Villa Petra
Coral Bay - Paphos

(please click on photos to enlarge)

TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS

Troodos Mountains

Well maintained trails wind up through the slopes of these ancient mountains past Byzantine churches and black pine trees. Surrounding the area, you will be able to enjoy the sights and smells of nearby cedar and pine forests.

All of the painted churches of the Troodos are little gems of craftsmanship set in breathtaking scenery. Panayia tou Araka - the church of Our Lady of the Pea - is a superb example and one of ten painted churches on the UNESCO world heritage site list.

The church itself is tiny and is dwarfed by its snow proof roof and the wooden trellis that surrounds it. However, when you walk inside, the vibrant colours and the number of frescoes takes your breath away. In winter Mount Olympus plays host to hundreds of skiers.
 

Kourion/Kolossi Castle

Ancient Kourion and the castle at Kolossi are both in the Limassol area and can be visited together in a day. They are just two examples of the wealth of history to be found in Cyprus. Kourion is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island.

This ancient city kingdom has many ancient treasures including the Greco Roman theatre dating from the second century BC, which has been fully restored.

Other sites include baths, houses - some with beautiful mosaics and a stadium. The ruins at Kourion are to be found in breathtaking scenery overlooking the sea. As it is one of Cyprus's most popular tourist attractions, it worth arriving early in high season. Kolossi Castle - here you will encounter a military site that once stood as a Crusader fortress of the Knights of St John, dating back to the 13th century.

 

Baths of Aphrodite

This is the natural feature carved from limestone. Legend states that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, used to take her baths here. This is where you will encounter a natural pool surrounded by plenty of land to explore.

Tomb of the Kings

These tombs bear a strong resemblance to Egyptian tombs. Carved out of solid rock with pillars and frescoed walls. The Tomb of the Kings is a large necropolis situated a little over a mile north west of Paphos Harbour.

Spread over a vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC. They are carved out of solid rock with some being decorated with Doric pillars. High officials rather than Kings were buried here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.

Larnaca Fort

This small fort served as a prison during British occupation. It was however, originally built by the venetians in the 15th century, to protect the harbour. If you climb the wall you will get an excellent view of the town. There is also a small museum below the wall.

Limassol Castle

Built on the site of a Byzantine fort in the 14th century, this was where the marriage between King Richard and Queen Berengaria took place.

 

Paphos Harbour and Castle

The harbour at Paphos attracts visitors all year round, who take the opportunity to walk along the quay and maybe visit one of the fish restaurants, tavernas or cafes. The view is superb with lots of colourful fishing boats bobbing in the harbour.

The castle is in fact all that remains of a much earlier castle dating from 1391, which was demolished by the Venetians. The Ottomans used it as dungeons and the British as a warehouse for salt! It can be reached via a small bridge over a moat and is worth a visit for the view from the top.

Choirokitia

To go right back to Cyprus's earliest history, you need to visit the remains of stone age settlements at Choirokitia, better preserved than most other Neolithic sites in the eastern Mediterranean.

The settlement dates back to sixth and seventh centuries BC - although the site was discovered in 1936, serious excavation did not start until the 1970's.

It is perhaps one of the earliest human settlements on the island and is a UNESCO world heritage site. He people of Choirokitia lived in beehive shaped one storey houses - more than sixty such houses can be seen at the site, as well as the original streets and lanes and a larger chieftain’s mansion.

The Paphos Mosaics

A must for all visitors are the colourful and intricate Roman mosaics to be found in Paphos. They were discovered by accident in the 1960's - further excavation revealed a number of Roman houses all with spectacular mosaics, depicting scenes from ancient mythology.

The mosaics give a clue to the wealthy and opulent lives of some of the Roman Paphiots. The main sites are the House of Dionysos, the House of Aion and the House of Theseus. The mosaics can be found near the lighthouse and fortress of Saranda Kolones situated in close proximity to Paphos Harbour.

Akamas National Park

Studded with sandy bays, deep gorges and home to over 500 species of plants, 168 types of birds plus a host of other animals and insects this is a nature lover's paradise. Akamas Peninsula in the summer is frequented by turtles, which makes it extremely popular.

Shopping

Lacework and embroidery, pottery and woodwork, jewellery … the artistic heritage of Cyprus is a reflection of the islands history and traditions that have endured for centuries. Most of the raw materials used in crafts, from copper to silk and cotton, are native to Cyprus. Since 1975 the government has actively strived to preserve local craftworks by creating the Cyprus Handicraft Service. They provide goods to the large Cyprus Handicraft Centre (Lefkosia) and official craft shops.

Cypriot lacework is prized for its quality and artistry and it is one if Cyprus’s most famous exports. The village of Lefkara is very well known for its embroidery, called Lefkaritika, take a wander around the streets and you will be invited into the many of the shops.

Embroidered lace, worked on off white linen or cotton, makes for highly decorative tablecloths, curtains, doilies, placemats and dresser sets. A specialty of Paphos is Pafitika, fabric embroidered with geometric designs.

Pottery has been made in Cyprus continuously for thousands of years. Attractive pots come in all shapes and sizes. Terra cota pieces with white decorations, copies of museum pieces are popular gifts, as are copper wares, hand painted gourds and handmade baskets and jewellery with motifs from antiquity.

The smaller villages of Cyprus are the best places to pick up handcrafted Cypriot lace at a good price. Bargaining is accepted, be polite but firm. Always shop around and don’t display too much enthusiasm.

Getting Around

One can travel around Cyprus either by bus, by taxi or private car. There are no trains in Cyprus. One of the most inexpensive ways of travelling is by bus, which costs approximately €1. Buses are available every half an hour throughout the area. Almost all villages are connected with the nearest town by buses.

There are numerous places of interest in remote areas, if you like to explore then driving in Cyprus is a must. Fairly good surfaced roads complying with international traffic requirements link the towns and various villages. Use of a mobile phone is strictly prohibited. Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a valid international driving license or their national driving license provided it is valid for the vehicle class they intend to drive. Driving is on the left as in the UK. There are many places that you can hire a car from. Always use a reputable company.

If you don’t want to drive yourself, communal service taxis are another option. They provide connections between all major towns every half hour. Regular taxis are reasonably priced and are especially good options for airport transfers.
Nightlife
Cyprus has a lot to offer in terms of nightlife. You will find traditional entertainment – folk music and dancing – at numerous tavernas and restaurants in cities and villages. There are many fish and specialty or themed restaurants and many places are family friendly.

Eating Out

Everyone knows that Cyprus is famous for its food; the cuisine is a blend of flavours gathered from all over the eastern Mediterranean. Cypriots cook with less oil than their Mediterranean neighbours. The cuisine is healthy apart from their love of syrup soaked pastries. All food is cooked fresh on a daily basis. The quality of fresh produce is excellent and the local salads are delicious.

One of the most popular dishes in Cyprus is a Meze. You are served up to 20 different saucer sized dishes, ranging from local cheese like halloumi and feta, meats like pork, chicken and fish.

Some of the most popular meals are:

Kleftico – lamb or goat roasted with vegetables in an outside oven

Shish Kebab – marinated lamb skewered and grilled over charcoal

Souvla – Lamb or goat cooked on a rotisserie

Souvlaki – Pork grilled on a skewer

Sheftalia – small rissoles of mince, onions and spices wrapped in a 'skin' of gut rather like small sausages

Mousakka – slices of aubergine and potato overlaid with mince and white sauce.

Sports

There are some fantastic golf courses in Cyprus and a couple luxury golf resorts are under development in Paphos. Pissouri is situated close to two popular courses, Tsada and Secret Valley.

Hiking is very popular in the mountains and the climate is cooler on higher ground. There are beautiful unspoilt views from the mountains.

Sea sports are also very popular due to the calm clear waters surrounding the island. There is jet skiing, water surfing, various boat excursions, diving and many more. There are trained instructors ready to assist for all levels of divers. There is also the wreck of Zenobia which is the fourth largest wreck dive in the world and this is for experienced divers only.

From January until March you can ski in the Troodos Mountains! So Cyprus really does have something for everyone.
 

For the family

Everyone agrees that Cyprus is a fantastic place for children. The long sunny days and sandy beaches are an irresistible holiday combination. Be sure to think about alternative plans if weather is a factor in what you want to do. It can be very hot in the middle of the day in high season and it does occasionally rain in the winter months. The good news is that Cyprus has a variety of attractions for all ages.

Coral Bay Karting - Go karts for adults and children. There is also a games centre and a children’s playground.

Aphrodite water park Paphos - Offers a very high level of safety and hygiene and has a variety of slides and fun activities there are also a couple of bowling alleys in Paphos and themed cruises with indoor shows and meals.

(please click on photos to enlarge)

Apollo Temple	Aphrodite's Rock
Theoskepasti Church	Paphos Lighthouse
Paphos Castle	Tombs of the Kings

PERFECT DAY...

MORNING

Cyprus is an island with perfect, rolling beaches and dazzling blue waters, but it also has a fascinating history and a wealth of captivating places to see. Start your day in Geroskipou and try some freshly made loukoumi (Cypriot fruit delights) to sweeten your mood. You can then feast your eyes on the awe-inspiring Church of Agia Paraskevi, located right in the centre of the town. This is a Byzantine architectural masterpiece with five domes and an atmosphere of sacred calm. Make sure you see the centuries-old frescoes in the dome above the sanctuary.

AFTERNOON

Head to Kato Paphos where you can see the House of the God Dionysus and then have a traditional Greek lunch at the local restaurant 'Hondros Tavern' open since 1957. With the delicious food and friendly welcoming atmosphere in this place, the wine and smiles will surely flow. Afterwards drive along the sparkling coastline and stop at the magnificent Tombs of the Kings before heading to Agios Neophytos Monastery which is 10km northwest of Paphos. This glorious monastery has a fantastic history which includes the tale of the hermit who in 1159 cut a cave from the rock with his own hands.

EVENING

There is no more perfect place for a sunset than the Petra Tou Romiou. This is where the Greek Myth says that Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, rose from the waves and onto the shores of Cyprus. The sunset seems to melt into the ocean from this romantic spot, where the legend has it that if you swim anti-clockwise around the rock three times at sunset, Aphrodite will ensure you good health and a glorious sex life. Fancy a dip? Afterwards, have a superb dinner at Demokritos, where the meze will leave you satisfied but not so full that you can't dance the night away to the local music and be swept up in the traditional bouzouki dancing.