Most sights cluster in Kato Paphos within a 25-minute walk of the harbour; the Tombs of the Kings are about 2 km north, Coral Bay about 12 km. Start early in summer — the archaeological sites have little shade.
1 Paphos Archaeological Park and the mosaics
The heart of the UNESCO site: the remains of the Roman capital beside the harbour. The star attractions are the mosaic floors of four wealthy villas — the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion and Orpheus — with scenes from Greek myth that are remarkably complete. The park also holds the Odeon, the agora, a lighthouse and the Byzantine castle of Saranta Kolones (“Forty Columns”).
Practical: Entrance by the harbour car park. Ticketed (a few euros — check current rates). Allow 2–3 hours; wear a hat, there is little shade.
2 Tombs of the Kings
A necropolis cut into the rock by the sea from the Hellenistic period onwards. Despite the name no kings were buried here — the tombs belonged to high officials and wealthy families. The grandest have sunken courtyards ringed by Doric columns, with burial chambers opening off them.
Practical: About 2 km north of the harbour on Tombs of the Kings Road; local buses pass. Ticketed. Allow 1–1.5 hours; uneven steps.
3 Paphos Harbour and Castle
The small fort at the end of the harbour mole began as a Byzantine fortification, was rebuilt by the Lusignans and the Venetians, and was given its present form by the Ottomans in the late sixteenth century. Climb to the roof for the view, then walk the promenade, where cruise and fishing boats tie up.
Practical: Castle ticketed and small (30 minutes). The harbour is free and liveliest at sunset.
4 The Odeon and the lighthouse
A small second-century theatre restored with stone seating, still used for summer performances, next to the white lighthouse inside the Archaeological Park. The walk between them crosses the old city’s agora.
Practical: Included in the Archaeological Park ticket.
5 Ayia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa and St Paul’s Pillar
A thirteenth-century stone church standing among the columns and mosaic floors of a much larger early Christian basilica. A short marble column at the site is known as St Paul’s Pillar; tradition holds that the apostle was flogged here before converting the Roman governor.
Practical: Free to view the site from the walkways; the church is in use, so dress modestly. Ten minutes’ walk from the harbour.
6 Coral Bay
A crescent of golden sand about 12 km north of Paphos, near Peyia, with clear, shallow water and plenty of sunbeds. It is the town’s most popular beach, and busy in summer.
Practical: Local buses run from Kato Paphos. Sunbeds and umbrellas are rented by the day.
7 The sea caves and the Edro III wreck
North of Coral Bay, the coast breaks up into low cliffs and sea caves popular for swimming and snorkelling on calm days. Just offshore sits the rusting cargo ship Edro III, which ran aground in a storm in 2011 and has become an unexpected landmark.
Practical: Best by car or on a tour. No facilities; rocks are sharp — water shoes help. Do not try to swim to the wreck in rough sea.
