Aphrodite's Rock and the turquoise coast of Paphos from the air
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Luxury in Cyprus

Paphos

The island of Aphrodite: the rock where the goddess rose from the sea, Roman mosaics by the harbour, and the wild Akamas coast.

Aphrodite's Rock, PaphosPhotograph: Atlantic Ambience

Kalós orísate

The island of Aphrodite

Greek myth says that Aphrodite rose from the sea foam at Petra tou Romiou, the rock off the coast east of Paphos, and her great sanctuary stood nearby at Old Paphos. In Roman times Paphos was the capital of Cyprus.

Its villas left some of the finest mosaics of the ancient world, in the houses of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion beside the harbour, and the Tombs of the Kings are cut into the rock by the sea. Its archaeological sites are World Heritage.

North of Paphos lie the wild Akamas peninsula, the bay of Latchi and the Baths of Aphrodite, a pool in a grotto where the goddess was said to bathe. Inland, the vineyards and villages climb towards the mountains.

A few words of Greek
EnglishGreekSay it
HelloΓεια σαςYAH-sas
PleaseΠαρακαλώpa-ra-ka-LO
Thank youΕυχαριστώef-ha-ri-STO
Good eveningΚαλησπέραka-li-SPE-ra
The bill, pleaseΤον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώton lo-ghar-yaz-MO, pa-ra-ka-LO

Travel

First-class travel in Paphos

The chauffeurs at our standard.

Chauffeurs and self-drive

Experience

Events and things to do in Paphos

The Paphos year: the great events, month by month; each event's own website gives this year's dates.

Opera houses, concert halls and festivals

  • Pafos Aphrodite FestivalPaphos

    Open-air opera every late summer since 1999, staged in front of the medieval castle at the harbour.

Live

Luxury real estate in Paphos

A home in Paphos: the agencies and advisers at our standard, for the purchase and for life after it.

Prime real estate

  • Cyprus Sotheby's International RealtyLimassol and Paphos

    The Sotheby's affiliate for Cyprus, opened in 2019, with offices in Limassol and Paphos handling prime coastal homes.

All the leading agencies in Cyprus ›

Looking for a home in Paphos? Write to [email protected] and we will introduce you, in confidence, to the right agency.

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Paphos and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

Plan your journey to Paphos

Where is Paphos?

On the south-west coast of Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean. Paphos airport takes private jets and is about 20 minutes from the town; Larnaca airport is about an hour and a half away.

What is Paphos famous for?

Aphrodite’s Rock, its World Heritage Roman mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings, the wild Akamas coast, and the Baths of Aphrodite.

Do you tip in Paphos?

Many restaurants add a service charge. If not, rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated for good service; in cafés and bars, a euro or two is enough. Rounding up is usual for drivers. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.

What should you wear in Paphos?

Orthodox churches and monasteries expect covered shoulders and knees; some monasteries lend wraps at the entrance. Mosques also require headscarves for women and shoes off. Avoid beachwear away from the coast. No hard-soled shoes on yacht decks. Smart-casual suits the better restaurants.

Beyond Paphos

More in Cyprus

Limassol and the Mediterranean beyond.

CyprusCyprus Luxury Travel: Limassol & PaphosExplore CyprusThe MediterraneanTwenty-two countries and Gibraltar, first class onlyExplore the MediterraneanPlan your journeyFrom your home to Paphos, with the costsOpen the trip planner

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Paphos

How Cyprus does things.

Language
Greek and Turkish are the official languages. English is very widely spoken throughout, a legacy of British rule.
Greetings
A firm handshake with eye contact is standard. Friends often greet with a kiss on both cheeks. Hospitality is generous: guests are often offered coffee, sweets or fruit, and accepting, even briefly, is polite.
Dress
Orthodox churches and monasteries expect covered shoulders and knees; some monasteries lend wraps at the entrance. Mosques also require headscarves for women and shoes off. Avoid beachwear away from the coast. No hard-soled shoes on yacht decks. Smart-casual suits the better restaurants.
Dining
Meals are long and unhurried; lingering is part of the culture, not a sign of slow service. Meze, a long sequence of small dishes, is the classic way to eat, so arrive hungry. Reserve ahead at popular Limassol and Paphos spots.
Tipping
Many restaurants add a service charge. If not, rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated for good service; in cafés and bars, a euro or two is enough. Rounding up is usual for drivers. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.
Good to know
The island has been divided since 1974, with a UN-patrolled buffer zone. Do not photograph military buildings, sensitive areas or the buffer zone (you could be arrested), and approach the subject with tact in conversation. Traffic drives on the left.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.