About Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos (Paphos)

A mosaic of history

Little did King Nicocles, the last to reign over Palaipaphos, know that his transfer of a city to its present location closer to the port would create this unforgettable mosaic of history dating back to 4th century BC. If you love stories, you will find them etched in spectacular mosaic floors of the Roman Houses that dot the grounds of this Unesco World Heritage Site. The architecture is Hellenistic and worth preserving in multi-angle photos in the pages of your album. Odeon, the House of Dionysus - you could sit quietly on a bench letting your mid-drift enough to hear the crowds shouting out to you in hitherto unheard dialects. The murals are captivating; so is the lovely view as you walk out to the sea. This site is a living reminder of the sophistication and the artistry of Roman Paphos. Greek, Roman, Ottoman - civilizations converge here to create a fascinating mosaic of history. The Paphos harbor provided just the scenic background you were not anticipating. Other important monuments like the Asklepieion, the Odeon, the Agora, the Saranta Kolones (Forty Columns) Castle, the Limeniotissa ruins of an Early Christian Basilica, and the Tombs of the Kings will take you back in time; Theseus fighting the Minotaur, a monster called Skyla, a triumphant Dionysus, Orpheus among the animals, the bath of the new-born Achilles - well, we won't tell you more. We bet, you can't wait to find out. 

Must See

  • The Roman Houses
  • The Odeon
  • The Agora 
  • The Saranta Kolones (Forty Columns) Castle 
  • The Limeniotissa ruins of an Early Christian Basilica
  • The Tombs of the Kings

How to reach

The distance from Nicosia city center to this park is 153 km. The bus will take 3 hours to reach you there with a one-way ticket costing about 7 EUR. If you drive there by car, you can reach there in 2 hours. Car rental cost will vary depending on the type of car hired and the number of people.

Tips

  • The House of Dionysus is especially impressive.
  • Don't skip the Old Castle Ruins. 
  • Walk a little further for a pleasing view of the lighthouse overlooking the bay.
  • A little knowledge about Greek and Roman myths will help you appreciate the mosaics better.
  • Parking is available.
  • Clean restrooms are available near the amphitheater.
  • Wheelchair facilities are available too.
  • Wear comfortable shoes as there is lots of walking to be done. Flip-flops won't work here.
  • A hat and sunscreen are must-carry items; sunglasses too. 
  • Bottled water is available for sale near the mosaics.
  • Lots of nice cafes are located nearby.
  • Lots of pictures wait to be taken. 

Visit Time

This attraction is open all year-round.
It is closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox).

16th April - 15th September:

Sunday:       8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Monday:      8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Tuesday:      8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Wednesday: 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Thursday:    8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Friday:         8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Saturday:     8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

16th September - 15th April: 

Sunday:       8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Monday:      8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Tuesday:      8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Wednesday: 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Thursday:    8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Friday:         8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Saturday:     8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Timings are subject to change with regular updates available on www.mcw.gov.cy.

Time Icon

Waiting Time

On weekends and holidays you might have to wait an hour at the ticket counter.

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

Yes

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

2 to 3 hours

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Broken Clouds 19.05°C

 

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