Paphos, on the far western coast of Cyprus, recounts years of Mediterranean history
In Pafos the air is scented with a thousand essences, including rosemary and frangipani accompanied by the rustle of palm trees and olive trees.
The itineraries between history, culture, nature and entertainment are worth exploring.
Where the old and new work in total harmony
Paphos, chosen as the cultural capital of Europe for 2017, is home to a diverse range of landscapes – towering mountains, stretching beaches and stunning cliffs – each more beautiful than the last. Enchanting, romantic, cosmopolitan and stunning are only some of the words locals and tourists use to describe Paphos.
Paphos town is where the old and new blend together in harmony to create a dynamic, diversified and fascinating destination, while the mountain villages ooze traditional charm and give visitors a real taste of authentic Cyprus. It certainly has something for everyone, whether you are sunseeker, looking for adventure or want to sample the best of Cypriot life.
The charismatic and picturesque Paphos became the new cosmopolitan region in Cyprus and favourite destination for many European and Non-European tourists and investors. It is a modern holiday resort with many fascinating historical sites and charming country side. The region offers the possibility of enjoying both the sea and the mountains, as well as giving a taste of the island’s cultural heritage with its many archaeological attractions.
Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. It was a centre of the cult of Aphrodite and of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite’s legendary birthplace was on this island, where her temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th century B.C. The remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs mean that the site is of exceptional architectural and historic value. The mosaics of Nea Paphos are among the most beautiful in the world.
Everything in Paphos is oozing romance, as you follow steps of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty. You can swim in the sea by the rocks known as Petra tou Romiou, where she is believed to have risen from the waves, make a trip to her temple in Kouklia, or visit the grotto near Polis where she supposedly bathed. Without a doubt these are just some of the reasons why many couples from around the world are choosing Paphos for their dream wedding or honeymoon.
Top all-year-round sunshine destination
Paphos is located on the southwest coast of the island and is screened from the north by the Troodos mountains. It has a warm and temperate climate, one of the healthiest in the whole Mediterranean.
In the Paphos region, you can bask in sunshine all year round and feel the warmth of a welcoming people with a reputation for hospitality. From late spring to mid autumn you can enjoy sparkling warm waters of the Mediterranean – from just swimming, to water sports or diving. Late winter and early spring are perfect to immerse in the splendors of nature as the fields are carpeted in wildflowers. Autumn is ideal for exploring the open ancient sites, as the temperatures are perfect. During the mild winter you can treat yourself to a round or two of golf or an invigorating game of tennis.
Paphos is the most popular destination amongst tourists visiting the island. According to the 2018 stats, out of total 4 Millions tourists that visited Cyprus, 1.5 Million chose Paphos for their holidays.
There is a wide selection of accommodation in Paphos town, ranging from luxury beachside hotels with every amenity, such as business centres, salt-water pools, exotic gardens and health spas, to a variety of hotel apartments for the budget-conscious. Relish mouth-watering delicacies at the numerous restaurants serving both local and international cuisine and offering exceptional value.
Living the good life – in Paphos town you can eat good food, drink fine wine and dance the night away.
Enjoy classical opera under the stars in the romantic setting of the medieval castle overlooking Paphos harbour during the numerous summer festivals. Or jive to the latest dance tunes at a plethora of entertainment spots, part of the modern town’s varied nightlife.
Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate, with long dry summers from mid–May to mid–October and with mild winters from December to February which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons.
Summer is a season of high temperatures with cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere in the coastal areas. Isolated thunder showers are possible mainly over the mountains during early afternoon.
Winters are mild with rain and snow on Troodos Mountains (usually starting before Christmas). In Cyprus there is abundant sunshine. Even in December and January, there is an average of six hours of bright sunshine per day.
Cyprus aspires to become a major educational center of excellence in the region, through the establishment of international universities’ branches in the island. Cyprus is committed to further strengthening education, consistently allocating over 6% of GDP as public expenditure on this sector.
• High percentage of tertiary education attainment,exceeding the national target, and achieving a percentage higher than the EU28 average of 36.8%, and one of the highest in the world
• All universities in Cyprus offer high quality programs and courses in English
Medical care-needs in Cyprus are met through:
1. Government General Hospitals
2. Private Clinics/Hospitals
Government General Hospitals and Private clinics/hospitals are mostly concentrated in urban areas, while health centres, subcentres, and dispensaries function in the rural areas, providing a network to meet the medical needs of the whole population.
All Government General Hospitals as well as some private clinics have Accident and Emergency Departments for emergency cases.
Holidaymakers can also make use of their health insurance, which covers medical expenses, provided that this insurance covers the length of their stay on the island.
Almost all brands of manufactured medicines are available in Cyprus. Local newspapers list pharmacies which are open during the night and on weekends/
holidays, as well as the names of doctors who are on call on weekends/holidays.
With its ideal geographical position at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia – Cyprus plays a key stabilising role in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean.
The island is an ideal investment gateway to the European Union, as well as a portal for investment outside the EU, particularly into the Middle East, India and China.