Top 5 attractions in Paphos
A tourist favorite, Paphos is a place of sun, sand, and sea. That’s not all!
Home to an array of historical attractions, Paphos has been anointed as a European Capital of Culture in 2017. To help you dissect all the possible destinations into a digestible number, we’ve compiled a top 5 list of attractions in Paphos you should visit during your next visit to the amazing island of Paphos.
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House of Dionysus
The top tourist attraction in Paphos, the mosaic pavements in Paphos and surrounding mosaic houses categorize with the finest in the entire Mediterranean.
The history of their discovery is as intriguing as they are. Accidentally found by a farmer plowing his fields, the mosaics are well-preserved with vibrant natural limestone colors visible on them to this day. The contents of the mosaics are fan favorites. Depicting mythological themes from Ancient Greece, the most famous one portrays a Ganymede being taken back to Olympus by a flying eagle. While the most well-known shows
Agora & Odeon
Not as popular as our previous attraction, the remnants of Odeon, Agora, and Asklepion from Paphos’s Roman period.
The Odeon is a small theater, able to accommodate 12 rows of seating, it’s still used to this day during summer for music festivals and other events. The Agora used to function as a marketplace, however, all that remains are the foundations and parts of columns. Even though it’s not what it used to be, it serves as an appealing piece of Cypriot history from the Roman period.
Located to the south of the ruins, lies the Asklepion. An ancient shrine of the god of healing, Asklepios. Not much remains, nonetheless it still has a mythical aura surrounding it.
All three places are fantastic pieces of archeology and history that give visitors a glimpse into Cyprus’s distant eclectic past.
Tombs of The Kings
This one is probably the most exciting site that you can visit in Paphos, especially if you are planning to visit with kids. Just a two-kilometer walk outside of town takes you to the remains of the Tombs of the Kings.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the burial ground for ancient Paphos used to be intended for high-ranking officials or esteemed members of society within that area. The Tombs are a great sight to behold, and offer a wealth of archeological gems.
Hrysopolitissa Basilica & St. Paul’s Pillar
At the height of the Byzantine empire, Paphos’ largest basilica was built sometime during the 4th century. Unfortunately, during the Arab raids in 653 AD, the basilica was destroyed. All that remains of its grandeur today are remnants of beautiful mosaics and scattered columns, hinting at the once majestic structure of the long-gone building.
At the eastern end of the site lies Ayia Kyriaki Church, still operating to this day. While on the western end you’ll find the spot where locals believe St. Paul was bound and given 39 lashes as a punishment for preaching Christianity.
Definitely a great place to connect closer with local history and culture.
Agia Paraskevi
If you’re looking for a blast from the past, the Agia Paraskevi church from the Byzantine era is a must-see during your stay in Paphos.
Dating back to the 10th century, the church is surmounted by five domes that form a cross. The architecture on the outside is just as fascinating as what lies on the inside. Containing 15 murals of Jesus’s life from the 15th century, the basilica is a fantastic place to witness art and immerse in Christian culture. The frescos include: Last Supper, Betrayal, Washing of Feet, and a particularly vivid one portraying Virgin Mary on the central cupola.