Classical Paphos

This half-day shore excursion from Limassol, about 43 miles (69km) away, explores the mythology and classical history of the Paphos region.

After meeting your guide at the port, you drive to Petra tou Romiou, a rock formation along the coast where ancient Greek tradition places the birth of Aphrodite from the sea. From here you continue to the village of Kouklia and Palaepaphos, or Old Paphos, once a city-kingdom of Cyprus and home to the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, whose earliest remains date to around the 12th century BC.

The route continues to Geroskipou, known locally as the Sacred Garden, where you visit a maker of Cyprus Delight, a confectionery that became the first Cypriot food product to receive European Union Protected Geographical Indication status. You then stop at the small Byzantine church of Ayia Paraskevi in the village square, which holds some of the oldest surviving frescoes in Cyprus and dates from the 9th century AD.

In Paphos, you take a driving tour past the neoclassical school buildings, town hall, city library, and Eros fountain square, then continue into the older neighborhoods toward the Agora, or marketplace, for the final stop of the day. Here you can browse traditional shops, sample Cypriot coffee at a local kafenio, and see the produce on offer at the farmers market.

The tour then returns you to the port in Limassol.