The Archaeological Sites of Paphos

Few cities of Paphos's size carry this much ancient ground. Three thousand years of settlement sit within an hour's walk of the harbour: the UNESCO archaeological park at Kato Paphos, the Hellenistic necropolis on the cliffs, the cult sanctuary of Aphrodite at Kouklia, and the sea-stack south of the city where the goddess is said to have come ashore. Annabelle's guide to the archaeological sites of Paphos covers the nine that reward the time.

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The Paphos Archaeological Park is one of the deepest cultural experiences the city offers, and one of the easiest to reach from the seafront. Inscribed by UNESCO in 1980, it covers the open ground of ancient Nea Paphos, the Roman provincial capital, from the fortifications at its harbour edge to the cliffs above the lighthouse. Inside the boundary you can see four mosaic-floored Roman villas, a Hellenistic-Roman odeon, the agora, the ruins of Saranta Kolones castle, and the archaeological park's own quiet stretches of pine and limestone. Comfortable shoes, water, and sun cover are sensible all year.

## Inside the Park
The Park's named monuments are not in a single building. They are spread across a broad open landscape, signposted and connected by gravel paths. The entrance is at the western end of Kato Paphos, a short walk from the harbour. Tickets are sold at the gate, and the same ticket gives access to most of the named monuments. Hours and fees are subject to seasonal change; see the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus for current visitor information.

## What to See in the Paphos Archaeological Park

### The Mosaic Villas
The four villas — Dionysos, Theseus, Aion, and Orpheus — together hold one of the finest preserved collections of Roman figurative mosaic in the Mediterranean. The Dionysos villa is the largest and most visited, with floors depicting the labours of Heracles, the abduction of Ganymede, and Dionysos myths. Our dedicated guide to the Roman Mosaics of Paphos covers all four in depth.

### The Odeon and the Agora
The small Roman Odeon, partially restored, looks out toward the lighthouse and the sea beyond. In summer it is occasionally used for performances under the open sky. A short walk south, the foundations and column drums of the ancient agora and asklepieion mark the civic and healing centre of Nea Paphos — the marketplace and the sanctuary of Asklepios, god of medicine.

### Saranta Kolones Forty Columns — the toppled granite columns that give the site its name lie among the foundations of a short-lived Byzantine and Frankish-era castle, destroyed by an eleventh-century earthquake. Walkable in ten minutes, atmospheric for longer. See our dedicated page on Saranta Kolones.

## Visiting from Annabelle
The Paphos Archaeological Park is the closest major attraction to Annabelle, about ten minutes' walk along the promenade. Reception will arrange a taxi if you'd rather skip the walk at the end of the day. Morning and late afternoon are gentler in the summer months.

Find your way to the Paphos Archaeological Park on Google Maps (opens in new tab).

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