There is a variety of things to do in and around the surrounding area of Paphos.

 

If you like to walk, there is the Akamas nature reserve, with views of the coast from Lara Beach to Latchi. There are  several kilometres of off road tracks from Neo Choiro to Peyia (25km) along the hill tops.

 

 If water sports such as scuba diving takes your fancy then have a look at   http://www.akamasdiver.com/  orwww.cyculture.net/lwsports/index.html where you can even rent a boat to drive as long as you have a drivers licence, you do not need a boating licence to drive it. You can find all this and more at Latchi Harbour near Polis only a short drive away. Closer to Paphos is  http://www.cydive.com/  There are also jet ski and boats to hire at Coral Bay

 

Don’t feel like driving your own boat then why not take one of the organised boat trips and see Cyprus from the sea. Visit www.cyprusyachts.com/paphos_boat_trips.htm  or http://www.paphosseacruises.com/index.asp   to pick your trip or when walking by the harbour towards the Paphos castle, there are glass bottom boats which will take you for a trip around the bay and the Akamas peninsula. If you would like to walk among the fish visit http://www.underseawalkers.com/index.php

Did you know for instance that Cyprus is famous for the Aphrodite Festival, which presents an opera annually using the castle at the harbour as its backdrop?  Every year for 3 nights an amazing production takes place. It’s true to say the tickets aren’t cheap, but a fabulous show is guaranteed! Last year it was Madam Butterfly. This year’s presentation is “Lakme” by the National Opera of Sofia. Tickets always sell out fast, so check out the website on www.pafc.com.cy. The Opera is on 4, 5 and 6 September 2009. 

Also, if you are looking for lighter entertainment, there is the Abba Dabba DoTribute Band, Last Night of the Pissouri Proms, Music in the Mountains, Jazz Nights, The Blues Brothers – the list is endless.  Last year the music event in Pissouri  was magical. If you've never travelled to the village on the hill, it's well worth it!

For details of these and other events, go to www.goingoutcyprus.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you prefer to stay on dry land then how about skiing! Yes, you can even ski here in the winter months! If you would like to head up the mountain and put on your skis look at this website for chance to ski down Troodos Mountain and see the breathtaking views. Check the web cam, to see if there is still snow there for you. www.cyprusski.com/main/default.aspx?tabid=1 Though you will need to hire a 4×4.

 

www.pafosbirdpark.com/ Paphos bird park is just off the road close to St Georges Harbour. There is also Georges Ranch for horse riding and a reptile park close by.  You can also reach the the bird park with a number 10A bus from Coral Bay. 

 

If one of your family likes to spend longer on pony trekking check outhttp://www.rideincyprus.com/CyprusRiding/Home.htm

 

If you prefer to stay on the ground and relax by the lakes fishing, take a look at www.fishingcy.com/, there are plenty of lakes, the closest being Mavrokolymbos, which is near to Coral Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 If you want an adrenaline rush then why not look at this website www.cyprus-adventure.com which offers bungee jumping, rock climbing, mountain biking and  jeep safaris in the Troodos Mountains.

 

Just past the turning for Coral Bay, on the right is go-karting arena

 

Free transfers for visitors to Paphos Waterpark arriving by bus on routes 11 or 15( which pass through the Tomb of the Kings road), please present your bus ticket to the cashier at the Water Park ticket desk to claim a full refund of your fare http://www.aphroditewaterpark.com/index.htm

 

 Paphos is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. At the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park there are remains from prehistoric times through to the middle ages. This area is next to Paphos Harbour and contains the Basilica of Khrysopolitissa dating from 4th/7th century AD, the mosaics of the Houses of Aion, Dionysus, Orpheus and Theseus. The Tomb of the Kings burial site

 

There are monasteries in the Troodos mountains which can be visited by coach trip, jeep safari, or drive yourself in your hire car   http://www.kykkos-museum.cy.net/index2.html

 

 

                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 http://www.cyprusrally.com.cy/ for the racing fans.

 

At the moment there are three golf courses in Cyprus, please check their website for green fees etchttp://www.cyprusgolf.com/sv_about_us.htm

 

Paphos, the Capital of the west and positively teeming with history is Paphos, site of the island's second international airport. The resort town has as its focal point a charming fishing harbor by Paphos Fort, lined with open-air cafes and tavernas that serve a tempting menu of the day's catch.

It was on Paphos shoreline that the mythological Goddess Aphrodite was born a legend that spawned a massive wave of cult worship from neighboring countries that lasted several centuries. The large rock that juts from the sea is known as 'Petra tou Romiou' - The Venus Rock - while the Baths of Aphrodite at Polis also echoes her apparent penchant for the island. At Palaepafos, Koukiia lie the remains of the Goddess's earliest Sanctuary.

Another 'first' for Paphos was its early recognition of Christianity. While under Roman rule in 45 A.D., it was here that Saint Paul converted the first ruler to the faith.

The legacy from its remarkable history adds up to nothing less than an open museum, so much so that UNESCO simply added the whole town to its World Cultural Heritage List. Among the treasures unearthed, are the remarkable mosaics in the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, beautifully preserved after 16 centuries under the soil. Then there are the mysterious vaults and caves, the Tombs of the Kings, the Pillar to which Saint Paul was allegedly tied and whipped, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the Byzantine Museum and the District Archaeological Museum.

Geroskipou with its remarkable five-domed Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi, and its Folk Art Museum is a village known for many years now for its special delight 'loukoumi .

Ago Neofytos Monastery, famous for its 'Encleistra', Enclosure, carved out of the mountain by the hermit himself, boasts some of the finest Byzantine frescoes of the 12th and 15th centuries. Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery makes its own range of wines using home-grown grapes. A small museum dedicated to Archbishop Makarios, first president of Cyprus, is found at Pano Panagia. From here it is a rewarding drive to the majestic Cedar Valley, home of the indigenous Cyprus horned sheep, the Moufflon.

Lempa village can be singled out as one with particular historic significance. In its pretty setting near the sea, Lempa's link with prehistory is the site of a chalcolithic settlement. Today the faithful reconstruction of several dwellings, gives an insight into chalcolithic life on the island.

Further north lies the resort-town of Polis, overlooking the beautiful Chrysochou Bay with its charming fishing refuge of Latsi. The relatively unspoilt state of the countryside and villages make the area a real delight for the walker and naturalist.

The low-lying scenery around Paphos, much of it cultivated with banana plantations and backed by the gentle foothills of the western Troodos range, has an attractively open quality to it. This is the gateway to the Peninsula of Akamas, a natural wilderness of incredible beauty with breathtaking gorges, spectacular coastlines and enjoyable nature trails.

 After all that you may need a glass of wine to sip www.paphoswinetours.com or one of the smaller ones around Kathikas like the Sterni.