Paphos is the site of Cyprus’s second international airport and Capital of the west. It’s an area teeming with history that dates back thousands of years.
The resort town has a charming fishing harbour by Paphos Fort, lined with open-air cafés and tavernas that serve a tempting menu of the day's catch, but Paphos’ biggest claim to fame its that it was here that the mythological Goddess Aphrodite is said to have been born - a legend that spawned a massive wave of cult worship from neighbouring countries that lasted several centuries.
The large rock that juts from the sea is known as `Petra Tou Romiou' - The Venus Rock - while the Baths of Aphrodite at Polis and the 'Fontana Amorosa' - Fountain of Love - also echo her apparent love for the island.
With all this remarkable history UNESCO have added the whole town to its World Cultural Heritage List. Among the treasures to visit are the remarkable mosaics in the Houses of Dionysos, beautifully preserved after 16 centuries under the soil. Then there are the mysterious Tombs of the Kings, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places of interest including the Byzantine Museum and the District Archaeological Museum.