Planning

The Best Time to Visit Paphos

Short answer

Late April to early June and late September to October are the sweet spots: warm enough to swim (the sea is warmest in August and September), comfortable for sightseeing and hiking, and less crowded than July–August. Winter is mild and good for sightseeing, but it is not beach weather.

Updated 6 October 2026Practical details (hours, prices) not yet verified — check official sources.

Season by season

Approximate long-term averages; actual conditions vary year to year.
Months	Typical daytime highs	Sea	Good for	Watch out for
Dec–Feb	Mid-to-high teens °C	Cool (≈17–19°C)	Sightseeing, hiking, quiet	Most of the year's rain; some boat trips and seasonal venues closed
Mar–Apr	High teens to low 20s °C	Cool (≈17–19°C)	Hiking, wildflowers, ancient sites	Sea still cold for most; Easter is busy and festive
May–Jun	Mid-20s to around 30°C	Warming (≈20–24°C)	Everything — the all-round best	Strong sun from late May
Jul–Aug	Low 30s °C, hotter inland	Warm (≈26–28°C)	Beach, boat trips, nightlife	Heat at ancient sites; crowds; peak prices
Sep–Oct	High 20s to low 30s °C, easing	Warmest (≈25–27°C)	Swimming plus sightseeing	Early September still very hot
Nov	Low 20s °C	Mild (≈21°C)	Walking, quieter sightseeing	First autumn rain; shorter days

Paphos month by month

Approximate long-term averages for the Paphos coast. Inland villages and the mountains are cooler; any given week can be warmer, cooler or wetter.
Month	Daytime high	Sea	Rain	In a sentence
January	≈16–17°C	≈17–18°C	Wettest months	Quiet, green and mild; good for sites and walks
February	≈16–17°C	≈17°C	Fairly wet	Almond blossom and quiet sites; sea at its coolest
March	≈18–19°C	≈17°C	Showers	Wildflowers and fresh hiking weather
April	≈21–22°C	≈18°C	Occasional	Spring at its best; Easter often falls here
May	≈24–25°C	≈20–21°C	Rare	Warm, green-to-golden, swimmable for many
June	≈27–28°C	≈23–24°C	Very rare	Long days, warm sea, before peak crowds
July	≈30°C	≈26°C	Almost none	Hot, busy, made for the beach
August	≈31°C	≈27–28°C	Almost none	Hottest and busiest; local holiday season
September	≈29–30°C	≈27°C	Rare	Warmest sea; heat eases later in the month
October	≈26–27°C	≈25°C	First showers	Our pick: warm sea, comfortable days
November	≈22–23°C	≈22°C	Increasing	Mild, quieter, some seasonal closures
December	≈18–19°C	≈19–20°C	Wet spells	Quiet and festive; short days

Paphos in winter (December–February)

Expect mild days, cool evenings and occasional heavy rain; it gets dark early, around 5pm in December. This is the best time to see the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park and the Tombs of the Kings without heat or crowds. A few hardy swimmers go in all year, but most people will find the sea cold. In snowy winters the higher Troodos Mountains can have snow while the coast stays mild.

Paphos in spring (March–May)

The countryside is at its greenest, wildflowers are out and it is the best season for hiking near Paphos. By May the sea is warm enough for many swimmers. Easter is the biggest event of the year, so book early if your dates overlap with it.

Paphos in summer (June–August)

Reliably dry, sunny and hot, with little relief at midday. Plan sightseeing for opening time and keep afternoons for the sea or pool. June is the most comfortable summer month; July and August are the busiest and most expensive, especially for families on school holidays.

Paphos in autumn (September–November)

The sea holds its summer warmth well into October while the air cools, which makes this the best season for combining swimming with sightseeing. The first rains usually arrive in October or November, and some seasonal businesses start to close from November.

Holidays and events worth planning around

Orthodox Easter: the most important festival in Cyprus. It is a moveable feast and often falls on a different date from Western Easter, so check the calendar for your year. Expect church services, processions, bonfires on the Saturday night and family feasts; Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays.
Green Monday (Kathara Deftera): the start of Lent, about seven weeks before Orthodox Easter. A public holiday when families picnic in the countryside and fly kites. The weeks before it are carnival season, with the biggest parade in Limassol.
Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood): held at Orthodox Pentecost, about 50 days after Easter, with seafront festivities in coastal towns including Paphos. The Monday is a public holiday.
Mid-August: the Dormition of the Virgin Mary on 15 August is a public holiday and the peak of Cypriot family holidays. Beaches and hill villages are busier with locals, and some smaller local businesses close for a week or two.
Epiphany (6 January): a public holiday when the waters are blessed at coastal towns, traditionally with a cross thrown into the sea at the harbour.
Christmas and New Year: quiet compared with northern Europe, but hotels and restaurants that stay open put on festive menus. Book ahead for these dates.

What is open in winter?

Paphos does not shut down in winter, but it does slow down. The main ancient sites stay open all year on shorter winter hours — check the Department of Antiquities before you go. Plenty of restaurants in Kato Paphos and the Old Town stay open, but some seasonal beach bars, tavernas and hotels close, and boat trips run less often and depend on the weather. The Aphrodite Waterpark is seasonal and only operates in the warmer months.

Best time for…

Swimming: June to October; September has the warmest sea.
Sightseeing: October to May — the ancient sites are exposed and very hot in midsummer.
Hiking the Akamas or Avakas: March to May and October to November.
Families with young children: June or September — warm sea without the peak heat. See Paphos with kids.
Budget: November to March, outside Christmas and Easter.
Wine and village trips: spring for green landscapes, or late summer and early autumn around the grape harvest — see wine villages near Paphos.

Frequently asked questions

Is Paphos warm in winter?

Mild rather than warm — daytime highs are typically in the mid-to-high teens °C. Good for sightseeing and walking, not reliably for swimming.

When is the sea warmest in Paphos?

Usually August and September.

Is Paphos too hot in August?

For sightseeing in the middle of the day, yes. Plan ancient sites at opening time and keep afternoons for the beach or pool.

Can you swim in Paphos in October?

Yes. The sea is typically around 25°C in October, still warmer than in early summer, and the days are usually warm and sunny with only the first occasional showers.

Is April a good time to visit Paphos?

For sightseeing, hiking and wildflowers, yes — days are typically in the low 20s °C. The sea is still cool for most people, and Easter weeks are busier, so check when Orthodox Easter falls.

When is the rainy season in Paphos?

Most rain falls between November and March, with December and January usually the wettest. From June to August rain is very rare.

Is Paphos busy at Easter?

Yes. Orthodox Easter is the biggest holiday in Cyprus, so hotels and restaurants get busy with visitors from abroad and from the rest of the island. Book accommodation and car hire early.

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