Last Updated on: 8th September 2023, 08:01 am

I’ve been to Larnaka, Cyprus, for two years in a row.

The first year I didn’t get out of Larnaka at all (my friend and I spent all four days on the beach, under the nice sun of May). The second year I’ve visited Ayia Napa on an afternoon trip.

The third year, it was time to land in Paphos to visit the Kato Paphos archaeological park, the Paphos Medieval Castle, and the Tombs of the Kings. The Paphos archaeological park is a UNESCO heritage site with a very beautiful coastal walk.

Click here to buy your ticket for Kato Paphos Archeological Park at the price of today, [todaysdate].

That’s when I also got to visit Coral Bay among other cool places in Cyprus.

Where To Stay in Paphos?

Paphos is much bigger than Larnaca. If you want to walk rather than to rent a car, make sure you choose your accommodation in the area that interests you the most.

There are 50km of coastline and almost 30 beaches to choose from. There are also many things to see in Paphos, and they aren’t always close to each other. Furthermore, the whole island is home to interesting landmarks, so you may want to spend only a few days in Paphos, then move to Limassol, Larnaca or Nicosia.

Here are a few options to help you decide where to stay in Cyprus depending on your budget and available time.

If you rent a car, it will matter less where you stay. However, I found central Paphos (Kato Paphos) to be ideal for nice dinners and evening walks. However, if you want to enjoy some of the best Paphos boat trips, you may be better off with a hotel near the harbor.

If you want to be close to the Tombs of the Kings and to the Faros Beach, pick a hotel in the Kato Paphos area.

Although Faros Beach appears to be just nearby the lighthouse in the Kato Paphos Archeological Park, it is actually quite far away. Look at the following photo and tell me that you don’t think you’ll get to the lighthouse in 15 minutes!

Paphos lighthouse in the Archeological park

In fact, you’ll walk for a very long time on the coast, in a dreamy landscape.

Paphos coastal walk towards the entrance to the archeological park

Paphos coastal walk towards the entrance to the archeological park with shade for walkers

Paphos coastal walk towards the entrance to the archeological park with monuments

Paphos coastal walk towards the entrance to the archeological park with the Castle in sight

You can also choose a hotel nearby the Paphos Marina and the Castle. That’s also a nice and lively area with lots of tavernas. However, there are no sandy beaches in this area. You’ll sunbathe on wooden decks and you’ll enter into the sea by using iron stairways.

This statue guards the Paphos Castle

This statue guards the Paphos Castle. It has a barcode you can scan to read the story of the artist who created it.

As you pass the Castle and the Marina, you’ll enter an area with luxury hotels, with private swimming pools and with lots of amenities. This is the ideal place for those seeking for relaxation. Although there aren’t any sandy beaches here, either, the sunbeds and the umbrellas are scattered on green, well-kept lawns. To enter into the sea, you have to descend a flight of stairs and then cross a very narrow stripe of pebbles and sand.

Where Is the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park?

The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park lies between the center of the town and the Marina (or the Harbour). You’ll see the lighthouse from the center of the town, as it is the tallest structure on a rather large area.

There are two entrances to the park. One of them is in the Marina, close to the Castle and to the farmers’ market. The other one is in the town, on a narrow street that eventually takes you to the Tombs of the Kings. From the Tombs of the Kings, you can take the main road to get back to Faros Beach.

The park is surrounded by a fence. You’ll see the lighthouse very close, but you’ll have to go to the Paphos Marina entrance, at about one hour walking distance from Faros Beach.

2023 update: the coastal walk is currently closed. There’s no news on its re-opening so far.

You’ll first encounter the Medieval Castle, which is also part of the archeological park, even though it is outside the surrounding fence. You’ll need a separate ticket to visit the Castle. Beware, it is not wheelchair accessible.

Paphos caslte in the archeological park

This is one of the most beautiful coastal walks I’ve seen. However, there’s no natural shade along the way, so make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen and an oversized sun hat.

How To Visit the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park?

If you want to do the coastal walk, start early in the morning to reach the park before noon. Take drinking water with you, because there aren’t any shops along the walk.

When you reach the Paphos Harbor, buy water, visit the castle, eat an ice cream and enter the archaeological park. You may want to use the toilets, as there won’t be any others inside the park.

If your hotel is in the central area of Paphos, you don’t need to return to the same gate to exit the park. Just find the other exit and get to the main road of Kato Paphos.

Kato Paphos archeology park and town buldings

Why Is the Archaeological Site of Paphos Worth Visiting?

Located in southwestern Cyprus, the archeological park of Paphos (with the alternative spelling Pafos) is still under excavation. Yet, there are many ruins dating from the 4th century BC to the Middle Age. The houses of Dionysus, Orpheus, Aion and Theseus are nicely restored. The Roman mosaics inside these buildings are impressive.

Beautiful mosaic in Kato Paphos archeological park

Beautiful mosaic with geometrical motifs in Kato Paphos archeological park

The lighthouse is too tall for taking a selfie with it. If you want a photo of yourself nearby the lighthouse, you’ll have to use a tripod or to ask someone else to take it for you.

The lighthouse in Paphos archeology park

Kato Paphos Archeological Park Opening Hours & Tickets

The park is open daily, between 8:30 and 17:00 from mid September to mid-April, and between 8:30 and 19:30 from mid-April to mid-September.

The park is closed on Christmas Day, on Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox) and on the 1st of January.

Here are a few more details and photos of the Paphos Archaeological Park.

Do you want to see some more things to do in Paphos? Here you are!


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How to visit the Archeological Park of Paphos in Cyprus

 

 

Violeta Matei
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