Ktima Old Town and Kostis Palamas Square

Ktima is the upper town of Paphos, set on a ridge above the coast on the southwest of Cyprus, about three kilometres inland from the harbour at Kato Paphos. It is the modern administrative and shopping centre, and its old quarter is a quieter, more local alternative to the resort waterfront. Kostis Palamas Square, off Ioanni Agroti, is a good starting point for a walk, surrounded by shops, cafes and small tavernas.

The old town contains neoclassical townhouses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with painted shutters, balconies and stone doorways. Streets such as Evagorou and Ermou lead to the municipal market, the Town Hall and the Paphos Municipal Cultural Centre, while Kennedy Square nearby provides open space and cafes. The area includes a number of small museums, including the Ethnographical Museum and the Paphos Archaeological Museum, which makes it a natural base for a cultural walk. Local tavernas serve Cypriot dishes such as souvlaki, halloumi and meze, usually at lower prices than waterfront restaurants.

A visit generally takes one to two hours, longer with a meal. Shops are reported to open around 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:30 to 20:00, with closures on Wednesday afternoon and Sunday, so planning around these hours helps. Morning and early evening are the best times, when light is soft and the streets are lively but not crowded. Photographs of the townhouses are best in the morning and the square is attractive at dusk. The area is free to explore and can be visited at any time of year.

Urban buses and taxis run from Kato Paphos, taking around ten minutes. Pavements are generally flat but narrow in places, and traffic can be heavy on main roads. The old town works well as a counterpart to the archaeological park and harbour.