Long gone are the days when Paphos was only known for its beaches and antiquities.
Next year’s European Culture Capital title the town has been building up to has meant an explosion in arty things to do, from pop-up cinemas to outdoor story-telling alongside a diverse range of live music events.
Paphos is still known for its beaches and antiquities – and rightly so.
The region has scores of beaches with the Blue Flag cleanliness stamp of approval and its ancient UNESCO sites are a vibrant reminder of a rich past.
Read on for some top pointers on how to enjoy the rest of the holiday season in Paphos.
Culture
Pafos Aphrodite Opera
The 19th annual Pafos Aphrodite Opera Festival takes to the stage on September 2, 3 and 4 with a performance of Don Giovanni, presented by the Parma Opera Organisation. Enjoy an evening of music under the star-lit sky.
Location: Paphos Harbour.
Phone: 26 822 218
Website: www.pafc.com.cy.
Entrance: €25/€40/€50/€70.
Cinema
SEE FEST 2016: Film Screenings on the Beach
Pafos2017 brings back its programme of outdoor summer cinema in its SeeFest programme.
Five screenings take place in August on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8.30pm. The titles in this year’s event are, Go for sugar (Alles auf Zucker) To Rome with Love, Plato’s Academy, Come Back (Volver), Paris, I love you (Paris, je t’ aime).
Each film has Greek and English surtitles except for ‘Paris, I love you’ which only has Greek surtitles.
Location: SODAP Municipal Beach
Phone: 26 932 017
Website: www.pafos2017.eu
Free entrance
Open-Air Cinema at Technopolis 20
For the second year running, Technopolis 20 is running its summer cinema evenings at its outdoor garden venue. The aim of these screenings is to promote Cypriot directors’ work to cinema lovers.
Screenings stake place every Tuesday at 8.30pm during August and September.
On August 2 there will be no screenings because the venue will be closed. Location: Technopolis 20 (garden), 18 Nikolaou Nikolaidi Avenue, Paphos
Phone: 70 002 420
Website: www.technopolis20.com
Entrance: €3
Archaeological Sites and Museums
Put a morning aside to see remnants of the Roman era in Paphos at the extraordinary mosaics in the harbour. Discovered accidentally by a farmer decades ago; detailed images on the theme of wine and merriment make up the designs, which were part of a private home complex.
Location; Paphos Harbour entrance
Open daily until September 15, 8.30am – 7.30pm.
Phone: 26 306 217
Entrance: €4.50
Royal Manor of Kouklia
The Royal Manor of Kouklia was the feudal centre of the area in the 13th century. Today. it houses the Kouklia archaeological museum with finds that include a large meteorite used in the worship of Aphrodite. It is located on the site of Aphrodite’s Ancient Temple, which has stunning views over the Mediterranean.
Location: Kouklia Village Open daily: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 8am -4pm Wednesday: 8am – 5pm.
Phone: 26 432 155
Entrance: €4.50 (The price includes entry to the museum and the temple site).
Paphos Castle
Originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour, Paphos Castle was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 during the Ottoman invasion and rebuilt by the Ottomans after they captured the island in the 16th century.
Location: Paphos Harbour
Open daily until September 15, 8.30am – 7.30pm.
Phone: 26 306 217
Entrance: €2.50
The Byzantine Museum of Paphos
It houses an exhibition of religious artefacts from the 7th-18th centuries with an emphasis on icons. Among them is one of the oldest icons found in Cyprus that of Ayia Marina. The collection also includes wood carvings, embroideries, manuscripts and old printed books
Location: 7 Andreas Iouannou Street
Open: Monday-Friday: 9am – 4pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.
Phone: 26 231 392
Entrance: €2.50. For more on the many sites and museums to visit in Paphos District, go to: www.visitpafos.org.cy and click on the Coasts and Archaelogical Sites and Beaches tabs on the left-hand side of the page.
Traditional
Traditionally, life slows down in August, which is when villages hold their summer celebrations. Paphos villages celebrate carob, sweet and grape products. For a glimpse into local life, check what’s on at the tourist office (8 Agora Street, near the market, www.visitpafos.org.cy). Learn about the history of Paphos by taking a fascinating walking tour around the old town. Stops include the Byzantine Museum, the Ottoman Baths and the municipal market. Booking is essential.
Location: Starts at Cyprus Tourism Organisation office on 8 Agora Street near the old market.
Every Thursday at 10am. Last 2.5 horus.
Phone: 26 932841
Free entrance
The Place
This unique venue is a one-stop shop for all things traditional. You’ll find local goods and products here alongside wines and spirits.
There’s also the chance to see Cypriot crafts-people at work and enjoy a drink in the wine and beer garden.
Families welcome.
Location: 56 Kanari Street, Ktima
Open: daily
Phone: 26 101 955
Website: www.theplacecyprus.com
The Cultural Decentralisation Programme
Summer Night Tales, narrated by Paramythokores Storytellers: Antonia Velliou, Vasileia Vaxevani and Ifigenia Kakridoni. The narrators from Greece, who became fascinated by the truth and the power of stories share them with those they encounter. September 3 at 7pm.
Karagiozis Grammatikos (shadow theatre) by Theodoris Kostidakis, a recognised puppeteer takes us on a journey with his childhood memories. The Pasha is looking to find a secretary for Sarai. Chatziavatis searches and bumps into Karagiozis who cunningly gets the job although he does not know how to read or write. September 4 at 7pm.
Phone: 22 809 800, Website: bit.ly/29FjRT5
Beaches
Paphos boasts 11 Blue Flag beaches across the entire district, which means that they have been approved for cleanliness and high water quality by Europe.
Each has its own characteristics and features, be it a local café, beach bar, sun bed hire or a secluded location. To find out more about what each beach has to offer and where the closest one is located, go to: www.visitpafos.org.cy and click on the Coasts and Beaches tab on the left-hand side of the page.
Paphos Zoo
A day at Paphos Zoo is fun for all ages. As well as a huge collection of exotic birds, there are white tigers, giraffes, wandering peacocks and two Siberian Tigers called Bonnie and Clyde.
Location: Near Peyia on St. George Road
Open: Daily form 9am to 7pm.
Phone: 26 813 852
Website: www.pafosbirdpark.com
Entrance: Call zoo.
Outdoors
Paphos Beer Festival
Plenty of beers will be on offer for tasting at the annual Beer Festival.
Location: Paphos Medieval Castle
Open: Saturday August 4 – 6.
Phone: 26 250 311
Entrance: €6 (including one glass of beer)
Polis Beer Festival
If you miss the Paphos beer festival, head to Polis the following weekend for beer heaven.
Location: Latchi Harbour
Open: Friday August 12 – 13.
Phone: 26 250 311
Entrance: €6 (including one glass of beer)
