Paphos
The old town is cobbled with lovely pavement cafes to languish in and watch the world go by for a while. Also in the town is a perfectly formed beach that’s crammed with sunloungers for a lazy afternoon. Coral Bay beach isn’t too far away if you want a larger family-friendly stretch of sand that has plenty of facilities.
For the widest selection of bars and restaurants in Paphos, head to the Paphos Harbour, where there’s a happy atmosphere in the evenings as tourists congregate. Order a meze of swordfish, calamari, whitebait and prawns and taste the freshest local catches while you savour an inspiring view across the sea. The waterfront restaurants are a good spot for people-watching, too.
Churches are popular sightseeing destinations in Paphos. Agios Georgios Church is small but beautiful and has wonderful views to enjoy from its hilltop location. If you're looking for something that bit bigger, the Byzantine Agia Paraskevi Church obliges with five domes. Immerse yourself even further in history with a visit to the Tomb of the Kings, which is just a 10-minute drive from the harbour and contributes to Paphos's status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This archaeological site is believed to be the burial ground of aristocrats in underground tombs dating back to 4th century BC.
Legend has it that Aphrodite rose from the sea and came to Paphos. The Baths of Aphrodite are situated just outside the village of Polis towards the tip of the Akamas Peninsula, and they're said to be where Aphrodite met her beloved Adonis. Beyond the legends, the Akamas Peninsula is the place to discover some wildlife and witness the giant limestone walls of the Avakas Gorge, home to a variety of plants and animals. Nearby Lara Bay is a breeding station for Green Back Turtles, too.
For water babies, St George’s Island is a popular diving spot easily reached from Paphos and suitable for all levels.
Nearby Greece is full to the brim with great beach destinations. If you like Rhodes, you're sure to love our cheap beach holidays to Mykonos or our great Santorini beach holidays.
