You will be docked in the center of town.

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video.

The charming west coast town of Pafos focusses around an attractive little harbor whose picturesque open air fish restaurants line a quayside of bright fishing boats and pleasure craft. With a population of just 28.000 Pafos nestles In the lee of the Western Troodos Mountains, which add another dimension to this area of scenic beauty.

The recent addition of its own international airport nearby has opened up the Pafos area, and the resort is graced with some luxury hotels along the coastline. Pafos has an air of holiday charm combined with history, and olden-day elegance is lent to the town by its classical style buildings in the upper part of town which leads to the shopping area.

The lower part of the town - known as Kato Pafos has a life of its own albeit so close by, down near the sea -home of the harbor, the fish tavernas, souvenir shops and several beautiful hotels with important archaeological sites around them.

Pafos is entwined with Greek mythology, and the legendary birth of Aphrodite on her shores brought fame and worshippers there to follow the cult of the Goddess. Landmarks associated with Aphrodite are the chunky, rugged rocks of her beautiful birth shore known as the Aphrodite Rocks or "Petra tou Romiou", the evocative sanctuary of Aphrodite at Kouklia Village, one-time shrine and scene of pagan festivals for thousands, the Baths of Aphrodite at Polis, supposed source of fertility and the Fountain of Love, or Fontana Amorosa, a few miles further into the Akamas Peninsula.

Hop on/of Paphos tour.

Once a Roman provincial capital, Pafos played a crucial role in the Empire. Admire the exquisite floor mosaics of the Roman villas depicting scences from mythology, arguably the best in the eastern Mediterranean and the impressive underground Tombs of the Kings nearby, carved out of solid rock and decorated with Doric pillars.

In addition to the wealth of outdoor sites, tour the priceless collection of artefacts displayed in the Pafos District Archaeological Museum where you can see objects spanning the history of one of the oldest civilizations in the Mediterranean, including pottery, coins, tombstones and statues.

Shoppers have plenty of stores to browse around in both parts of Paphos Town. There are sparkling jewellery stores selling lovely local products at reasonable prices, handicrafts centers and boutiques selling locally made clothes. The main crafts of the island are offered in the Paphos shops such as, delicately woven Cypriot lace, hand-turned pottery, and paintings and sculptures. These are all among the souvenirs and gifts that travellers often take home because they are well made and the prices are reasonable.

The gastronomic pleasures of Cyprus should be savoured at an unhurried pace, to discover new flavours and sample the many traditional dishes. And what better way to learn than to follow local custom with a typical meze - meaning mixture which is usually a little of everything that is available that day in that taverna or restaurant.

As many as thirty dishes may form the meze starting with dips, salads and vegetables, advancing to hot dishes - including such favorites as Moussaka and kebabs as well as tasty local casseroles, fresh fish and chicken - and finishing with sweets like Baklava and loucoumades. Cyprus wines, inexpensive and plentiful, make a good accompaniment to this exotic and lingering repast, and a Cyprus coffee in a tiny cup, ordered according to sweetness desired is a fitting finale with a local brandy.

The typical take away is "souvlaki stin pitta"-kebab in a special envelope - type.

Hallourmi: Is the local cheese. It can be served plain or grilled.

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