This island has history, gorgeous beaches and sunshine in buckets.
Paris might be known as the city of love, but did you know that the birthplace of love is actually in Cyprus?
Paphos in Cyprus is said to be where Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty was born. Although Aphrodite was born in Old Paphos, New Paphos is close enough and offers a gorgeous winter getaway with temperatures averaging around 18C.
As well as gorgeous weather New Paphos is a modern city, with beautiful beaches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and some of the Mediterranean’s most impressive mosaics.
A number of its beaches also boast Blue Flag status which means their waters are safe and clean for swimming. Sodap Beach, located is east of the harbour, is among them. The beach’s 200 metre long stretch of beautiful sand is hemmed in by rocky outcrops and palm trees.
If you’d rather get some culture than laze on the beach, then take your pick from a number of historical sites. Pafos Archaeological Park is one of the largest and most varied, taking its visitors through the Stone Age, the Hellenistic period, the Roman and Byzantine empires all in one site.
At the heart of this archaeological park is the site’s most prized possession. Considered among the finest in the eastern Mediterranean, the intricate floor mosaics are famed for their excellent preservation and vibrant colours, depicting various scenes from Greek mythology.
Entrance to this park is €4.50 which covers every site within it, and it’s open from 8:30am to 5pm in the winter seasons. Visitors to the park have described it as unmissable on Tripadvisor.
One said: “This should not be missed. The site is a large swathe of land near the port and has its entrance near some free car parks right next to the harbour. Entrance was just 4.5 Euros. There is a lot of walking, but there are two covered areas for some of the important mosaics. The sheer amount of excavated ruins is overwhelming. The floor mosaics are absolutely outstanding. Allow 2 hours.”
Another person said it was “absolutely excellent!” They added: “The area is very extensive, and needs LOTS of time to go round and study what must be some of the most amazing mosaics outside Italy.”
If you want to visit Paphos for yourself , Skyscanner currently has flights in January for just £38 one way. The flight is just four and a half hours making it the perfect winter weekend getaway.
