*PR: Gifted-only press trip with Jet2holidays

Sian Victoria © - Kourion archaeological site, Lemesos (Limassol), Cyprus

Sightseeing & tourist attractions in Paphos

Cyprus is an island country divided into two parts, with North being the Turkish Cyprus and South being the Greek Cyprus. The island which is shaped like a cigar became independent from the British in 1960 and can be found in the Eastern Mediterranean. It has a rich history and culture and is known as the birthplace of the Greek goddess of love – Aphrodite.

With Cyprus being the third largest and most populated island in the Mediterranean, there’s no surprise it’s full of cultural things to do and see, since it was once a playground for the Gods, meaning the country has an abundance of ancient Greek ruins to be admired all over the island.

Having already given you a tour of one of the most luxurious 5* hotels in Cyprus, I’ll now be sharing twelve of the best cultural things to do in Paphos and the surrounding area. And in my next post I will share traditional places to eat in Cyprus.

My winter sun break in Cyprus with Jet2holidays was filled with 24° sunshine, cultural activities, a luxury hotel stay and plenty of delicious Mediterranean food. So, lets discover my guide on some of the best things to do in Cyprus:

1. Basket weaving & Halloumi cheese making in Choirokoitia

Sian Victoria © - Petros’ workshop, Basket weaving & Halloumi cheese making in Choirokoitia, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Petros’ workshop, Coffee, Choirokoitia, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Petros’ workshop, Basket making, Choirokoitia, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Petros’ workshop, Basket weaving in Choirokoitia, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Petros’ workshop, Halloumi cheese, Greek food, Choirokoitia, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Petros’ workshop, Greek garden, Choirokoitia, Cyprus

One of the many highlights exploring with Visit Cyprus was visiting the picturesque rural village of Choirokoitia, where we were welcomed into a wonderful 1903 building made of traditional Tochni stone and wood.

The building belongs to the multi-talented artist Petros Nicolaou and his adorable rescue dog. It’s in this gorgeous home where Petros regularly hosts basket weaving and halloumi cheese making workshops followed by a delicious traditional Greek spread of homemade cake, bread and fruit & vegetables that have been grown in his garden.

Petros home which is not just his studio for weaving baskets and halloumi cheese making, is also a museum for his wonderful collection of artefacts that relate to the heritage of the village. Due to this Petros home, craft and village life stories have landed him in the glossy pages of Four Seasons magazine.

Traditional halloumi cheese making has been carried out for centuries through generations of families in Cyprus, especially in this hidden gem of a village, until commercial dairy production made it unfeasible to do so. However, that never stopped Petros who milks his own goats to create delicious fresh batches of halloumi cheese with no unnecessary ingredients added.

We tried samples of his cheese made with both local honey and handpicked mint from his garden. The mint halloumi sprinkled with sea salt and pepper was my favourite, it was still warm from production so tasted lovely with the bread and salad.

A man of many talents, basket weaving is a craft that was passed on to him from his grandparents. Petros sources the thin water reeds himself locally to create the baskets which can take him up to 2-3 hours to make. The baskets are made in a variety of styles and sizes using vegan and environmentally friendly dyes to make them so vibrant and beautiful.

2. Kourion Archaeological Site

Sian Victoria © - Kourion archaeological site, Lemesos (Limassol), Paphos, Cyprus

In under an hour’s drive from Paphos on the seafront in Limassol, you’ll find a magnificent Greco-Roman theatre known as the Kourion archaeological site. This impressive site, which was once a flourishing theatre was built in 2nd century BC and was associated with the Greek legend of Argos of Peloponnese.

In 365 AD it was severely damaged in an earthquake, but thankfully through excavations, teams of archaeologists have come as far as Australia to unearth significant finds that are able to tell a story of what once happened here.

Nowadays, mainly throughout the summer, the centrepiece is used for open-air musicals and theatrical performances. The UNESCO world heritage site costs just €4,50 - €8,50 to enter and the ancient relics can be found in the museum.

If you love ancient architecture, stunning sea views and Greek methodology the Kourion archaeological site is the place to visit with it being one of Cyprus most important city-kingdoms in antiquity.

3. Wine tasting in Omodos Village

Sian Victoria © - Ginger Greek cat, Wine tasting in Omodos Village, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Greek cat, Wine bottles, Vino tasting in Omodos Village, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Greek cats, Wine tasting in Omodos Village, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Wine tasting in Omodos Village, Cyprus

Nestled along a narrow path in the picturesque Omodos village, a hidden treasure awaits wine enthusiasts and cat lovers alike. As you make your way through the village, friendly Greek cats accompany your journey, adding a touch of whimsy to the experience.

However, it's the abundance of wine that truly steals the show. In this quaint wine-producing village, a Medieval wine press stands as a testament to the region's rich winemaking heritage. Visitors have the opportunity to indulge in wine tasting sessions, immersing themselves in the local production process.

While I must admit that I found myself captivated by the charming feline companions, the red and white wines I sampled were absolutely delightful.

If you're a wine lover, Omodos village is an absolute must-visit, where you can savor exquisite wines while immersing yourself in a playful atmosphere surrounded by the village's furry residents.

4. Platres Chocolate Workshop

Sian Victoria © - Platres Chocolate Workshop, Cyprus

What goes perfectly with wine? Chocolate of course, so shortly after visiting Omodos we proceeded to a lovely little chocolate workshop in Platres. The Platres Chocolate Workshop is the home of Cyprus chocolates and is the only chocolate shop on the island creating ‘bean to bar’ chocolates handmade on the premises. The shop can be booked for chocolate demonstrations or chocolate making lessons.

During the demonstration, we sampled a variety of milk, dark, white and flavoured chocolates made with cacao beans sourced from many regions that grow Cacao trees.

It was interesting to taste the difference and distinctive flavours in the chocolate depending on where the bean had been sourced. Almost 70% of the world’s chocolate is currently grown in West Africa.

However, the Platres Chocolate Workshop is unique as they make a variety of bars from beans sourced in countries such as South America, Vietnam, Venezuela and Colombia.

5. George's Traditional Bakery in Omodos

Sian Victoria © - Alfresco dining, Omodos Village, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - George's Traditional Bakery in Omodos Village, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Monastery of the Holy Cross, Omodos Village, Cyprus

If wine and cats aren’t enough to get you visiting the charming village of Omodos, maybe I could tempt you with delicious and freshly made treats from George’s Traditional bakery.

This family-run bakery in the heart of the village has locals queuing up to get their hands-on sesame seed bread brushed with rose water, super-sized bagels and a whole variety of sweet baked goods and confectionary.

Within a few cobbled steps of this popular bakery, you’ll also find the Monastery of the Holy Cross also known as the Timios Stavros Monastery, it’s also the oldest and most historical Monastery on the island.

It claims to contain the Holy Rope stained by the blood of Christ when the Romans bound Christ to the Cross. Part of the rope was left at the Monastery by St. Helen.

6. Cycle tour of Lemesos

Sian Victoria © - Promenade Limassol City, Nextbike hire, Cycle tour of Lemesos, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Promenade Limassol City, Cycle tour of Lemesos, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Limassol City shopping centre streets, Lemesos, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Promenade Limassol City, Pier, Lemesos, Cyprus

If you're seeking exciting activities to complement your sightseeing adventures in Cyprus, I have a fantastic suggestion for you: embark on a cycle tour of Lemesos with Nextbike bike hire.

As someone who hadn't ridden a bike in far too long, I relished every moment of this experience, especially cruising along the seafront adorned with majestic palm trees on both sides.

The sheer joy of pedaling along while enjoying the coastal breeze is simply unmatched. You can watch my cycling video at the end of this post as well as the rest of my Paphos experience.

This attraction in Paphos was the highlight of my trip. With Nextbike, renting a bike is convenient, and I'm already determined to make it my first activity on my next visit to Cyprus.

So, if you're looking to add an extra layer of fun and adventure to your Cyprus getaway, a bike tour in Lemesos is a must!

7. Traditional lace & silver making in Lefkara

Sian Victoria © - Rouvis, Traditional lace making, Lefkara village, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Rustic green door, Lefkara village, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Traditional lace making, Lefkara village, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Cobbled back street, Lefkara village, Cyprus

Larnaka village has been known for centuries for its traditional embroidery techniques and silversmithing. Hand embroidered linens is a craft that for many years creative (and very patient) women would teach their children.

However, today it’s a skill that sadly is becoming less and less desirable due to the amount of time each linen will take to make which is anything from a few months to multiple years depending on its cloth size and embroidery detail making them worth either a few hundred or thousands.

One local family that has been in the lace and silver business for many years is the Rouvis family, who take bespoke tablecloth orders from clients all over the world as they appreciate the time and uniqueness that goes into each piece.

8. George’s Jeep Safari Tour

Sian Victoria © - Lara Bay beach Turtle Conservation Station, Akamas nature reserve, Paphos, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - George’s Jeep Safari Tour, Akamas nature reserve, Paphos, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Akamas nature reserve, Paphos, Cyprus

If your up for an adventure and a bumpy ride, I recommend you hold on and book a George’s Jeep Safari tour to experience the wonderful sites of Lara beach, Akamas Peninsula and Laona villages. Our driver and Visit Cyprus tour guide Mary took us to some of the best idyllic views lin Paphos ooking out to the sea and mountains.

My favourite viewpoint had to be from Lara beach located in the Akamas nature reserve because its home to a turtle conservation station where green turtles and loggerhead turtles go to lay their eggs in the sand. Once hatched the new-borns are attracted to the moonlight and build up their strength by making their way to the sea.

Unfortunately, tourism, car lights and fishing has resulted in them being declared endangered species. Because of this Cyprus was one of the first Mediterranean countries to put laws in place to protect them.

The nature reserve is also home to plenty of flowers, shrubs and trees which our driver would point out to us along the off-road road trip. It’s recommended you visit the nature reserve with a tour guide like George’s Jeep Safari as a large vehicle is needed to take on the steep hillsides and deep ravines.

9. The Mosaics of Paphos

Sian Victoria © - Paphos Mosaics, Archaeological Park, Cyprus

Just a short five-minute drive from the Elysium Hotel where we stayed lies a captivating archaeological wonder: the ancient mosaics of Paphos, nestled in the enchanting Kato Paphos region of Cyprus. It's hard to believe that these mosaics remained hidden until the 1960s when they were fortuitously discovered.

Our delightful tour guide, Mary, recounted being present on that very day, and since then, more and more of these remarkable artworks have been unearthed, providing a glimpse into the past.

Each mosaic floor is like a captivating tapestry, weaving together intricate designs that narrate enthralling tales from Greek mythology. Walking amidst these ancient relics today is awe-inspiring, but one can only imagine the sheer magnificence they possessed during their heyday, between the Hellenistic period and Byzantine era. The level of artistry and craftsmanship displayed in these mosaics is truly remarkable, reflecting the skill and dedication of the craftsmen of that era.

Visiting the ancient mosaics of Paphos is like stepping into a time machine, immersing oneself in the rich history and mythology of ancient Greece. It's a testament to the enduring legacy of human creativity and storytelling.

If you have a passion for archaeology, mythology, or simply appreciate the beauty of ancient art, this remarkable site should be at the top of your list when exploring Cyprus. There is also an on-site car park so if you decided to arrange car rental at Paphos airport or travel in your own car, you won’t have any troubles with parking your vehicle. There is also a bus station nearby.

10. Traditional Cypriot delight making in Geroskipou

Sian Victoria © - Arsinoe, Traditional Cypriot delight making, Geroskipou, Paphos, Cyprus

Cyprus is famous for its delightful confectionery known as Cyprus Delights, a soft and chewy treat that has been enjoyed on the island for centuries.

One particular sweet shop and factory in Loukomi called Arsinoe Delights has been crafting these tasty delights for many years. What makes them special is their commitment to using simple ingredients and avoiding the use of gelatine or preservatives.

It was interesting to witness the process of turning a boiling syrup mixture into these powdered treats. The skilled artisans at Arsinoe Delights work their magic, creating a wide range of flavors such as vanilla, mango, coconut, and strawberry. Each bite is a burst of sweetness and a testament to the family's dedication to their craft.

If you have a sweet tooth or simply want to experience a traditional Cypriot delicacy, a visit to Arsinoe Delights is a must. Their Cyprus Delights offer a taste of authentic flavors and the rich culinary heritage of the island.

11. Tomb of the Kings Archaeological site

Sian Victoria © - Tomb of the Kings Archaeological site, Paphos, Cyprus

Cyprus boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, and among them, I was especially eager to visit The Tombs of the Kings, conveniently located just a short distance from the Elysium Hotel. These extraordinary ancient tombs, dating back to the 4th century, served as the final resting places for esteemed individuals of high social status. As you descend underground to explore these remarkable tombs, carved meticulously from solid rock, a peculiar sense of awe and fascination takes hold.

The allure of The Tombs of the Kings lies not only in their historical significance but also in the breathtaking surroundings. With the shimmering sea as a backdrop, the site exudes a mystical aura, transporting visitors back in time. Walking through the intricate passageways and chambers, one can't help but be amazed by the architectural ingenuity and craftsmanship of the ancient world.

The unique experience of wandering amidst the ancient tombs, with their grandeur and enigmatic atmosphere, leaves an indelible impression. Personally, I was so captivated by The Tombs of the Kings that I would gladly revisit this archaeological marvel, eager to delve deeper into its secrets and immerse myself in its intriguing past.

For history enthusiasts, adventure seekers, or anyone seeking a glimpse into the past, The Tombs of the Kings is an absolute must-visit. Prepare to be enthralled by the sea views, immersed in the rich ancient history, and entranced by the enigmatic aura that pervades this captivating UNESCO World Heritage site.

12. Paphos Harbour

Sian Victoria © - Paphos Harbour Castle & Mermaid statue, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Paphos Harbour, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Paphos Harbour Mermaid statue, Cyprus

Sian Victoria © - Paphos Harbour Castle, Cyprus

During our trip in Paphos with Jet2holidays, we visited Limassol harbour for a cycle tour and Paphos harbour near the mosaics archaeological site. Both harbours have wonderful sea views and a variety of restaurants and shops making them a popular tourist destination to explore.

Especially Paphos harbour which has a Medieval Fort that was once built in the Byzantine era to protect the harbour. Over the centuries it has been destroyed and rebuilt by the Venetians and Ottomans.

Nearby, keeping a close eye on the Paphos harbour and fort is the sculpture of The Sol Alter created by artist Yiota Loannidou to represent the countries goddess of Love, Aphrodite.

To conclude

Cyprus offers a myriad of captivating experiences that cater to a diverse range of interests. From exploring ancient mosaics and indulging in traditional Cyprus Delights to embarking on scenic bike tours and immersing oneself in the rich history of UNESCO World Heritage sites, this beautiful island has something for everyone.

Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, a food enthusiast, or simply seeking relaxation under the Mediterranean sun, Cyprus has it all. With its warm hospitality, stunning landscapes, and cultural treasures that create an irresistible allure that beckons travelers from all corners of the globe, it is not surprising why this Greek island is considered one of the many most desirable places to visit in Europe.

So, whether you're wandering through the winding streets of Omodos village, savoring the local eats, marveling at ancient mosaics, or embarking on a bike tour along the Lemesos seafront, Cyprus promises unforgettable moments that will leave a lasting impression.

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