Paphos is situated on the southwest of the Island, 90 miles from the capital Nicosia, 90 miles southwest of Larnaca. Paphos has the island's second international airport, 9 miles east of the main town.

Paphos is believed to be the birth place of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and is a popular resort destination ideal for families. The city of Paphos is split into two parts, the upper part mainly the residential area, and Kato Paphos by the pretty harbour, the lower part of the town. You will find many open air tavernas to sit and relax in the warm sunshine, whilst watching the little fishing boats bobbing up and down in the water. Along the seafront there are many cafés, bars, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Paphos is rich in ancient sites, dating back to the the Roman ages, among them the House of Dionysos and the Villa of Theseus, with beautiful mosaic floors, and the Tombs of the Kings. Other places of interest include the Paphos District Museum, the Byzantine Museum, Paphos Fort commanding the harbour, the remains of the Byzantine castle of Saranda Kolones, and Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church, the largest early Christian basilica on the island.

Paphos offers a variety of holiday accommodation ranging from modern luxurious hotels to hotel apartments, tourist villages and many holiday villas.

There are a number of municipal beaches along the Paphos shoreline, but Coral Bay Beach, 7 miles north, is considered the most attractive, being sandy and having shallow waters. Sun-beds and umbrellas are available for rent at the Coral Bay beach.

Coral Bay area has many tavernas and restaurants, Apart from the local tavernas serving traditional dishes and meze, international restaurants offer plenty of choices from Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai and other ethnic cuisine.

There is a frequent bus service along the coast road to Coral Bay, operating from early morning till early evening during main season and taxis are also available.


Coral Bay

Coral Bay itself is a 600m crescent of soft white sand, book-ended by a pair of headlands. It is home to a handful of top-notch hotels and the neighbouring marina looks set for completion in the near future. However, it's the glassy waters offshore that everyone comes for. Coral Bay beach is perfect for swimming and water sports where you'll find every conceivable activity from banana boat rides to jet skis for hire.

Cultural types may find themselves twiddling their thumbs as there is little of historic interest in the resort. However, 'foodies' will find an excellent selection of bars, restaurants and tavernas and the popular village of Peyia is just 5 minutes drive away where you will find excellent local tavernas.

Coral Bay is a very family-friendly place and anyone wanting a big night out would do better to head for nearby Paphos and get a return taxi in the small hours.
Coral Bay is also a great base for exploring the pristine coastline to the north, where a jigsaw of coves and inlets hide some of the best (and most isolated) beaches on the island. Don't expect to find much in the way of refreshments and pack a well-stocked picnic hamper and plenty of sun cream.

Peyia

This charming village clings to the rugged hills that act a backdrop to Cyprus ' most photogenic stretch of coastline. Below glitter the crystal waters of the Mediterranean, while to the north the silhouetted peak of Ayios Yeoyios marks the beginning of the untouched Akamas Peninsula .
However, it's the village's proximity to the resort of Coral Bay (just five km south west) that first put Peyia on the developer's map. Walking along the pine-scented streets it's easy to come to the conclusion that Peyia is still sleeping off all the hard work of the recent construction boom. While locals like to claim that 'in Peyia nothing happens in a hurry', the truth is that nothing much happens at all. However, it's this soporific quality that imbues Peyia with most of its charm.

Peyia proves a welcome antidote to the bustle of nearby Pafos and is a great place to while away a relaxing lunchtime with a plateful of meze and a cold bottle of Keo beer. If you prefer your afternoons to be a little more active you'll find a number of local companies offering every white-knuckled pursuit from go-karting to paragliding, otherwise it's a short hop to the beach.
Cultural cravings should be satisfied by the two ruined Christian basilicas found on the outskirts of the village (watch where you put your feet as the 'best bit' is the mosaic covering the floor), while Further evidence of Peyia's historic importance comes in the shape of Roman tombs carved into the cliffs above the sea.

Having slumbered through the day Peyia wakes up at night. Taverna tables groaning under the weight of fresh fish fill the central square, the evening air cools and the village comes alive with the sounds of animated conversation. Then, all of a sudden, it's very easy to see why Peyia has become one of the most coveted places on the island to own a holiday home.

Polis Chrysochou

Situated on the rugged Akamas peninsula, the sleepy town of Polis is perfect for those looking for a little rest and relaxation.

Legend has it that the goddess Aphrodite emerged from the sea, just as Cyprus did itself. Don't miss Aphrodite's Bath, a picturesque rock pool and waterfall where the goddess is believed to have bathed, which oozes with magic and mystery.

Polis was founded in the 7th century BC and means (Polis Chrysochhou) city of the golden land. The surrounding land is fertile and is a largely untouched by tourist development which adds to its charm, and it still retains its own distinctive character.

The town is cradled by rugged mountains and surrounded by a patchwork of citrus groves and vineyards. The town's whitewashed sugar cube houses, plump Orthodox Church domes and shady courtyards are a reminder of a Cyprus that's fast disappearing and much of Polis' charm lies in watching local life tick slowly by.

Polis first made it into the guidebooks in the 1980s as a backpacker haunt and today it's one of the few places that still caters for independent travellers. The town huddles round a central pedestrianised plaza that hosts a colourful daily market showcasing the best local produce. At sunset the market stalls are replaced with restaurant tables piled high with platefuls of meze and fresh local fish.

Once you've visited the archaeological museum and had a look at the medieval frescoes daubed on the walls of St Andronikos Church then it's time to explore some of Cyprus ' least spoiled countryside. The nearby Akamas Peninsular is an untouched wilderness laced with hiking trails and secluded coves bitten from the pink rock. Offshore, the waters are a glassy mosaic of greens and blues that promise some of the best snorkeling and diving on the island.

Latchi

Fans of fresh seafood should make for the picturesque fishing village of Latchi, which has some of the best fish restaurants situated along the pretty harbour.
Latchi has plenty to appeal to the tourist. Water sports such as parasailing are available here. The beaches on the north are closest but they are largely shingle but are immaculately clean and have been awarded the EU blue flag for cleanliness. If it's larger sandy beaches and sunsets that you are after, it's not much further to the west coast.
Boats can be hired from Latchi harbour from where you can take your boat to the Blue Lagoon and swim in the emerald green sea.

Neo Chorio

Neo Chorio Village is nestled amongst the hills of the Akamas Peninsula. It is a small traditional village with a maze of winding streets, stone cottages, a couple of excellent taverners and wonderful views to Latchi and the Akamas.The beaches of Latchi and the facilities of Polis town are only minutes away.

Ayia Marina & Argaka

These two rural villages, mainly agricultural, are approximately 5 minutes apart on the way to Pomos Point. Each with a population of 1,000 or so, they have coffee shops and a couple of tavernas serving locally produced food. Along the coast road, a few minutes drive away; there are more establishments' catering for the hungry visitor and local alike. Argaka has two churches, Ayia Varvara being the oldest, whilst Ayia Marina has three, including a very old Byzantine church in the forest about 1 mile away. This part of the island is very fertile and has an abundance of fruit trees including figs, grapes, prickly pears, apples, oranges and lemons. Being rural, early morning walks are particularly enjoyable. There are some extensive good beaches in the area. Both villages have groceries/mini-markets and a small Co-op store. Approximately 55 minutes drive from Paphos airport.

Pomos

With Pafos being just 40 minutes away and Polis a short 25-minute drive, Pomos is situated along the west Coast of Cyprus. A picturesque location, with a spectacular coastline of blue waters and rock pools, this quaint village is great for exploring and fishing.

Close to Restaurants, Supermarkets and the serene fishing harbour, this quaint village will truly leave you breathless.


Pyrgos

Located well off the usual tourist circuit, a sleepy uncommercialised fishing village and an ideal base from which to explore lovely unspoiled countryside, to visit Cedar Valley and (if you are lucky) glimpse of rare species of wild flowers.
There are a couple of tavernas and coffee shops, banks, a post office and market. The village claims to boast the best climate in Cyprus and the sunsets here are dramatically spectacular. Very much an ethnic area with no bars or souvenir shops.

Droushia

Situated high on a hilltop with magnificent views to Polis and the sea. Village life goes on unchanged, with donkeys and dark-eyed oxen much in evidence. This is a peaceful and lovely haven, all the better for some very good tavernas. You can drive to Latchi with its excellent fresh fish restaurants and souvenir shops in about fifteen minutes, southwards through the vineyards to Peyia in twenty-five and about the same to Paphos on the old Polis road.

Akaourdalia

Is a traditional village in the hills not far from Droushia, where village life carries on as it always has, unchanged for centuries.

Laona region

Discover villages, sites and tradional food in Laona

Visit the beautiful countryside and unspoiled villages of the Laona region, close to Paphos and Polis, yet miles from the tourist crush.

Kathikas

''Gateway'' to the Akamas. The Visitor Centre (open daily 11.00 - 16.00) will help you plan your trip to the region and introduce you to the area's natural and cultural points of interest. Maps and brochures available; local handicrafts and produce for sale. Stop at the attractive Araouzos taverna for authentic Cypriot food in a traditional setting; or at the Farm Yard Taverna.

Pano Akourdalia

Walk through this attractive village to the Herb Garden to see a wide variety of Cypriot aromatic herbs. The garden is always open and you can see the drying process on Tuesday and Thursday (10.00 - 12.00).

Kato Akourdalia
Visit the tiny chapel of Ayia Paraskevi, and the Millers House, set beside an imposing gorge, about a 30 mins walk form the village (or a rough ride); Also visit the local community's Rural Life Museum, (Key available from the village headman); and Mrs Parthena, basket maker and traditional weaver. For good traditional meals drop in at Amarakos Inn.

Miliou

The ''green'' village, set amid citrus orchards. Visit Anthoulla, who weaves on a traditional loom and the former monastery of Ayii Anargyri (now a small hotel), with its healing sulphur spring. Buy your honey from Mr Dinos.

Kritou Terra

Stroll through the streets of this ancient village, stopping at the unique Washing Holes (Plystario) used by womenfolk in the past. Then drop in to village restaurant for light refreshment and food, including vegetarian, in the delightful setting of the old water springs.

Pissouri

The Greek Village of Pissouri is one of the most attractive and friendly villages in south-west Cyprus. It is situated in the principal vine growing area with sultana grapes covering the surrounding countryside. This south-facing village, set high up on the hillside about 1,000ft above the sea, commands the most magnificent view of some 20 miles of Mediterranean coastline. To the south and east there are panoramic views of the coast, across vineyards, olive and carob trees and to the north one can see the majestic Troodos Mountains. Pissouri is situated just off the main Paphos to Limassol road.

Pissouri Village has a lovely flower-filled central square for pedestrians only. There is a Greek Orthodox Church, a good bakery, postal agency, banks and small supermarkets. Several family-run tavernas and restaurants serve excellent fresh food at competitive prices.
In the summer months the village holds a Cyprus Night in the square every Wednesday evening. There's food and traditional Cypriot dancing; everyone is welcome!
In Pissouri village, where almost everyone speaks English, one can enjoy the friendly atmosphere and savour the relaxed and stress-free life of the village.

About a five-minute drive from Pissouri Village is one of the most famous monuments in Cyprus. Aphrodite's Rock (or Petra Tou Romiou) is said to be the spot where the Goddess Aphrodite was born from the foam (where there's always a welcome ice cream van!), the Rock is the further of the two, jutting out into the sea. It is lovely to swim there, though it can sometimes be a bit rough. Close to Aphrodite's Rock is Secret Valley Golf Course.

Pissouri Beach

Has a beautiful unspoilt bay, about 3km from the motorway (turn off at Pissouri Bay) and about 3km from Pissouri Village, down the vineyard beach lane.
There is safe swimming and the beach has the EU blue flag for cleanliness. There is sand to the left of the beach and a mixture of sand and pebbles to the right. There are water sports available (water-ski, banana boat, paragliding, sailing, snorkeling, wind surfing and jet ski). For a fantastic view of Pissouri Bay, or to explore the coastline, pedalo and Laser dingies can be hired. For a small fee one can hire sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach. The beach also has its own lifeguard.

There are several tavernas on the fringe of the beach, offering good food and refreshing drinks. Small shops sell fresh milk, bread, fruit, wine and other provisions. There is an excellent hotel where non-residents can use the restaurant and for a small cover charge also swim in the hotel pool. There are two banks along the beach area.

Peristerona

Peristerona is a beautiful quiet village, which is approximately 10 minutes drive to Polis town, and 50 minutes drive to Paphos town centre.

Troodos

The Troodos Mountains offer welcome respite to anyone suffering from an overdose of Mediterranean beach life. Travelling inland; Cyprus' palette changes from the thirsty ochres of the costal strip to a lush green mosaic that cloaks the mountains. The Troodos Mountains form the country's backbone, stretching across Western Cyprus and rising to a height of nearly 2000m.

Driving up the helter-skelter of hairpins and switchbacks of the Troodos Mountains takes you back in time to an older and wiser Cyprus; a world away from the bustle of the coast. Hiking trails weave through the forests to half-forgotten villages, glorious Byzantine churches and remote monasteries. Pine-resin scents the crisp mountain air and it's easy to believe that little has changed since the first visionaries and churchmen chose Troodos as their pious retreat.

The Troodos Mountains are littered with Orthodox churches, ten of which are now protected with UNESCO World Heritage status. The churches of Asinou, Panayia Tou Araka and the Archangel Michael are notable highlights and well-worth a visit. A glimpse of monastic life can be had at the celebrated monasteries of Kykko (20km west of Pedhoulas) and the spectacular Ayios Ioannis Lamndhistis (near the village of Kalopanayiotis). Local monks are happy to welcome visitors and pilgrims alike.

If you're on the island between New Year and the end of March it's possible to go skiing in the Troodos Mountains. Mount Olympus has seven runs, so there's something to suit all abilities, and you can always head down to the coast for some lively après-ski.

Driving in the Troodos mountains has been elevated to something of an art form; however, if you take things slowly you shouldn't have any problems. Back on the coast the mountains might seem a distant memory, but their physical presence ensures that at least one corner of Cyprus will avoid the headlong rush into the modern age.

Also in the Troodos mountains lies Kykkos Monastery, the largest and wealthiest monastery on the island. It too possesses an icon supposed to have been painted by St Luke. When the Iconoclastic wars broke out this icon was, according to legend, saved by a monk who threw it into the sea from where it drifted to Cyprus. Here another monk, Ignatius, found it after a vision had informed him of its whereabouts and built a shrine to honour it.

The geographical location of Cyprus made it a haven for Christians fleeing persecution as well as art treasures fleeing the Iconoclasts. Many Christians, some of them later canonised, fled to the island when the Holy Land was seized by the Saracens and are buried here. This is why Cyprus was sometimes called the "island of saints", and tales of miraculous events and visions of angels still abound on the island. According to the legend when St Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, came to the island, Cyprus was in the thirty-sixth year of a period of drought and famine which miraculously ceased when she arrived. St Helena brought a relic of the Cross upon which Jesus was crucified and founded a monastery on the top of a hill to enshrine it. This became known as Stavrovouni (the hill of the cross) and lies halfway between the capital, Nicosia, and the coastal town of Larnaca. Cyprus' proximity to the Holy Land led to the island being among the earliest places to be converted to Christianity. It was one of St Paul's initial ports of call in 45AD on his mission to convert the world. St Paul, together with St Barnabas, the twelfth Apostle who replaced Iscariot and himself a Jew of Cypriot origin, travelled across Cyprus and built the island's first church which he named after St Heracleidios, who guided the apostles through the Troodos mountains, and whom they appointed Bishop of Cyprus. St Hera Cleidios' Monastery is situated near the village of Politiko about 14 miles from Nicosia, near the site of the ancient city of Tamassos.

The special significance of Cyprus as an early Christian centre reflected its independence from the Byzantine Church. This privilege was granted following recognition of the Cyprus Church's claim to having been founded by the Apostle St Barnabas, whose remains were discovered still holding a copy of St Matthew's Gospel. To this day, the Cyprus Church jealously guards its independence and remains autonomous within the Orthodox Church. Thus the Archbishop of Cyprus retains special privileges conferred upon him by the Emperor Zeno, including the right to wear a purple cloak, to carry a sceptre instead of a pastoral staff and to sign his name in red ink.

Nine Byzantine churches in the Troodos Mountains, are included in the official UNESCO list of cultural treasures of the World's heritage:
Stavros tou Ayiasmati, Panayia too Araka, Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri, Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Panayia Podithon, Assinou, Ayios loannis Lampadistis, Panayia tou Moutoula, and Archangel Michael at Pedhoulas.

The impressive Troodos mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus, offering cool sanctuary and idyllic hours spent in long walks in its scented pine forests in summer and winter sports and skiing in winter.

Here are the many famous mountain resorts, Byzantine monasteries and churches on mountain peaks, and nestling in its valleys and picturesque mountain villages clinging to terraced hill slopes.

The area has been known since ancient times for its mines, and in the Byzantine period it became a great centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries were built in the mountains, away from threatened coastline.

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation has a leaflet for the unique Nature Walks, which have been created by the Forestry Department in co-operation with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation at Troodos itself, with full details of the rich profusion of flora and fauna found on these very attractive walks, which attract many visitors every year.

In the Troodos mountain range, besides Machairas to the east, and the actual Troodos district around Mount Olympus (height 1951 metres), there are four other districts, each of which has its own character and separate charm.

These districts are Pitsillia to the east of Mount Olympus, the Solea Valley and the Marathassa Valley to the north of Mount Olympus, and Krassochoria - the Wine Villages to the south (north-west of the Limassol district). These districts are easy to reach from either Limassol or Nicosia.