Paphos City Center

Paphos

Paphos
Byzantine Museum
Byzantine Museum featuring heritage architecture
Byzantine Museum showing street scenes
Paphos showing an administrative buidling

Set apart from the lower town and main tourist area, this historic old quarter offers a more laid-back vibe as well as several cultural attractions. 

Although it is just 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the main seafront tourist area, Paphos City Center or Ktima as it is known locally, feels a world away. Take a stroll around this charming and laid-back part of town to see elegant, colonial-era constructions and the modern commercial center of town, as well as historical and cultural attractions including a mosque, a Turkish bath and a couple of worthwhile small museums.

Ktima is the perfect antidote to travelers looking to escape the busier, livelier and more tourist-heavy district of Kato Paphos or Lower Paphos. Wander around the atmospheric lanes of the old Turkish Quarter or Moutallosas it is also known. Pause for a coffee in a café with a harbor view on Pafiasafroditis Street. See if you can spot the town’s mosque, which is also located in this neighborhood.

While you’re here, browse the edible goods on offer at the municipal market. The “agora” as the locals call it is where Paphos residents go to shop for groceries.

This part of town is also packed with historical and cultural attractions. Inspect the 15th-century frescoes depicting episodes from Jesus’s life at the Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi. Consider stopping by the Paphos Archaeological Museum. Explore the exhibits displaying treasures uncovered from the local area, ranging from Neolithic times up to the medieval era.

For even more history, head for the Ethnographic Museum. The museum, occupying a historic old town house, is devoted to Cyprian life and culture through the ages. The Byzantine Museum, meanwhile, displays icons, most of which are from the 7th to 18th centuries.

With its many narrow lanes and its relatively small size, Paphos City Center is best explored on foot. If you don’t want to walk uphill to get here, ride a local bus from the harbor instead.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Paphos City Center

Casa Mespilea
Casa Mespilea
3 out of 5
3 Pygmalionos, Paphos, Paphos
The price is P6,282 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
P6,282
P6,847 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Paphos. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (36 reviews)
"Lovely spot with a great restaurant. We ate their two nights in a row. Away from the main tourist area."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2025

Casa Mespilea
Axiothea Hotel
Axiothea Hotel
2 out of 5
2 Andrea Ioannou Street, Paphos
The price is P6,282 per night from Jul 5 to Jul 6
P6,282
P6,847 total
Jul 5 - Jul 6
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Paphos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (224 reviews)
"Friendly staff nice comfortable room & breakfast with lots of options:"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Axiothea Hotel
Kentrikon 1924 Suites
Kentrikon 1924 Suites
2 out of 5
7 Galatias, Paphos, Paphos
The price is P5,463 per night from Jul 9 to Jul 10
P5,463
P5,954 total
Jul 9 - Jul 10
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this apartment in Paphos. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and premium TV channels. Popular attractions Tombs of the Kings and Paphos Harbour are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Perfect"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Kentrikon 1924 Suites
Elysium
Elysium
5 out of 5
Queen Verenikis Street, Paphos
The price is P16,206 per night from Jul 10 to Jul 11
P16,206
P17,664 total
Jul 10 - Jul 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Paphos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (886 reviews)
"The staff in all areas are well trained and understand their role.providing first class service. Staff are very polite and always ready to help. The accommodation and food is 5 star."

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2025

Elysium
Aquamare Beach Hotel & Spa
Aquamare Beach Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
Poseidonos Ave, Geroskipou, Paphos
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Geroskipou. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Paphos Harbour and Tombs of the Kings are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (490 reviews)
"Pool lot smaller than it actually looks on the photo, but adequate enough and as on the beachfront, you can always pop in the sea! Service great, had a couple of issues on arrival with our room, but they sorted everything as soon as possible and were always polite and courteous. Have to say the maid ..."

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2025

Aquamare Beach Hotel & Spa
M Boutique Hotel - Designed for Adults
M Boutique Hotel - Designed for Adults
5 out of 5
Alkminis, 3, Paphos, Paphos
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P10,257 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
P10,257
P11,180 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Paphos. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Paphos Harbour and Tombs of the Kings ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (63 reviews)
"Everything was perfect!"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

M Boutique Hotel - Designed for Adults
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Paphos City Center

Old Town of Limassol showing street scenes

Old Town Paphos

While visiting Old Town Paphos, you might make a stop by sights like Byzantine Museum and Paphos Municipal Park.

Old Town Paphos
Default Image

Universal

When in Universal, you can plan a visit to Alykes Beach and Kings Avenue Mall, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Universal
Default Image

Vasiliko

When in Vasiliko, you can plan a visit to Paphos Archaeological Museum and Tombs of the Kings, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Vasiliko

Paphos City Center