by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:5th April 2022
Ancient relics at your feet
The historic coastal city of Paphos is located on the far southwestern shores of Cyprus, where crystal blue seas stretch as far as the eye can see. Here on the island’s tip, thousands of years of rich history can be explored.
The captivating location you’ll undoubtedly want to visit in the ancient city Paphos is the astounding UNESCO Nea Pafos Archaeological Site.
The breath-taking prehistoric ruins just by Paphos harbour were inscribed onto the World Heritage Site in 1980, along with the Tombs of the Kings further around the bay.
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The entrance to the Nea Pafos Archaeological Site
You’ll be astonished at how vast the Kato Pafos Archaeological Site is and what you’re able to discover amongst its ancient pathways. For just €4.50, you’ll be exploring temples and mosaics from incredibly early civilisations of the Neolithic period through the Hellenistic and Roman eras and onto the Byzantine times. This archaeological park is amazing.
Steps from the entrance
Where is the Nea Pafos Archaeological Site
How to get to there
- By Air
Here are your UK departure options for Jet2 flights to Cyprus;
- Belfast (BFS)
- Birmingham (BHX)
- Bristol (BRS)
- East Midlands (EMA)
- Edinburgh (EDI)
- Glasgow Intl (GLA)
- Leeds Bradford (LBA)
- London Stansted (STN)
- Manchester (MAN)
- Newcastle (NCL)
The House of Aion
Intricate mosaics from the 4th-century ADThe Kato Pafos Archaeological Park is one of the most significant sites in Cyprus and houses ruins dating from the 4th century BC to the Middle Ages and is still being excavated today.
The first stop on our self-guided tour was to the villa of The House of Aion. Located here are some of the most detailed mosaics in the Archaeological Park dating from the middle of the 4th-century AD. The protected Roman mosaics are within a covered building, and the principal artefacts depict different mythological scenes.
A mosaic in the House of Aion
These mosaics are incredibly intricate, and their position is believed to have been the Reception Hall of the villa. This is just a small part of the large Roman villa, which is still to be excavated further.
The Villa of Theseus
The grandest house of them allThe House of Theseus was built during the second half of the 2nd-century AD. It was constructed over earlier ruins from the Hellenistic and early Roman periods. The floorplan of the House of Theseus is vast; the villa would have once contained more than 100 rooms.
A mosaic in the House of Theseus
The huge size of the villa indicates that it would have been the residence of the Governor of Cyprus. The villa was occupied until the 7th-century AD.
Stepping up onto the raised platform within the archaeological park, you get a true indication of its enormity. The building was organised in four wings and surrounded by a central collonaded courtyard.
Columns in the House of Theseus
Beautiful mosaic floors can still be seen amongst the ruins and detailed symmetrical motifs. Mosaics were still being added to the villa during the 5th-century. The prominent and oldest mosaic represents Theseus and the Minotaur, which dates from the end of the 3rd-century or early 4th.
What I found unbelievable is the access you are allowed with the archaeological site; you’re rubbing shoulders with thousands of years of breath-taking history.
A large mosaic floor in the House of Theseus
Nearby to the House of Theseus is the House of Orpheus which would have been typical of a Greco-Roman House from the 3rd-century AD. This area has only a small portion excavated; however, it revealed significant mosaics, one depicting Hercules and the lion of Nemea. Unfortunately, they are currently not on view.
The House of Dionysos
Astounding intricate mosaicsIt’s astounding strolling around the park; it’s so peaceful. With its positioning on the Cyprus coastline, you get magnificent views across the Mediterranean Sea.
Mosaic flooring in the House of Dionysos
A hunting scene mosaic in the House of Dionysos
Our next stunning sight was at the House of Dionysos. This Greco-Roman type of house once occupied 2,000sq metres, and the rooms are arranged around a central court.
Incredibly 556 metres of the House of Dionysos are covered with intricate mosaics. To protect the importance of this excavation, a building has been erected over the floors. You can stroll around a raised platform to fully appreciate the detail of the scenes of the mosaics.
Many of the floors are decorated with hunting scenes and the Greek god of wine, Dionysos, whom the house is named after.
A detailed mosaic in the House of Dionysos
The House of Dionysos was built at the end of the 2nd-century AD; it was abandoned in the 4th-century after being destroyed by an earthquake. There is evidence from a pebble mosaic that the house was built upon a Hellenistic building found below the Roman one.
The striking Odeon
Overlooking the ancient AgoraThe magnificent ancient Odeon, which is a 2nd-century theatre, looks stunning. Since its discovery, the amphitheatre has gradually been restored and is now often used for theatrical and musical performances. I can imagine it would be amazing watching an open-air production here.
It is built of carved limestone and is believed to have been used by the Romans until the 5th-century.
The Odeon
The Odeon overlooks the vast Agora or forum, which was once a central square court. It must have looked magnificent when it was originally surrounded by four porticos of granite columns and white marble.
The whole complex of the Odeon, Agora and the Asklepieion dates from the 2nd-century BC to the 2nd-century AD.
The Odeon Theatre
Exploring Toumpallos
Going undergroundThe Toumpallos part of the Paphos archaeological park is fascinating. It is a complex of underground halls, caves and corridors carved into the natural rock. It’s quite bizarre.
Once again, you are free to discover the site at your own risk and venture off and explore the underground passageways as you wish.
The Toumpallos
Apparently, the complex was initially identified as a Ptolemaic (ancient Greek) army camp. However, more recently, it is believed that the Toumpallos functioned as a temple dedicated to the god Apollo. The area is still being excavated further.
Inside the Toumpallos
The Saranda Kolones
The castle of Forty ColumnsThis area of the Paphos Archaeological Site is equally impressive. The castle of Forty Columns known as Saranda Kolones is south of the forum and nearby Paphos port.
Part of Saranda Kolones
The castle was built around the 7th-century AD; this historic landmark has many preserved granite columns, hence the name. The castle would have once served to protect the port and the city of Nea Pafos from potential Arab raids.
The Saranda Kolones remained in use until 1223, after a devastating earthquake destroyed it.
The Lighthouse
An icon in PaphosOk, so the lighthouse wasn’t built by the Romans. It was constructed in 1888 during the British administration on the peninsula known as Paphos Point.
The lighthouse at Paphos Point
It has become quite a landmark across the Paphos skyline and is situated 36 metres above sea level.
The lighthouse acted as a landfall marker for ships heading for Paphos harbour from the UK. Its flashing light can be visible for 17 nautical miles.
Good to know
Tips on visiting the historic Nea Pafos Archaeological SiteThe sites are partially wheelchair accessible.
The archaeological site is open all year round, excluding public holidays.
Summer entrance times: 16th April to 15th September, 08:30 - 19:30
Winter entrance times: 16th September to 15th April, 08:30 - 17:00
The entrance fee is €4.50
In my opinion, you will need to allow at least 2 hours to explore the ancient park as it is incredibly fascinating.
Don’t forget to download the UNESCO app when you arrive; it is full of interesting facts to help you navigate the site.
Ensure you’ve doused yourself in sun-cream. Don’t make the same mistake as me, as there are very few shady spots.
Venturing off with Jet2holidays to Paphos
The perfect way to relax and enjoy CyprusJet2holidays offers several departure locations around the UK, we selected to hop aboard the Jet2holidays flight from London Stansted Airport. Stansted Airport is easily accessible by car from the M11 motorway. You can catch the Stansted Express rail link from London Liverpool Street, which departs every 15 minutes.
If you choose the driving option, you can book your car parking through the Jet2 Extras website, and you’ll also get a discount.
The pool area of the Olympic Lagoon Resort, Paphos
Our experience during our Jet2 flights to Cyprus was incredibly smooth and stress-free.
When you hop off your flight at your chosen destination, you’ll have the comfort of knowing that your hotel transfer awaits. Also included in your package holiday to Paphos, you’ll have a generous baggage allowance of 22kg and a hand luggage allowance of 10kg.
If you wish to make the whole in-flight experience even less stressful, you can pre-book your seats and meals for a charge.
Additionally, ensure you download the Jet2holidays app; it is effortless to manage your booking.
The Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos
If your perfect break is relaxing under palm trees by the poolside of a stunning all-inclusive beachfront resort, we highly recommend the 5-star Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos with Jet2holidays.
The beautiful Olympic Lagoon Resort surpassed all our expectations, from the moment we stepped through the doors and observed the ocean view beyond until we said our final farewells to the ancient city of Paphos.
This was our first adventure on an all-inclusive holiday with Jet2holidays, so it would be a new and enjoyable experience all around.
Discovering more of Paphos
If you want to discover more of Cyprus, then why not check out our post 'Escape to the winter sun in Paphos, Cyprus.'
Stroll along the coastal path to the harbour, explore its historical sites, or even pick up a car with Jet2 Extras and venture further afield.
Disclaimer
We were invited to Cyprus as guests of Jet2holidays to stay at the Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos. However, all our views, opinions and personal experiences are our own.
Would we recommend a winter sun stay at the Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos with Jet2holidays? Unequivocally yes, we would return tomorrow. You instantly start to unwind and feel a wave of relaxation flow through you.
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