Paphos

Paphos really is a city of two sides. First, there’s Upper Paphos the bustling new town, where local Cypriots buzz between business buildings, or smoke shisha in coffee joints on the corners. Then there’s Kato Paphos, a touristic haven that's filled with plate-smashing tavernas touting haloumi cheese salads and classic Greek moussaka, lively 18-30s clubs, the picturesque harbour side and the great wealth of ancient archaeological sites for which this city is so famed. Most visitors tend to centre their stay in Kato, being sure to tick off the iconic Tombs of the Kings, the House of Dionysos and the sprawling Greek ruins of Paphos Archaeological Park before indulging in some coarser activities; riding the winding slides of Aphrodite Water Park; enjoying daytime tipples of Cypriot wine and zivania, or hitting the endless pubs of the appropriately-named Bar Street perhaps. And there are beaches too, sprouting out from between the rugged cliffs and sprawling hotel resorts that now cluster around the coast to the north and south, so be sure to ask your Paphos tour guide about the spots in Τimi-Mandria, Cape Drepanon, or off-the-beaten-track Arnaoutis if you’re pining for some sand.