Local Attractions
Things to do and places to go in Paphos!
Paphos, with a population of about 47,300 (end of 2001), is a popular sea and a fast developing tourist resort, home to an attractive fishing harbour.
It is divided into two major quarters: Ktima, on the sea terrace, is the main residential district, and Kato Pafos, by the sea, is built around the medieval port and contains most of the luxury hotels and the entertainment infrastructure of the city. Apostolou Pavlou Avenue (St. Paul's Ave.), the busiest road in Paphos, connects the two quarters of the city.
It begins near the city centre at Kennedy Sq. and ends outside the Medieval Fort at the harbor. The harbour of Paphos is not so important: the normal shipping goes via the harbour of Limassol. Just as is the marina of Paphos for fishing and other kinds of interest.
Lara Bay
Famed for its turtle hatchery where loggerhead and greenback turtles lay their eggs, one of the few places in the Mediterranean where they can still be found, Lara is also home to the Mediterranean monk seal, another very rare species. Beyond the turtle hatchery, the most beautiful beaches with white sand and clear waters can be found, but the water can suddenly get deep and wavy, so swimmers should be careful. The ideal way to reach the beautiful bay is to get a boat from Paphos to Lara so visitors avoid the difficult and time-consuming road trip.
Paphos Harbour and Fort
At the harbour, there is the Paphos Castle, originally built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbour, it was destroyed and rebuilt throughout history but is now a popular tourist attraction.
Tombs of the Kings
The Tombs of the Kings is a large necropolis lying a little over a mile north-west of Paphos harbour. The underground tombs, many of which date back to the 4th century BCE, are carved out of the solid rock, and are thought to have been the burial sites of Paphitic aristocrats and high officials up to 3 CE (the name comes from the magnificence of the tombs; no kings were in fact buried here). Some of the tombs feature Doric columns and frescoed walls. Archaeological excavations are still being carried out at the site. The tombs are cut into the native rock, and at times imitated the houses of the living.
Kings Avenue Shopping Centre
Kings Avenue Mall is an impressive full concept shopping mall ideally located in the heart of central Paphos convenient for both local residents and tourists. It is the most modern mall of Cyprus and offers visitors the ultimate shopping experience. Leading international fashion brands and retailers, high fashion boutiques, specialty stores and services, a variety of popular and world-known restaurant chains and cafes, a multiplex cinema with 6 screens, an arcade and children’s indoor and outdoor play area are all available for your shopping, entertainment and leisure. It is a modern architectural design with a stylish interior layout and a vast selection of shops. On the ground floor you can find several department stores, fashion shops for men, women and children, a supermarket and a mega toy and home ware store. On the first floor there are additional fashion shops, kids’ fashion stores, sports apparel, lifestyle and services shops, cosmetics stores, toys, gifts, jewelleries, lingerie, fashion accessories, electronics and multimedia, opticians, mini market, and many more.