Water, trails and wine in Paphos

In the Xeros River Valley, the Xeros River flows only during the winter and spring months. This adds a clear seasonal note to your travel planning. Other discoveries in Paphos offer their own points of reference: an estimated walking time for a hiking trail or a wine route with a specific number of wineries. This lets you explore different interests, from the river to hiking and wine.

Hiking trails with their own character

The Aphrodite Loop Trail has an estimated walking time of three to four hours and connects to the Adonis Trail. This gives you two concrete points of reference: a time estimate for the Aphrodite Loop Trail and its connection to another named trail. If you enjoy hiking, you can use this information as a guide to your interests; the estimated walking time applies to the Aphrodite Loop Trail.

The Avakas Gorge Trail offers a different experience. It runs through Avakas Gorge in Pegeia State Forest and follows the course of the Avgas River. The gorge is a Natura 2000 site. At the same time, the trail is currently temporarily closed. Bear this restriction in mind when planning a visit. The gorge, river course and protected-area status each give the area its own landscape and factual context.

A seasonal river and a wine route

For the Xeros River, the season is the key point: it flows only in winter and spring. This makes it a different travel interest from a walking time, which gives you an idea of how long a hike takes. The Vouni-Panagias–Ambelitis Wine Route includes ten wineries; the number may change. This adds wine to the ways of discovering Paphos. Together, the river, hiking trails and wine route offer different perspectives on the region, rather than prescribing just one way to explore it.

A wider look at Cyprus

The wider destination of Cyprus also offers a point of reference for hikers. The island’s hiking trails vary in length and difficulty, ranging from three to 176 kilometres. The nature trails are divided into three difficulty categories. Length and category describe different aspects: the kilometre figure indicates the distance, while the classification ranks the difficulty. This information applies to Cyprus as a whole and broadens the specific trail themes in Paphos to an island-wide perspective.

On Cyprus as a whole, Kourion adds an archaeological dimension. The restored Greco-Roman theatre was built in the 2nd century BC and expanded in the 2nd century AD. It is used mainly in the summer months for open-air music and theatre performances. Kourion is also home to mosaic floors in the House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators; the villas are named after the scenes depicted in the mosaics. In the central room of the House of Eustolios are four mosaic panels dating from the 5th century. The remains of the Roman agora are also visible on site: the structure dates from the early 3rd century and was later expanded in the early Christian period.

The archaeological site of Choirokoitia in Cyprus represents a different historical period: it is a remarkably well-preserved Neolithic settlement and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The Cyprus Museum is the island’s most important and largest archaeological museum. Alongside archaeological themes, Cyprus also offers insights into traditional crafts: at the Cyprus Handicraft Centre, visitors can watch craftspeople at work in the workshops. Culture can therefore be explored in different ways—from prehistoric settlements and mosaics to work in the workshops.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kouklia, Paphos, Peyia, Argaka, Goudi, Kathikas, Miliou, Statos-Ay. Photios, Chrysochou, Neo Chorio, Nea Dimmata, Mandria, Pomos, Nikokleia, Kissonerga, Tremithousa, Agia Marina, Drouseia, Skoulli, Agios Georgios, Lasa, Pano Arodes, Arsos, Tsada, Kritou Tera, Kato Akourdaleia, Poli Crysochous, Chlorakas, Giolou, Kallepia, Letymvou, Polemi, Steni, Timi, Mesa Chorio, Anarita, Pentalia, Stroumpi, Kynousa, Drymou, Theletra, Nata, Agios Nikolaos, Geroskipou, Choulou, Koili, Koilineia, Simou, Agios Dimitrianos, Pano Panagia, Salamiou, Fyti, Kelokedara, Mesana, Lysos, Coral Bay, Amargeti, Choletria

For the broader travel overview: Cyprus.