Day trips from Paphos: the best 10 options

Planning day trips from Paphos: what you need to know

Paphos is the best-positioned base on the island for day trips. It sits at the western end of Cyprus’s motorway network, giving access to Limassol and Larnaca to the east (40–90 minutes), the Akamas Peninsula and Latchi to the north (30–50 minutes), the Troodos mountains to the northeast (60–90 minutes), and Nicosia to the north (90 minutes via the motorway). Very few locations on the island are truly out of reach in a day.

A hire car is essential for most of these trips — see our car rental guide. Organised tours offer most of the same itineraries with guides and bus pickup from Paphos hotels, which works well if you prefer not to drive.

The top 10 day trips from Paphos

1. Blue Lagoon and Akamas Peninsula

Distance: 50 km to Latchi harbour, then 30 minutes by boat. Best for: Swimming, snorkelling, nature, spectacular scenery.

The unmissable Paphos day trip. Drive north to Latchi, board a morning boat, and spend several hours at the Blue Lagoon — the most beautiful water in Cyprus. Most boats also stop at the Baths of Aphrodite and one or two additional Akamas coves. Full guide: Blue Lagoon Akamas.

Paphos/Akamas: Blue Lagoon Bus & Boat Tour with Water Slide

2. Kourion, Kolossi Castle, and Aphrodite’s Rock

Distance: 40–60 km east. Best for: Archaeology and mythology.

Drive east on the A6 past Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra tou Romiou — a 10-minute stop for photos), then north to Kourion. The ancient theatre at Kourion is extraordinary. Combine with Kolossi Castle (15 minutes west of Kourion, the Crusader castle linked to Commandaria wine) for a full archaeology day. Back through Limassol for dinner. Full guide: Kourion ancient city.

From Paphos: Trip to Limassol with Kourion & Kolossi Castle

3. Troodos mountains and wine villages

Distance: 60–90 minutes to Troodos region. Best for: Wine tasting, mountain scenery, authentic village life.

Head northeast into the Troodos via the Paphos district wine route. Omodos village (cobbled streets, a monastery, several good wine producers), Arsos (wineries), and higher up to Platres and the Troodos summit (1,952 m). Lunch at a mountain taverna (excellent grilled meats, local cheese). Return via different roads for variety. Full guide: Cyprus wine guide.

From Paphos: Troodos Mountains & Villages Guided Day Trip

4. Lara Beach and turtle nesting

Distance: 40 km north via the Akamas track (4WD) or by boat from Latchi. Best for: Wildlife, wild swimming, remote beach experience.

Lara is Cyprus’s most important turtle nesting beach — loggerhead and green turtles nest here from May to September. No facilities, no sunbeds, total seclusion. Best reached by boat from Latchi or on a jeep safari. Full guide: Lara Beach and turtles.

Avakas Gorge & Lara Beach Swim: Minibus Adventure from Pafos

5. Limassol old town and marina

Distance: 60 km east, 45–60 minutes. Best for: Food, shopping, culture.

Limassol is Cyprus’s second city and most cosmopolitan. The old town (Laona district) has excellent cafés, small galleries, and a genuine Cypriot urban atmosphere. The renovated marina is spectacular architecture (designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel) though the restaurants are overpriced. Eat in the old town instead. See Paphos vs Limassol comparison.

6. Nicosia: the last divided capital

Distance: 90 km, 65–75 minutes. Best for: History, culture, crossing to Northern Cyprus.

Nicosia is the world’s last divided capital city. The old town is compact and walkable — the Cyprus Museum (best archaeological museum on the island), the Laiki Geitonia quarter, Ledra Street, and the crossing to North Nicosia. Cross to the north for an hour or two (Büyük Han caravanserai, the bazaar, the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque in North Nicosia) and return the same day.

7. Famagusta and Salamis (Northern Cyprus)

Distance: 170 km via south, 2+ hours; or cross at Pergamos checkpoint (from northeast of Nicosia). Best for: Medieval and ancient history.

One of the most remarkable days possible in Cyprus. Cross the Green Line, visit the Venetian walled city of Famagusta (the Gothic cathedral-turned-mosque is extraordinary), drive to ancient Salamis (7 km north), and return south via the Pergamos checkpoint. Full guides: Famagusta, Salamis.

Paphos: Tour Famagusta–Ancient Salamis and Ghost Town

8. Akamas jeep safari

Distance: 30–50 km north. Best for: Off-road adventure, nature, remote coastline.

If boats and beaches are not the priority, an Akamas jeep safari covers more of the peninsula’s interior — the dramatic gorges, the endemic plant species, the viewpoints over the Blue Lagoon, and the turtle coast. Professional operators use purpose-built 4WDs with local guides.

Paphos: 4x4 ATV & Buggy Safari Tour to Aphrodite's Rock

9. Avakas Gorge

Distance: 35 km north. Best for: Hiking, geology.

Avakas Gorge is a narrow limestone gorge carved by the Avakas River through the Akamas foothills. A 2-hour return walk through the gorge (often requiring some rock scrambling and wading in dry season) is one of Cyprus’s best short hikes. The gorge walls rise to 30 metres and the vegetation inside is lush — a complete contrast to the surrounding scrubland.

10. Aphrodite’s Hills and Curium

Distance: 40–60 km east. Best for: Mythology and coastal scenery.

Drive east along the A6 coast road: stop at Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra tou Romiou, the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite — the most photogenic seascape on the south coast), then continue to the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates (15 minutes east), then to Kourion.

Frequently asked questions about Paphos day trips

Which Paphos day trip is best for families with children?

The Blue Lagoon boat trip from Latchi is the top family choice — calm water for swimming, turtles to spot, and the boat ride itself is exciting for children. The Akamas jeep safari is another family favourite. Kourion suits children who have been introduced to ancient history.

Can I do day trips from Paphos without a hire car?

Most organised tours pick up from Paphos hotels — this is the no-car option. Local public transport does not reach Akamas, Kourion, or Troodos easily. For Northern Cyprus day trips, taking an organised tour is strongly recommended (the operator handles border crossing and insurance).

How far is Limassol from Paphos?

Approximately 60 km on the A6 motorway — around 45–55 minutes. Enough for a half-day trip if you want to combine it with Kourion (which is between the two cities).

Is Nicosia worth a day trip from Paphos?

Yes, particularly if you want to cross to Northern Cyprus. Nicosia is 90 km from Paphos but the motorway makes it approximately 65–75 minutes. Allow a full day: arrive for the Cyprus Museum (morning), old town lunch, Ledra Street crossing to North Nicosia in the afternoon.