Tombs of the Kings

The Tombs of the Kings is a UNESCO-listed necropolis on the Mediterranean coast north-west of Paphos harbour, in Kato Paphos on the southwest coast of Cyprus. The name is misleading, as no kings were buried here; the monumental tombs held high officials and aristocrats of Hellenistic and early Roman Paphos, from around the fourth century BC to the third century AD. Their scale and grandeur earned the popular name, and the site is reached along Leoforos Tafon ton Vasileon (Tombs of the Kings Avenue).

The tombs are cut directly into the soft local rock. Many of the larger ones imitate the layout of a Greek or Roman house, with a central open courtyard surrounded by Doric columns carved from the stone, and burial chambers opening off the sides. Visitors can walk down steps into several courtyards, enter some chambers, and peer into narrow rock-cut niches where bodies were placed. Tomb 3 is among the most impressive, with a deep peristyle courtyard. Outside, the ground is flat and open with sea views, and wild flowers often grow among the rocks in spring.

A typical visit takes one to one and a half hours, as the paths between the tombs are exposed. Shade is minimal, so in summer the early morning or evening visits are far more comfortable, and water and a hat are important. Midday is the hottest and the busiest time when tour buses arrive. Photographers favour low light on the carved columns and the coastal views toward the sea, and the arrangement of courtyards gives interesting angles from the top of the steps.

The necropolis lies about a ten-minute taxi ride from the harbour, or reachable by urban bus along Tombs of the Kings Avenue. Because it is somewhat apart from the main archaeological park, it is usually visited separately, and combined with a coastal walk or a stop at nearby cafes. Information panels describe the individual tombs and their burial practices. The site is quieter than the mosaic villas.