Paphos Tour: Ancient Sites from Kolossi to Aphrodite's Rock

Eight hours covering five millennia of Cyprus in one route, from a 13th-century castle to the goddess's legendary birthplace.

A full-day guided tour of Paphos archaeological sites with private air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup, visiting Kolossi Castle, Kourion's stadium and amphitheater, the Sanctuary of Aphrodite at Palaipafos, House of Dionysos, Tombs of the Kings and Aphrodite's Rock. The tour runs eight to nine hours and includes a lunch stop at a traditional restaurant. Entrance fees and meals are booked separately. A live guide speaks English or Greek depending on the option you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Kolossi Castle30m
2. Paphos Archaeological Park1h
3. Tombs of the Kings30m
4. Rock of Aphrodite30m

Explore Paphos archaeological sites

• Visit Kolossi Castle
• Explore Curium Amphitheater
• See Kourion Stadium
• Visit Sanctuary of Apollo Hylati
• Tour archaeological site of Palaipafos
• Lunch at traditional restaurant
• Visit Medieval Castle and harbor
• Explore House of Dionysos mosaics
• See Tombs of the Kings
• Visit Aphrodite's Rock

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel and driven through Paphos in a private air-conditioned vehicle. The route starts at Kolossi Castle, a 13th-century military fortress, then moves to Kourion, where you walk the stadium built in the 2nd century CE to hold 6,000 spectators for Hellenic pentathlon events: running, jumping, wrestling, discus and javelin. The Curium Amphitheater sits nearby, remnant of one of Cyprus's most important ancient city-kingdoms. Just west stands the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, one of the island's major religious sites.

The tour then reaches Palaipafos in Kouklia Village, the UNESCO-listed birthplace of the Aphrodite cult. The Sanctuary of Aphrodite here dates to the 12th century BC and remained a place of worship into the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. A museum in a Lusignan Manor displays finds from the site. You'll stop for lunch at a traditional restaurant before heading to New Paphos, where the House of Dionysos displays elaborate Roman mosaic floors from the 2nd century AD: hunting scenes, wine-making and the mythical sea monster Scylla rendered in sea pebbles. The Tombs of the Kings, underground burial chambers for high-ranking officials and aristocracy, are also UNESCO-listed and well preserved.

The day ends at Aphrodite's Rock, the coastal formation where the goddess of love and fertility was said to have been born. The medieval castle overlooks Paphos harbor, a quaint combination of historical stone and working waterfront. Transport back to your hotel is included. The guide speaks English or Greek based on your booking option.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for your group.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a live guide in English or Greek.
• lunch at a traditional restaurant.
• visits to Kolossi Castle, Kourion's stadium and amphitheater, Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, Palaipafos and its Sanctuary of Aphrodite, House of Dionysos, Tombs of the Kings and Aphrodite's Rock.

Options for this experience

3 options

Up to 4 per booking · Guide in English or Greek09:00

Up to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Greek09:00

Up to 14 per booking · Guide in English or Greek09:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 45 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by iTaxi Cyprus

Is this one for you?Choose your group size based on how many travelers you have: the vehicle and guide stay with your party throughout, and you'll need a full afternoon and evening to explore without rushing between archaeological sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What exactly is the House of Dionysos and why does it matter?

The House of Dionysos is a Roman mansion from the 2nd century AD in New Paphos, famous for its mosaic floors depicting mythological scenes: harvesting, wine drinking, hunting and the sea monster Scylla. It's part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Palaipafos.

Is Kourion's stadium still used, or is it just ruins?

Kourion's stadium is an archaeological site you walk through as ruins. Built in the 2nd century CE under Emperor Antoninus Pius, it originally held around 6,000 spectators for athletic competitions. Today you see the seven rows of stone seats and the layout of the ancient track.

Can I choose between English and Greek guides, or is it set by my booking?

The guide language depends on which option you select at checkout: you can book a tour with an English-speaking guide or a Greek-speaking guide, but the language is fixed once you choose your option.