Holiday homes and rentals in Paphos

How does lounging on gorgeous Mediterranean beaches, exploring world-class UNESCO sites and feasting on great value, fabulous food sound? Then come to Paphos! Holiday homes in Kato Paphos (lower Paphos) are particularly popular. Right next to the sea and harbour, they offer direct access to the town’s best fish taverns, archaeological sites and fantastic shopping.

Many homes in Paphos are housed in modern complexes with all the mod cons, including community swimming pools and balconies overlooking gorgeously landscaped gardens. Others are in intriguing classical style buildings made from brown stone and with matching wooden shutters and wooden roof beams.

Most visitors get to Paphos via Larnaca airport, which is just a 20-minute drive from the centre of town. Outside of Lower Paphos, head a few minutes north to Chloraka, a charming area of town which makes for a lovely alternative to the busy streets of the downtown area, and with lovely beaches wonderfully set along rocky cliffs. South of Lower Paphos is Yeroskipou, which is particularly popular among couples and honeymooners. This area is known as The Sacred Garden, fantastically scenic and full of lovely green spaces.

The hills behind Paphos make for a wonderful place to stay or explore during your visit. A highlight is Kathikas, located at the top of the Laona Plateau, 650 metres above sea level. It enjoys its own microclimate: cool, breezy, and is generally 10 degrees lower than in Paphos town. The village of Mesogi offers similar delights, and awesome views over the town below and the coastline stretching into the horizon.

With the entirety of Paphos a designated UNESCO Heritage site, history buffs are totally spoilt for choice. Where first, the colourful Paphos Mosaics that date back to the 2nd century? The well-preserved 3rd century odeon built entirely out of limestone blocks? Saranta Kolones, the remains of a Byzantine Castle built by the Lusignans in the 12th century? The gorgeous Panagia Chrysopolitissa church built in the 13th century? Or the Ottoman stronghold built in 1780? Paphos is a real journey through the ages!

There are some great attractions in a close to Paphos for families, the best of all being the highly-rated Aphrodite Waterpark. The park is well maintained, the lifeguards attentive and the slides a whole bunch of fun. Lara Bay Turtle Conservation Station. Set on an isolated beach, the station looks after the shelled creatures who come there to nest. Your children can learn all about the birth of turtle eggs, and watching the turtles hatch and head to the water is an amazing experience for children and adults alike!

A Meze is a wonderful collection of tapas style dishes served as a big meal. Begin with olives before moving onto bread and dips like hummus and skordalia. Next up, a few seafood and vegetable dishes, after which it’s time for the fabulous local dish of grilled halloumi cheese and a variety of succulent meat dishes such as grilled kebabs and chicken chops.

Beer has been brewed in Cyprus for thousands of years! Just outside Paphos is this microbrewery that was the first to be located on the island and has imported English brewing traditions to sculpt a fantastic choice of authentic artisan ales. Take a brewery tour and taste the crafts ales!

Set in beautiful natural surroundings and boasting lovely views across the valleys, the Monastery of Chrysorrogiatissa is small church is beautiful with numerous perfectly preserved, ancient icons and mosaics.

The zoo is located in a landscaped environment of gardens and ponds, and is home to tigers, elephants, lions, kangaroos and much more. Don’t miss the wonderful feeding the giraffe show, where you get to go right up to the animal as it feasts on its dinner!

At higher elevations inland the conditions are ideal for growing grapes as a result of the countless hours of sunshine each year and the mild Mediterranean breezes. Head to Vouni Panagias and Ambelitis, which make award-winning rosé wines. A superb souvenir to take back home with you!