Paphos
From Wikitravel
Paphos (Πάφος, also Pafos) is a small town at the southwestern tip of Cyprus, between the coast and the Troodos Mountains.
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Understand
Paphos is renowned as the birthplace of Greek goddess Aphrodite. Modern-day Paphos is divided in two, with the upper section up the hill being the commercial center, and lower Kato Paphos containing the main archaeological points of interest, as well as most hotels and tavernas.
Get in
The small Paphos International Airport (PFO) serves mostly charter flights. This can be one busy airport, particularly on Wednesdays, it's small and with 6 or 7 flights taking off at the same time, it's murder. A highway connects to Limassol (68 km) and from there onward to the rest of southern Cyprus, and dolmus shared taxis (£3-4) run reasonably often.
Get around
Paphos is small enough to navigate on foot, although it can get very hot (42 deg C and 95% Humidity) in the summer.
See
- Paphos Archaeological Park houses a number of attractions, including the House of Dionysos and the House of Theseus, both ruins of large Roman villas famous for their mosaics.
- The Tombs of the Kings
- Paphos Fort, at the tip of the marina, is a squat box with a colourful history as a fort and prison under many administrators. The present incarnation was built by the Turks in 1586 and was last actively used by the British. Open daily to 6 PM (in summer), entry £0.75.
Do
- The Odeon, a classic Greek amphitheatre within the archaeological park, occasionally holds plays and musical performances.