Sightseeing in Paphos - what to see. Complete travel guide

Within just several years Paphos turned from a quiet town into a major luxurious resort that is rich in tourist attractions and famous for its beautiful nature. The resort is open to visitors all year round. The sea here is always warm and the weather is sunny and windless.

Start your acquaintance with the city from visiting its historical and cultural monuments. Pafos Medieval Fort is one of them. It was built in the days of Alexander of Macedon and served as the main fortification facility. Among the attractions of Paphos there are sights that are included in the UNESCO list. The ancient town Nea Paphos is one of such sights. On the territory of the old town you will see the houses made yet by the Romans. The buildings are decorated with beautiful mosaics. Even now tourists can see the scenes from the famous myths that are laid on the floor and walls and are made of colored pebbles.

Don’t forget to participate in an excursion to one of the oldest cemeteries of Paphos, which is called the Tomb of the Kings. This place was used to bury people yet in the 3rd century BC. One of the most frequently visited cultural institutions of the town is the Byzantine Museum. Here you can see a large collection of icons created in the 12th - 18th centuries. The Ethnographical Museum of Eliades will provide you with information about the life of local people. Many items exhibited here are related to the Neolithic Era. Don’t forget to visit the Archaeological Museum of Pafos that exhibits priceless archeological finds. Here you will find large collection of tools, tableware and ceramics. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

St. Neophytos Monastery, which is carved in a cliff, is one of the most famous religious sights of Paphos. The inner hall of the monastery is decorated with frescoes created by masters in the 15th century. After visiting all attractions you can walk along the waterfront, visit restaurants and cafes, or move your feet to one of the numerous markets of this place.

Paphos is famous for its ancient sights, and Dionysos Villa is a perfect example. This is the ruins of a unique antique mansion built in the 2nd century AD that belonged to one of the wealthy Roman aristocrats. In its golden time, it was adorned with delicate mosaics with the image of Dionysus - that's why the villa has such a name. Some artworks were restored by modern archaeologists.

An unusual attraction is St. Solomon's Catacombs, another unique archaeological monument. They were created in the 4th century BC. According to the scientists' assumptions, originally these catacombs were used as tombs. It is known that Saint Solomoni who was forced to flee Palestine hid from persecution in the dungeons at the end of the 2nd century. According to one of the legends, relics of the saint are buried in one of the dungeon's secret corners.

Fans of religious tours are invited to discover Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery founded in the 12th century near the city. Over the centuries, the monastery has been repeatedly rebuilt. Its present appearance has been acquired in the late 18th century. Within the walls of the monastery are many valuable artifacts, including an ancient icon of the Virgin, shrouded in lots of incredible legends.

Nature enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised too - they have a chance to visit the charming Eleouthkia Traditional and Botanical Park. It is quite small in comparison with many other famous botanical gardens of the world. Nevertheless, the compact area contains dozens of species of tropical flowers, cacti, conifers, and roses, as well as other incredible plants able to surprise visitors with their appearance. The garden has a cozy tavern where it would be nice to relax after the tour.

The ruins of Saranta Colones Castle in Paphos are of great historical value. Built on the coast back in the 7th century, it had protected the city from Arab conquerors for quite a long time. The fortress stood in the days of many bloody battles, and at the beginning of the 13th century, a powerful fortification structure was destroyed by an earthquake. It wasn't possible to restore the castle - it lays in ruins since 1222. The adjacent territory of the castle offers a panoramic view of the coast.