Paphos is one of the most famous resorts of Cyprus, it is small (about 50 thousand inhabitants live in it) a tourist town located in the southwestern part of the island. In Cyprus standards, this is not the smallest city, which basically lives at the expense of the tourist industry.
Like any other resort, Paphos has its pros and cons and suitable for a certain category of vacationers. I'm a bit run forward, I note that we are in general and the whole remained quite rest in this pleasant little town.
Pluses of rest in Paphos:
- Transport accessibility
Along with the city, there is an international airport, which includes, including flights from Russia - if you arrive in Paphos, then you will have to go to the hotel for a maximum of half an hour - forty minutes, so you do not tire at all after the flight.
- A huge number of hotels in completely different categories
Both in Paphos itself, and in its surroundings there is an incredible number of hotels that belong to the most different categories - from youth hostels to luxury five-star hotels. If you fly to Paphos, you will give a lot of different options to choose from, so you will not be limited in your choice.
- Wide selection of cafes, restaurants, bars and taverns
All of them are offered both traditional Cypriot cuisine and European (Italian, French), as well as Chinese, Mexican and Russian restaurants. In Paphos, there are cafes and restaurants for every taste - from traditional Greek taverns, where you can taste local cuisine to Chinese restaurants. Also for Fastfud lovers in the city there is KFC and McDonalds.
- peace and quiet
Of course, this can be attributed both in the pros and in the minuses - perhaps youth will have to do not like a calm and measured holiday in Paphos, but I would have taken it to the advantages - for all time we did not meet a single drunk, did not see noisy Companies, and also did not come across any conflicts. Rest in Paphos most often choose families with children, the elderly, as well as anyone who wants to enjoy silence. In this regard, it will not be noted that there is practically no nightclubs there - on the boardwalk (that is, on the embankment) we have not seen any. If they are, then they do not disturb the peace of other vacationers.
- Availability of archaeological monuments in the city itself
Those who are interested in history will help you find out that in the city feature, right at the port itself there is an archaeological park, which includes the ruins of an ancient city (amphitheater, forum, etc.), various mosaics, the ruins of palaces, as well as the catacombs. Thus, without leaving the place of your holiday, you can get acquainted with the ancient civilization - the park is open for visiting every day.
Also in Paphos is an ancient necropolis, which is called the tomb of the kings. It is not in the center of the city, but closer to the outskirts - however, the distances are not very large there. There you can see the ancient tombs with the traces of the preserved mosaics.
- A large number of excursions that are offered in the city's turboo
For those who prefer longer excursions, there are a number of tourist companies in Paphos, which organize excursions to monasteries, traditional Cypriot villages, as well as in the reserve on the Akamas Peninsula. Paphos is quite successful - a trip to the Akamas Peninsula takes only about half an hour, and the monasteries can be reached over and a half - two hours, as they are located in the same part of the island. That is why for those who like to ride the excursions, Paphos is a rather successful starting point.
- Availability Water Park and Water Entertainment
In the city, the city is located Waterpark, that is, the water park, which offers both entertainment for kids and quite extreme slides for adults. If you live in Paphos itself, you can get to the water park and on foot, and on a taxi - the trip will take away ten minutes from the strength, and for those who are located in the vicinity of the city, free shuttles are passing in the morning, collecting those who want to have fun. On many beaches of the city, a row of water entertainment is offered - the set in principle is standard - banana, flying fish, parachute, water skiing, hycroclla rent. Prices for all this pleasant will surprise you.
- Availability of several large shopping centers
The city has a large TRK, in which the world-famous brands of clothing, shoes and accessories and some Greek brands that we have not found. We, for example, were in King Avenue Mall, which is located near the port. It has two floors on which shops, cafes, a play area and a cinema are located. In the summer period, the TRC pass sales, so shopping can be very beneficial. In addition, you can get Taks-Free, so that the total price of things becomes quite low.
As you already understood, Paphos has a number of indisputable advantages that make rest there are pleasant and unforgettable - if a relaxing holiday with excursions and attractions are what you need - you can consider this city as a possible place to stay.
Of course, there are some minuses in Paphos, about which I will tell just below.
Cons rest in Paphos:
- Lack of long sandy beaches
One of the main problems of the city is the lack of truly large and long sandy beaches - you can swim in the city, but the beaches are most often small - among them there are both sandy and pebble. The biggest sandy beaches are not in the city feature, but in his suburb - they are called Coral Bay and Coralia - these are two really long equipped sandy beach. You can reach them by bus, the ultimate stop of which is located in the port - it will take you about 30 minutes. Of course, it is minus, because not everyone wants to go to the beach by bus, especially since sometimes (mostly in the morning and in the evening) tourists there so much that there are no seating sites.
- The presence of dangerous flows
On a number of beaches of Paphos and its surroundings there are plates that prevent the presence of hazardous underwater flows. The instruction is also attached to them, explaining what to do if you still got into the whirlpool and how to swim out of it. Unfortunately, sometimes people who failed to drink from them. Of course, this does not apply to all beaches of the city - there are quite safe, but on some, alas, there is also such a danger. On the beaches with currents safer to enter the belt or on the chest and swim in shallow water. If you want to swim before the buoy or do not hold on the water very well before going to Paphos, you will definitely ask your tour operator (or find the information yourself) about the beach you are going to walk. On the aforementioned corals and Coral Bay, there are no currents, there is a calm water there, and the swimming is absolutely safe.
- Lack of stormy nightlife
As I mentioned above, it can be as a plus and minus - if you love nightclubs and fun all night long - you'd rather choose Ayia NAPU, which is famous for your parties, because Paphos - the place is quite calm, suitable for more recreation.