Updated in September 2026, this Paphos Archaeological Park guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Paphos Archaeological Park (Nea Pafos) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kato Pafos, Cyprus, home to some of the finest Roman mosaics in the eastern Mediterranean. As of 16 September 2026 the park moved to its winter opening hours (8:30am–5pm), down from the extended summer schedule that ran through 15 September. This guide was updated in September 2026 and reflects that seasonal change, along with the park’s current €4.50 admission price. The park brings together monuments and remains spanning prehistoric times, the Roman period, and the Middle Ages, all within a single UNESCO-listed site.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Winter (16 Sep–15 Apr): 8:30am–5pm; Summer (16 Apr–15 Sep): 8:30am–7:30pm |
| Ticket prices | Adult €4.50 (covers all sites within the park); free for seniors (65+) and students with ID |
| Address | Kato Pafos, near Pafos Harbour, Cyprus |
| Nearest transport/parking | Entrance behind Pafos Harbour, off Apostolou Pavlou Avenue; free parking; local bus service |
| Typical time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
Paphos Archaeological Park opening hours
As of 16 September 2026, the Paphos Archaeological Park has switched to its winter hours, open daily from 8:30am to 5pm.
- Summer hours (16 April–15 September) extend to 8:30am–7:30pm.
- The Odeon hosts open-air musical and theatrical performances during the summer months, which may affect access to that part of the site.
- Opening times and prices can change without notice, so it’s worth confirming before your visit.
Paphos Archaeological Park ticket prices
Adult admission costs €4.50, and a single ticket covers every site within the park.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | €4.50 |
| Seniors (65+, with ID) | Free |
| Students (with valid ID) | Free |
| Groups of 10+ | 20% discount |
Your ticket includes the House of Dionysos, House of Theseus, House of Aion, House of Orpheus, House of Four Seasons, the Odeon, the Agora, the Asklepieion, Saranta Kolones Castle, and the Medieval Castle of Pafos.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Visit Pafos site and last updated in September 2026. You can check current details on the official Visit Pafos page.
The Paphos Archaeological Park is not part of a commercial city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS. It is covered by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities’ own entry cards — a 1-day card for €8.50, a 3-day card for €17.00, and a 7-day card for €25.00 — which also grant access to sites across Cyprus, including Kourion, Choirokoitia, Kition, and Amathous.
How to get to the Paphos Archaeological Park
The park’s main entrance is behind Pafos Harbour, off Apostolou Pavlou Avenue in Kato Pafos.
The site is reachable by car, local bus, or on foot along the coastal path from central Kato Pafos.
Parking at the Paphos Archaeological Park
Free parking is available near the harbour, close to the park entrance.
How long to spend at the Paphos Archaeological Park
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at the Paphos Archaeological Park.
Given the size of the site, allow closer to half a day if you want to see everything at a relaxed pace, especially if you plan to linger over the mosaics or catch a performance at the Odeon.
Accessibility at the Paphos Archaeological Park
The site is partly accessible to wheelchair users, following guidance from on-site staff; the accessible route is not marked.
The park is largely open and exposed, with little shade across most of the grounds, so sun protection is worth bringing regardless of mobility needs.
What to see at the Paphos Archaeological Park
The House of Dionysos is the park’s largest residence, covering 2,000 square metres, of which 556 are covered in mosaics across 15 mosaic floors. Built in the 2nd century AD and destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century, it once had 40 rooms and takes its name from the Greek god of wine depicted throughout its flooring.
The House of Theseus, one of the largest Roman-period buildings known in Cyprus, contains more than 100 rooms and is famous for its mosaic depicting Theseus battling the Minotaur.
The House of Aion, dating to the 4th century AD, features five mythological mosaic scenes, including Leda and the Swan and the Epiphany of Dionysos, centred on Aion, the personification of time.
The Odeon, built around the 2nd century AD on the slope of Fabrica Hill, remains in use today for open-air performances during the summer months.
Saranta Kolones, meaning “Forty Columns,” is a 7th-century Byzantine-era castle near the harbour that once protected Nea Pafos from Arab raids, before an earthquake destroyed it in 1223.
The Pafos Lighthouse, built in 1888 during British rule, still stands 36 metres above sea level within the park, its light visible from 17 nautical miles away.
Ongoing excavations continue at Toumpallos, an underground complex once thought to be a Ptolemaic army camp and now believed to have served as a temple to Apollo, currently being excavated by the Italian Archaeological Mission of the University of Catania.
Sections of the ancient city’s fortification walls, believed to date from the Roman period, can still be traced across the site, particularly on its northern and north-western edges, where rock-cut foundation trenches reveal how the defences were originally planned and built.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Layout | Wear a hat and sunscreen, since the site is very exposed with little shade. |
| Timing | Allow half a day if you want to see everything, since the park covers a large area. |
| Entry process | Combine your visit with the Medieval Castle of Pafos, included in the same ticket. |
| Crowds | Check the Odeon’s summer performance schedule if visiting between April and September. |
| On-site logistics | Consider a multi-day Department of Antiquities pass if visiting several Cyprus sites. |
Frequently asked questions about the Paphos Archaeological Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Paphos Archaeological Park free to visit? | No, admission costs €4.50, though seniors 65+ and students with ID enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, tickets are bought on-site. |
| Is the Medieval Castle of Pafos included in the ticket? | Yes, one ticket covers all sites within the park, including the castle. |
| Is the Paphos Archaeological Park wheelchair accessible? | It’s partly accessible, though the accessible route isn’t marked; ask on-site staff for guidance. |
| How long does it take to see the whole park? | Most visitors need 2 to 3 hours; a half day allows a more relaxed pace. |
Things to do near the Paphos Archaeological Park
- The Tombs of the Kings – a UNESCO-listed necropolis of underground tombs, roughly 2km north.
- Pafos Harbour – a historic harbourfront with restaurants and boats, right next to the park.
- Panagia Chrysopolitissa and St Paul’s Pillar – a free-entry early Christian site, a short drive away.
- Kato Pafos beaches – Mediterranean coastline a short walk from the park.
- Aphrodite Water Park – the biggest water park in the region, with several big thrill slides.
Alternative attractions
- Kourion, near Episkopi, Limassol District – an ancient city with a cliffside Roman theatre and its own mosaics, roughly 1 hour’s drive.
- Palaipafos (Kouklia) – an ancient sanctuary of Aphrodite and Frankish manor house, roughly 30 to 40 minutes’ drive.
- Amathous, near Limassol – ancient ruins of one of Cyprus’s ancient city-kingdoms, roughly 1 to 1.25 hours’ drive.
- Choirokoitia (Khirokitia) – a UNESCO-listed Neolithic settlement, roughly 1.5 hours’ drive.
- Kition, Larnaca – ancient city ruins linked to the biblical Kittim, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive.
