Paphos Practical Information

The essentials

Money and cards

Contactless card payment is normal in supermarkets, most restaurants and larger shops. Cash still matters for village kiosks, some small tavernas, market stalls and tips. Cash machines are easy to find in Kato Paphos, the Old Town and Coral Bay. If a machine or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in euros; the conversion rate is usually worse.

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Check the bill first: some restaurants add a service charge. If service is not included, rounding up or leaving around 10% for good service is common in restaurants. For taxis, rounding up is plenty; hotel porters and cleaners appreciate a small tip but do not expect one.

Phones, SIM cards and roaming

Cyprus is in the EU, so if your phone plan is from an EU country, EU roaming rules apply and you can use your allowance much as you would at home. UK and other non-EU plans vary — some include Europe, others charge daily fees — so check with your provider before you fly. Local prepaid SIMs and travel eSIMs are easy to find; expect to show ID when buying a local SIM. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels and common in cafés.

Tap water

Mains water in Paphos is treated and generally considered safe to drink. Many residents and visitors still prefer bottled water for taste, and in some older buildings water is stored in rooftop tanks, so if in doubt ask your accommodation. Bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere.

Health and pharmacies

Pharmacies, marked with a green cross, are easy to find in Kato Paphos and the Old Town, and pharmacists can advise on minor problems such as sunburn, stings and stomach upsets. A rota of pharmacies covers nights and holidays; your accommodation can tell you which is open. EU visitors should bring an EHIC and UK visitors a GHIC, but neither replaces proper travel insurance.

Shop opening patterns

Traditionally, some smaller shops close on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and on Sundays, and some close for a break in the early afternoon in summer. Supermarkets, kiosks and shops in tourist areas such as Kato Paphos and Coral Bay keep longer hours, and many open on Sundays, particularly in summer. Banks and public offices keep shorter hours and close at weekends. Do not rely on a village shop being open on a Sunday afternoon.

Sun and heat

From May to October the sun is strong and the ancient sites have little shade. Start early, carry water and a hat, and plan indoor or sea time for the middle of the day.

Sea safety

• Lifeguards are stationed on some organised beaches, mostly in the main season. Many coves and wilder beaches, including Lara and the rocks at Petra tou Romiou, have none.
• Where flags are flying, a red flag means no swimming. Obey flags and lifeguards' instructions.
• A Blue Flag is an environmental award for water quality and facilities. It does not mean conditions are calm or that a lifeguard is on duty.
• Wind can whip up waves and currents quickly, especially on the west coast. If it looks rough, stay out.
• Watch for sea urchins when climbing in off rocks; water shoes help. Do not jump from the cliffs at the sea caves.

Visiting churches and monasteries

Cover shoulders and knees at monasteries such as Agios Neophytos. Some provide wraps; do not rely on it. Keep voices low, ask before photographing inside, and avoid wandering around during a service.

What to wear

Paphos is relaxed, but swimwear is for the beach and pool. Put on a top before walking into shops, cafés or the Old Town. Bring a light layer for evenings from October to May, and a proper jacket in winter, when evenings can feel chilly.

The August holiday period

Many Cypriots take their holidays in August, especially around the 15 August public holiday. Tourist businesses stay open, but some smaller local businesses, from workshops to family-run village tavernas, may close for a week or two. Beaches and hill villages fill up with local families at weekends.

Accessibility

The seafront promenade in Kato Paphos is the easiest area for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Elsewhere, expect uneven pavements, high kerbs and the steep climb to the Old Town. The ancient sites have rough, uneven ground with limited shade, and only some areas are easy to reach in a wheelchair. Check accessibility directly with your hotel and any tour operator before booking.

Safety

Paphos is generally considered a safe destination. The common risks are practical: heat, sea conditions on unsupervised beaches, cliff edges at the sea caves and rough roads in the Akamas. For transport, see getting around Paphos; for weather, see the best time to visit.