The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park is a vast, open-air museum and one of the most important historical sites in Cyprus. Located adjacent to the Paphos Harbour, the park contains the main part of the ancient Greek and Roman city of Nea Paphos. Its sprawling grounds are filled with the remains of grand villas, a theatre, an agora, and other structures that speak to the city’s former glory as the capital of Cyprus during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The park is most famous for its spectacular and remarkably well-preserved mosaic floors, which depict intricate scenes from Greek mythology. As a central component of the Paphos UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a treasure trove of ancient history and art.

Name and Address

• Name: Kato Paphos Archaeological Park.
• Address: Located in Kato Paphos (Lower Paphos), at the western end of the Paphos Harbour, Cyprus.

How to Get There

The park is a major landmark in the main tourist area of Paphos and is very easy to access.

• By Foot (Recommended): The main entrance is located right next to the Paphos Harbour. If you are staying anywhere in the Kato Paphos area, it is easily reachable via a pleasant walk along the coastal promenade.
• By Bus: The main Harbour bus station is just a few minutes’ walk from the park entrance, serving routes from all over the Paphos region.
• By Car: While driving is possible, parking near the harbour can be limited. It is generally easier to park further away and walk.
• Visitor Tip: The site is very large and almost entirely exposed to the sun. It is absolutely essential to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Allow at least 2-3 hours to explore the main highlights, but you could easily spend half a day wandering its extensive grounds.

Landscape and Architecture

The landscape is a sprawling coastal archaeological site, where the ruins of a great ancient city meet the Mediterranean Sea.

• An Ancient City Layout: The park is not a single building but the excavated remains of a large portion of Nea Paphos. Visitors can walk along ancient pathways and see the foundations and lower walls of various public and private buildings, giving a sense of the original city plan.
• The Roman Villas and Mosaics: The architectural highlights are the remains of four grand Roman villas: the House of Dionysus, the House of Orpheus, the House of Aion, and the House of Theseus. While the walls are mostly gone, their magnificent and extensive mosaic floors remain, protected under modern roofing structures. These mosaics are the park’s main architectural and artistic feature.
• The Odeon and Agora: The park contains a beautifully restored 2nd-century Roman Odeon (a small theatre) that is still used for performances today. Adjacent to it are the remains of the ancient Agora (marketplace) and an Asklepieion (a sanctuary dedicated to the god of medicine).
• Saranta Kolones (Forty Columns) Castle: Within the park are the ruins of a Byzantine castle, built on the site of an earlier Roman fort. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1222, but its granite columns and dungeons can still be explored.

What Makes It Famous

The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park is world-famous for its collection of stunning, in-situ Roman mosaics.

• The Paphos Mosaics: Its primary claim to fame is its collection of elaborate and beautifully preserved mosaic floors, considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. The mosaics in the House of Dionysus, in particular, depict detailed and colourful scenes from Greek mythology with incredible artistry.
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site: The park is the heart of the Paphos UNESCO listing, recognized for its outstanding historical remains and ancient mosaics.
• Capital of Roman Cyprus: The site contains the ruins of the capital city of Cyprus during the Roman period, including the residence of the Roman proconsul, making it a place of immense historical importance.
• A Window into Roman Elite Life: The grand villas provide a fascinating insight into the luxurious lifestyle of the Roman elite, showcasing their wealth, culture, and deep connection to Greek mythology.

Differences from Other Wonders

The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park offers a unique experience compared to other ancient sites like the Tombs of the Kings.

• A City of the Living vs. a City of the Dead: This is the most significant difference. The Archaeological Park contains the remains of the vibrant, living city of Nea Paphos—its homes, public buildings, and places of entertainment. The Tombs of the Kings, by contrast, is a necropolis, a city built exclusively for the dead.
• Focus on Mosaics vs. Rock-Cut Architecture: The main artistic and architectural draw of the park is its stunning, colourful floor mosaics. The primary attraction of the Tombs of the Kings is its monumental, rock-cut subterranean architecture.
• Sprawling Open Site vs. Subterranean Exploration: The park is a vast, open-air site that you walk across. The Tombs of the Kings involves descending into individual, enclosed underground chambers.
• Roman and Greek Focus: The park is a premier example of life in a major city during the Hellenistic and, especially, the Roman periods. While the Tombs of the Kings covers the same eras, the park provides a much broader look at the civic, domestic, and public life of the time.