Paphos is a resort city with a population of about 66,364 people.
It is the fourth largest city of Cyprus after Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca and is located on the west coast of the beautiful Mediterranean island.
Paphos is nestled amidst a hilly area, which is mostly covered with evergreen Mediterranean grasses and bushes, citrus trees, cypresses, olive trees and other subtropical species of plants.
Weather
Paphos enjoys year-round warm and sunny weather.
The beach season here starts in the second half of March and lasts until the end of November or early December.
The number of sunny days is about 350 per year.
Most of the precipitation is concentrated in the short winter season.
However, we can hardly talk about a real winter in Paphos.
Even in January and February the shining sun increases the average daytime temperature to the pleasant 17 – 18°C.
The heat in summer can be difficult to bear, and the only way to find some coolness is to dive into the waters of the Mediterranean or to visit to the shady forests of the Troodos mountains.
Best Places to Visit in Paphos
Whether long strips of golden sand or small pebble coves, the city attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year with its beautiful beaches.
Among the most attractive are those of the popular resort of Coral Bay, which is located near the small village of Peyia, a few kilometers north of the city center of Paphos, and the Blue Lagoon on the north coast of the Akamas peninsula.
However, there are dozens of other less popular but no less beautiful bays and beaches with crystal clear waters, which offer pleasant coolness in the heavy almost tropical heat.
Best Things to Do in Paphos
The history of Paphos begins back in ancient times, and the traces of human presence in the area date back to the Neolithic period.
The city is an important cultural center with many ancient architectural monuments, most of which related to the cult of Aphrodite.
Remains of forts, palaces, ancient villas and amphitheaters form together one of the richest in historical antiques and artifacts cities in Ancient Greece, in Europe and in the world as whole.
Because of its unique and invaluable cultural heritage, since 1980 the old town of Paphos is under the auspices of UNESCO.
As you will see, most of the local attractions are located near the coast.
To the south of Paphos, not far from the small village of Kouklia, you’ll find one of the biggest attractions on the island – the Aphrodite’s Rock.
This is considered the place where the Greek goddess of love and beauty was born from sea foam.
North of Paphos, near the village of Polis, are the Baths of Aphrodite.
They are located on the coast of the Akamas peninsula, which has been declared a national park.
Additional Information
Today the population of Paphos is rapidly increasing, and the number of immigrants from Britain, Russia and other northern countries is impressive.
Undoubtedly, what attracts most people here is the warm sunny weather and the sea, but another very important factor is also the strong sense of security and low crime rates in the city.
Paphos is served by the second largest international airport in the country.