The best things to do in Paphos with kids

You need far more than one family holiday to explore Cyprus – it is the third largest island in the Mediterranean – but if you’re deciding where to base yourself, there are so many things to do in Paphos with kids that it’s always my favourite destination.

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While we visited most recently in summer, it’s also a great option if you’re looking for some warmth outside peak season, with plenty of winter sun in Paphos and no long-haul flight.

We stayed around a five-minute drive from Coral Bay, and only around 20 minutes from Paphos itself, so even if you aren’t staying in the city, it’s very easy to visit and explore – the 615 bus travels along the main coast road, or car hire doesn’t cost a fortune (plus if you’re coming from the UK, you drive on the left in Cyprus as a bonus!)

Paphos Castle

Just at the edge of the harbour, past the string of waterfront restaurants and not far from the archaeological site of Nea Paphos, you can see the squat golden tower of Paphos Castle.

Originally built in 1222 as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbour, it was repeatedly added to, destroyed and rebuilt, with the current version of the castle created by the Ottomans in the 16th century and used as a prison. 

It was then given over to the British in 1878 who used it as salt storage – you can discover some of the history in the inscription above the castle entrance as well as on the information inside.

While most of the interior is gone, you can still see the shape of the rooms and where the upper floor would have been, as well as imagining where the deepest dungeon was. 

One of the best parts (apart from the relative cool inside on a summer’s day!) is heading up to the roof to check out the views along the coast and back to Kato Paphos, as the harbour area is known – plus some great breezes.

It’s free for kids and only a couple of Euros for adults, and doesn’t take too long to look around, so it’s a good option if your kids have a short attention span as well. Handily, there’s somewhere to buy ice cream right on the doorstep too.

The Tombs of the Kings

Cyprus is packed with archaeological sites from over its long history, but one of the most famous is the Tombs of the Kings, just on the edge of modern-day Paphos.

The sunken tombs date back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods – the earliest are from around the 3rd century BCE with the newer ones created in the 3rd century CE, but some are astonishingly well preserved.

Despite the name, there were no kings buried here. Instead, they were used for high-ranking officials and aristocracy – the name comes from the grand architecture of the tombs, some of which have multiple floors, as well as decorative columns and pillars.

There are eight main tombs scattered around with QR codes to give information or more on the app for the Paphos archaeological sites – there are no maps though, and sometimes confusing directions, so don’t be surprised if you don’t find them all!

Once they would have been packed with gold and other precious items, but between tomb robbers and rapacious excavators, there’s very little left today. 

The tombs themselves are still impressive though, and you can even spot some of the coloured plaster on the wall of one, as well as looking out for details like well and carvings for small altars.

Some of the tombs are designed to imitate the houses of the living, a style that was influenced by ancient Egyptian tradition. 

It’s well worth getting there early to explore first thing when the gates open at 8.30am before the worst of the heat, especially in peak season when it can easily be 30C+ by 9am. Alternatively, try to time your visit at the end of the day – allow around 60-90 minutes to explore. Kids go free.

Nea Paphos Archaeological Park

One of the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus, Nea Paphos is a Unesco World Heritage site, built in around the 4th century BCE as the ‘new’ town to replace the event older Palaepaphos which was around 800 years older.

The sprawling site is particularly famous for its mosaics, some of which have been left in the ruins of the ancient city (although some have been removed to museums), as well as being home to sites and monuments from the Ptolemaic Odeon right up to medieval times, although a lot is from the Roman era.

There’s an app to download with more information and a map (well worth having), as well as free WiFi to access it, plus suggestions of different trails to follow – the highlights tour is a good option for families, and lasts around 90 minutes but takes you to all the key sites.

The full tour can take up to four hours, which is well beyond my daughter’s tolerance for ancient ruins (and my own, when the temperature is in the high 30s!) 

Don’t miss the House of Dionysus for some of the best mosaics, and it’s well worth walking over towards the lighthouse for some great views and a few welcome breezes. 

The remains of the Agora, the town’s marketplace, and the Asklepieion, its temple dedicated to the god of medicine are a bit hard to visualise, but the great amphitheatre, the Odeon, is also on that side of the site as well.

As with Tombs of the Kings, get there for 8.30am opening to beat the worst of the heat, or go in the late afternoon, but allow at least 90 minutes if you want to try to see the whole site. Kids go free.

If you’d like to explore further to see more of the historical sites near Paphos with kids, Kouklia is one of the oldest sites, home to the Sanctuary of Pafia Aphrodite

Explore Paphos Town

If your kids are bored of ancient Paphos, save some time to explore the modern city – the best places for wandering are around Paphos Market and the end of Archbishop Makariou street. 

Don’t be tempted to head to the area marked Old Town on Google Maps, it’s pretty boring with not much to see there unless you’re visiting the Archaeological Museum.

If you’re looking for souvenirs, there are shops aplenty, all packed with jewellery, knick knacks, mementoes and more – it’s all pretty similar, with most things at pocket money prices (though a few are pricier, if you’re looking for something special) and plenty of little cafes also dotted around the white-washed streets.

If you wander the length of Makariou, you’ll get to Kennedy Square (mostly boarded off and under construction when we visited) as well as Paphos Town Hall and the Municipal Gardens, a shady spot for kids to play.

Paphos Archaeological Museum

If your kids’ eyes are rolling at the thought of more ancient history, Paphos Archaeological Museum is well worth a visit – it’s not huge, so it’s quick to get around (we spent about half an hour), it’s free for all, and it’s air conditioned.

But the exhibits themselves including some fascinating finds. It’s arranged chronologically, so you can see 5,000-year-old pots, as well as day to day items – lamps, statues, coins, even gold jewellery.

Add in a few weapons, the head of a Roman emperor (probably), a stone lion, sarcophagi and a few other eye-catching designs shaped like animals and open-mouthed heads and there’s usually something to keep kids interested.

My daughter and I played our usual game of ‘what would you take home’ and found something to tempt us in every display – plus as it’s a relatively small collection, you don’t get overwhelmed by endless displays of pottery, which makes even my eyes glaze over.

It’s walking distance from Paphos market – around a 20 minute walk away – or there’s parking nearby. Download the Paphos Now app to pay online: it’s pretty cheap at around 50 cents per hour, but unless you have a Cypriot mobile, you may not be able to pay otherwise as you can’t use cash.

Paphos beaches

A trip to Paphos wouldn’t be complete without some family beach time and there’s plenty of golden sand in and around the city, where kids can build sandcastles, splash around in the crystal-clear waters, and enjoy the warm Mediterranean sun.

Coral Bay is one of the most popular family-friendly beaches in Paphos, with its long stretch of sand and shallow water that’s perfect for swimming. The beach also has plenty of facilities, including sunbeds, toilets, showers, shops, and even watersports for kids and adults to enjoy.

Alykes and Vrysoudia Beaches, located near busy Paphos Harbour, are more convenient options if you’re staying in Paphos itself, with a lively atmosphere and easily accessible from a lot of the hotels in the area. 

For a more peaceful and natural beach, Latchi sits on the northern coast for families who want to escape the crowds. You’ll want to have your own car to drive there and there are some twisting mountain roads – though nothing too tricky – but it’s a fun day out if you want to explore more widely.

If you’re planning to hire a car to explore Cyprus with kids, one of my favourite sites is Zest Car Rental which I used for our trip to Paphos

Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark

If your kids love water parks, you’ll find some of the bigger hotels have their own slides but it’s hard to beat a fun family day out at Aphrodite Water Park, the biggest waterpark in the Paphos region.

The huge aqua adventure centre has plenty of rides and attractions for kids of all ages. Little ones will love the splash pads and mini slides, while older kids and teens can get their adrenaline pumping on the kamikaze, plummet 50ft on the free fall, and get competitive on the speed racers. 

There’s also a lazy river, wave pool, and rafting for the whole family to enjoy, as well as plenty of sunbeds and restaurants so you can make it a full day out in Paphos with kids.

Pirate Boat Tour 

Jump on board the Jolly Roger and set sail on a half-day pirate boat cruise from Paphos that younger children in particular are sure to love.

The traditional ship takes you on a journey along the beautiful Paphos coastline and is manned by a crew of costumed pirates. The crew keep little ones entertained with pirate-themed shows, songs, and interactive games. 

The cruise includes a kid-friendly buffet lunch and the opportunity to walk the plank into the water as well as a refreshing swim halfway through the journey.

More Paphos boat tours

If you take a wander to Paphos Harbour, you’ll find a whole string of other family-friendly boat tours departing here.

Set off on the largest glass-bottomed boat in Cyprus for a chance to see a shipwreck as well as the marine life, plus swimming in the sea yourself and a slide off the boat. Or get even closer on a Yellow Submarine swim cruise, where you can look out from the underwater cabin, as well as time for a swim.

Or join a tour for the Blue Lagoon – the majority of these depart from Latchi (or Latsi) harbour, so if they show pick-up from Paphos, you’ll have a drive across to the other corner of the island for the cruise itself.

It’s still a good option if you don’t have your own transport, but if you’ve got a car, you can save the cost and the time by booking a Latchi departure – read on for more details of the one we booked.

Paphos Turtle watching sea scooter trip

Something between a boat ride and a snorkelling expedition, one of the most unusual way to get close to the marine life is on a Paphos Turtle watching snorkeling sea scooter trip.

The four-hour trip includes tips on how to use the sea scooters as well as snorkeling advice – it’s suitable for age 1+ although realistically it’s better with kids who can swim and are confident in the water rather than small children.

Bear in mind you will have to share the sea scooters, so won’t have it for the full swimming part of the trip (which is around 90 minutes, excluding the time to get to the destination).

But the chance of swimming with turtles is hard to beat, so it’s a great option for kids who love animals.

Paphos Zoo

Bored of beaches and history? For a fun day out in Paphos for little animal lovers, don’t miss Pafos Zoo, the largest licensed zoo in all of Cyprus.

The wildlife reserve is home to over 350 species of animals from across the world, including lions, giraffes, monkeys, meerkats, kangaroos, and more. It’s even home to one of Europe’s largest collections of venomous snakes and exotic birds, with a parrot and owl show during the day too.

The zoo is committed to animal care and conservation, with plenty of displays and demonstrations to teach visitors about the animal’s natural behaviours and habitats too. There’s also a children’s playground, regular bird shows, and a feeding and petting corner where kids can get up close to some friendly giants.

It’s around a 30-minute drive from Paphos itself, 10 minutes beyond Coral Bay, so you’ll need your own transportation to get there unless you book a tour with transport included, such as this full-day trip to Paphos Zoo and the Blue Lagoon.

Buy tickets to Pafos Zoo with free cancellation

Argonaftis Donkey Farm

In the countryside near Paphos, the Argonaftis Donkey Farm gives children the chance to interact with friendly Cypriot donkeys and learn about their importance to the island’s history and culture.

Once every family in every village would have had their own donkey as transport and to help with growing and selling vegetables, wine and other creations, but these days the numbers have dropped dramatically.

The farm provides shelter and care for these donkeys while running a breeding program to prevent the local species from becoming endangered.

On a visit to the farm, kids can take a short donkey ride through the beautiful surrounding farmland to visit the Unesco Sindi Monastery. 

You can also sample the farm’s locally-made products or stick around for their famous “Cyprus Culture Night,” a family-friendly evening of local food and entertainment. 

Paphos Sea Caves

Stretching north along the coast from Paphos Town, the stunning sea caves are one of western Cyprus’s defining features, formed over thousands of years by the Mediterranean Sea. 

You can take a walk along the cliffs to see some of the lagoon pools from above, or more adventurous families can explore the caves.

Stroll the clifftops at Peyia to admire the rugged coastline and dramatic rock formations from above, including some shallow lagoon pools in shades of greeny blue and turquoise, as well as flat rocks protected from the waves.

Or head to the Coral Bay sea caves where you can swim into the coves at low tide. 

Spot the Edro III shipwreck

Not far from the sea caves, don’t miss the Edro III shipwreck, wedged on the rocks a short drive from Coral Bay – it foundered in 2011 and has become an attraction in its own right.

Popular for photos at sunset, you can expect bigger crowds at the end of the day. Turn up earlier in the morning and you’ll probably have it to yourself to snap a few pictures and eye up the dramatic sight.

There’s also a lovely little restaurant near the waterfront here – opened as a little cafe before the wreck, the owner had picked a lucky spot as around a year later, this quiet corner of the coast became a must-visit destination!

Incidentally all the crew on board were saved and the ship has been secured so as not to pollute the water – for now, it’s stuck fast, although one day, the pounding waves might yet return it to the sea. Unlikely to be any day soon though.

ADONIS Botanic Garden 

For a peaceful family attraction in Paphos, spend a couple of hours strolling around the ADONIS Botanic Garden. The gorgeous garden is filled with exotic trees, plants, herbs, and flowers, including many species native to Cyprus.

Kids can learn about local life at the garden’s small village museum here too, watch an old oil press crush olives to produce olive oil, pick herbs to brew their own tea, and even enjoy a dip in the garden’s natural spring pool and waterfalls.

It’s around 20 minutes from Paphos, and around 10 minutes from Coral Bay.

The best days out from Paphos with kids

While Cyprus is a big island, there are still some easy day trips you can make from Paphos with kids, without having to drive for hours – if you do want to explore further, bear in mind it’s an hour to Limassol, 90 minutes to Larnaca and almost two hours to Ayia Napa. Here’s my pick of the best.

Blue Lagoon boat tour

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular places for boat trips to visit in Cyprus – and for good reason, the clear turquoise water here is absolutely gorgeous.

You can take trips from Paphos itself, although check when you’re booking as a lot of boats depart from Latchi rather than Paphos Harbour so they’ll add a long bus journey on to the start. Even better, if you have your own car, drive over to Latchi yourself to get the boat, as we did.

Cyprus Mini Cruises do three tours every day in summer – two 2.5 hour trips during the daytime, and a four-hour cruise which leaves at 4pm and returns to Latchi harbour at sunset.

The longer cruise also includes a BBQ with grilled chicken and pork, bread, tomatoey couscous and salad.

Along the way, you sail past the baths of Aphrodite. The coast gets its name from a small pool just inland where the goddess was said to bathe, and where you can get eternal youth or find love by taking a dip in the waters – that’s not allowed today, so you just have to enjoy the views!

There’s also time to snorkel and swim at the Blue Lagoon (bring your own snorkel) with around an hour during the longer cruise – head over to the rocks for the best sea life.

Plus after the food, the crew inflate a slide to whizz down into the sea from the lower deck or there’s time to jump in and swim a little more before cruising back as the sun sets.

The Steni Museum of Village Life

The Steni Museum of Village Life is a lovely little family-friendly museum all about rural life in Paphos and Cyprus, and a great way for kids to learn how life was lived on the island not long ago.

The free museum features realistic scenes of people going about their day-to-day lives in a traditional Cypriot village during the 19th and 20th centuries, with a collection of artefacts ranging from clothing to farming tools.

There’s also a kids’ playground right outside the museum and a local taverna across the road where you can grab lunch, making for a fun family day out. It’s around 40 minutes from Paphos itself, but only about 15 minutes from Latchi, so it’s easy to combine with a Blue Lagoon tour.

Akamas National Park peninsula tour

Up at the western tip of the north coast Cyprus lies the Akamas National Park – until recently, there was no development allowed at all, and while a road is now being built, don’t try to explore here without a 4×4.

As our little hire car wouldn’t stand up to off-roading, we booked a day tour with Sunshine Safari Tours which included a visit to the Avakas Gorge – read on for more details – as well as a chance to spot turtles at Lara Bay and at Agios Georgios harbour, plus a visit to the little turtle museum and some Cypriot coffee in Ineia.

Not to mention a whole lot of off-roading, driving along rough paths to soak up the views, try carob pods straight from the trees, spot mountain goats and get our hearts racing on the slopes.

Check out my full review of our tour of Akamas National Park and Avakas Gorge with kids

Avakas Gorge

One of the highlights of a visit to the Akamas National Park is a walk through Avakas Gorge.

Do wear sensible footwear here (ideally waterproof sandals, but something with decent grip otherwise) but it’s easy enough for kids to try if you do.

Starting with a wide path, you’ll pass some of the island’s endemic trees, including pretty pink flowering Oleander (toxic despite its attractive appearance) as well as an olive tree that’s thought to be 800 years old along the way.

You’ll also spot lizards speeding away into the undergrowth, butterflies and maybe even hear the shrieks of eagles as you go.

The path gets narrower and narrower, clambering across stepping stones until you reach one of the thinnest sections of the gorge, around 2-3m wide.

If you’ve got a car which can cope with the roads leading to the car park, it’s easy to explore independently, or you can visit easily as part of a tour – we saw it on our Sunshine Safaris day tour (and unlike some of the other tours, our guide also came with us to explain what we were seeing and stop us getting lost).

See Aphrodite’s Rock

One of the best-known myths attached to Cyprus is that its the birthplace of Aphrodite, and you can still visit the spot today at Aphrodite’s Rock.

Its real name is Petra tou Romiou; according to legend it was thrown into the sea by a hero and only later did the goddess of love and beauty emerge from the waves nearby – these days, the rock and the beach are very firmly Aphrodite’s though.

It’s said if you swim once around the rock, you’ll get good luck. If you only have time for a short visit, we swam out to touch it and back in about 10 minutes! The beach is pebbly so water shoes are a good idea.

There’s also a safe route from the car park under the road to the beach, so you needn’t dodge traffic – it narrows to a fairly thin dark tunnel before emerging again into the sunlight.

While you could drive along to the rock from Paphos – it takes around 20 minutes – there’s not a lot else to do nearby once you’ve finished with the beach, so it’s better to combine with something else, such as the Troodos Mountains.

Troodos Mountains

For a longer day trip from Paphos that’s ideal for older kids, head up into the Troodos Mountains to explore a different side of Cyprus.

If you’re visiting outside peak season, don’t be surprised to find the roads covered with snow in the winter months, so only drive if you’re prepared. During the summer, the roads are good (if twisty, this is the mountains) so you can explore independently.

Having had such a good time on our Sunshine Safari tour to the Akamas Peninsula earlier in our trip, we decided to swap our plan of setting out on our own for another day trip with Konstantinos, whose mother was born (and currently lives) in a village in the Troodos Mountains.

I’m so glad we did too, as we visited places I doubt I’d ever have found solo, as well as a bit more off roading through the mountains away from the main roads (which my little hire car definitely wouldn’t have coped with).

Check out what we thought of our day tour of the Troodos Mountains with kids in my full review

Along the way, we saw the second biggest dam in Cyprus, before walking along a dried-up river bed and over a 500-year-old Venetian bridge.

Then on to visit the Chantara waterfalls where we had a dip in the pools (mountain fresh water, perfect for cooling you down – bring water shoes if you can), saw the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Omodos, as well as stopping in the pretty village for lunch. 

We also discovered a family business making loukoumi (Cypriot delight – definitely not Turkish delight!) as well as a winery making blue wine (they use red grape skins to get the colour) and tried local halloumi and Cypriot coffee.

If you’re not taking a tour, Platres is another great place to stop, and we could happily have spent longer wandering through Omodos too – it’s worth knowing that it gets even busier at weekends, as a lot of Cypriots will visit then, including to visit the monastery.

You can also make a short detour to Aphrodite’s rock – we stopped on the way back to Paphos to finish our day with a quick sea swim.

*First published 2013, last updated 2026*

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions on the best things to do in Paphos with kids are my own (and my daughter’s)

Donkey/waterslide images courtesy Depositphotos, all other images copyright MummyTravels

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