Paphos With Kids: The West Coast Base That Does Everything

Cyprus is a small island with a big choice to make. East or west. For families I nearly always say west, and that means Paphos.

The airport is twenty minutes away. The hotels sit along a coast with calm water and pools. The old harbor has the fort to climb, a promenade for scooters, and fishing boats to watch at dusk. And the history, which is the reason to come, is inside the town.

The Paphos mosaics are Roman floors from two thousand years ago, still in place, under simple roofs. Fish, gods, hunting scenes. Kids walk the boardwalks above them and spot the animals. Twenty minutes, no crowds, and it is a UNESCO site.

The Tombs of the Kings are a short drive up the coast. Underground tombs cut from rock, with courtyards and columns, and children are allowed to go down the steps into them. It is the most atmospheric hour in Cyprus and it costs almost nothing.

The beach days

Coral Bay is the family beach, sandy and shallow, with sunbeds and a snack bar. Lara Bay is an hour north on a rough road, and it is where the sea turtles nest. Go in July or August at dusk with a guide and you might see one. The Blue Lagoon at Akamas is the boat trip, clear turquoise water in a cove, a swim off the boat, lunch on board.

Aphrodite’s Rock is on the road east. Legend says she rose from the sea here. Stop for the photo, swim if the sea is calm, and tell the kids the story. Then back to the pool by three, because Cyprus in summer is hot and the pool is the point.

Planning Cyprus with kids? Start with the full Cyprus family travel guide, or send me the ages and the dates and I will come back with what is really available.