Family Holidays to Paphos

City sights and family beaches are close by in Paphos

You’ll be in the air for four and a half hours before touching down in Paphos, and with transfers to most Paphos hotels only taking 30 minutes, you’ll be by the pool before you know it.

The main hub of the Paphos region is the city of the same name, the whole of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was named European capital of culture 2017 and offers an exciting programme of events throughout the year. Paphos is split into two areas – Ktima is the old town on a hill slightly inland, home to several museums, and Kato Paphos is the main tourist area by the municipal beach with a long promenade and restaurants that cluster around the harbour, along with the resident pelicans.

To the north, Coral Bay is all about the beach – a family-friendly number that runs the length of the town and provides watersports rental. The main part of town is full of Cypriot architecture and you can pick up some hand-crafted souvenirs on Coral Bay Avenue.

Best family friendly beaches

Both Paphos and Coral Bay beaches are Blue Flag certified as they’re regularly cleaned, provide lifeguards and are backed with facilities. One of the best beaches in Cyprus, Coral Bay, has white sand, calm sea and a backdrop of limestone cliffs which provide shelter. Beach activities range from pedalos to speed boat rides and massages to scuba diving the wreck of Zenobia. A large cafe beside the beach serves traditional seaside fare.

Paphos Beach is a city beach and smaller than Coral Bay, but is a nice place to relax between exploring the many sights of Paphos.

Best family activities in Paphos

Head to Paphos Archaeological Park, which is open all day, and see Neo Pafos, a city built in the 4th century BCE whose ruined buildings still show well-preserved mosaic work of Greek mythology. In the nearby Tombs of the Kings, you can see excavated tombs and burial chambers in caves from the same era.

For more up-to-date activities, visit Paphos Zoo and Bird Park to see everything form meerkats to elephants and over 700 birds. And just in case you get a rare rainy day, Kings Avenue Mall has Looney Land indoor play area for kids up to 12.

Coral Bay is definitely quieter but it still has sights like the three-metre-high Adonis Falls with a pool you can splash in at the bottom. Head to Maa Palaeokastro Archaelogical Museum to find out about Paphos history or hop on a Jeep safari into the hills.

Other popular holidays in Cyprus

If you prefer your family holidays a little livelier, you might like to think about the Larnaca region of Cyprus. But if laid-back and historic Paphos grabs your attention, find out more in our travel guide and read up on five excellent family hotels below.

Other family holiday destinations

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Constantinou Bros Hotel Athena Beach

This 4* hotel is right by a sand and shingle beach and has heaps of facilities – five pools, including two for kids with a slide, three hot tubs, six restaurants, a beach snack bar and lobby bar with music. Activities for families cover mini-golf, a games room, kids’ clubs and mini-discos in summer. Family suites are available for extra space and pre-bookable return taxi transfers are laid on with first or second drop off from the airport guaranteed – ideal when travelling with little ones.

Mayfair Gardens Apartments

Despite being in a quiet residential area, Mayfair Gardens Apartments are only five minutes from Kings Avenue Shopping Mall and 10 minutes from the old town and harbour. Its waterfall pool, paddling pool and afternoon kids’ club in high season with evening mini-discos keep young ones entertained. The Alexander buffet restaurant lays on carvery, barbecue, Cypriot themes, a healthy corner and kids’ favourites, while the poolside bar serves a tantalising snack menu. Activities include pool, Zumba, volleyball and aqua aerobics. Nights are filled with music, traditional dancers or bingo before retiring to your large family room with a separate bedroom.

Holiday Village Aliathon

The Holiday Village Aliathon has far more things to do than your average village, including a splash park, aerial adventure course, football academies, swimming classes, raft-building and DJ workshops to name a handful. Its rooms can sleep up to six, all with kitchenettes. Near the beach are its five pools and vast dining choices like a Mexican restaurant with children’s menu, the main buffet restaurant with kids’ buffet and a Greek taverna. The five kids’ clubs cater for age groups up to 15 and evenings bring children’s entertainment, pop shows, bingo, cabaret, karaoke and shows.

Coral Beach Hotel

This 5* hotel welcomes families to enjoy its beachfront location and landscaped gardens with a large pool, plus an activity pool with waterslides. Your return taxi transfer is included and families can stay together in studios. Everything is thought of for children, with a creche and kids’ club, a separate toddler’s pools and kids’ menus. Activities include making local crafts at the on-site art and craft centre. The hotel even has a private marina where you can train with a PADI-certified diving centre, or book activities at the watersports hut. The variety continues with six restaurants, four bars and a nightclub.

Sensatori Resort Aphrodite Hills

Part of the Aphrodite Hills complex of luxury properties, top restaurants and an award-winning spa, 5* TUI Sensatori Aphrodite Hills offers family suites and swim-up rooms. On a hill with family, activity and infinity pools overlooking the sea, a shuttle bus will take you to the beach every hour. Activities focus on sports and wellbeing, like yoga and dance, and evenings bring West End-style shows and children’s entertainment, which comes in addition to kids’ clubs. Four restaurants are covered in the All Inclusive offering, including a la carte numbers and discounts at the nearby village square restaurants.