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Paphos is a year-round beach break destination
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Paphos beaches
With year-round sunshine, bath temperature seawater, sandy beaches and a relaxed ambience it is no surprise that the Cypriot resort of Paphos is booming. Throw in cooling sea breezes, some of the finest Greek relics and Roman mosaics anywhere in the world, relaxing spas, a lively nightlife scene, luxury hotels and decent restaurants and Paphos's myriad charms are hard to resist. If that isn't enough, many of Cyprus's stunning natural attractions, including Paphos Forest, the Akamas Peninsula and the Troodos Mountains, are close to the resort. When it comes to holidays, Paphos, with its sandy beaches, first-class resort facilities and UNESCO World Heritage-listed attractions, comes up trumps at any time of year.
There are eight beaches within Paphos that have been awarded EU blue flags for cleanliness – Faros, Municipal Baths, Alykes, Vrysoudia A, Vrysoudia B, Pachyammos 1, Pachyammos 2 and Geroskipou. Watersports operators located on the beach or operating from the resort hotels rent out everything from pedalos to windsurfers. You can often also try something more adventurous like parasailing. Further north, there are more blue flag beaches including Coral Bay, a lovely sand beach 13km (8 miles) north of Paphos that is easily accessible by bus.
Ruins that date back to the 12th century BC, crumbing fortresses, ancient tombs and stunning Roman remnants secured Paphos a place on the coveted UNESCO World Heritage List back in 1980. Today the intricate mosaics at the Paphos Archaeological Park are some of the most impressive in the world, while the Archaeological Museum sheds more light on centuries of intriguing history.
About 25km (16 miles) south of Paphos you will find Aphrodite's Rock, a sea stack that is said to be the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite (goddess of love) according to one legend.
Paphos is an ideal resort for families with sandy beaches, a smorgasbord of watersports, boat trips and a host of land-based sporting activities including hikking in the Troodos Mountains and Jeep Safaris. The white-knuckle waterslides, wave pools and many swimming areas at the Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark (www.aphroditewaterpark.com) thrill kids and big kids alike.
Driving an hour northeast of Paphos brings you to the Troodos Mountains, a natural wonderland of hiking trails, lush forest and other indigenous fauna and flora; look out for wild sheep. Between November and March the area is blanketed in snow, with locals and holidaymakers taking advantage of the ski slopes and cross-country runs of the Troodos Ski Centre - the most southerly in Europe. To the northwest of Paphos the Akamas peninsula is another great spot for a summer walk.
Indulge in a sublime hot-stone massage or rejuvenating facial at the Elysium Hotel's ultra-luxurious Opium Health Spa (www.elysium.com.cy). Really push the boat out and check into a suite with its own private pool at the Amathus Beach Hotel (www.amathus-hotels.com/paphos).
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