Paphos Harbour and Castle - The harbour at Paphos attracts visitors all year round, who take the opportunity to walk along the quay and maybe visit one of the fish restaurants, tavernas or cafes. The view is superb, with lots of colourful fishing boats bobbing in the harbour. The castle is in fact all that remains of a much earlier castle dating from 1391, which was demolished by the Venetians.
The Ottomans used it as dungeons and the British as a warehouse for salt! It is accessible via a small bridge over a moat and is well worth a visit just for the view from the top. Opening hours - winter daily 9am to 5pm - summer daily 9am to 6pm - tel 26932841 (Paphos Tourism Office) Cyprus. The Paphos Harbour is also an excellent place to take a boat tour of the surrounding Cyprus beaches and coastline.
Kourion/Kolossi Castle - Ancient Kourion and the castle in Kolossi are both found in the Limassol area and can be visited in a day. They are just two sectors of the wealth of history found in North Cyprus - the Kourion sites dating back to the 2nd century AD and Kolossi from the 13th century.
The ruins at Kourion are to be found in breathtaking scenery overlooking the sea - this is probably the most spectacular archaeological site in Cyprus. There are actually two sites, the old city of Kolossi and the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates - they are a few kilometers apart. There is also a museum in the nearby village of Episkopi. As it is one of Cyprus' most popular tourist attractions, it's worth arriving early in high season.
Kolossi castle was the fortified headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers - This name was later given to the Commanderia dessert wine and it is absolutely delicious and well worth a glass before dinner. Although they have been a number of changes of ownership, the castle is inseparable from both the Hospitallers and the wine making industry. Both Kourion and Kolossi are well signposted from the Limassol-Paphos main road. Kourion borders the Episkopi village, Kolossi to the village of the same name.
Opening hours Ancient Kourion Low Season Mon - Sun 8am to 5pm - High Season 8am to 7.30pm - tel 25995048. Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates October to April Mon - Sun 9am to 5pm - High Season 9am to 7.30pm - tel 25995049. Kourion Museum September to June Monday to Friday 9am to 2.30pm - Thursday only 3pm to 5pm - High Season 9am to 7.30pm - tel 25934907.
Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke - For those of you arriving at Larnaca airport, one of Cyprus' most impressive places to visit is right under your noses! As you turn left out of the airport you will find the road running along a causeway. On either side you will either see two lakes, or two salt flats, depending on the time of year - this is the Larnaca Salt Lake and site of the mosque or Tekke of Hala Sultan.
Salt has been taken from the lake ever since ancient times and is sill an ongoing business. If you should be visiting North Cyprus in the Low Season or early spring, you should visit the flamingos and other migratory birds. Another salt lake is situated further along the coast of Akrotiri. Look across the lake and you will envisage the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque surrounded by palm trees. This is a memorable place to visit. Opening hours Hala Sultan Tekke Low Season 9am - 5pm - High Season 7.30am to 7.30pm. - 15359
The Ottomans used it as dungeons and the British as a warehouse for salt! It is accessible via a small bridge over a moat and is well worth a visit just for the view from the top. Opening hours - winter daily 9am to 5pm - summer daily 9am to 6pm - tel 26932841 (Paphos Tourism Office) Cyprus. The Paphos Harbour is also an excellent place to take a boat tour of the surrounding Cyprus beaches and coastline.
Kourion/Kolossi Castle - Ancient Kourion and the castle in Kolossi are both found in the Limassol area and can be visited in a day. They are just two sectors of the wealth of history found in North Cyprus - the Kourion sites dating back to the 2nd century AD and Kolossi from the 13th century.
The ruins at Kourion are to be found in breathtaking scenery overlooking the sea - this is probably the most spectacular archaeological site in Cyprus. There are actually two sites, the old city of Kolossi and the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates - they are a few kilometers apart. There is also a museum in the nearby village of Episkopi. As it is one of Cyprus' most popular tourist attractions, it's worth arriving early in high season.
Kolossi castle was the fortified headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers - This name was later given to the Commanderia dessert wine and it is absolutely delicious and well worth a glass before dinner. Although they have been a number of changes of ownership, the castle is inseparable from both the Hospitallers and the wine making industry. Both Kourion and Kolossi are well signposted from the Limassol-Paphos main road. Kourion borders the Episkopi village, Kolossi to the village of the same name.
Opening hours Ancient Kourion Low Season Mon - Sun 8am to 5pm - High Season 8am to 7.30pm - tel 25995048. Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates October to April Mon - Sun 9am to 5pm - High Season 9am to 7.30pm - tel 25995049. Kourion Museum September to June Monday to Friday 9am to 2.30pm - Thursday only 3pm to 5pm - High Season 9am to 7.30pm - tel 25934907.
Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke - For those of you arriving at Larnaca airport, one of Cyprus' most impressive places to visit is right under your noses! As you turn left out of the airport you will find the road running along a causeway. On either side you will either see two lakes, or two salt flats, depending on the time of year - this is the Larnaca Salt Lake and site of the mosque or Tekke of Hala Sultan.
Salt has been taken from the lake ever since ancient times and is sill an ongoing business. If you should be visiting North Cyprus in the Low Season or early spring, you should visit the flamingos and other migratory birds. Another salt lake is situated further along the coast of Akrotiri. Look across the lake and you will envisage the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque surrounded by palm trees. This is a memorable place to visit. Opening hours Hala Sultan Tekke Low Season 9am - 5pm - High Season 7.30am to 7.30pm. - 15359
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Discover these Cyprus Villa Tips written by the illustrious Tim Martins and check out his Cyprus Travel Blog
