VIBRANT PAPHOS

Historical sites, delicious eats and endless sunshine make this Cypriot gem worth discovering

- IAN PACKHAM

WHY GO?

There's no single element that gives Paphos its popular appeal: like the meze you'll find available across Cyprus, the town is a blend of different flavours that come together to delight travellers. Facing west across the Mediterranean, it's rich in heritage yet also rugged and remote, allowing you to discover historic sites one day, and enjoy scenic walks the next. Easily reached from the UK thanks to direct flights, its mild winters and sun-soaked summers make it a perfect year-round destination.

SIGHTS WORTH SEEING

A former European Capital of Culture, Paphos's Old Town might be compact, but you could easily lose a couple of days here. The boutiques of Archbishop Makarios Avenue and Kennedy Square are one distraction; the small cafés serving up Cypriot coffee amid neoclassical architecture are another. Head towards the coast and you'll discover the Tomb of the Kings. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this large necropolis features a series of rock-cut mausoleums of various styles. Yet despite the name, it's not thought that anyone of royal blood was interred there – simply Roman and Greek nobles who paid for the honour.