Situated in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is an island nation known for its captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Cyprus, with a history spanning over 10,000 years, is steeped in myth and legend. According to ancient Greek mythology, it was on the shores of Cyprus where the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, emerged from the foaming waves! In this blog post, we will discover West Cyprus.
The Best Things To Do In Paphos
Paphos was our base during our trip to Cyprus. With its rich archaeological sites, stunning landscapes, and warm Mediterranean ambiance, we found Paphos to be a great spot to explore west Cyprus. The city itself holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its exceptional cultural and historical significance. Frequent flights from Europe also make Paphos easily accessible.
So let’s look at the best things to do in Paphos.
Visit Paphos Archaeological Park
Paphos Archaeological Park is a sprawling complex that houses an impressive array of ancient ruins and well-preserved monuments. This park is a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of the region, particularly during the Roman period. These are some of its highlights:
- Roman Villas with Mosaics: A series of Roman villas, most notably the Houses of Dionysus, Theseus, and Aion. These villas are adorned with intricate mosaics, and exquisite works of art that provide insight into the aesthetics and lifestyles of the past.
- Odeon (Ancient Theater): The Odeon is a well-preserved ancient theater that once hosted musical and theatrical performances. It’s a testament to the cultural sophistication of ancient Paphos.
- Agora and Asclepius Sanctuary: The park also includes the remains of a Roman agora (marketplace) and the Sanctuary of Asclepius, a healing god. These sites shed light on the economic and spiritual aspects of life in ancient Paphos.
TRAVEL ADVICE
As the Archaeological Park is Paphos’ top attraction, it can get very busy at times.
Visiting the park in the early morning would allow you to avoid crowds.
Just bring a hat and plenty of water as it can get very hot.
You can find useful information about the park here.
Stroll Through Paphos Old Town and The Harbour
Stroll through Paphos Old Town and admire its distinctive architecture. Within the old town, you will find medieval, Ottoman, and neoclassical buildings demonstrating the island’s rich colonial history. Enjoy the vibrant arts and crafts scene, with numerous galleries, workshops, and boutiques showcasing the work of local artists and artisans. After strolling through the old town, do not miss a walk along the harbor to soak in the laid-back atmosphere.
Indulge in Local Cuisine
Sample authentic Cypriot cuisine at local tavernas and restaurants. Don’t miss out on dishes like Souvlaki, Halloumi cheese, and freshly caught seafood, paired with a glass of local wine.
Relax on Paphos Beaches
Spend a day soaking up the sun on one of Paphos’ beaches. From the family-friendly sands of Coral Bay to the quieter shores of Vrysoudia Beach, there are countless beaches to choose from in Paphos. We spent a day in Laourou Beach and it was amazing!
SAVE ON ACCOMMODATION
Paphos is a popular summer destination. Book your place in advance through Booking.com using the widget below.
Discovering West Cyprus
Beyond Paphos: Explore the Akamas Peninsula
The Akamas Peninsula National Park offers a remarkable escape into unspoiled nature, where adventure, beauty, and ecological significance come together to create an unforgettable experience. A large area covering 230 square kilometres containing valleys, gorges, and wide sandy bays, hosting rare flora and fauna. The Akamas Peninsula stands out as a unique and untouched corner of the Mediterranean, offering a wide range of outdoor activities and opportunities for exploration. Truly something not to be missed on a trip to southwest Cyprus.
There are different ways to visit the Akamas Peninsula. Renting a Land Rover Jeep, a quad or a motorbike and driving around is among the most popular options. Alternatively, there are many different guided tours available.
We chose two different ways of visiting this marvellous place.
Boat Tour of the Peninsula’s Coastline
We couldn’t miss the opportunity to swim and snorkel at the enchanting Blue Lagoon, the highlight of the peninsula. The Blue Lagoon’s undeniable beauty and serene ambiance make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Paphos and the Akamas Peninsula. Its stunning blue water is a result of the combination of sunlight, the white sandy seabed, and the purity of the Mediterranean Sea in this area.
Land Rover Jeep Safari
We found this to be the best way to visit the Akamas peninsula. On the day of the boat trip, we got a rough sea. If you suffer from motion sickness, like Francesca, the boat tour might not be the right choice for you. Moreover, the Land Rover Jeep Tour offers a great opportunity to explore the coastline, towering cliffs, hidden coves, and verdant valleys that characterize this pristine wilderness area. We are going to talk more about this in the next section.
Akamas Peninsula Highlights
Avakas Gorge
The Avakas Gorge is a natural wonder for outdoor enthusiasts and one of the main highlights of the peninsula. A scenic trail that winds its way through the canyon will allow you to immerse in the stunning surroundings and discover hidden gems around every bend. The microclimate within Avakas Gorge supports a rich diversity of plant and animal life, including rare species that are endemic to the region. Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, we found the Avakas Gorge a tranquil and relatively untouched sanctuary that offers a sense of peace and solitude.
Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay, also known as Lara Beach, is a pristine stretch of coastline renowned for its natural beauty and importance as a nesting site for endangered loggerhead and green turtles. Visitors can learn about turtle conservation efforts at the nearby Lara Bay Turtle Conservation Station, where they can observe nesting sites and hatchlings under the guidance of knowledgeable staff.
Blue Lagoon
As we mentioned earlier, the Blue Lagoon is a bay that features crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine white sandy beaches. To reach the lagoon by Land Rover, you will need to adventure through lush vegetation. It’s an easy walk, nothing to worry about! Once at the lagoon, you will be repaid with a stunning view and a tranquil oasis where you can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe in a pristine natural setting.
Reaching the lagoon via Land Rover Jeep was the best way for us because we got to walk into the shallow water, and that allowed us to snorkel and discover colorful coral reefs, and schools of tropical fish.
Baths of Aphrodite
The Baths of Aphrodite is a tranquil natural pool surrounded by lush vegetation and cliffs, steeped in mythology and beauty. According to legend, it was here that the goddess Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty, would bathe in the crystal-clear waters, believed to possess rejuvenating and magical properties. A freshwater spring cascading down from the surrounding hills feeds the pool, creating a serene oasis.
Adonis Baths Waterfall
According to legend, this waterfall is where Adonis, the mythical lover of Aphrodite, was said to have been wounded by a boar while hunting. It’s said that after his death, Aphrodite was inconsolable and wept tears that turned into the anemone flower. Today, visitors can hike along picturesque trails leading to the waterfall, passing through fragrant pine forests and rocky terrain, before arriving at the cascading waters below. Upon reaching the Adonis Waterfall, take a refreshing dip in the natural pools.
TRAVEL ADVICE
The road to reach this waterfall is rocky and full of potholes. To reach the place, it’s a steep climb and a steep staircase at the other side, which makes it hardly accessible to people with reduced mobility. The Adonis Baths may not be included as part of a Jeep Tour or it may be added for an extra cost. Just read the details of your tour fully beforehand.
Is a Guided Jeep Tour of the Akamas Peninsula Worth It?
From our experience, yes. While driving around West Cyprus, we noticed a lack of road signage which can make it hard to reach certain places for those who rent a Jeep. Moreover, we’ve read reviews of visitors who took longer to drive to certain places due to misplacements on Google Maps. During our trip to the Akamas Peninsula, we also visited sea caves, and banana plantations, and stopped at a few viewpoints to take some photographs. This mightn’t have been possible if we had gone by ourselves.
Time for conclusions….
In this blog post, we talked about the best things to do in West Cyprus. We have talked about Paphos, a UNESCO World Heritage City which deserves to be fully explored. Paphos is a perfect place to be based on a trip to west Cyprus. From there it is possible to rent a Jeep or join guided tours to explore wider areas in west Cyprus. Among these, the most popular is certainly the Akamas Peninsula, a wide national park featuring valleys, gorges, and wide sandy bays, and hosting rare flora and fauna. From our experience, joining a Land Rover Jeep Tour was a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of this area.
We hope you found this blog post useful. You can read more about our trips in the section below.
See you soon 😊
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