5 Scenic Day Trips from Paphos by Car

Paphos is the perfect base for exploring western Cyprus by car. Within an hour's drive, you can reach pristine peninsulas, mountain villages draped in vines, cedar forests, and coastal towns with an entirely different character. We've mapped out five tested routes — each makes a full, satisfying day trip and each shows you a completely different side of Cyprus.

Route 1: The Akamas Peninsula Loop

Distance: 120km round trip · Driving time: 3-4 hours (excluding stops) · Difficulty: Easy to moderate · Best for: Nature lovers, swimmers, photographers

The Akamas Peninsula is Cyprus's last great wilderness — a protected national park covering the northwestern tip of the island. No permanent buildings, no hotels, just raw Mediterranean nature: dramatic gorges, hidden bays, pine forests, and some of the clearest water on the island.

• Stop 1 — Coral Bay (20 min): Quick coffee stop at the best sandy beach near Paphos. Continue north along the coast road.
• Stop 2 — Sea Caves (30 min): Pull over at the viewpoint above the natural sea caves near Peyia. Spectacular rock formations and crystal-clear water. If you have time, climb down for snorkelling.
• Stop 3 — Blue Lagoon (45 min): The jewel of Akamas. The road gets rough for the last 3km (4WD recommended but standard cars make it slowly in dry weather). Park and walk down to impossibly turquoise water. Bring snorkel gear and spend an hour swimming.
• Stop 4 — Baths of Aphrodite (1 hr): Continue to the northern tip of Akamas. A shaded path leads to the grotto where Aphrodite allegedly bathed. More atmospheric than spectacular, but the botanical gardens nearby are lovely.
• Stop 5 — Polis Chrysochous (1 hr 10 min): Lunch in this small coastal town. Less touristy than Paphos, with excellent tavernas and a laid-back vibe. Try Arsinoe Fish Tavern for fresh catch.
• Return: Drive back via the inland route through Kathikas village — stop at Vasilikon Winery for a tasting if time allows.

Route 2: Troodos Mountains — Peaks & Painted Churches

Distance: 180km round trip · Driving time: 4-5 hours (excluding stops) · Difficulty: Moderate (mountain roads, well-maintained) · Best for: Culture, cooler temperatures, mountain scenery

The Troodos Mountains rise to nearly 2,000 metres and offer a complete contrast to the coast — pine forests, cool air, stone villages, and ten UNESCO-listed painted Byzantine churches. In summer, when the coast hits 40°C, the mountains are a blissful 25°C.

• Stop 1 — Omodos village (45 min): One of the most beautiful villages in Cyprus. Cobblestone square, Timios Stavros Monastery (Holy Cross), wine shops, and excellent loukoumi (Cyprus delight). Allow 1-2 hours.
• Stop 2 — Platres (1 hr 15 min): The main mountain resort town. Cool, green, and charming. Walk to Caledonia Waterfalls (30-minute trail each way) — the tallest waterfall in Cyprus. Have lunch at Psilo Dendro trout farm restaurant.
• Stop 3 — Mount Olympus (1 hr 45 min): Drive to the summit of Cyprus at 1,952m. In winter, this is a ski resort. In summer, the panoramic views stretch from the coast to the Kyrenia mountains of northern Cyprus. Short walks from the summit car park.
• Stop 4 — Kakopetria (2 hrs): A preserved stone village on the northern slope. Walk through the old quarter, photograph the Ottoman bridge, and visit the Church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (UNESCO World Heritage — frescoes from the 11th century).
• Return: Via the Paphos-Troodos highway (B8). Scenic, well-maintained, 1.5 hours back to the apartment.

Route 3: Wine Villages Circuit

Distance: 90km round trip · Driving time: 2-3 hours (excluding stops) · Difficulty: Easy · Best for: Wine lovers, foodies, slow travel

The Paphos wine region is a collection of small mountain villages connected by winding roads through terraced vineyards. This route takes you through the most charming of them with stops at family wineries, traditional tavernas, and ancient churches.

• Stop 1 — Kathikas (20 min): Your first wine village. Visit Vasilikon Winery for a tasting (free), then wander the village streets. Coffee at the central square.
• Stop 2 — Pano Panayia (35 min): Birthplace of Archbishop Makarios III. Visit the Vouni Panayia Winery (excellent Maratheftiko). The Makarios III Museum is small but interesting.
• Stop 3 — Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery (40 min): A 12th-century monastery in a spectacular mountain setting. The monks produce their own wine — Monte Royia label — which you can taste and buy. The terrace views are breathtaking.
• Stop 4 — Lofou (1 hr): A beautifully restored village with almost no tourists. Have a long lunch at Agrovino taverna — slow-cooked lamb, village salad, local wine, and a terrace overlooking the valley. This is our favourite lunch stop in all of Cyprus.
• Return: Via Koilani and the main Paphos highway. 40 minutes back to the apartment.

Route 4: Limassol Coastal Drive

Distance: 140km round trip · Driving time: 2.5-3 hours (excluding stops) · Difficulty: Easy (motorway) · Best for: City exploration, shopping, ancient sites

Limassol is Cyprus's second city and largest port, about 70km east of Paphos along the coastal motorway. It has a different energy to Paphos — more cosmopolitan, more urban, with a beautiful renovated waterfront and old town.

• Stop 1 — Aphrodite's Rock / Petra tou Romiou (25 min): The legendary birthplace of Aphrodite. A dramatic rock formation rising from the sea along the coast road. Stop at the viewpoint for photos — the beach is also worth visiting (access from the underpass).
• Stop 2 — Kourion archaeological site (40 min): One of the most impressive ancient sites in Cyprus. A Greco-Roman city perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, with a beautifully restored amphitheatre that still hosts summer performances. Allow 1-2 hours. Entrance: EUR 4.50.
• Stop 3 — Limassol Old Town (1 hr): Park near the castle and explore on foot. The medieval castle houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum. Walk through the narrow streets to the renovated Lanitis carob mill complex — now a waterfront area with cafes, restaurants, and shops. Lunch at Karatello or Draught in the old town.
• Stop 4 — Limassol Marina (1 hr 10 min): The modern marina development has upscale shops, restaurants, and a pleasant waterfront walk. Good for an afternoon coffee before heading back.
• Return: Via the A6 motorway. 1 hour back to the apartment.

Route 5: North Coast & Tilliria — The Wild Side

Distance: 200km round trip · Driving time: 5-6 hours (excluding stops) · Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (some unpaved sections) · Best for: Adventure seekers, off-the-beaten-path travellers

This route takes you through the least-visited region of southern Cyprus — the Tilliria wilderness between Paphos and Polis, then along the remote north coast. You'll see cedar forests, empty beaches, and villages where tourism hasn't arrived yet. This is for travellers who want to see the Cyprus that most visitors miss.

• Stop 1 — Cedar Valley (1 hr 30 min): Deep in the Paphos Forest, this valley is home to ancient Cyprus cedars — a tree species unique to the island. The drive is remote and winding but spectacular. Short walking trails through the cedars.
• Stop 2 — Stavros tis Psokas (1 hr 45 min): A forest station in the heart of the wilderness. This is where you'll find the moufflon enclosure — Cyprus's national animal, a wild mountain sheep found nowhere else. Picnic tables, a basic forestry cafe, and total silence.
• Stop 3 — Pomos and Pachyammos (2 hrs 30 min): Descend to the northern coast through remote mountain roads. These quiet fishing villages have excellent tavernas and empty beaches. Lunch at a seaside spot in Pomos — fresh fish, no tourists.
• Stop 4 — Polis Chrysochous (3 hrs): End the route in Polis, a relaxed town with a small harbour and good restaurants. Coffee by the sea before the drive back.
• Return: Via the main road through Kathikas. 45 minutes back to the apartment.

Practical Tips for Day Trips by Car

• Car rental: EUR 25-50/day from Paphos. Book online in advance for the best rates. Local companies (Petsas, A.T. Cyprus) are often cheaper than international brands.
• Fuel: Petrol costs around EUR 1.30-1.50/litre. Fill up in Paphos before heading into the mountains — fuel stations are scarce in rural areas.
• Driving side: Left (British-style). If you're from a right-hand-drive country, the adjustment takes about 30 minutes. Mountain roads are narrow but well-maintained.
• Navigation: Google Maps works well throughout Cyprus. Download offline maps in case of poor signal in mountain areas.
• Start early: Leave by 8:00-9:00am to avoid the midday heat and have time for a proper lunch stop. Most archaeological sites close between 17:00-18:00.
• Water and snacks: Always carry water, especially for mountain routes. A small cooler bag is useful for keeping drinks cold on hot days.

Start your driving day right: grab a freddo espresso from one of our favourite cafes before hitting the road.