Guide to Paphos

'Gorgeous beaches, gorgeous restaurants and gorgeous shops galore - Paphos is just gorgeous all over.'

Never mind the best of both worlds, with Paphos you get the best of all worlds. The ancient capital of Cyprus and reputedly the birthplace of the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, this seaside dream blends old and new with an unforced charm that's intensely seductive.

The resort is divided into two areas, Kato Paphos, the picturesque medieval harbour, and Ktima inland, with its bustling, hilly streets and authentic Cypriot atmosphere.

There's no doubt that the harbour, with its fortress and myriad open-air restaurants should be your first port of call. Dine on fresh fish and sip chilled wine. Watch yachts come and go from the bay. Or enjoy the array of music bars and clubs that make up Paphos' nightlife.

Ready to stretch your shopping legs? The best place for souvenir hunting is Ktima. Take a cab or walk there to browse around the honeycomb of shopping streets. Best buys include the trademark Cypriot handicrafts of leather goods, pottery and silver.

Of course no trip here would make sense without visiting Paphos' treasure box of archeological sites. Ponder the superbly preserved mosaics in the Roman house of Dionysis. Walk the rows of the Odeion amphitheatre nearby. Saunter wide-eyed around a sarcophagus-filled museum. And don't miss the awe-inspiring Tombs of the Kings, with their age-old chambers hewn in the ground.

As if all this isn't enough, Paphos has beaches too. When you're tired of sightseeing, hit one of the four pebble-and-sand stretches to the east, each with its own watersports. Or for more serious lounging, take a bus to Coral Bay, where idyllic yellow sands and shallow waters await your attentions. Bliss.

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