Cyprus 7 days classic — Paphos, Troodos, Limassol, Larnaca and Ayia Napa

The week that covers southern Cyprus properly

Seven days is the sweet spot for a first visit to southern Cyprus. Long enough to feel the differences between Paphos and Ayia Napa (and they are vast), short enough that you are never just killing time. This classic loop moves west to east — Paphos, into the Troodos, down to Limassol, across to Larnaca, then east to Ayia Napa for the final two days — ending near Larnaca airport for a convenient departure.

This is not the fastest possible route (that would be a mad two-day dash on the motorway). It is the route that gives you the island’s archaeological depth, its mountain cool, its modern Mediterranean city life, and its best beaches. If you have been to Cyprus before and want to add Northern Cyprus, see the 7-day with-north itinerary.

At a glance

Day	Base	Focus
Day 1	Paphos	Archaeological park, Tombs of the Kings
Day 2	Paphos	Akamas peninsula, Blue Lagoon
Day 3	Troodos area	Kykkos, Omodos, mountain drive
Day 4	Limassol	Kourion, old town walking tour
Day 5	Larnaca	Drive east, Larnaca city, salt lake
Day 6	Ayia Napa	Cape Greco, sea caves, beach
Day 7	Ayia Napa	Blue Lagoon cruise, departure

Driving total: approximately 450 km Fly in/out: Paphos (PFO) in, Larnaca (LCA) out — or reverse (adjust itinerary accordingly)

Day 1 — Paphos: from the mosaics to the harbour

Morning — Paphos Archaeological Park

Collect your hire car at the airport and drive to Kato Paphos (15 minutes). Check in, then head straight to the Paphos Archaeological Park. The four great villa sites — House of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion and Orpheus — occupy a headland overlooking the sea. Mosaics were the Roman equivalent of luxury wallpaper: the wealthier the owner, the more mythological scenes covered the floor. The House of Dionysos alone has 556 square metres. The Odeon (Roman theatre, restored), Saranta Kolones castle and the lighthouse are all within walking distance.

Paphos: Half-Day City Tour with Tombs of the Kings Entry — a guided tour of the archaeological park and Tombs of the Kings, recommended if this is your first time.

Afternoon — Tombs of the Kings

Drive 2 km north to the Tombs of the Kings necropolis. Rock-cut chambers with Doric columns, atmospheric and largely uncrowded if you arrive after 14:00. Allow 90 minutes.

Return to town for a late lunch in Ktima old town. Avoid the harbour restaurants; eat at Sto Ellas or the covered market area.

Evening — Paphos castle and dinner

Walk the harbour at sunset, pay the €2.50 castle admission for the view, then eat inland. Seven St. George Seafood is good; for traditional Cypriot, Metaxas Tavern near Ktima.

Sleep: Paphos (2 nights). Almyra Hotel or Annabelle Hotel for mid-range luxury.

Day 2 — Akamas and the Blue Lagoon

Drive to Latchi (45 min) and join a boat tour to the Blue Lagoon. The turquoise cove is consistently one of the most photographed places on the island, and deservedly so.

Paphos/Akamas: Blue Lagoon Bus & Boat Tour with Water Slide — bus and boat combination from Paphos. One of the most popular day trips on the island; book ahead.

If you would prefer a more active day:

From Paphos or Limassol: Akamas National Park Jeep Safari — jeep safari covering the interior of Akamas: Avakas Gorge, Lara Beach (turtle nesting), Aphrodite’s Baths. Full day, excellent guides.

Afternoon: Drive back via Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra tou Romiou), the sea stack rising from the Mediterranean where legend says Aphrodite was born. Stop for photos and a swim if conditions allow (the water is deep and clear; the pebbles are sharp).

Evening: Last dinner in Paphos. Try the Paphos food tour if it runs in the evening.

Paphos: Full-Day Cyprus Food Tour — a comprehensive introduction to Cypriot food culture, including meze, local cheeses, halloumi, and traditional pastries.

Day 3 — Troodos: Kykkos, Omodos, and overnight in the mountains

Check out of Paphos. Today is a driving and discovery day — you will end the evening in the mountains.

Morning — Kykkos Monastery

Drive northeast into the Paphos Forest (90 min to Kykkos). The monastery was founded in the late 11th century and is the wealthiest and most important in Cyprus. Gold and marble mosaics cover the entire exterior of the modern buildings; the icon of the Virgin (kept behind a curtain — no photography allowed) is said to have been painted by Saint Luke. President Makarios III (first president of Cyprus) is buried at the nearby Throni viewpoint.

Paphos: Tour to Troodos, Kykkos Monastery, Omodos and Winery — guided day from Paphos covering Kykkos, Omodos and a winery. Good if you prefer not to self-drive the mountain roads.

Afternoon — Omodos wine village

Drive southeast to Omodos (40 min). The stone-paved square, the Monastery of the Holy Cross, and the surrounding vine terraces are gorgeous. Omodos is the heartland of Commandaria country: ask at any cellar for a tasting of this ancient amber dessert wine. Lunch at Stou Kir Yianni on the main square.

Continue to Platres or Troodos village for the night.

Sleep: Forest Park Hotel, Platres (~€90 B&B) — an excellent colonial-era hotel with a pool and genuine mountain atmosphere. Alternatively Jubilee Hotel in Troodos village.

Day 4 — Down to Limassol via Kourion

Morning — Kourion

Drive from Platres to Kourion (75 min via A6). This cliff-top Greco-Roman city is the second-finest archaeological site in Cyprus after Paphos: the restored theatre, the mosaic House of Eustolios, the Roman agora, the Nymphaeum, an early Christian basilica — all perched 70 m above the Mediterranean with views that justify the entrance fee alone (€4.50).

From Limassol: Ancient Kourion Tour with Paphos Town — if you would rather have a guide, this Limassol-based tour covers Kourion and the western coast.

Afternoon — Limassol old town

Arrive in Limassol after lunch and check in. Walk the Limassol old town: the medieval castle (excellent Byzantine/Lusignan museum inside), the covered market, the carob warehouse district, the Agios Andreou pedestrian street. The city’s cosmopolitan energy — a mix of Lebanese, Russian, Israeli and British expats overlaid on Cypriot culture — makes it unlike anywhere else on the island.

Limassol: Old Town Walking Tour with a Local Architect — a guided architectural walking tour of Limassol. One of the best ways to understand the city’s layered history.

Evening — Limassol after dark

Limassol has the island’s best restaurant scene outside Nicosia. The old town and the new port area both have excellent options. Avoid the marina (overpriced); try instead the streets around Anexartisias: Culinarium for modern Cypriot, Rema for fish taverne, or the long-established Bunch of Grapes at Pissouri (30 km west, worth the drive).

Sleep: Limassol (1 night). Londa Hotel or Four Seasons for mid-range luxury.

Day 5 — Drive east to Larnaca

Morning — Larnaca airport transfer and city

The drive from Limassol to Larnaca is 80 km on the A1/A5 motorway (55 min). Check into your Larnaca hotel by noon.

Larnaca is often underestimated — visitors use the airport and move on. That is a mistake. The Church of Saint Lazarus (9th century, built over the tomb of Lazarus of Bethany, who according to tradition became bishop of Kition after his resurrection) is one of the most beautiful churches in Cyprus. The Larnaca Salt Lake (2 km from the airport) hosts thousands of flamingos October–March; it is walkable and free. The Kamares Aqueduct (18th century, 75 arches) is an underrated piece of Ottoman-era infrastructure.

Larnaca: Private Walking Tour of the City with a Local Guide — a private guided tour of Larnaca’s historical city centre, covering the medieval fort, the salt lake, Saint Lazarus and the palm-lined seafront.

Afternoon — Hala Sultan Tekke and the beach

Drive 5 km southwest to Hala Sultan Tekke, an Ottoman mosque on the edge of the salt lake containing the tomb of Umm Haram, one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad. It is one of the most important Islamic sites in the world and admission is free; the setting — a white dome reflected in still water with flamingos in the background — is extraordinarily beautiful.

Spend the late afternoon at Mackenzie Beach, the best urban beach in Larnaca: a long stretch of sand with beach bars and shallow warm water.

Evening — Larnaca seafront

The Finikoudes promenade is lined with palm trees and the atmosphere in the evening is genuinely pleasant. Eat at Art Café 1900 (excellent meze, nice old building) or Militzis for traditional Cypriot cuisine.

Sleep: Larnaca (1 night). Golden Bay Hotel (€100/night) for beachfront mid-range, or Radisson Blu Larnaca (€120/night) for city comfort.

Day 6 — Ayia Napa: Cape Greco and sea caves

Drive from Larnaca to Ayia Napa (40 min on the B3, 47 km). Check in and spend the afternoon exploring the quieter side of Cyprus’s most famous party town.

Morning — Cape Greco National Forest Park

Drive 5 km east of Ayia Napa to Cape Greco — a dramatic limestone headland with sea arches, crystal-clear water in natural pools, and walking trails. The sea caves are visible from above (look for the bridge arch over the water) and accessible by sea kayak. The headland is part of the National Forest Park and is one of the best spots for diving in southern Cyprus.

The Cape Greco area is beautiful in the morning before tour groups arrive.

Afternoon — Nissi Beach and Ayia Napa town

Nissi Beach is the island’s most famous stretch of sand: wide, well-organised, with shallow warm water. In July–August it is wall-to-wall with British, Scandinavian and Russian tourists. In May, June, September and October it is genuinely pleasant.

Walk through Ayia Napa town: the medieval monastery in the central square (free, open daily) is a surprise — one of the best-preserved Venetian monasteries on the island, surrounded by nightclubs. The MUSAN Underwater Sculpture Museum (accessible only by dive or snorkel) is nearby.

Evening — Beachfront dinner

Ayia Napa has more mediocre restaurants than good ones. The best options are slightly off the strip: Captain Andreas and Vassos Fish Restaurant are reliable for fresh fish. Budget €25–40/person with wine.

Sleep: Ayia Napa (2 nights). Dome Beach Hotel and Resort (€120/night, beachfront) or the quieter Pernera Beach Hotel at Protaras (€95/night).

Day 7 — Blue Lagoon cruise and departure

Morning — Turtle Bay cruise

Ayia Napa: Blue Lagoon & Turtle Cruise with Optional Lunch — a morning cruise from Ayia Napa to the Blue Lagoon at Cape Greco, Turtle Bay and the sea caves, with lunch and swimming stops. This is the perfect last morning: gentle sailing, warm water, excellent food.

The cruise typically returns to Ayia Napa harbour by 14:00–15:00, leaving time to shower, pack, and drive to Larnaca airport (40 min) for an evening flight.

Afternoon — MUSAN dive (optional)

Ayia Napa: MUSAN Underwater Museum Scuba Dive — if you are a certified diver or even a beginner with a resort dive course, the MUSAN Underwater Sculpture Museum is a extraordinary experience. The sculptures at 8–12 m depth have been colonised by sea life since installation and create genuinely surreal images.

What to book in advance

1. Paphos: Half-Day City Tour with Tombs of the Kings Entry — Day 1 Paphos guided tour.
2. Paphos/Akamas: Blue Lagoon Bus & Boat Tour with Water Slide — Day 2 Blue Lagoon. Book at least a week ahead in summer.
3. Limassol: Old Town Walking Tour with a Local Architect — Day 4 Limassol walking tour.
4. Larnaca: Private Walking Tour of the City with a Local Guide — Day 5 Larnaca guided tour.
5. Ayia Napa: Blue Lagoon & Turtle Cruise with Optional Lunch — Day 7 farewell cruise.

Driving and logistics

Total distance: approximately 450 km over the week. Fly in: Paphos (PFO); fly out: Larnaca (LCA). Most car hire companies allow one-way rentals between airports (add €20–40 drop-off fee).

Key route distances:

• Paphos → Latchi: 45 km (50 min)
• Paphos → Kykkos: 75 km (90 min, mountain road)
• Kykkos → Omodos: 40 km (50 min)
• Platres → Kourion: 75 km (80 min)
• Kourion → Limassol: 20 km (20 min)
• Limassol → Larnaca: 80 km (55 min)
• Larnaca → Ayia Napa: 47 km (40 min)

Motorway: The A1/A6 motorway runs coast-to-coast from Paphos to Larnaca. Fast, well-maintained, and mostly toll-free.

Variations

For families: Replace Day 3 Troodos overnight with a full day at Paphos Zoo and WaterWorld waterpark (Ayia Napa). Extend Ayia Napa to three nights for more beach time.

For divers: Replace the Day 7 morning cruise with the Zenobia dive in Larnaca (arrange on Day 5 — the Zenobia is off Larnaca, not Ayia Napa). The Zenobia is ranked among the top ten wreck dives in the world.

Zenobia Wreck: Private Guided Dive — a guided dive on the Zenobia wreck, which sank in 1980 and lies at 18–42 m depth. One of the Mediterranean’s great dive experiences.

For wine lovers: Extend Day 3 to two nights in the mountains and add a full Troodos wine route day visiting Ktima Tsangarides, Vasilikon Winery and the Omodos producers.

Frequently asked questions about this itinerary

Is this loop better clockwise or anticlockwise?

The clockwise version (Paphos first, Ayia Napa last) is recommended: you acclimatise slowly, starting with the more archaeological western sites before the beach-heavy east. It also works perfectly if you fly into Paphos (PFO) and out of Larnaca (LCA).

Can I do this itinerary in a smaller car?

Yes. No off-road driving is required unless you choose the Akamas jeep safari. A standard manual or automatic hatchback handles all roads in this itinerary, including the mountain roads.

How much should I budget per person?

Mid-range: €150–180/person/day including a mid-range hotel, car hire share, meals, entrance fees and one tour per day. Seven days for two people: approximately €2,100–2,500 excluding flights.

Is Ayia Napa really worth two nights?

For beach lovers: absolutely. For culture-focused travellers: perhaps one night is enough — you could replace one Ayia Napa night with a night in Protaras, which is quieter and prettier, or use Day 7 morning for a Zenobia dive from Larnaca instead.

What if I only fly into Larnaca?

Reverse the itinerary: start in Larnaca, drive to Ayia Napa, back to Limassol, up to Troodos, across to Paphos. Fly out of Paphos or do a one-way hire back to Larnaca.