Major city · Cyprus
PaphosΠάφος
Choose Paphos over Limassol if Roman mosaics and the Akamas coastline matter more to you than a working city and nightlife: two nights covers the archaeological park, with a hire car for the peninsula.
Paphos sits on Cyprus's west coast, and its town and ruins together form a UNESCO World Heritage site. The archaeological park holds some of the best-preserved Roman mosaic floors in the Mediterranean, and the Tombs of the Kings — an underground necropolis cut into rock — is a short walk away. Beaches and the wilder Akamas peninsula are the other main draws.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov: warm without the peak-summer heat, and quieter at the archaeological sites
- avoid Jul–Aug (regularly above 35°C (95°F), and the archaeological park has almost no shade)avoid Jul–Aug (regularly above 95°F (35°C), and the archaeological park has almost no shade)
- Airport
- PFO
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 3
- Cyprus ↗Cyprus is in the EU but not in the Schengen area: a Schengen visa is not valid; check the entry rules for your nationality.
- Cyprus ↗Crossing the Green Line: carry your passport, cross only at the official points, and do not photograph the buffer zone or soldiers. Check that your hire-car insurance covers the north.
- Cyprus ↗Traffic drives on the left; hire-car roundabouts and junctions take practice.
What is in this basic guide6 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Paphos112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Paphos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?The euro (EUR) is used in the south; the north uses the Turkish lira, though euros are often taken.Cyprus-wide
- SIM or eSIMIn the south, Cyta, Epic and Primetel sell prepaid SIMs with passport ID; EU roam-like-at-home applies to EU SIMs.Cyprus-wide
- Tap waterTap water in towns is treated and generally safe, but much of it is desalinated and many residents drink bottled water; mountain villages vary — ask.Cyprus-wide
- TippingcheckTavern or restaurant: About 10% if no service charge; check the bill first.Cyprus-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cyprus-wide
- SafetyLow crime risk; the practical hazards are sun exposure at the ruins and rough tracks on the Akamas peninsula.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets everywhere; in older buildings and villages paper goes in the bin, not the bowl.Cyprus-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 199 police direct line (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany shops close Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday outside resorts; in summer…Cyprus-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPFO Paphos International (About 15 km (9.3 mi) from the centre; bus or taxi, roughly 20–30 minutes — check the current operator).PFO Paphos International (About 9.3 mi (15 km) from the centre; bus or taxi, roughly 20–30 minutes — check the current operator).
- Getting aroundLocal buses and taxis cover Kato Paphos and Coral Bay, but a hire car is the easiest way to reach Akamas…
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PFO Paphos International (About 15 km (9.3 mi) from the centre; bus or taxi, roughly 20–30 minutes — check the current operator)PFO Paphos International (About 9.3 mi (15 km) from the centre; bus or taxi, roughly 20–30 minutes — check the current operator)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
Feb
not flagged
Mar
not flagged
Apr
Best
May
Best
Jun
Best
Jul
Avoid
Aug
Avoid
Sep
Best
Oct
Best
Nov
Best
Dec
not flagged
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Weather and climate
Paphos: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses and taxis cover Kato Paphos and Coral Bay, but a hire car is the easiest way to reach Akamas, the Blue Lagoon and the hill villages inland.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kato Paphos
Harbour, ruins and restaurants, walkable to the archaeological park.
Coral Bay strip
Beach hotels a short drive or bus ride from Kato Paphos, better for a beach-focused stay.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
Safety
- Cars drive on the left.
- Some tavernas and smaller sites reduce hours or close outside Apr–Oct; check ahead in shoulder season.
- The archaeological park has little shade; sun exposure is strong even in spring and autumn.
- The Akamas peninsula's unpaved tracks need a 4x4 or careful driving in a standard hire car; check rental terms before heading off-road.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Police direct line
- 199
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Paphos. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov: warm without the peak-summer heat, and quieter at the archaeological sites · avoid Jul–Aug (regularly above 35°C, and the archaeological park has almost no shade)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialVisit Cyprus
- secondaryWikivoyage — Paphos