25 Best Things to Do in Paphos (2026 Guide)

There is no shortage of things to do in Paphos, whether you have just moved here on a yellow slip or you are down on the coast for a long weekend. This is a resident’s rundown rather than a tourist listicle, so it mixes the free and low-cost stuff you will come back to again and again (the harbour, the coastal path, Coral Bay, the Akamas trails) with the ticketed sites worth planning a proper day around (the Tombs of the Kings, the UNESCO mosaics, the zoo and a boat trip or two). Every price and opening time below was checked against the venue or an official source in 2026. Things change, so always confirm on the day before you set out.

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Free and Low-Cost Things to Do in Paphos

Some of the best things to do in Paphos cost nothing at all. Start at Paphos Harbour, the compact fishing port lined with tavernas and bobbing boats, with the squat medieval Paphos Castle guarding the entrance. Wandering the quay and watching the sunset is free; if you want to climb the castle for the rooftop view over Kato Paphos, entry is about 2.50 euro. From the harbour you can walk the coastal path east toward the lighthouse and the hotel strip, a flat, breezy stroll that locals do at dawn and dusk all year.

Up the hill, Ktima (upper Paphos) is the working town: the covered municipal market, the old-town lanes around Kennedy Square, and a scatter of cafes and bakeries where residents actually shop. It rewards aimless wandering, and a self-guided audio walk from wegotrip.com is a cheap way to add the history if you want the context without a group tour. Round it off with a swim: Coral Bay, about 12 km northwest, is the region’s best sandy Blue Flag beach, free to access with sunbeds for hire in season.

• Paphos Harbour and coastal path – free, open all hours, walkable from Kato Paphos
• Coral Bay beach – free sand, sunbeds and watersports in season
• Ktima old town and municipal market – free to wander, cafes and produce
• Paphos Castle – about 2.50 euro to go inside, free to admire from the quay

Historic Things to Do in Paphos: Tombs, Mosaics and Ruins

For history lovers, the top things to do in Paphos are its ancient sites, and they are excellent value. The Tombs of the Kings, a UNESCO-listed necropolis of grand underground rock-cut tombs carved for Hellenistic and Roman officials, is the essential visit. Entry is about 2.50 euro, and under-18s go free. It opens daily from 08:00, closing around 19:30 in high summer (June to August) and 17:00 in winter, so check before a late-afternoon visit.

Closer to the harbour, the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park is the showstopper: another UNESCO site whose Roman villas hide some of the finest ancient mosaics in the Mediterranean, above all the House of Dionysos, plus the Odeon, the Agora and the Saranta Kolones castle ruins. Entry is about 4.50 euro (free for over-65s and students with ID), and it opens daily 08:30 to 19:30 in summer (16 April to 15 September) and 08:30 to 17:00 in winter. Give it two hours and wear a hat, as there is little shade. None of these need advance booking, but if you want to skip the ticket window and lock in a time, you can book skip-the-line entry to the Tombs of the Kings and the park on tiqets.com. Arriving straight off a flight or cruise with bags? Drop them at a radicalstorage.com point near the harbour so you can explore hands-free.

Family-Friendly Things to Do in Paphos

Travelling with kids widens the list of things to do in Paphos considerably. Top of the pile is Paphos Zoo near Peyia, a genuinely good day out with big birds-of-prey and parrot shows, giraffes, big cats and shaded gardens. It opens daily 09:00 to 17:00; gate prices are roughly 17 to 19 euro for adults and 9 to 12 euro for children 3 to 15, with under-3s free, so confirm current rates on the official site or by phone (+357 26 813 852). The bird shows run to a timetable, so arrive mid-morning to catch them.

Down on the water, the harbour is the launch point for family boat trips: glass-bottom cruises, mini-submarine rides and half-day sails toward Coral Bay are all pushchair-friendly and easy to book on the quay. Kids also love clambering around Paphos Castle and paddling at Coral Bay’s gentle shallows. If you would rather compare and pre-book excursions before you arrive, day trips and family experiences are listed on klook.com and kkday.com.

Nature, Beaches and the Akamas Peninsula

The wild west of the island is where the best outdoor things to do in Paphos are found. The Akamas Peninsula, an uninhabited national reserve of gorges, sea caves and turtle beaches, is the highlight. Most people reach its jewel, the Blue Lagoon with its impossibly turquoise water, by boat cruise from Latchi or Paphos harbour, or by booked 4×4 safari, as the tracks are too rough for a normal hire car. Start a walk from the Baths of Aphrodite, a shaded natural grotto near Latchi where, legend says, the goddess bathed; the site and its nature trails are free.

South of town, Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra tou Romiou) is the sea stack marking the goddess’s mythical birthplace, a free roadside stop about 25 km along the coast toward Limassol that is spectacular at sunset. Because Akamas and the Blue Lagoon really need a boat or a guide, this is the one area worth booking a tour for; compare cruises and 4×4 safaris on klook.com. And if you plan to pack several paid attractions into a short trip, it is worth checking whether a multi-attraction pass from gocity.com covers the sites on your list before you buy them separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best free things to do in Paphos?

Paphos Harbour and its coastal path, the Ktima old town and municipal market, Coral Bay beach, the Baths of Aphrodite trails and Aphrodite’s Rock are all free. Together they make up the everyday things to do in Paphos that residents never tire of, and none need a ticket.

How much does it cost to visit the Tombs of the Kings and the mosaics?

The Tombs of the Kings is about 2.50 euro, with under-18s free, and the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park with the Roman mosaics is about 4.50 euro, free for over-65s and students with ID. Both are among the best-value things to do in Paphos and are sold at the gate.

What are the best things to do in Paphos with kids?

Paphos Zoo near Peyia is the standout family day, with parrot and bird-of-prey shows and shaded gardens. Add a harbour boat trip, Coral Bay’s shallow beach and a clamber around Paphos Castle for an easy, low-stress few days with children.

How do I visit the Akamas Peninsula and the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon is reached by boat cruise from Latchi or Paphos harbour, or by a booked 4×4 safari, as the Akamas tracks are unsuitable for standard hire cars and off-limits to rental insurance. Regular buses do not run into the reserve, so a tour or an off-road vehicle is the practical way in.

Do I need to book attractions in Paphos in advance?

The Tombs of the Kings, the archaeological park, the castle and the zoo all sell tickets at the gate, so no. Akamas boat cruises, 4×4 safaris and popular harbour trips are the ones worth booking online in advance during high season to secure a slot and skip the queue.

Related Cyprus guides

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Expat Essentials for Paphos

A few quick wins make settling into Paphos easier while you work through this guide. An Airalo eSIM keeps you online from the moment you land, a pre-booked Welcome Pickups transfer takes the stress out of arrival day, and NordVPN protects your logins on public wifi. See our full list of trusted services below.

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Written by the FinePassport Team · Updated July 2026