About the Villa
This is an established, detached, 2 bedroom villa. Situated on the beach front in an enviable position, it has stunning views over the sea and the UNESCO protected heritage site of ancient Paphos.
The property is paved all around with patio area to front and barbeque area with pergola to the rear for ‘Al Fresco’ moments.
The Villa is a 15 minute drive from Paphos airport (transfer from and to the airport is included in the price!)
A short walk away is the ‘Tomb of the Kings’ area with numerous bars and restaurants or you can enjoy a lovely 15 minute stroll along the beach to the picturesque ‘Harbour’ area where you can either sample the local Greek cuisine or there’s always plenty of English menus for those not feeling too brave!
There are 2 bedrooms (1 double with veranda and a twin) and bathroom with W/C.
All rooms have air conditioning to keep you cool in the summer heat! (Use of the air conditioning is included in the price!)
The apartment has digital TV with a selection of English channels available including News, Kids and Music channels. A video and DVD player and cassette and CD player / Radio are available for use.
Whether it’s a relaxing sun kissed holiday, an action packed adventure or a cultural and historic experience you’re after, you’ll be sure to find it here.
********* Substantial discount of £150 on 2 weeks stays *********
***The price for the rental of the property includes transfers from and to Paphos airport, welcome pack, weekly linen change and full use of the air conditioning at no extra charge. A representative will be waiting to pick you up upon your arrival at Paphos airport.***
About Pafos
The charming west coast town of Pafos focuses around an attractive little harbour whose picturesque open air fish restaurants line a quayside of bright fishing boats and pleasure craft.
With a population of just 28.000 Pafos nestles In the lee of the Western Troodos Mountains, which add another dimension to this area of scenic beauty. The recent addition of its own international airport nearby has opened up the Pafos area, and the resort is graced with some luxury hotels along the coastline.
Pafos has an air of holiday charm combined with history, and olden-day elegance is lent to the town by its classical style buildings in the upper part of town which leads to the shopping area. The lower part of the town - known as Kato Pafos has a life of its own albeit so close by, down near the sea -home of the harbour, the fish tavernas, souvenir shops and several beautiful hotels with important archaeological sites around them.
Pafos is entwined with Greek mythology, and the legendary birth of Afrodite on her shores brought fame and worshippers there to follow the cult of the Goddess. Landmarks associated with Afrodite are the chunky, rugged rocks of her beautiful birthshore known as the Afrodite Rocks or "Petra tou Romiou", the evocative sanctuary of Afrodite at Kouklia Village, one-time shrine and scene of pagan festivals for thousands, the Baths of Afrodite at Polis, supposed source of fertility and the Fountain of Love, or Fontana Amorosa, a few miles further into the Akamas Peninsula.
Even the towns name is linked to the Goddess, for Pafos was the name of the mythological daughter of Venus and Pygmalion.
Pafos became the capital of Cyprus under the successors of Alexander the Great - the Ptolemies and in those days its harbour was a busy, thriving port. It continued as the islands first city for more than seven centuries, retaining its importance under Roman rule Its most famous Governor Sergius Paulus, was converted to Christianity by St Paul in 45 AD.
But Pafos history dates back a great deal further. In fact the whole area abounds in historical and archaeological treasures.
Historic Sites
WHAT TO SEE
Just north of Paphos, pristine sandy beaches dot the coastline, some of them home to leatherback turtles. Inland, forest-covered mountains are carpeted with orchids, dark-red Cyprus tulips, rare crocuses and pretty pink thistles, depending on the season, and there are little grape-growing villages and frescoed Byzantine monasteries to explore. The islands rich cultural heritage is easily accessible. Just five minutes walk from the hectic main boardwalk in Paphos are the ruins of its ancient city, Nea Paphos, a huge archaeological site which includes a medieval fortress, a 4th-century church, a Roman villa with stunning mosaic floors, and two vast, frescoed tombs from the early Hellenistic period. For further details, see below:
NEA PAPHOS
Nea Paphos, or New Paphos, is the name given to the sprawling archaeological site that occupies the western segment of Kato Paphos, north of the harbour and west of Leoforos Apostolou Pavlou. This is the ancient city of Paphos which was founded in the late 4th century BC when Cyprus was part of the kingdom of the Ptolemies, the Graeco-Macedonian rulers of Egypt whose capital was in Alexandria. Nea Paphos became an important strategic outpost for the Ptolemies, and the settlement grew considerably over the next seven centuries. The current archaeological sites are being slowly excavated as it is believed that there are still many treasures yet to be discovered. You can easily spend half a day exploring the sites.
AGORA, ASKLIPIEION AND ODEION
The Agora, or forum, and Asklipieion date back to the 2nd century AD and constitute the heart of the original Nea Paphos city complex. Paphos second most popular attraction is an impressive collection of intricate and colourful mosaics in the southern sector of the archaeological park immediately to the south of the Agora. Discovered by accident in 1962, excavations carried out by the Department of Antiquities brought to light remains of a large and wealthy residence from the Roman period with exquisite coloured mosaics decorating its extensive floor area. Subsequently named the House of Dionysos due to the large number of mosaics featuring the god of wine (Dionysos), this complex is the largest and most well known of the mosaic houses.A short walk away are the smaller Villa of Theseus, a 2nd-century private residence, and House of Aion, a purpose-built structure made from recycled stones found on the site and housing a panel of 4th-century mosaics.
HRYSOPOLITISSA CHURCH & ST PAULS PILLAR
This fairly extensive site, still being excavated, was home to one of Paphos largest religious structures. What is left are the foundations of a Christian basilica (built in the 4th century) which aptly demonstrate the size and magnificence of the original church.
TOMB OF THE KINGS
Paphos most popular and most impressive site is the Tomb of the Kings, a World Heritage Site which is 2km north of Kato Paphos. It contains a set of well-preserved underground tombs and chambers used as a necropolis by residents of Nea Paphos during the Hellenistic and Roman periods from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. The name Tombs of the Kings reflects the majestic appearance of the tombs rather than any royal pedigree of the people buried there.
BYZANTINE MUSEUM
Worth visiting for its collection of icons from the 13th and 14th centuries. Open 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm from October to May and from 9am to 2pm on Saturday