Paphos Harbour: Exploring Cyprus’s Lively Medieval Port

by

Last Updated on: 15th December 2023, 03:11 pm

Paphos Harbour is located right where the medieval port on the southwest coast of Cyprus used to be. That’s at about 10 minutes of walking from the center of Kato Paphos.

Home to top attractions in Cyprus such as the Paphos Castle and the iconic Paphos Lighthouse, the Paphos Harbour is also the main node for the Paphos district public transport.

Bus lines to various towns and villages emerge from this node. There’s also a public bus line connecting Paphos Harbor to the Market Hall, where the Old Town of Paphos is.

How To Get to Paphos Harbour

Paphos Harbour can easily be reached by car, public bus, taxi, or even on foot if you’re staying nearby. It’s located right in central Paphos. Drivers will find parking lots around the harbor.

Buses bound for Paphos Harbour bus station run regularly from all areas of town. Major roads leading to the harbor include Poseidonos Avenue, Archiepiskopou Makariou III, and Aesopou. Simply follow signs to the harbor or castle.

For visitors, Paphos Harbour provides the perfect starting point to explore the regionțs fascinating history, indulge in waterfront dining, or set sail on a boat cruise. Read on to discover the best of this iconic Cyprus harbor and the main things to do in the port of Paphos.

Paphos Archeological Park and the Castle are worth a visit

Visit the Paphos Castle

Part of the appeal of Paphos Harbour today is how the site transports you back through centuries of history. There’s the imposing Paphos Castle originally built by the Lusignan Crusaders in the 1200s. The 1542 Ottoman-era Paphos Lighthouse still stands guard near the harbor’s entrance.

Layers of history are visible through sites like these around the port. A stroll along the scenic harbor boardwalk reveals Venetian walls, Ottoman-era caravanserais for traders, and remnants of the old British colonial era before Cyprus’s independence.

Visitors can explore the castle’s vaulted halls, former prison dungeons, and archaeological museum. Or simply admire its imposing silhouette and Mediterranean panoramas from outside. Climbing to Paphos Castle’s rooftop terrace rewards you with sweeping harbor vistas.

The lighthouse in Paphos archeology park

Visit the Kato Paphos Archeological Park & the Paphos Lighthouse

The Paphos archaeological park is a UNESCO heritage site with a very beautiful coastal walk. As of 2023 the coastal walk is closed to the public. You can, however, visit the archeological park with its amazing mosaics and the majestic lighthouse.

The entrance to the park is right by the central road of the port.

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

cyprus pork chops

Have a Yummy Dinner with a View

One of the top things to do at Paphos Harbour is enjoy a relaxing meal overlooking the water. On the southern harbor boardwalk, visitors will discover plenty of excellent restaurants and cafes for waterfront dining.

Popular picks like Hobos Steak House, Terra, or Yialos Tavern all serve fresh local seafood and Mediterranean fare on outdoor terraces steps from the sea.

Watch the boats come and go in the harbor as you savor scrumptious Cypriot meze appetizers and regional wines.

Enjoy a Sunset Cruise

To fully experience Paphos Harbour’s beauty, consider booking a sunset cruise. Numerous ferry companies and tour operators based at the harbor offer evening boat rides into the Mediterranean.

Click here to see more details and to book your Ocean Flyer VIP full-day cruise from Paphos Harbour.

Such cruises will take you to Coral Bay, Akamas, St. George Island, and the Sea Caves, among other places.

Relax on deck with a drink in hand to watch the glowing sunset over the harbor. Some cruise options feature live music, dinner buffets, or even dance parties under the stars. It’s an idyllic way to take in sea breezes and admire Paphos Harbour’s sights from an entirely new perspective.

paphos walk to harbor

Stroll the Lively Boardwalk

One of the easiest and most pleasant ways to explore Paphos Harbour is simply to stroll along its scenic boardwalk. The paved pedestrian harbor promenade extends for over 1 km, lined with palm trees, benches, and gorgeous sea views.

Visitors of all ages enjoy the relaxing walk past sights like the Venetian fortifications, colorful fishing boats, and waterside restaurants. Sunsets over the Mediterranean are magical when viewed along the atmospheric promenade.

Indulge in Water Sports and Boat Trips

Those wanting to get out on the water have plenty of options at Paphos Harbour. The warm Mediterranean waters are ideal for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and more. Rentals and tours can be found along the harbor.

Boat cruises of all styles also depart frequently from the main piers, from glass-bottom tours to deep sea fishing excursions. Ferries provide transport to attractions around Paphos like the Baths of Aphrodite. Private charters are available too.

paphos harbour boats

Day Trips from Paphos Harbor

While relaxing at Paphos Harbour could easily fill a day, visitors may want to take advantage of the area’s many other attractions. The Paphos Archaeological Park’s mosaics and Tombs of the Kings burial site are just short drives away.

Nature lovers can visit coastal parks like Akamas Peninsula. Day trips go to villages like Geroskipou or the Troodos Mountains.

There is no shortage of sites to explore using Paphos Harbour as your home base. However, for a few days of relaxing beach time you may want to check out Ayia Napa, the most famous beach resort in Cyprus.

Here are a few of these day trips from the port of Paphos – should you need more details about one of these activities, just click or tap on their names to visit the tour operator’s page.

Paphos Harbor is not only a vibrant and beautiful place, but also the node where all Paphos bus lines converge, the place where cruises and adventures start and end, and the perfect spot to end your evenings in Paphos.

paphos houses by night

 

 

Violeta Matei
Latest posts by Violeta Matei (see all)

If you liked this article, click here to join my community of readers:
Subscribe