Harbour Area, Paphos – Insider Tips

Things to Do in Paphos: Harbour Area

Paphos is an ancient city located on the Mediterranean Sea near the mystical birthplace of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite and is full of ancient artifacts from the Classical, Greek, and Roman times. If you are going to go visit the Pathos Harbour area, here are some tips and reviews on what to see.

The Harbour Area

The Harbour area was improved in the early 1990’s when the quay was pedestrianized and the old customs house was restored. Now, the harbor is a place full of bustling activities that go on all day and night. It is filled with bars, cafe, restaurants, ice cream parlors and souvenir shops.

You shouldn’t feel like you have to stop into the first place you pass when you arrive. Instead, take your time and walk the length of the Harbour terraces and decide on the place of your choice when you return along the wonderful walls around the harbour.

Castle of Paphos

The Castle of Paphos is one of the most famous landmarks of the City. Originally a Byzantine fort, it was built to protect the harbor but was destroyed due of an earthquake in the year 1222. The fort was rebuilt into a Castle by the Lusignans in the 13th century. Since then it had a few more reconstructions and it used to be a prison as well. These days, it serves as a background for the annual open-air Paphos cultural festival, which takes place in September.

The diminutive castle guarding the harbour entrance is reached by a small stone bridge across a narrow moat. The stump base of the easterly tower is still visible, although it is now half submerged.

Kato Pathos

Kato Pathos is an archaeological park that houses the remains of 4 roman villas, Asklipieion, ancient Odeon, Agora, a fortress called “Saranta Kolones” (Saranta Kolones is the ruins of an ancient castle located just north of Paphos harbour. In Greek it means the 40 columns.) and the ruins of “Limeniotissa“, an early Christian Basilica Church. The “tombs of the kings” is also included in the park. The Odeon best is still used every year for concerts and the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama. You should purchase “The guide to Paphos Mosaics” in the gift shop if you want to know what you are seeing while walking around inside the park.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about Paphos harbor area in Cyprus.