The island’s former capital, Pafos is a beautiful historic town and a popular tourist destination. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, new archaeological treasures are still regularly discovered here.

Its cultural and historical riches include the intricate and colourful foor mosaics of the House of Dionysos, preserved after sixteen centuries under the soil. You can also see the Christian Catacombs, ancient Byzantine churches, castle, mediaeval fort, and the Tombs of the Kings – set on a rocky ledge overlooking the sea and spanning six hundred years from the third century BC. The Odeon Theatre, built in the second century, is still used today for summer performances.

Modern Pafos is the fastest growing town on the island, with many fne restaurants, sandy beaches, excellent leisure facilities and amenities including professional services and medical centres. An ideal place to live, work and relax, it has a reputation as environmentally friendly area.

Surrounded by majestic scenery including banana plantations and the Akamas Peninsula, its nearby hospitable villages of Kathikas, Arodos, Droushia, Mesa Chorio, Tremithousa, Konia, Chloraka, Mandria and many more retain their traditional folklore, architecture and alluring atmosphere of the past.

Kato Pafos

A picturesque fshing harbour shadowed by an ancient fort, Kato Pafos is the focal point of the tourist area. Open air concerts - from famous operas to Russian ballets - are staged every September in the amphitheatre by the fort, overlooking the sea. As well as having some of the best hotels on the island, there are many open-air cafes and tavernas in Kato Pafos where you can sample a fish meze fresh from the morning’s catch. You can go on a sunset cruise, or hire boats for parties. Plans have been announced to upgrade Pafos harbour with the construction of a new marina. Two separate areas will be created one to service large yachts and the other for fshermen. Work starts in 2009.

Coral Bay

Skiing to banana boats, wetbikes and windsurfng. Lined with palm trees, and with lovely views back to the hills of Peyia, the Coral Bay Strip has many high quality restaurants and tavernas, as well as mini-golf and a variety of shops. It’s also the planned site for a 1000 yacht marina, one of the biggest in the Mediterranean with new commercial areas, more shops and more restaurants.

Peyia

One of the biggest in Cyprus, Peyia is a delightful and self-contained village where the Cypriots and British come together. Built high up in rugged hills, it offers amazing views of the surrounding hills sloping towards the sea at Coral Bay and all along the coastline to Pafos. It’s also a great starting point for exploring the Akamas Peninsula, local historic sites and museums, walking trails, wineries and natural springs.

Set around a traditional village square it has fragrant municipal gardens, tavernas serving the best Cypriot and international cuisine, and a brand new sports stadium. The original village jail is now a charming pub – you can still see the iron bars in a small window tucked high in the corner.

Aphrodite’s Rock

Five thousand years ago, the mythological goddess Aphrodite was born here as she emerged from the foaming sea into legend, propelled to shore on a seashell. A place of worship for centuries, the hallowed ground of Petra Tou Romiou (Venus Rock) stands unchanged and impervious, retaining its magic and mystery. Legend says that if a woman wishes to discover her one true love she must swim naked around the rock three times at midnight.