Updated in October 2026, this Paphos Castle guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking or transport, accessibility and what to see.
Paphos Castle is a medieval fort at the western end of the harbour in Kato Paphos, Cyprus. The winter opening hours of 8.30am to 5pm have applied since 16 September and run until 15 April. Entry costs €2.50. This guide was last updated in October 2026 and confirms the current closing time and ticket price, which differ from the longer summer hours in older guides.
Quick facts: Paphos Castle
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 8.30am to 5.00pm from 16 September to 15 April. 8.30am to 7.30pm from 16 April to 15 September. |
| Ticket prices | Adult €2.50. Groups of more than 10 receive a 20% reduction. Entry cards: €8.50 for 1 day. |
| Address | Harbour area, Kato Paphos, Cyprus |
| Nearest transport or parking | Kato Paphos harbour bus station is a short walk away. Free parking is near the harbour. |
| Typical time needed | About 30 to 45 minutes |
Paphos Castle opening hours
The castle is open all year round. Opening hours change with the season:
- 16 April to 15 September (summer): daily from 8.30am to 7.30pm.
- 16 September to 15 April (winter): daily from 8.30am to 5.00pm.
The castle is closed on public holidays. Opening and closing times can change without notice, so check before you visit. Phone the site on +357 26 306 217 if you need to confirm hours.
Paphos Castle ticket prices
Entry to Paphos Castle costs €2.50. The castle has one entrance, and tickets are bought on arrival.
- Standard entry: €2.50.
- Organised groups of more than 10 people: a 20% reduction on entry fees.
- 1-day entry card: €8.50, valid at Department of Antiquities museums and ancient monuments.
- 3-day entry card: €17.00.
- 7-day entry card: €25.00.
An entry card allows one visit to each museum or monument. The cards are issued at the ticket office of each site, and they cover all museums and ancient monuments run by the Department of Antiquities.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in October 2026.
The castle is not part of a city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPass. The Department of Antiquities entry cards cover its sites across Cyprus, such as the Tombs of the Kings, Kolossi Castle and the Kourion Archaeological Site.
How to get to Paphos Castle
The castle stands at the west end of Paphos harbour in Kato Paphos, the lower part of the town. It is next to the harbour promenade.
- By bus: Kato Paphos harbour bus station is a short walk away. Routes 610, 611 and 615 serve the harbour area. Check the current timetable before you travel.
- From Paphos old town: route 610 links the harbour with Paphos old town and Kennedy Square.
- By car: follow signs to Kato Paphos harbour. A large free car park is near the roundabout by the promenade.
- On foot: the castle is on the waterfront and can be reached along the harbour promenade. It is next to the Archaeological Park, so it is easy to reach on foot from the harbour bus station.
Parking at Paphos Castle
Free parking is available near the harbour and the promenade. A large car park is close to the roundabout by the promenade. An overflow car park is above the bus station.
In the busy season the main car park can fill early, so arrive in the morning. Parking in Kato Paphos is generally free, but check any signs.
How long to spend at Paphos Castle
Plan about 30 to 45 minutes for the castle. The castle is a single square tower with a courtyard, so the visit is short. Allow longer if you stop on the roof or use the audio guide.
Many visitors combine the castle with the nearby Paphos Archaeological Park, which takes two to three hours. The park costs €4.50, and the castle has its own €2.50 ticket.
Accessibility at Paphos Castle
The castle is a medieval fort with one entrance. It has a ground floor with a central hall and a roof level with battlements. Check ahead if you have limited mobility.
Phone the site on +357 26 306 217 to ask about access. The Visit Cyprus audio guide for the castle can be played on your own device before or during your visit.
What to see at Paphos Castle
Paphos Castle began as a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour. The Lusignans rebuilt it in the 13th century. The Venetians then dismantled it, and the Ottomans rebuilt it after they conquered the island.
What survives today is the Ottoman restoration of 1592. It restored the western Frankish tower, with Venetian additions. An inscription above the only entrance records the restoration.
The main part is a large square tower with an enclosed courtyard in the middle. The ground floor has a central hall with small rooms along its two long sides. These rooms were prison cells under Ottoman rule.
The roof has 12 battlements, which held the same number of cannons. The Ottomans removed the cannons in 1878, when they handed the administration of the island to the British.
The British used the castle as a salt store until 1935. In that year it was declared an Ancient Monument under the Antiquities Law. Today the castle is one of the best-known landmarks in Cyprus, at the entrance to the harbour.
From the roof, visitors can see the Archaeological Park, parts of the town and the sea. An audio guide, “The Medieval Castle of Paphos”, is available on the Visit Cyprus website.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | The castle closes at 5pm from 16 September to 15 April, so arrive well before then. |
| Crowds | In the busy season, arrive in the morning. The main harbour car park can fill early. |
| Layout | The castle is one square tower with a courtyard. The only entrance has an inscription above it. |
| Entry process | Buy a €2.50 ticket on arrival. A Department of Antiquities entry card can cover several sites. |
| On-site logistics | The castle is closed on public holidays. Opening times and fees can change without notice. |
Frequently asked questions about Paphos Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost to enter Paphos Castle? | €2.50 for adults. Groups of more than 10 people receive a 20% reduction. |
| Is Paphos Castle suitable for children? | The castle is a short visit with a courtyard and roof level. Children should stay with an adult near the battlements. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Paphos Castle? | No. Buy a ticket on arrival. Entry cards are issued at each site’s ticket office. |
| Is Paphos Castle open on Sundays? | Yes. The castle is open daily, from 8.30am to 5pm in winter and to 7.30pm in summer. It is closed on public holidays. |
| How long does a visit to Paphos Castle take? | About 30 to 45 minutes. The Archaeological Park nearby takes two to three hours. |
Things to do near Paphos Castle
- Paphos Archaeological Park: a UNESCO World Heritage site next to the harbour, with Roman villas, the Odeon, the Agora and floor mosaics that are among the finest in the eastern Mediterranean.
- Paphos Harbour: the fishing harbour and promenade beside the castle, with the harbour bus station.
- Paphos Lighthouse: a 36-metre lighthouse built in 1888 on Paphos Point, inside the Archaeological Park.
- Saranta Kolones: a 7th-century fortress near the harbour, south of the Agora, inside the Archaeological Park.
- Tombs of the Kings: underground rock-cut tombs about two kilometres north of the harbour. They date from the 4th century BC and were used for high-ranking officials, not for kings.
Alternative attractions
- Kolossi Castle: a 13th-century Crusader castle 14 km west of Limassol, run by the Department of Antiquities.
- Limassol Medieval Castle: a medieval castle in Limassol, linked to Richard the Lionheart’s wedding.
- Kourion Archaeological Site: a clifftop ancient city in the Limassol district, with a restored Roman theatre.
- Royal Manor of Kouklia: a 13th-century Frankish manor in Kouklia village that houses the Palaipafos museum.
- Agios Georgios Pegeia Archaeological Site: a site of Early Byzantine basilicas 11 km north of Paphos.
