Best Family Things to Do in Paphos, Cyprus
The birthplace of Aphrodite, Paphos is a nice family holiday destination for those seeking relaxation with a side of history. Here are some top family things to do in Paphos, Cyprus.
Feeling a bit blue after our Maldives trip, we wanted to book a final summer trip before Lady Yeya starts Reception in September. Our main criteria: to use our British Airways miles to a European destination with plenty of sunshine. It was a toss up between the Greek Islands or Cyprus. Having never been to Cyprus, we decided on Paphos for some history, beaches, Greek food, and sunshine. Relatively small in size with a handful of archeological sites, Paphos is a great place to introduce LadyYeya to the fascinating history of the Ottoman Empire. Here are my top things to do and see in Paphos with a young family in tow.
Family Time at the Pool
With temperatures hovering around 32C high, it is far too hot to explore in Paphos during the day. The best thing to do is enjoy family time at the swimming pool. Kiddos love splashing about and making new friends at the pool. We spent every day, all day, for seven days at different pools at our hotel, The Annabelle. It was great fun and good quality family time. But don’t forget to lather on the suncream as the sun is strong in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Walk the Coastal Path
If you are a keen walker or running, there is a long coastal boardwalk along the Mediterranean Sea. Schedules permitting, I always like to go on morning runs whilst on holiday as a way to see some of the sights, burn off some calories, and get a runner’s high. From Paphos Harbour, the northern stretch to Tomb of the King is about 2.5 miles, passing by Paphos Castle, some art sculptures, Lighthouse Beach, Elysium Hotel, and Tombs of the Kings. The southern stretch is lined with hotels and resorts until you reach the iconic blue-and-white St. Nicolas Church at Sunset Point. We took evening walks along the coastal path enroute to dinner and also to catch the sunset.
Enjoy the Sunset
I love a beautiful sunset. I’ve seen some amazing sunsets around the world from Bali to South Africa, and Thailand. Situated on the western edge of Cyprus, Paphos has some magical sunsets. It is easy to find a nice spot to enjoy the amalgamation of brilliant hues of red and orange in Paphos. During our week in Paphos, we watched the sunset by The Edro III Shipwreck, from Old Town Paphos, from Kato Paphos Archeological Park, and from different seaside restaurants along the coastal path. Once the sun goes down, sit back and enjoy the warm Mediterranean evenings.
Kato Paphos Archeological Park
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is conveniently located near Paphos Harbour. During the summer months, this archeological park is open from 8am – 7:30pm (€4.50 for adults). We arrived around 6:00pm for a leisurely exploration of Kato Paphos. With a small child in tow, an hour around this UNESCO site was more than enough time. In addition to the Roman Odeon, there are some interesting mosaic floors of the houses of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion, and Orpheus. If you visit during late August, be sure to catch the sunset from Kato Paphos.
The Edro III Shipwreck
Lady Yeya’s BFF’s grandmother lives in Paphos, Cyprus and was so kind to spend an evening showing us around her hometown. She grew up in Paphos when it was a tiny fishing village before moving abroad to South Africa. We drove north to Coral Bay, best known for its sandy beaches and onwards to the Edro III Shipwreck in Peyia. In 2011, Edro III was sailing from Limassol with Rhodes as the final destination, however, it hit a rock off the coast of Peyia due to a heavy storm. If you want to enjoy a sundowner with views of the Edro III, Oniro by the Sea is calling your name.
Paphos Old Town
Our friend’s mother then took us to Paphos Old Town, which is worth exploring for a local vibe. We were lucky to have a local taking us on a short walking tour of Old Town Paphos. A blend of Ottoman and neoclassical buildings, Paphos Old Town is going through a renaissance with its refurbishment in 2017. Now new boutiques, independent restaurants, and craft gin bars are popping up. We had dinner at a local eatery called H Geitonia where we ordered the meze for a taste of authentic local cuisine.
Take a Dip in the Mediterranean Sea
There are few swimming coves around Paphos that are calm and gentle for children but often on shingle beaches. It’s worth taking a dip in the Mediterranean Sea to cool down. We took Lady Yeya on the Jolly Roger Pirate Boat Cruise and went swimming off the boat. If you’re an experienced swimmer, join the locals at the municipal pools for a morning swim and enjoy coffee at nearby Ta Bania.
With summer behind us and kiddos in school, it is time to officially welcome autumn!
