Paphos

Paphos, the mytical birthplace of aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, has so defined Cyprus as a place that combines history, culture and legend. According to the philosopher Homer, Aphrodite was born out of the foamy waves on the island shores at Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock), a stunning outcrop of rocks that sit in the sea on the road to Paphos. In ancient times, pilgrims used to come every year to worship at the temple of Aphrodite in order to receive her blessing. The Trojan hero Agapinor founded the town and in Roman times, Pafos was the Capital of Cyprus.

Today, Pafos, situated on the island's south west coast, is a busy town full of amenities, excellent shopping facilities, bars, restaurants and is also home to the country's second airport.

Pafos harbour lies along side the town's ancient castle, and has a marina and water sports centre and is lined with restaurants serving fresh fish and marine delicacies.

Pafos is also home to the baths of Aphrodite where legend says that the goddess used to bathe in the natural running spring water, which runs down from the mountains into this natural grotto.

Pafos enjoys one of the largest concentrations of archaelogical sites of any place in the world.