Paphos is the image you have in your mind when you start thinking about a family holiday. The sun is shining down on a picturesque harbour, the quayside is bustling with open-air restaurants, brightly coloured fishing boats bob up and down in the harbour and you can finally relax. There are lots of things to do with the kids from every kind of sport on or in the water and interesting places for walks, riding and picnics along the scenic coast or up in the forests of the Troodos mountain. Cyprus has a long and fascinating history, and there are ancient tombs to explore and sites of legends to visit in the most picturesque of settings. In fact Paphos was named after the daughter of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. Aphrodite was reputed to have been born here and still exerts a strong influence. So be warned - Keep a close watch if your planning a family holiday to Paphos with teenagers! Check out our great selection of Child Friendly holidays in Paphos below or read on for some tips on attractions and days out.
Top Tips for that extra special family holiday in Paphos
• Any visit to Paphos must include a visit to the Baths of Aphrodite, her legendary birthplace. It is about 50km from Paphos and excursions are easy to book. The actual site is very pretty but the real bonus is its location on the stunning Akamas peninsula. This UNESCO protected site is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the coastal trails around Aphrodite’s Baths are just lovely.
• Dont confuse Aphrodite’s Waterpark with her Baths. She was definitely not born in this very popular family Aqua Park with lots of wet rides, a lazy river pool and even a pirate ship. Children of all ages will find plenty of exciting things to do and with restaurants and cafes on site. It makes for a very pleasant all day outing.
• Take a trip to the Tombs of the Kings, just a few minutes away from the centre of Paphos on the number 10 bus. There are over a hundred tombs and it is the main archeological site in the area. The children will probably like the lots of steep steps with narrow passageways leading into the dark caves. Dont forget to take along some bottled water as it gets very hot here and there is no cafe.
• Take a look underwater. There is a glass bottomed boat tour with a stop in a sheltered bay where you can get in the water yourselves for a swim or a snorkel (gear is provided). A highlight is a view of a real shipwreck below the surface.
• Spend some time in Paphos town. Stroll along the promenade to the fort and climb up to the battlements for the view. The kids will also like a visit to the dungeons below. This picturesque harbour area has lots of pavement cafes and restaurants where you can sit and watch the world go by.
Great for an affordable family holiday to Paphos. Available on a self catering or all inclusive basis, with a number of activities
Looking for luxury in Cyprus? Almyra is a member of design hotel, with some fab family facilities including a creche and kids club
Benefitting from a superb beachfront location in Paphos. Family rooms available, and a kids club for children aged 4 to 12 years
With free kids places and kids clubs, First Choice is a great option for family holidays to Paphos
Thomson offer a great range of family holidays to Paphos. Look out for their Free Kids places
