Activities
Apartment Ethelia is close to Paphos Harbour and Old Town and within a seven-minute walk of a taverna and minimarket. The taverna is open from 9am 'til late and serves all-day breakfasts and a comprehensive menue.
Coral Bay, the most famous beach in Cyprus, is about 20 minutes drive away where a full range of water sports can be found. Lara Bay, a nature reserve for turtles, is approximately a 45 minutes' drive away. There is also a beach at Kato Paphos, approx 15 minutes by foot.
Please note: Certain restrictions are in place with regard to using the beach at Lara Bay during the turtle's breeding season.
Aphrodite's water park and Coral Bay are about 20 minutes away by car as are Paphos Bird Park and Snake George's Reptile Park.
There are a number of traditional Cypriot villages within easy reach by car, possibly the closest and quaintest is Konia (about a five minute drive).
Also worth visiting and within a thirty minute drive is Aphrodite's Rock (Pétra tou Romioú) -- the birthplace of the goddess, Aphrodite.
Tombs of the Kings (historical burial site), Adonis Baths and Waterfalls (great for swimming and diving off rocks -- the water is said to make women younger and men stronger) and 3 golf courses (Aphrodite Hills, Secret Valley and Tsada).
Some of the activities available within a thirty-minute drive are go-karting, snorkelling, scuba diving, glass-bottomed boat tours and hang-gliding. Snow skiing is possible in colder winter months in the Troodos mountains (about and hour away by car).
The Port of Limassol is only 45 minutes away by car. From Limassol it is possible to take mini cruises to Egypt, The Holy Lands and Mediterranean resorts. Larnaca is only an hour away by car and Nicosia, the capital, an hour and a half's drive. Or, by air, flights to Egypt and the Holy Lands are available from Paphos airport -- less than 15 mins dirve.
Golf
There are three quality golf courses approximately 30 minutes away by car: Aphrodite Hills, Tsada and Secret Valley.
Fishing
Fishing trips can be taken from Paphos Harbour.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is available at Paphos Harbour through CyDive, a member of PADI. For a very reasonable charge, lessons from beginner to advanced can be booked. Prices include hire of equipment and wetsuits.
There are also many areas of the coast suitable for scuba diving, although, obviously, these would be unsupervised.
Coastal
Much of the Cyprus coastline is rocky; however, there are many sandy beaches as well, the most famous being the sandy beach at Coral Bay, where water sports are available as is parascending. The public beach at Kato Paphos is sandy, as is the beach near the airport (favoured by locals). Lara Bay and its adjoining bay are sandy and offer beautiful scenery.
Ski
Skiing is available during the winter season in the Troodos Mountains, which are less than an hour's drive away. Cyprus is said to be the only country that can offer both skiing and swimming in the sea within the same day.
Wine Tasting
There are many vineyards offering free wine tasting. One is Kolios vineyards of Paphos, situated on a mountain peak on the outskirts of Stalios Ayios Photios village near Chryssoryatissa monastery. A wine museum can be found on the road between Paphos and Limassol.
Travel
Paphos International Airport is about ten minutes away by car and Larnaca International Airport is approximately a 90 minute drive.
Although airport transfers can be arranged, as can trips to the supermarket, we recommend hiring a car in order to make the most of your holiday. There is so much to see, much of which isn't available without private transport.
Distances
There are many villages in the near vicinity of the apartment, Konia being the closest -- about 3 kilometres away. Konia has a local taverna, which serves many dishes including the local meze.
Mezes are a good way of tasting local food as they offer up to 20 dishes (often a free dessert and brandy as well), but be prepared to feel very full afterwards! Other villages include Tala (about 10Km away), Tsada (about 15Km away) and, a little closer, Pegia (Peya), which is about 3Km from Coral Bay.
Nicosia is only an hour and a half away and offers large stores (There is a Marks & Spencers and Debenhams in Paphos), restaurants and general sight-seeing, but Nicosia now boasts and Ikea amongst other stores. Limassol, the port is a hustle & bustle town with many shops and also is the gateway to excursions to Egypt, Greece and other Mediterranean ports, is about 45 minutes away by car.
Further Details
There are many banks in Cyprus so it isn’t difficult to find one. They do close at around 1pm, but 24-hour cash machines are provided. One of the nearest large supermarkets (about 5 mins away by car) is Carrefour, the French equivalent of Sainsbury’s or Tescos. There are other large supermarkets like Paps and Orphanedes. Two minutes from the apartment by car is a Next and a Debenhams, which has a food hall.
Within easy reach (5-10 minutes by car/taxi) is Tombs of the Kings, famous for its numerous bars and restaurants. Closer is Bar Street and Kato Paphos’s main drag, which offer bars and restaurants/tavernas.
A little away from the bars on Tombs of the Kings is the burial ground of unnamed kings. These tomb -- the reason for the name of the road -- are carved into the rock and visitors are able to descend into them. But don't miss out on the typically Enlish ice cream van that's always there. It's a welcome break from the heat!
To fully appreciate the island, a car is recommended.