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Are you planning to go to the Mediterranean this summer, but rising prices in France and mass tourism in Italy continue to deter you?
Maybe you’ve just been looking in the wrong places for that idyllic sunny getaway:
Tucked away on the east side of the old sea, the seaside resort Paphoson the subtropical island Cyprus is one of the hottest destinations across the pond, and while it may not be on the average American’s radar, it is all the anger this season.
We’re talking turquoise waters, a picturesque Old Town, great cuisine, and most importantly for budget travelers: affordable resort stays.
Where is Cyprus even located?
Unless you’re a geography nerd, you’ve probably never heard of Cyprus, as is the case with most American travelers; not a snide comment, but this is a small island country in the Mediterranean after all, and we can’t blame you for not being able to locate it on a map.
So we’ll tell you 5 key points you need to know more about the country before we delve deeper into Paphos specifically:
- Cyprus is just south of Turkiyeand as a result, it’s a stone’s throw from the Middle East (not literally, but it’s pretty close)
- It is geographically located in the Middle East, despite being a member of the European Union, it is treated as geopolitically European and has the euro as its currency
- It has a Hellenic (Greek) and Turkish character, but in Southern Cyprus, which also includes Paphos, Greek is the dominant culture
- It has been politically divided between North (Turkey-controlled) and South (Greece-controlled) since the 1970s, although the situation, although persistent, has been stable for decades
- Are warmer all year round, with scorching hot summers and very mild winters, especially along the coast, making it a popular sunny retreat for Europeans
Now on to Paphos.
Why is Paphos currently rising in popularity?
Ancient culture and beaches in one
Paphos is a historic, medium-sized city in Western Cyprus with a history stretching back thousands of years, best known for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological zones, contrasted with a surprisingly modern, hotel-lined coast: think Tulum, except calmer and much more developed.
It attracts culture vultures and beach lovers alike, as visitors can often find areas of outstanding natural beauty, including sandy beaches and secret coves within walking distance of the city center, as well as all the main attractions.
@vinigoesglobal 📍 The Tombs of the Kings, Paphos, Cyprus 🇨🇾 #Cyprus #trip #Europe #traveltips #summer #summervibes #Island ♬ Satellite – Harry Styles
If you love European culture, you will surely be enchanted by the Tombs of the Kingsa vast Greek necropolis over 2,000 years old, Paphos Castle on the harbour, and Nea Paphos, the ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman city, with still partially preserved columned agoras and a theatre.
Paphos also has one of the warmest climates in all of Cyprus, with temperatures soaring above 80 degreesand almost no rain in summer, and if you’re in the heart of the city, the opportunities for swimming are endless, starting at the increasingly busy municipal beach.
For the best, more secluded beaches, however, head out of the city towards Aphrodite Beach, where according to ancient Greek tradition the goddess Aphrodite was born from sea foam, and to the Blue Lagoon in Akamas.
Reckless drivers, beware: as in Greece, there can be a dizzying drive along the cliffs on the way to Akamas, so you may not want to push the pedals, especially if there is an unexpected migration of the local donkey population.
@vinigoesglobal Can we just talk about these dizzying cliff rides? 😩 #Greece #Humour #pleasure #funfacts #trip #traveltips #restiktok #travellife ♬ original sound – Vini | Travel blogger
So is Paphos and the wider province incredibly tourist friendlyand you’ll have no problem reaching all the most popular tourist attractions, both coastal and inland, and you certainly shouldn’t underestimate the waterfall-strewn hinterland.
The most beautiful natural attraction near Paphos is actually the emerald green Adonis waterfallwhere Aphrodite would escape to be with her human lover, away from the prying eyes of the Olympians, or so the ancient Greeks would have you believe.
Paphos is an affordable holiday on the Mediterranean
Taking all this into account, you would expect Paphos to be prohibitively expensive, just like the equally trendy Santorini or Mykonos, but that is not the case at all.
While on these other islands you can spend hundreds of dollars on a night’s stay in a modest guest house, with nothing but an unremarkable breakfast and easy beach access as perks, in Paphos you can book four-star resorts for only $160 per night.
Only for adults Atlantic Golden Beach Hoteloverlooking the azure Mediterranean Sea, has a beautiful swimming pool, world-class spa facilities and additional concierge service with rates for double rooms with partial sea views from just $1,120 per week.
The less luxurious, privately managed Seashell Apartmentswhich is mainly aimed at holidaying families, is still affordable this summer at $692 per week, and competes with equally attractive Studio with sunset and sea view ($506) and the three-star Cynthiana beach hotel ($608).
Eating in Paphos is also incredibly cheap, with travelers expected to spend on average $41 in meals per day: this means you can eat delicious moussaka, richly filled gyros and fresh taramasalata without spending a lot of money while eating out locally.
It’s no surprise that Paphos is expecting its biggest summer in years, with connections to Paphos local airport, mainly served by low-cost seasonal flights from Europe, serving 59 destinations in 21 countries from June. significant increase for summer bookings.
Alongside Ayia Napa, on the eastern side of Cyprus, it is now one of the island’s main tourist hotspots, with a 50% increase in arrivals compared to 2021:
Pafos does sweltering straight awayliterally and figuratively, and it’s high time that Americans join their European counterparts in discovering this.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
