Mosaics and Kings' Tombs of Paphos

Excursion from Limassol to Paphos: In the Footsteps of Antiquity

Today, a tour arranged through the shipping company was on the agenda, taking us to Paphos. Our first stop brought us directly to the legendary beach of Aphrodite (Petra tou Romiou). From the cliffs, we had a stunning view of the distinctive limestone rocks in the sea - exactly the spot where, according to Greek mythology, the goddess of love emerged from the sea foam.

Next, we headed to the impressive Kings' Tombs of Paphos. Our guide explained that the name is actually misleading: starting from the 3rd century BC, no kings were buried here, but high-ranking Cypriot officials and aristocrats instead. The tombs are monumental, carved from pure rock and designed like real houses for the dead, complete with underground courtyards and Doric columns.

The absolute highlight was the archaeological site of the UNESCO World Heritage site Nea Paphos. After an informative introduction, we had ample time to admire the world-famous Roman mosaics from the 3rd to 5th century AD. They once adorned the floors of magnificent villas (like the House of Dionysus) and depict incredibly detailed scenes from Greek mythology. From the extensive complex, there was also a beautiful view of the white lighthouse of Paphos.

To conclude, we had some free time at the lively promenade of Paphos. We strolled past the well-known Pelican Restaurant all the way to the medieval castle that watches over the harbor basin.

All in all, it was a successful day – thanks also to our fantastic guide. He provided us with an incredible amount of exciting background stories without overwhelming us with dry dates. That's how it should be!