Great Daytrips From Paphos - Cyprus

Paphos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a wonderful destination; but there is more to the island of Cyprus to be discovered while based in the capital town. From historic sites to beautiful harbours with castles and mountains in between, taking a daytrip from Paphos is the best way to enjoy the splendours of the area.

Given the relatively small size of the island of Cyprus, none of the attractions are more than a short drive away. Explore the wonders of the Troodos mountain range, with its Byzantine churches; go to the famous Baths of Aphrodite, or head underground to visit the Tombs of the Kings all in hassle-free daytrips while enjoying your holiday in Paphos.Paphos cheap car hire deals With the abundance of history, you are guaranteed to be soaking up Greek mythology and culture during your stay, made easy by making use of the various daytrip options.

The town itself is split into two sections: Pano Paphos, the actual working town, and Kato Paphos, which is the coastal resort area. In Kato Paphos you will find a suitable level of accommodation regardless of your requirements, from luxurious hotels and resorts to mid-range and even budget traveller options. With so much to see and do, avoid the temptation to stay in your chosen piece of luxury and get out to explore the island with daytrips.

Break up your days of sunbathing by heading to Stavros tis Psokas, only a few hours’ drive from Paphos and home to the extremely rare moufflons – very shy mountain goats. Patience is the order of the day as these endangered species are kept in enclosures deep inside the forests outside the town, but just a glimpse of them will make the trip here worthwhile.

Kato Pafos Archaeological Park makes for another excellent daytrip with its ancient Roman villa, the House of Dionysos, housing a real spectacle of Greek history. The mosaic covered floor depicts scenes of Greek mythology and is considered to be the best example of such in the world, dating back as far as the 3rd century. This is the best site in the park, but there are many more historical Greek Cypriot treasures to be appreciated here.

The quintessential Paphos experience is to take a daytrip to the Baths of Aphrodite.Rent Paphos car online Despite the fact that you can no longer bath in the water for hygiene reasons, coming to visit the murky pools gives you a sense of what it would have been like when Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, used the baths. Legend says that she bathed here with her lovers and that if you splash the water over your face, you are guaranteed to remain forever young.

Another draw for visitors here is the Aphrodite’s Nature Trail located nearby. Only about half a mile long, rambling to the end rewards you with vistas of the immaculate and breathtaking coastline making the half-mile walk a worthy break from sunbathing.

Get the Indiana Jones experience by visiting the Tombs of the Kings located underneath the ground and carved out of rock with temple-like exterior designs. There were never any kings buried here, rather high ranking government officials and wealthy citizens of the Hellenistic and Roman eras, but nonetheless there is something of a royal feel to the tombs as you explore inside.

Northern Cyprus is another possible daytrip destination if you hire a car to sightsee around the island. However, Turkish Cyprus is another destination altogether and so a trip longer than a day would be recommended to get a real feel for the region. If you only have time for a daytrip, it will at the minimum provide you with a taste of the island’s northern half.