I spent two weeks in Paphos August 2000. It is said to be the quietest main resort in Cyprus but I was quite surprised! It has an unlimited amount of pubs/bars and restaurants in the main streets near the harbour. These are all a bit touristy but make quite a good atmosphere. There is a few bars leading up to the fort on the harbour side - it is well worth sitting and having a quiet drink - taking in the buzz of the place. There are a number of clubs but these are quite cheesey.
Locals mix with the tourists (the majority of which are from the UK) - Paphos is a resort where the locals from the rest of Cyprus go in their holidays. Paphos makes an excellent base from which to tour the rest of Cyprus. To really get the most out of your holiday you need to hire a car (quite reasonable - I got a family sized saloon for 3 days for around £90 and it is easy to pick upcars for rent even in the peak season).
A hire car allows you to see the whole of the South (visiting the North -Turkish owned - isn't allowed due to border controls if you have visited the South of the island). The Troodos mountains (see my opinion) are well worth the tiring and hot drive (the locals don't really stick to their side of the road either!). They drive on the left so it really feels home from home (and you don't get muddled at roundabouts!). To really see many of the sites, you really do need a car. Although the buses are good, cheap and mainly used by tourists, they are very often crowded and do not take the back roads.
Also, make time to visit one of the Aqua parks in Limossol. They make an excellent day out for about £15 and are really easy to get to from Paphos (don't bother with the one in Paphos as it is quite small).
I stayed in self-catering accomodation. There is little point getting board basis unless you want to stay in your hotel. Food is cheap and the local supermarket is Woolworths (yes, Woolworths, which is seen as a Marks and Spencer type store over there!). Make an effort and go slightly out of the resort to some of the quieter village restaurants - they serve the best food and local dishes (instead of the burgers and chips of the main resort). I thoroughly recommend spending £10 and buying The Rough Guide to Cyprus. It recommends decent eating places and loads to do.
Well worth a visit too is The Land of the Kings - loads of tombs located right by the sea. And don't miss the mosaics in and around Paphos. There is so much to do and see - if you make the effort.
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Advantages: It is very friendly, drive on the Left hand side, and mostly speak English Disadvantages: You can't lay on the beaches in the winter, and the evenings are cold.
elinor.z 07.03.2008 (20.05.2008)
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Review of Paphos (Cyprus)
Dec 13th, 2000
(Dec 14th, 2000)
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