Resources & Information on Paphos

Holiday in Paphos, Cyprus
by: Colin Hall

ABOUT PAPHOS

Situated in the South-west of Cyprus, Paphos has an interesting harbour with lots of fishing and pleasure boats and the Saturday market in the old town should not be missed. Just inland are three championship golf courses, where slightly cooler temperatures mean that you can tee off comfortably throughout the year. Other sights include the Tomb of the Kings and the Paphos mosaics. A few kilometres to the north, Coral Bay has an excellent beach, while Peyia is a firm favourite with many visitors. For a quiet, low-key holiday you could head a little further north to the Akamas peninsula, famous for its turtles, and the very pleasant fishing village of Latchi.

GOLF

Cyprus is the new jewel in the crown for golfers seeking golfing breaks in the warmth of the eastern Mediterranean. It offers golfers challenging world-class championship courses, top quality hotels, safety, warm hospitality and almost year round sunshine. There are currently three golf courses within a short drive of Paphos.

Aphrodite Hills Golf Club - This spectacular Resort Course designed by Cabell Robinson really puts Cyprus on the golfing map. It is located on two stunning plateaus with views of the Med. Its fantastic condition provides for a great golfing experience. Must play course when in Cyprus - on a par with top resort courses in Europe. 20km from Kato Paphos.

Par: 71, Yardage: 6815, Maximum handicap: 28

Website: www.aphroditehills.com/golf

Tsada Golf Club - Founded in 1994 on the hills of Tsada, the Tsada Golf Club is set in the grounds of a 12th century monastery, in a gentle valley. Situated on the outskirts of Paphos on an altitude of 550m above sea level, it ensures cool breezes during the summer months. From the 7th tee a monk can often be seen in the garden of the monastery. The course, designed by Donald Steel in two loops of nine, reveals the subtle hand of a man who always allows a course to blend into its natural surroundings. 10km from Paphos.

Par: 72, Yardage: 6060, Maximum handicap: 28

Website: www.cyprusgolf.com

Secret Valley Golf Club - It lies in a scenic valley with grand trees adding to the course`s maturity and the beautiful scalped natural rock formations offer panoramic views to the golfer. It`s believed that the course lies by "Petra tou Romiou" the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love.

The front nine offers four holes for warming up, two birdie opportunities and a dog leg. The back nine plays longer than the first nine and the challenge starts immediately - no warm-up holes on this side. 18km from Paphos.

Par: 72, Yardage: 6120, Maximum handicap: 28

Website: www.cyprusgolf.com

SCUBA DIVING

Paphos makes a good destination for divers and Paphos Lettings recommends leading dive centre Cydive. Cydive has been established in Paphos for over 25 years and was the first dive centre in Cyprus to achieve PADI IDC five-star accreditation.

Cydive offer a wide range of dives, training courses and packages including diving for children. They visit over 50 dive sites throughout the year and at any one time they have 24 unique sites in their fortnightly timetable.

Cyprus is a good place to learn to dive with some basic sites on offer, as well as progression onto the simple wrecks then onto the more adventurous wreck, cave and tunnel and night dives. Most dive sites are only a few minutes boat journey and there are a number of shore dives available. The Zenobia is one of the best wreck dives in the world and the wreck is worth a trip to Cyprus for alone. There are also sites where artefacts such as Roman pottery can be found on the seabed.

Please call us on 08700 429147 or email at address below to receive a 5% discount and a representative from Cydive will contact you.

SKIING

It has to rate as one of the strangest places to find a ski run, but Mt Olympos, the highest point on Cyprus, boasts not one but four pistes. In addition, there are three T-bar ski lifts, a ski school, a shop hiring out skis and boots and a restaurant. Nobody comes to Cyprus specifically to ski, but if you are here at the right time of year (December to February) and fancy a quick slalom in between the islands more traditional sights, it is certainly a unique place in which to strap on the skis.

Hera - 350m long - Beginner

Aphrodite - 150m long - Beginner

Hermes - 150m long - Intermediate

Zeus - 500m long - Advanced

At both the North Face (Zeus lift) and especially the Sun Valley area of the resort, there is ski equipment rental via the Cyprus Ski Club. It pays to get there early as the rental equipment ranges from excellent high quality latest models to mediocre relics of 20+ years ago, and on busy weekends they all go pretty fast!

A daily ski-pass costs around CY£13, Lessons CY£11 and equipment hire CY£10

WATER PARK

Located close to the sea front within the tourist area of Kato Paphos. Nestling amidst 3500sqm of landscaped grounds, it allows comfortable spread of its wide range of attractions, facilities and food & beverage outlets. Perfect engineering and the latest technology guarantees a high level of safety and water hygiene. There are all types of water slides, shutes and even kamikaze style slides for those who enjoy speed. If you prefer taking life at a more leisurely pace, that is equally possible on the `Lazy River` and as water fun is hungry work, there are plenty of places to enjoy a snack and cool drink before going on your favourite ride - just one more time�

www.aphroditewaterpark.com

WALKING

Paphos offers a number of walks the most popular of which are as follows:

The Aphrodite Trail � 7.5km � 3 hours duration

Starts at the Baths of Aphrodite with views of Polis and the Paphos Forest.

The Adonis Trail - 7.5km � 3 hours duration

Starts at the Baths of Aphrodite with views of Lara, Tzioni and Karavopetres beaches.

The Smigies Trail - 2.5km � 1-hour duration or 5km � 2-hour duration

Starts at Neo Chorio with views east of Polis Chrysochous Bay, Latchi, Pachyammos and Paphos Forest.

Pissouromouttis Trail � 3km � 1.5 hours duration

Starts at Neo Chorio with views of Polis Bay and the beaches of the Akamas.

Kathikas Trail - 2km - 1-hour duration

Starts near Kathikas and passes a stone-built fountain and the chapel at Agia Marina

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (Tel 020 7569 8800) publish a guide called Nature Trails which lists a number of other trails on the island.

KARTING

There is karting in Kato Paphos (near the water park) and in Coral bay.

About The Author
Colin Hall is the Sales Manager for Paphos Lettings who are experts in arranging tailor-made accommodation in Paphos, Cyprus. For more information on Paphos, Cyprus or to book holiday accommodation visit our website: www.villas-paphos.com.

Coral Bay, Paphos, Cyprus