Once the Roman capital of Cyprus, Pafos is now listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The area abounds in monuments … the House of Dionysos hosting some of the finest examples of floor mosaics in the Mediterranean region, the Tombs of the Kings, the Christian Catacombs and ancient Byzantine churches … to name but a few.
The ‘old
town’ or Ktima, as it is known, is located just above the
harbour. This maze of winding streets boasts a vibrant selection
of traditional and modern shops, supermarkets, a colourful indoor
market selling local fruit and vegetables, banks, legal and government
offices, and a brand new hospital.
Kato
Pafos, just below Ktima, is built around a lovely picturesque fishing
harbour, over- looked by an ancient fort. Here you can bask in
an all year round holiday atmosphere. There are plenty of open
air cafes and local taverns where you can sample a fish meze … usually
fresh from the morning’s catch. You’ll also have some
of the best hotels on the island at your disposal … regular
events and activities are open to both guests and local residents
alike.
Not
far along the coast towards Limassol is one of the island’s
biggest claims to fame … the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite … where
huge rocks rise up out of the sea in honour of the remarkable goddess.
It’s believed the place actually took its name, Petra tou Romiou
(rock of the Greek), from the legendary Byzantine hero who threw
a rock here and sank one of the ships of Arab raiders. It’s
a well visited spot both for its incredible beach and grottos.
A
stone’s throw from this legendary spot is the village of
Pissouri perched on top of a hill with a panoramic view of the
by enclosed by Akrotiri Aspro. If you’re looking for somewhere
not too commercialised, you couldn’t make a better choice.
The beach, in the shape of a horseshoe, and surrounding area has
been thoughtfully developed over the last few years into a modern,
summer resort.
