Car hire in Paphos
Good enough for the Gods
Visit Paphos for its archaeological gems and beautiful golden sand beaches, boulevards lined with palm trees and huge choice of restaurants. The city is also the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of beauty and love, and is listed by UNESCO among the cultural and natural treasures of the world.
Popular car hire locations in Paphos
Explore past and present with your Avis car rental
Car hire is a must for visiting all the remote historical and archaeological sites on Cyprus and for reaching the finest beaches. We offer you the best possible service, including breakdown assistance and out of hours return. Child seats, compulsory for children under five, are also available.
Cyprus old and new
Paphos, or Pafos, is situated in the southwest of Cyprus on the Mediterranean coast. It lies about 30 miles west of Limassol, linked via the A6 motorway. It is in fact made up of two parts: Kato Pafos and Ktima. Kato Pafos is the actual tourist centre with clubs and bars, and is also the location of many fascinating historical and archaeological attractions. Ktima is relatively undeveloped and more laid back. It has some very attractive colonial-style buildings and several local museums as well as some excellent restaurants. The old Turkish quarter, Mouttalos, seems not to have changed for decades.This area of Cyprus enjoys the island’s mildest weather. Summers normally last from April/May to November, but even at other times of the year temperatures can reach 20°C. An ideal all-year holiday destination.
The city has been selected as European Capital of Culture for 2017 and it’s not hard to see why. Top of the list of places to see are the Tombs of the Kings. This fascinating site consists of underground tombs and chambers used from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century AD. As in ancient Egypt, the tradition was to build tombs similar to houses for the living. A visit will take about two hours and it’s recommended to go early in the morning when it’s cooler.
The Nea Paphos Archaeological Site is in the western part of Kato Pafos. Nea Paphos is the ancient city, founded in the late 4th century BCE. Excavations are still under way and it is thought that there are many treasures yet to be found. You can park in the harbour car park and enter at the western end of the site. A visit will take up to half a day.
The collection of mosaics was discovered by a farmer ploughing his field in the 1960s and can be admired in the southern part of the archaeological site. The mosaics were used to decorate the floor of a fine Roman residence and each tells a story, or rather a myth.
Car hire on a real treasure island
Cyprus must be one of the easiest places to get around by car for UK visitors – English is the second official language and everyone drives on the left!It’s hard to resist the blue waters of this part of the Mediterranean where the beaches have earned EU Blue Flags for their cleanliness. As well as the very popular town beach, you could also hop into your car rental and head for Faros or Vyrsoudia beaches with their long stretches of sand.
One of the premier holiday attractions with fun for all the family is the Aphrodite Waterpark off Poseidonos Avenue, southeast of the town. It has a choice of 26 rides and many other leisure activities. Wristbands are used to keep track of your spending so you don’t have to carry cash, just settle up before leaving.
Also ideal for families is the Bird and Animal Park on the road to Coral Bay. It houses a variety of wildlife as well as a children’s playground, restaurant and snack bar.
Opera buffs will not want to miss the Aphrodite Festival held every September in front of the medieval castle. Each year the organisers invite an opera troupe to perform in the open air. The castle itself is worth a visit at any time of year – it has served a number of purposes over the years and was even used as a salt store during the British occupation of the island.
The Dionysia Festival, named after the god of wine, celebrates the area’s great wines in the village of Stroumbi. The festival is held towards the end of the summer.