Paphos is a coastal city in south-west Cyprus, legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, with UNESCO-listed Roman mosaics, a medieval harbour fort, rock-cut royal tombs and beaches.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Paphos.
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- lively resort bay, family-friendly with evening bars
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Water sports
- Cafes and bars
- Lifeguard in season
- Toilets and showers
Coral Bay Beach
Wide sandy bay with calm water, sunbeds and water sports, backed by resorts and bars, 12 km north of Paphos.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before about 10:00 in July and August to find parking and free sunbed space.
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- relaxed urban cove near the Kato Paphos hotels
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Beach cafe
- Showers
Alykes Beach
Small urban sand-and-pebble cove east of the harbour, reached on foot from Kato Paphos hotels.
Editor’s tip. Walk from the harbour along the coastal path rather than driving; roadside parking is limited in summer.
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- quiet and low-key, beside the lighthouse and ruins
- Sunbeds (paid, seasonal)
- Snack bar
Faros Beach
Quiet rocky and sandy cove beside the lighthouse and the Archaeological Park, popular for swimming after sightseeing.
Editor’s tip. Pair a swim with a visit to the Archaeological Park, which is next to the beach.
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- scenic mythological landmark, quiet outside midday coach hours
- Free car park
- Seasonal cafe
- Toilets
Petra tou Romiou Beach
Pebble beach beside the legendary rock of Aphrodite's birth; swimming is possible in calm weather but currents can be strong.
Editor’s tip. Swim only in calm weather and stay close to shore, as currents near the rocks can be strong.
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- relaxed hotel-lined public beach, calm and family-friendly
- Public access
- Sunbeds at hotel beach bars (paid)
- Beach tavernas
Yeroskipou Municipal Beach
Long sandy-pebble public beach lined by Geroskipou hotels, with amenities at the hotels' beach bars.
Editor’s tip. Walk a few hundred metres from the hotel frontage for a quieter patch of sand.
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- quiet fishing-harbour village, relaxed and local
- Harbour tavernas
- Sunbeds (paid)
- Boat trip kiosks
Latchi Beach
Pebble-sand beach beside the fishing harbour, close to the departure point for Blue Lagoon boat trips.
Editor’s tip. Book a Blue Lagoon boat trip early in the day, when the sea is calmest.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Paphos memorable.
Swimming
Snorkelling and diving
Boat trips
Turtle watching
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming is comfortable from mid-May to late October; August sea temperature is about 26-27 C.
On-beach facilities
Organised beaches rent sunbeds and umbrellas for about EUR 6-12 (about USD 7-14) per set.
Water Quality
Several Paphos beaches hold Blue Flag status in summer; verify the current list at blueflag.global.
Transport
Urban buses serve Poseidonos Avenue and Coral Bay; taxis and rental cars reach Akamas and Aphrodite's Rock.
Safety
Check flag colours; the north-west coast can be rough in winter and during strong winds. Do not swim at Petra tou Romiou in rough seas.
Money
Sunbed and umbrella sets cost EUR 6-12 (about USD 7-14); a beach lunch is EUR 10-18 (about USD 11.50-21).
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Paphos’s coast.
Is Coral Bay Beach good for children?
Yes. The sand is soft, the seabed shelves gently and the bay is sheltered, so the water is usually calm and shallow near the shore.
From the Coral Bay Beach editorial.
How far is Coral Bay Beach from Paphos?
It is about 12 km north of Paphos. An urban bus runs from Karavella station, and a taxi typically costs around EUR 20-25.
From the Coral Bay Beach editorial.
How do I get to Alykes Beach from Paphos Harbour?
Walk east along the coastal path from the harbour. The distance is about 1.2 km and takes roughly 15 minutes.
From the Alykes Beach editorial.
Is Alykes Beach sandy or pebbly?
It is a mix of sand and small pebbles, so water shoes can help with entering the sea.
From the Alykes Beach editorial.
Where is Faros Beach?
It is beside the lighthouse at the western end of Kato Paphos, next to the Archaeological Park fence, about 0.5 km west of the harbour.
From the Faros Beach editorial.
How far is Faros Beach from Paphos Harbour?
It is a walk of about 8 minutes along the path beside the Archaeological Park fence.
From the Faros Beach editorial.
Can you swim at Petra tou Romiou?
Swimming is possible in calm weather, but currents can be strong and the seabed drops away quickly. Visitors should stay near the shore.
From the Petra tou Romiou Beach editorial.
How far is Petra tou Romiou from Paphos?
It is about 25 km east of Paphos, on the old Paphos-Limassol road near Kouklia.
From the Petra tou Romiou Beach editorial.