Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Paphos?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Paphos?
Most visitors spend three to five days in Paphos when visiting. The ancient town offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the food, and the beautiful scenery.
Paphos is a city on the island of Cyprus. It has a long running history which you can learn about by visiting the Paphos Archaeological Park. The city also has wonderful beaches and amazing food.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Paphos? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Paphos?
Three days is generally not enough time to lounge on the beach, browse through museums, taste delicious cuisine, and admire the wonderful scenery in Paphos. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy popular activities such as the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the food, and the beautiful scenery. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the ancient town, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 5 days here. After all, The popular town of Paphos has many activities and attractions for visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend 3 days in Paphos
The beautiful beaches await you in Paphos, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Many people head to the area specifically for the beaches. This region has the longest coastline of any region in Cyprus, but keep in mind that some of the best beaches are found outside of the main tourist areas. However, they most are usually accessible by city bus with many remote stretches found along the Akamas Peninsula. Within town the beaches are often rocky and pebbly.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Standard 50HP Self-drive Private Boat Hire in Latchi ($151)
- Luxury 70HP Self-drive boat hire in Latchi ($187)
- Blue Lagoon Cruise with sightseeing departing from LATCHI HARBOUR. Postcode 8840 ($22)
The culinary scene in Paphos is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this town's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. Food is a huge part of the culture and family life in the area. The cuisine is influenced by the surrounding areas and you'll see similarities to Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Popular dishes include koupepia (vine leaves stuffed with a filling called gemista), souvlaki (a meat and salad filled pita), and makaronia tou fournou (a pasta dish made with halloumi and béchamel sauce).
The public transit in Paphos is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. It's possible to get around by city bus to most places. Buses connect many touristy areas such as Kato Paphos, Tombs of the Kings, Chloraka, Kissonerga, Coral Bay and Paphos Center.
Paphos is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. The area is well known for its impressive archeological ruins, many of which are found at Paphos Archaeological Site. Other impressive sights include the Tombs of the Kings, the Chrysopolitissa Basilica & St. Paul's Pillar, Agia Paraskevi, and Paphos Fort.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided Tour of Limassol with Kourion and Kolossi Castle ($55)
Paphos is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The area is known for its world-renowned archeological ruins, stunning beaches, and beautiful outdoor setting.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Standard 50HP Self-drive Private Boat Hire in Latchi ($151)
- Luxury 70HP Self-drive boat hire in Latchi ($187)
- Latchi to Blue Lagoon Glass Bottom+slide Boat Tour ($25)
Shopping in Paphos is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are outdoor markets, major shopping streets, and international fashion brands. You can pick up local souvenirs or beach gear that you may have forgotten.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Most people think of history, culture, beaches, and wine, but the city also has its share of clubs and bars. It's not the party-hard beach destination that you'll find at some Mediterranean tourist areas, but there are still plenty of bars and clubs with atmosphere and style. Head to Agiou Antoniou Street for the most action.
Is 4 days enough time in Paphos?
As a popular town, Paphos offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. Four days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in Paphos. Most visitors prefer to spend three to five days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Paphos is popular with families, couples, and backpackers which enjoy visiting because the town offers activities specifically for them.
Paphos, Cyprus
How to spend 4 days in Paphos
If you have more than 4 days in Paphos, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Paphos is Paphos Archaeological Park, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Paphos.
Is 5 days enough time in Paphos?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Paphos has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Paphos as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can lounge on the beach, browse through museums, taste delicious cuisine, and admire the wonderful scenery at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Paphos
Having 5 days in Paphos will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. There are many snorkeling and dive spots that aren't far away. You'll also find a number of scuba or snorkeling excursions that you can join. The water conditions for snorkeling and diving are best during the summer months.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Discover Scuba Diving in the Akamas Latchi ($99)
- Half-Day Scuba Diving Tour - Discover Scuba Diving! ($91)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Paphos.
More Info
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