Paphos is a city located in the Greek part of Cyprus and though it is a city, it is suitable for relaxing on your stomach as well as for those looking for trips to the mountains and magical villages. There are also attractions suitable for adults and excellent hotels that go from all-inclusive hotels, hotels with a water park, cheap hotels, hotels suitable for families, and luxury hotels.
Tips before flying to Paphos
SIM card
I personally recommend using an ESIM, which is an electronic SIM, and recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of taking a SIM card abroad and also about other options such as buying a local SIM card.
Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.
The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How can you know if your device supports the electronic card? Very simple: go to this link and you can see. Link to which devices support ESIM.
Car rental in Paphos
In Paphos and in general in Cyprus there is no convenient public transport. For those who only come for a backpacking vacation, the buses and taxis will provide a good enough answer, but if you also want to travel, I personally recommend renting a car. It is true that the journey here is on the opposite side of traffic, but as someone who lives here, I can say that you get used to it quickly.
You can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.
Attractions in Paphos
I wrote a detailed post with recommendations for things to do in Paphos.
You can get ideas for other cool things you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price). The first attraction Get your guide and the second is Viator.
All-inclusive resort perfect for families
5-star all-inclusive resort.
We really liked this resort and I think it provides a perfect solution for a vacation with children (and even babies). We were there in winter (January) but we had perfect weather of 20 degrees (Celsius). I saw people getting into the pool outside, but that was too extreme for us :). Outside there are pools for babies, a pool with a slide and a pool for adults. The resort is by the sea and at its exit there are lots of lawns and a promenade that reaches the port (about a 30-minute walk). There is no beach (everything there is rocks) but in a short walk you will also find sand.
There is a heated pool at the resort that we have been to several times with the girls (Sophie is a 14-month-old baby and Maya is 4 years old). There is a youth club, a children’s club and a club for babies without parents, where they stay with supervisors. The baby must be registered 24 hours in advance and can be left with a babysitter in the baby room for up to two hours. The children can be brought whenever they want during the activity hours. The parents receive a buzzer and if the baby cries or the child wants to leave, then the parent is buzzed. Maya really liked the kids club and went there every day for an hour or so. She did creations there, dressed up and she also had her face painted. We left Sophie twice for an hour and she enjoyed exploring the games. Maya sometimes entered the nursery and confirmed that Sophie was happy and did not cry.
The resort has an amazing buffet in the morning, lunch and dinner. We really liked the food. At lunch and in the evening there is a pasta station where you can have any pasta you want prepared on the spot (this was my favorite station), at all meals there is a crepe station and in the morning there are even smoothies. For lunch and dinner there is also a diner restaurant with excellent hamburgers. And there are two other adults-only restaurants that are not open in the winter. There is a snack restaurant that is open from morning until dinner and there are sandwiches, salads, desserts, pizzas, ice creams, yogurt and coffee. You can also grab anything for takeaway and eat around the hotel or outside. And of course that’s why it’s an all-inclusive hotel, so there’s free drinks all the time: light, hot and alcohol.
Every evening there is a mini disco and this was one of the activities that the girls liked the most and looked forward to every day. We booked a room there with a partition for a part with a double bed and a part with two single beds and a balcony with a sea view. It is important to note that in the winter the prices are much cheaper than in the summer.
To book the Olympic Lagoon Resort and other opinions
By the way they have another resort in Ayia Napa Olympic Lagoon, Ayia Napa, which is really similar to this hotel. It’s not by the sea but it has a cool tubing course that we really liked.
A special golf resort in the mountains
A beautiful resort in the mountains of Paphos at about a 20-minute drive from the center of Paphos. You can get there by taxi, but if you also want to visit Paphos itself, then I think it’s best to rent a car. The resort is a 5-star one and is, in my opinion, suitable for couples or families looking for peace. We booked a suite there with two bedrooms (there are also suites with one bedroom and villas with 2-3 rooms). The suite had a garden, living room and kitchen.
The resort is on a breakfast basis and there is the hotel restaurant where you can have lunch and dinner (that’s what we did). There is a stunning outdoor infinity pool and there is also a huge adults-only spa area with a heated pool (this was a disadvantage for us because we couldn’t be in the heated pool with Maya and it was already quite cool for an outdoor pool – we were in early October).
And of course there are golf courses, so for golf enthusiasts or those who want to learn to play the sport, this is definitely the place to go. They offer golf lessons and the possibility to buy and rent golf equipment.
To book the Minthis Resort and other opinions
An all-inclusive hotels at an affordable budget
A 4-star hotel from the Louis hotel chain. This is our favorite chain in Cyprus and we have been to many of their hotels, the recommended ones are Royal Apollonia in Limassol and Louis Althea and Louis St. Elias in Protaras. All these hotels are all-inclusive hotels and I think they have high level food even for a 4-star and excellent entertainment teams for children.
When we stayed at the Breeze Hotel I was pregnant with Maya, so we got to experience the hotel as a couple without children, but for the other ones she was already born and we saw that they are also great for families. The hotel has a kids’ club and several outdoor pools. It is on the sea and has evening shows such as a fire show and a Greek dance show.
The hotel has two outdoors pools and a kid’s pool, a roofed pool, spa, gym, tennis court, ping pong table, Greek restaurant, a main restaurant with buffet meals, three bars and tanning beds across from the sea. You can stay at the hotel plus breakfast, or half board or with an all included package.
When I say “All included”, I mean that literally. The stay includes alcohol, drinks, amazing food all day long and the option of visiting the Greek restaurant if you’re over the buffet meals.
There are three meals a day, each with a never-ending variety of food. Especially great is the dessert area. Breakfast for example includes a variety of vegetables, jams, pastries, cakes, breads, salads, hams and cheeses (Including hard cheeses), cereals, oatmeal, different stews, pancakes, an egg station by order, fruits and more…
Dinner is varied, with a different theme every night – Such as local food, Italian or Mexican… The Greek restaurant has a set menu and you get to try everything. When we were there at first, we were served different appetizers, then sea food dishes, the chicken and meat, and a dessert.
Between meals there are also snacks, meaning there’s not a hungry moment between breakfast and midnight. Afternoon snacks included food at the pool like chips, hamburgers, cakes and nuggets. At night there were many snacks like vegetables, sandwiches, ice-cream, olives and depending on the night – Pizza, nuggets, pigs in a blanket, chips and more.
In terms of drinks, there is alcohol (Wine, beers, cocktails), water, coffee, non-alcoholic cocktails and sodas. Unfortunately, I couldn’t have cocktails, but Roman had a cocktail everyday and said the bloody Marry and Mojito were really nice. I had cold brew caffeine free coffee with soy milk three times a day, as it was great.
From what I could see, most of the hotel’s visitors were families. The hotel has a kid’s pool, a playground, a kid’s playroom and kid activities. There is also a babysitting service at the hotel.
The hotel is in a quiet area 10 minutes from the mall and about 15 minutes from the port. There are shuttles four times a day, for free, between the three locations. There’s no beach close by, so if you wish to reach Coral Bay (A popular beach in Paphos), it’s a 15-minute drive. You can get a cab there or ride the bus (The bus station is 10 minutes from the hotel).
There’s free parking at the hotel. Although they drive on the left side of the road, it’s nothing you won’t get used to in a few hours of driving. It’s recommended to take it slow and travel the entire area easily by car. Ideas for day trips out of Paphos.
To book Breeze Hotel and other opinions
A hotel located on the boardwalk in Paphos with an adjacent beach. The food is excellent and varied (including breakfast, lunch and dinner at the buffet, a snack bar (including pizzas, ice creams, hamburgers, yogurt and more…, soft and hot drinks and unlimited alcohol). Every evening the girls had a mini disco (the favorite attraction of both), during the day We were in the indoor pool (it was 28 degrees, a bit too cold for my taste, but Roman and the girls went in there) and at the beach (the weather was excellent at 27 degrees). We booked a room with a sliding door to separate it, and it was a great option, especially for the price we paid. The hotel has a baby pool, a pool normal and spa.
We booked the hotel a few months ago on Black Friday and paid half the price of the hotel today. It cost us 430 euros for 3 nights for the four of us all included for a large room with a partition.
To book Louis Ledra and for other reviews
An excellent all-inclusive hotel for families in the port area
A 4-star hotel that opened two years ago, its location is really good, because it is in the port area, where there are many restaurants, bars and cafes and it is also nice to walk along the boardwalk there. The hotel has a heated pool (relatively small), outdoor pools, a toddler pool, a small playground and a kids’ club.
The hotel is on an all-inclusive basis and the food there was fine. In the evening there were various shows that are also suitable for children, such as a fire show that Maya really enjoyed.
We booked a room which is actually two bedrooms.
We really like hotels that have the option of booking a room with a bedroom and living room or two bedrooms separated because it really improves the experience. Both this hotel and all the other hotels I have mentioned in the post have family rooms.
To book Sofiana Hotel and other opinions
An all-inclusive family resort with a water park
This is a hotel with a water park that is very popular among Israelis. I haven’t had the chance to stay there, but I know a lot of people like it because it has a lot of water slides outside and it keeps the kids busy, aside from being all-inclusive. From what I understand, the majority of the population there are Israelis and I have read controversial reviews about the quality of the food. So although I haven’t stayed there, I’m mentioning it as an option for those looking for an all-inclusive hotel with a water park.
Cheap hotel in the port area
Roman and I were at the Pyramos Hotel after finding a really cheap 5-euro per person flight to Paphos. We arrived in Paphos for 48 hours and chose this hotel because of its price and location. The hotel is really basic, with clean and simple rooms and a basic breakfast as well. For those who are looking for a hotel in the location of the port where there are many restaurants, bars and cafes, this is a great option.
To book Pyramos Hotel and other opinions
Adults-only hotels
The truth is that I haven’t had the chance to check out adult-only hotels because all our vacations so far have been with the girls. But if you are looking for hotels for adults only, I have read very good recommendations about The Ivi Mare and The King Jason Paphos hotels.
Bonus for blog followers
If you are planning to come to Cyprus and are looking for someone to plan an itinerary for you that you can do independently with a car (minimum for 3 days) or if you want to do a private trip with a driver (also suitable for large groups) then I recommend contacting Rony Schwartz. We met not long ago and I was very impressed by his knowledge of Cyprus (he has been living here for 5 years in Paphos) and beyond that he is really charming and has been planning trips for many years.
Link to Roni’s WhatsApp for contact
If you book a “private trip” for a family, or a small group, Roni will make for you a “detailed plan for a sightseeing day, with a culinary emphasis”, in Paphos, or Larnaca, or Limassol, including warm recommendations! Such a program costs 50 – 40 euros normally, but you will get it for free.
If you order a trip planning you will get one day at my expense, pay for three days planning and you will get four.
If you book a trip for a group of over 7 participants, you will receive a shuttle to the airport and back at an attractive price or a detailed culinary trip planning for an independent trip for free.
In conclusion, Paphos is an excellent city for a vacation, where you will find many hotels that will suit what you are looking for. It has many all-inclusive hotels, hotels for families, hotels for couples only, cheap hotels and luxury hotels.
Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, then you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram. Looking for more information about Paphos? Posts about Paphos and posts about Cyprus.
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More posts I wrote on that
Great day trips in Cyprus
Best restaurants in Paphos
What to do in Paphos with kids – recommendations for attractions for children in Paphos, Cyprus
What to do in Cyprus in winter
Cyprus with kids
Vacation in Limassol – where to stay and what to do
Recommended hotels and resorts in Limassol
Recommended restaurants in Limassol