Paphos (Cyprus)

Paphos is a port town in southwestern Cyprus Island (Greece) with population around 33,000 and served by the international Paphos Airport (located approx 7 km / 4 mi southeast of the town). Paphos is on the Mediterranean coast, and approx 50 km (31 mi) west of Limassol (Cyprus Island's largest/principal seaport) connected via A6 highway.

In terms of international trade, Paphos Harbour (port locode CYPFO) is not important as most shipping operations are via Limassol. Paphos Marina has historical and cultural importance and is largely used for fishing.

The harbor has a small marina (providing mooring for yachts and pleasure boats) and a fisherman shelter (with capacity 300 boats). A new marina complex (with docking and residential and leisure facilities) is planned to be built next to Coral Bay, approx 10 km (6 mi) north of Paphos. The new yacht marina is with planned max capacity 1000 slots.

As cruise port, Paphos is visited mainly by smaller-sized luxury ships and megayachts. Larger cruise liners anchor at sea and transport their passengers to Paphos Harbour via their tender boats. Cargo vessels and passenger (ferry and cruise) ships usually dock at Port Limassol (approx 60 km / 37 mi away).

The local economy is largely based on tourism. Nearby are located 4 premium resorts (Aphrodite Hills, Coral Bay, Kato Paphos, Latchi), of which Kato Paphos is the largest (employing over half of city's population). Another major industry is farming - especially grape, banana, tobacco, with vast water distribution network irrigating around 5000 hectares (50 km2).

Paphos has Cyprus Island's second-biggest airport (after Larnaca). Paphos Airport (civil-military, opened in 2012) is located approx 7 km (4 mi) southeast of the town. The airport is mainly used by foreign and Greek tourists vacationing in western Cyprus. A dedicated 4-lane road links the airport with the town to avoid congestions on roads B6 and E603 during summer peak-season. The airport has as facilities 7 gates, 22 aircraft stands, bars, restaurants, cafes, bank, duty-free shop, gift shop, tourist info desk, car rentals, refrigerated storage facilities. Almost all international flights are seasonal, linking to large airports in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, Germany, Holland, Finland, Estonia, Israel, Egypt.

Near Old Paphos (Palaepaphos) is the birthplace of Aphrodite - Greek goddess of beauty and love. Old Paphos was the most important place for Aphrodite worship in the ancient world. The New Paphos was nominated "2017 European Capital of Culture" - along with Aarhus Denmark. Paphos was once Cyprus' only traffic-free city. However, things changed after urbanization and the rise of population in less than 10 years. The problem is mainly in downtown, where the tight roads can't serve the hugely increased traffic.