About Tombs of the Kings

Dead yet living

Under burial tombs that imitate the chambers of the living; made for the aristocracy to be buried dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods, this is a marvel in architecture celebrating death as the gateway to a glorious afterlife. These tombs are cut out of solid rock and date back to the 4th century BC. Of particular interest are the grand Doric Pillars. The frescoes on the walls are note-worthy too. Rhodean Amphorae were offered among other treasures as part of the burial process. Much of that treasure has been pillaged by grave robbers. But, royalty rests in silence here for you to pay your homage. That they were loved and revered is evident in the painstaking labor that went into building these vaults. Some chambers open on to a peristyle atrium and the tombs look similar to those in Alexandria, demonstrating the interchange and close association of the two cultures. A Unesco World Heritage site, this should find its way into your itinerary.  

Must See

  • The Archaeological Park
  • The Odeon
  • The Agora 
  • The Saranta Kolones (Forty Columns) Castle 
  • The Limeniotissa ruins of an Early Christian Basilica

How to reach

The distance from Nicosia city center to this destination is 150.6 km. The bus will take about 2 hours 45 minutes to reach you there with a one-way ticket costing about 7 EUR.

If you drive there by car, you can reach there in 1 hour 30 minutes. Car rental cost will vary depending on the type of car hired and the number of people. Moreover, Pafos Buses 615 route to Coral Bay stops right outside the entrance (€1.50, 5 minutes), departing roughly every 15 minutes from the Harbour Bus Station.

Tips

  • Tomb No. 3 is the most impressive. 
  • Take a closer look at the Doric Columns dating back 1500 years.
  • This site is part of the Aphrodite Culture Route.
  • Enjoy some meze. 
  • Wear comfortable shoes.
  • Carry bottled water. The sun can make you thirsty.
  • Note the influences of Egyptian culture.
  • Search for a gem buried in the sand. Wonders happen.
  • Listen to the waves crashing over the rocks.
  • Listen to 'Desert Rose' by Sting as you take in the desert-like landscape. 
  • Don't forget your suncap, sunscreen, and sunglasses. 
  • Parking and clean restrooms are available. 

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  to 15th September:

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  to 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

1 to 2 Hours

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Overcast Clouds 16.92°C

 

Local Services in Paphos (Contact directly)

Discussion

No threads yet!

Be the first one to start a thread.

Top Attractions in Paphos

Top Cities in Cyprus