Eleouthkia has a tavern.
The park is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. Tourist information: Try to plan the excursion on the weekend - on these days the ticket price for adults is 5 euros, and children go free.
Today about the outskirts of Paphos, where we lived. Cyprus is a fairly small island, so if you have a car, you can make radial day trips from anywhere to anywhere in the country. The distance from Paphos even to Ayia Napa, which is located in the south-eastern corner of the island, is only a little more than 200 kilometers.
Today I will write about interesting places closest to Paphos.
Coral Bay
10 kilometers north of Paphos is the resort village of Coral Bay. It began to be developed in the early 80s. Several large development companies have begun to build hotels and other tourist infrastructure here. It turned out to be quite a separate resort village with a central street, shops, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. This place is famous for its sandy beaches. The village has two bays with beaches, around which there are hotels in a semicircle.
We went here to the beach several times. They are paid and well-equipped here, and most importantly they are sandy; in Paphos there are tensions with sandy beaches.
Along the coast north of Coral Bay there are many villas, large private houses with large grounds, usually with swimming pools.
And there are banana plantations around.
Despite the fact that bananas grow in Cyprus, in addition to small, tasty local bananas, stores sell giant bananas from Ecuador - exactly the same as in our stores.
Agios Georgios
Further west of Korl Bay there is another resort town - Agios Georgios. The settlements themselves are practically continuous, with villas standing here and there.
Agios Georgios is the last village before the protected Akamas peninsula. This is where asphalt and civilization end.
In the middle of the village stands the Church of St. George.
A picturesque place with views of the islands and coastline.
Directly below the church there is a small marina and beach.
The beach is behind a breakwater, so it is a good place for small children to swim.
If you drive further along the coast, then after 500 meters the asphalt ends. The road descends into the river valley, which, like most Cypriot rivers, dries up in the summer. There is a small tourist tavern here, and at the mouth of the river there is a very nice beach; when we were there it was almost empty.
The monumental price tag announces the prices for sun loungers and umbrellas. But we stayed here for 3 hours, and during this time the payment collector never showed up.
Southern coast of the Akamas Peninsula
The Akamas Peninsula is the largest of the least developed protected areas in southern Cyprus. It is located at the northwestern end of the island. There are not many roads leading here and these roads do not have asphalt. And there is absolutely no human habitation here. Akamas is a national park, and Cypriots deliberately do not develop this territory - they are trying to preserve a piece of the island as it was before.
Along the southern coast of the peninsula there is a fairly broken dirt road.
But at the same time, quite a lot of cars with curious tourists drive around it.
Small, very poor roads go deeper into the peninsula. Along one of them you can get to the gorge and Avakas caves, which are located in the valley of the river of the same name. We didn’t go there, it’s difficult to walk there with a baby, this is what it looks like: http://uralpanda.livejournal.com/469429.html.
In theory, the most interesting object on this road is Lara Beach. This is the place where sea turtles lay their eggs. There are only one or two such reserves left in the Mediterranean, and they are few and far between. Finding Lara Beach is quite difficult; there is no sign for it. Just 7 kilometers after the asphalt runs out, you need to check all the forks towards the sea. We planned to sunbathe and swim there, but then it turned out that you can’t use umbrellas and sunbeds on the beach, and you can’t put up tents. God bless them with sunbeds and tents, but for me and a small child it was impossible without an umbrella. But just then clouds rolled in and partially solved our problem.
There were very few people on the beach. Among others, a bronze-bodied nudist sat proudly in the corner of the beach, sticking an umbrella in the sand despite the ban.
There really were turtle clutches here. These places are fenced off with ropes. In the photo below you can see such a fence.
You can't be on the beach after sunset. In Paphos, I read in the tourist brochure that sometimes night excursions are organized to Lara Beach to look at the turtles. But now I haven’t come across any links to such events on the Internet.
Guidebooks write that the Akamas Peninsula is a wild place, where you shouldn’t go in simple cars, but it’s better to go with a tour. This is bullshit. By taking reasonable precautions such as not driving too fast on a rocky road or jumping off a cliff into the sea, nothing bad will happen to you.
Monastery of Agios Neophytos
North of Paphos is one of the main Orthodox shrines of Cyprus - the monastery of St. Neophytos. Neophytos lived in the 12th century and became famous as the author of numerous literary religious works, as well as historical chronicles. At the age of 25, he settled north of Paphos, carved three caves into the rock with his own hands and began to live as a hermit. Over time, a monastery was formed here.
The monastery is picturesquely located at the foot of the mountain. There is a lot of greenery inside.
There is a monastery in Cyprus (not far from Larnaca), which is popularly called the “cat monastery”; a huge number of cats live there. In Agios Neophytos, cats also feel good.
Empa
Empa is a nearby suburb of Paphos, located 6 kilometers north of the city. It is not a particularly remarkable settlement, but it is home to the famous and very beautiful church of Panagia Chryseleous. We got to the church by accident, wandering around looking for the turn to the Agios Neophytos monastery
Like all churches in Cyprus, it was built in a characteristic Byzantine style. But this is the original Byzantine style, and not a remake - the church was built in the 12th century. on the ruins of an early Christian basilica.
Baths of Adonis
The Baths of Adonis are one of the most popular attractions of local tourist offices. A small waterfall and lake in the vicinity of Paphos received the proud name “Adonis Bath”, and now crowds of tourists are transported here by bus.
If you remove tourists, or try to get here at some inopportune time, then the place is actually very nice, by the way, they ask for 9 euros for entry :)))
Adonis's bath looks like a tiny mountain lake, surrounded by greenery and flowers. The bottom of the lake is calcareous, so the water near the shores is a good green color. The water here, which is very pleasant after the sea, is fresh and icy; this was very important after a long road in the heat.
On the road from the highway from Paphos to Coral Bay to the baths there is a reservoir.
Peyia - Kafikas - Druseia
From Paphos to Polis you can take different roads. One of them, the shorter one, goes straight north from Paphos, and the other turns inland from Coral Bay. Here on the hill is the large village of Peyia.
That's all about the surroundings of Paphos. Stay tuned! Three more posts are planned about the trip to Cyprus.
Cyprus, like a magnet, attracts a huge number of travelers to its shores. The beauty of the island will captivate the hearts of visitors, forcing them to return here again and again. Each resort boasts its own uniqueness and originality. The city of Paphos deserves special attention, where a large number of unique attractions are concentrated. Let's take a closer look at the places that are definitely worth visiting during your stay in this wonderful city.
1. Kato Archaeological Park
This place preserves the history of time immemorial, so every admirer of antiquity will be able to please their soul with a stay in the park. I’ll say right away that you need to set aside at least a day for the excursion in order to examine the monuments without haste and enjoy the spirit of antiquity. Near the ticket office there is a tourist center where you can get all the information you need. After purchasing tickets and brochures, you can safely go to get acquainted with Nea Paphos.
- House of Dionysus
When you are inside this building, you can only imagine how pompous and luxurious it was during its operation. The house was built around the second century BC and destroyed during an earthquake in the fourth century AD. The building was discovered by chance during renovation work. It was assumed that this house at one time belonged to the Roman consul, but later his real estate was revealed. Scientists concluded that this kind of pomp was in fashion among the rich inhabitants of the island. There are forty rooms for various purposes. Each room is decorated with amazing mosaics, many of which represent the god of wine, Dionysus. That is why this house has such a name. The mosaics fascinate with their plausibility, the scenes tell about various myths. It is very interesting to see the works on the walls and floors, realizing that many centuries ago some person spent just as long looking at Narcissus admiring his reflection in the water.
- House of Theseus
The building is the largest representative of the Roman period in all of Cyprus. The house has one hundred rooms that surprise with their grandeur. Its name was chosen similarly. A mosaic with a scene depicting the moment of the defeat of the Minotaur by Theseus is located on the floor in one of the rooms. You can also see thermal baths here - ancient baths. In the main hall there is a mosaic depicting the birth of Achilles.
- House of Orpheus
The dwelling was built according to the type of the house of Dionysus, but has survived to this day worse. There are only three rooms left in which you can view ancient mosaics. One of them depicts the hero of many ancient Greek myths, Hercules, who fights the Nemean lion. The next mosaic depicts an Amazon holding the reins of a horse. The third mosaic gives the house its name and depicts Orpheus playing his lyre surrounded by forest animals.
- House of Eon
The architectural composition is completed by the dwelling of Eon. This building is the smallest among all, but the mosaics are not inferior in beauty to those listed above. Various scenes of ancient mythology are depicted here, and the authors masterfully managed to convey facial expressions and their volume.
2. Odeon
The ancient amphitheater, which was built in the second century BC, is located on the territory of the Kato Museum. The structure has been well preserved to this day and is located near the house of Dionysus. Of course, the earthquake slightly destroyed part of the building, but much of it was restored. In the summer, various festivals and performances are held here. If you climb the steps, you can find yourself at the top of the hill, which is decorated with a lighthouse. There are magnificent landscapes here, so I advise you to take your camera with you.
3. Tombs of the Kings
The necropolis is located in the west of Paphos. A visit to this place evokes mixed feelings - you experience both delight and horror at the same time. Majestic tombs in which noble people were buried were carved right into the rock. It’s clear that everything has long been looted, but the looters failed to take away the atmosphere of grandeur. Looking at the architecture, the thought of the well-being and sophisticated life of the ancestors of the islanders easily arises. I advise people who are interested in such things to visit the tombs. For those who do not see much sense in this, there will clearly be nothing to do here. Therefore, it is better to spend time on more interesting entertainment.
4. Temple of Aphrodite
Much on the island is connected with the name of this ancient Greek goddess. What can we say about Paphos, which is considered the birthplace of Aphrodite. It was not far from the city that she was born from the foam of the sea, becoming the patroness of all lovers. In ancient times, this goddess was highly revered and treated with great respect. Proof of this is the large number of attractions on the island, one of which is the Temple of Aphrodite. In those distant times of worship of the gods, people built truly monumental structures in order to appease them and earn blessings. One can only imagine what a beautiful building there was on the site of the current ruins. In the temple, the symbol of the goddess was a conical stone that stood in the central part of the sanctuary. Aphrodite herself was not depicted, as they were afraid of her anger if the sculpture was not beautiful enough.
5. Monastery of Saint Neophytos
The monastery is located in the mountains ten kilometers from Paphos. Every Cypriot knows the history of its origin. Saint Neophytos was born and raised in Cyprus, in a family of believers. He had a large family, so his parents did not have the opportunity to teach their children to read and write. When Neophytos turned seventeen, he was betrothed to a girl, but six months later he decided to go to the monastery of St. Ioannis Chrysostomas. His parents were against this decision, but the young man managed to convince them of the correctness of his decision. He took monastic vows and began helping in the monastery, while learning to read and write. Science was easy for him, and after a few years he began reading psalms in church. Neophyte managed to visit the Holy Land, where he stayed for about six months. When he returned, he climbed the mountains and with his own hands built a cell for himself, in which he prayed tirelessly. Gradually he began to build a church around the cell, and for 11 years he was a recluse. His fame spread throughout the island, and followers appeared. A monastery was erected near the church, in which the relics of St. Neophytos are kept.
In 2 days we filmed and created a small guide about what to see and where to go in Paphos (other videos about holidays in Cyprus can be viewed on our YouTube channel).
Video about the sights of Paphos
Sights of Paphos on the map
To make it easier to navigate and understand where everything is, we have placed photos with the main objects and attractions on the map of Paphos (the map enlarges when you click the mouse):
Map of central Paphos
Map of northwestern Paphos
This attraction is a kind of symbol of Paphos, appears on most souvenirs and is considered a must-see. In fact, this building is not distinguished by any architectural delights.
In general, this castle has a rather difficult fate. If you believe historians, then the first half of the thirteenth century can be considered the foundation of the castle, after which at different times they tried to besiege it (though not unsuccessfully), then it was partially dismantled, then restored... Now we see the castle, which was restored by the Turks in the sixteenth century.
At all times, the castle had either a defensive or service function. So the Turks had a prison in it, and the British generally stored salt in it.
Cost: 2.5 euros per adult and 1.5 euros reduced (children/seniors).
Near the castle there is a sculpture of a recumbent woman. Perhaps this is a symbol of salvation. There is a QR code on the stone that allows you to find out the history of the creation of the sculpture.
These are the cute boats you can find in Cyprus
Next to the castle there is a long promenade with a large number of cafes and restaurants.
The beginning of the central promenade of Paphos from the side of the castle
And this is a landmark of the Paphos embankment - a live pelican. Every day he walks near fish restaurants. Allows you to take photos with you
Among the attractions near the castle, if you walk literally a hundred meters to the bus stop, there is the entrance to the Archaeological Park, which is also a must-see.
Paphos Archaeological Park
This park is located in the open air, so it is optimal to choose a not very hot day to visit it, because... You can find shade in the park, but there is very little of it. You need to either go into the building, which is located near the entrance (the House of Eon is indicated on the map), or hide in the pavilions, which can be quite hot.
Cost: entrance to the park costs 4.5 euros per adult. There are benefits for children and pensioners.
Entrance to the archaeological park in Paphos
Opening hours of the Paphos Archaeological Park (open seven days a week, all year round)
By the way, regarding the map, you can ask at the entrance to be given a map in Russian. You can even say “Russian” - they rarely say “Russia” themselves. Although, it is not very informative.
This is what a map of the archaeological park looks like (the objects are placed on the map rather arbitrarily)
The first objects to be examined are in this building (here you can also watch a film in English about how the excavations were carried out)
And these are actually the objects themselves - the tools of archaeologists
The photo shows the Odeon (marked as number 8 on the map, not to be confused with the theater marked as number 5).
The park is rich in various ruins left over from the houses of wealthy citizens and officials. All of them were destroyed as a result of earthquakes, but numerous mosaics from that time survived and can be viewed. Each is provided with detailed descriptions in English. Here are just a few mosaics that we thought were nice.
Ruins, remains of ancient houses
Mosaics in Paphos Archaeological Park
A plaque describing the previous mosaic
The houses are named after the ancient Greek gods. Naturally, completely different people lived in these houses :)
There is a lighthouse on the territory of the park, which was built in the second half of the 19th century by the British. The interesting thing is that the lighthouse is still operational. Therefore, it will not be possible to climb it. The staircase that goes in a circle rises halfway and ends with a locked door. But you can also take beautiful shots from there.
Active lighthouse
In principle, I don’t see much point in describing all the attractions of the park within the framework of this article - it won’t be interesting to look at. Let me just say that we really wanted to find the large theater, which is indicated on the map under the number 5 - apparently it was not spared by the earthquakes at all, and we also had difficulty finding the Basilica of Chrysopolitissa and the Church of St. Kyriakios, as well as the castle "Forty Columns" (this attraction is also can often be found on various Paphos souvenir products).
Below are a few more photos from the archaeological park and move on.
Castle "Forty Columns"
The archaeological park borders the sea, but you cannot enter the park from the sea; there is a high fence everywhere. There is only one entrance and exit to the park (from the house in the photo above)
Odeon
Catacombs of St. Lambrianos (if you like to climb such places, we recommend visiting the Royal Tombs, we will talk about them below).
Inside the catacombs
If you leave the park and follow the path from the sea that leads up towards the large shopping center, you can visit the catacombs of Solomonia.
To get your bearings, you need to walk past the large parking lot, past the Kato Paphos bus station, then turn left and walk about two hundred meters along the roadway on the sidewalk.
The history of this place is sad: the catacombs got their name in honor of the Great Martyr Solomonia, whose relics are still kept in one of the grottoes of the hill. According to legend, Solomonia fled Palestine with her sons and hid in these parts. But they were found, their sons were killed, and Solomonia lived for some time, spending all her time in prayer over the bodies of her children.
In principle, there is nothing particularly interesting there, and in some places in the catacombs they even set up a “spontaneous” public toilet, but there is some kind of prayer room with an Orthodox iconostasis. Near the entrance to the catacombs there is a wishing tree. You can tie a piece of fabric on it and make a wish related to health.
Cost: entry to the catacombs is free.
Wish tree
Strings are hung everywhere, even on the fence, ceiling and walls of the catacombs
Despite the seeming abandonment of this attraction, in some places there are trash cans from which garbage is regularly taken out. So it’s still a little, but they are watching.
In November 2017, a rope installation was installed in the catacombs.
The first time we visited this attraction was under the cover of darkness - we walked along the route from our apartment to the supermarket. It’s better not to go there at night without a flashlight, but walking with a flashlight is quite comfortable.
A cleaner and more civilized part of the catacombs
Rope installation in the catacombs
Royal Tombs
For some reason, this attraction is called the Tomb of Kings or Tsars, although there were no traces of any kings/tsars there. Prosperous townspeople were simply buried there... this is such a “ruble”, only for dead Cypriots.
This attraction is located 3 km from the center of Paphos, there is free large parking. It is more convenient to get there by car.
There are several tombs in the complex. All of them are underground and carved into the rock, which by this very fact makes them elite. Well, the beautiful interior decoration, of course, shows that these are not ordinary people buried here.
But, despite the fact that the buildings are all underground - make no mistake, you can only move between them on top, so if the day is hellish, you will have to move between the tombs in small dashes, because Nothing taller than grass grows on the territory of the complex. And the territory is decent in size.
Unlike the houses in the Archaeological Park, the graves are romantically named by serial numbers.
Entrance fee: 2.5 euros
Entrance to the necropolis
We arrived here right after it rained, so some of the tombs were flooded
Necropolis territory
There are a lot of tombs
Unlike the archaeological park, from the royal tombs you can access the sea and neighboring wild beaches
Turtle Beach
A wild beach, so called because turtles lay their eggs there. Moreover, this beach is also a nature reserve, because... In addition to turtles, state-protected crabs live here.
According to some reports, turtles were last seen here quite a long time ago. You can determine whether there are masonry by the presence of white metal structures that mark the masonry and protect it from tourists.
The road to the beach is dirt, strewn with rubble and quite bumpy, but you can drive slowly, and not necessarily in an SUV - we drove in our rented mini car.
Road to Turtle Beach
The color of the sand here is more red with a red tint.
Next to the turtle beach there is another attraction - Avakas Gorge.
Avakas Gorge
If you are going to Turtle Beach, we also recommend visiting Avakas Gorge. The only thing is that there is a small river flowing along the gorge, which, nevertheless, can be fraught with a very serious danger if it starts to rain. Therefore, it is recommended to visit the gorge in dry, sunny weather.
For about 3 kilometers you can walk through the gorge quite comfortably. You can go further, but this is not for everybody, because... Then the trail becomes completely wild.
The famous hanging stone in the gorge
The gorge is one of the official attractions, so it is maintained in proper condition, but remember about the weather conditions - mountains do not forgive mistakes.
Aphrodite's Baths and Botanical Garden
This is a very beautiful place, which is reached by a good smooth road, there is a good parking lot, a cafe and a beach nearby. Entrance to the botanical garden is free. We were not very lucky, because... While we were parking, a bus arrived with German pensioners who also wanted to see the baths of Aphrodite. We, of course, overtook this organized crowd along a narrow path, because... their cruising speed did not exceed 3 km/h, but we didn’t have time to take a lot of photographs, so we went for a walk in the botanical garden, and then came back again.
In the botanical garden there is something like an “ecological path” (Nature Path), although it looks more like a good health path. It consists of ascents and descents along a rocky path, so it’s not particularly comfortable in slippers and flip-flops, but if you bring sneakers with you, you’ll be fine.
The views from the top are simply incomparable. The whole of Polis (Paphos region) is at your fingertips!
The bath itself is a small lake, hidden in the shade of greenery. The water in it is very cold. That's probably why he looks younger. You should not drink this water, and there is a corresponding warning about this.
It makes sense to go there early in the morning, before it’s too hot, and on the way back you can stop at very beautiful sandy beaches and swim. We were deprived of this opportunity in November, the sea was very cold, so we just stopped by for a walk and take pictures.
Entry cost: free.
Bath of Aphrodite
A stream flowing from the bathhouse
Next to the bathhouse there is a large botanical garden with a health path
Photo spot next to the trash can (but the views are beautiful)
Park map
Paths in the park
View of Paphos
Statue of a Boy with a Fish
The statue is located on the central promenade of Paphos. This statue symbolizes the marine fishery of Cyprus, which is the main industry and blah blah blah, or maybe this is a statue of a boy who was saved by a fish... or he saved a fish... In general, I think the guides will come up with some kind of legend for this statue, but for now this just a statue that means nothing.
Although, there are some abrasions on it, so perhaps they have already come up with something. This is something like how in Moscow at the Ploshchad Revolutsii metro station there are statues with which people unanimously rub someone’s nose, someone an egg (chicken), someone a gun - everything has its own sign. Or maybe in the case of the boy, it was sanded down by sea water or touched by tourists in search of a memorable shot. :))
We are waiting for your comments on this attraction in the comments!
Bath of Adonis
This is a rather beautiful museum, organized in a picturesque corner of Cyprus. Yes, this is a remake, albeit a very high-quality remake. You need to go to the bathhouse by car or as part of an excursion by bus. Even at the entrances to the bathhouse you will see Aphrodite, and at the entrance you will be greeted by Zeus himself. A statue, of course. There will also be a small cafe where you can have a snack or just drink coffee from the road.
Unlike the Baths of Aphrodite, you can definitely swim here.
The place is beautiful, but there are two fly in the ointment - it is a very bad, long, but passable dirt road, even for small cars, and a fairly high entrance price (more on this below).
Cost: entrance to the park costs 9 euros per person.
Entrance to the bathhouse
Be aware that the statues in the park are quite explicit, so think twice before bringing children along.
Zoo
This attraction is famous as well as "Birds and Animals Park". Because that's what it was called before. Founded by Christos Christopher initially as a private collection of birds. But literally 18 years ago, in 2000, the thought came to him about opening a bird park, and it became so, just three years later. In the process, some more living creatures began to appear in this park, so the park began to be called the Park of Birds and Animals. Now it's a zoo. Official and largest on the island of Cyprus. The entrance price to it, however, is also the largest. True, it includes a bird show, which takes place according to the following schedule:
- From November to March = 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
- From April – October (except August) = 12:00, 14:30, 17:00.
- In August = 12:00, 14:30, 18:00.
Entrance fee: 16.50 euros per adult and 8.50 euros for a child ticket.
In our opinion - a little expensive.
Zoo map
Bird performance
Aquapark
Water park Aphrodite is the third largest water park, where a small area (only 35,000 square meters) accommodates as many as 23 attractions.
It’s interesting that 15 of them are quite extreme, and it’s especially nice that in this water park, even during the season, there are no abnormal queues. So lovers of water activities should definitely visit this water park.
Well, it also falls into the category of attractions, because... named, like many things in Cyprus, in honor of the goddess Aphrodite.
Cost: 30 euros per adult (47 for a two-day pass) and 17 euros for a child ticket for a child from three to twelve years old (28 euros for a two-day pass).
Beach with Aphrodite's stone
This is one of the tourist attractions covered in legends. One of the legends says that it was here that the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite emerged from the foam of the sea. And the stone of Aphrodite, also called the rock of Aphrodite, is the stone with which the enemy ship was sunk... And it was thrown by the mighty Byzantine warrior Digenis Akritus.
According to legend, if you swim and touch this stone, you can be greatly rejuvenated. The place is beautiful and picturesque, but the water is very cold, so legends are legends, but common sense should be above all. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to go swimming, because... if your leg cramps in cold water, there may be eternal memory instead of eternal youth.
By the way, the island of Cyprus itself is named after Aphrodite, one of whose names was Cypris.
Aphrodite beach in summer
Excursions in Paphos
From Paphos you can go on a large number of excursions around the island. Here is a small list of interesting excursions from Paphos:
Video about Paphos in winter
In this video we show what Aphrodite beach looks like, walk through the center of Paphos and go to Avakas Gorge.
How to fly with Pobeda Airlines: baggage and hand luggage allowances in 2019
All the rules of Pobeda Airlines for 2019, which you need to know in order not to overpay and fly comfortably without hassle. We'll tell you what the current requirements for luggage and hand luggage are for 2019, how to buy Pobeda tickets without overpaying, what you need to know about transporting liquids and oversized luggage.