Area guide
Paphos Old Town (Ktima)
Short answer
Paphos Old Town, historically called Ktima, sits on a ridge about 3 km inland from the harbour. It is where Paphos residents shop, work and go to church — less polished than Kato Paphos but more lived-in, with the renovated municipal market, pedestrianised streets around Kennedy Square, small museums and cafés.
Why go up to the Old Town
Most visitors never leave the harbour strip, and that is a mistake on any trip longer than a day. The Old Town gives you context: the 19th and 20th-century town, the market, the churches and the places residents actually use. It works well as a half-day, ideally a morning when the market is busiest, or as a cooler late-afternoon walk followed by dinner.
What to see
- The municipal market (agora) — the covered market building at the heart of the Old Town, reopened after a major renovation and now mixing produce stalls with cafés and craft shops.
- Kennedy Square and the pedestrian streets around it — cafés, small shops and the most "town" part of Paphos.
- The town hall and the neoclassical buildings along Griva Digeni Avenue and the municipal gardens.
- Small museums, including the Byzantine Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Opening hours for these vary; check before you go.
- Views towards the coast from the edge of the ridge — the Old Town sits high enough to look down over Kato Paphos to the sea.
Old Town or Kato Paphos as a base?
Kato Paphos wins on convenience for nearly everyone on a short trip. The Old Town makes sense if you prefer a working town to a resort strip, are staying longer, or are travelling on a tighter budget. See where to stay in Paphos for the full comparison.
Good for
- Seeing everyday Paphos
- Cafés and the municipal market
- Rainy or very hot days (museums)
- Travellers who like towns more than resorts
Not ideal for
- Beach holidays
- Walking to the archaeological sites
In and around Paphos Old Town (Ktima)
Experience
Food Tours & Cooking Experiences
Halloumi-making, meze cooking and village food experiences around Paphos.
- Paphos Old Town (Ktima)
- 2–4 hours
- €€
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need in Paphos Old Town?
Two to three hours covers the market, Kennedy Square and a museum. Add time if you want lunch or dinner there.
Is Paphos Old Town worth visiting?
Yes if you are in Paphos for more than a day. It shows a side of the town that the harbour area does not, and it is a good option when it is too hot or wet for the beach.
Plan around it
Planning
Where to Stay in Paphos
Where to stay in Paphos by trip type: Kato Paphos for first-timers, Coral Bay for beaches, the Old Town for local life, Polis for quiet — and without a car.
Things to do
Things to Do in Paphos
The best things to do in Paphos, Cyprus — ancient sites, beaches, the Akamas, wine villages and day trips — with how long each takes, who it suits and what to skip.
Transport
Paphos Without a Car
Can you do Paphos without a car? Where to stay, what is walkable, what the buses cover, and which tours replace a car for the Akamas and day trips.
Itinerary
2 Days in Paphos
A two-day Paphos itinerary: ancient Kato Paphos on day one, the Old Town and Aphrodite's coast on day two — with timings, lunch stops and sunset spots.
- 2 days
- Car: optional
Itinerary
3 Days in Paphos
Three days in Paphos, planned geographically: ancient Kato Paphos, a north-coast day with the Blue Lagoon, and the Old Town plus Aphrodite's coast.
- 3 days
- Car: optional
Itinerary
4 Days in Paphos
Four days in Paphos: ancient sites, the Blue Lagoon, Aphrodite's coast and a loop through a monastery, wine villages and Coral Bay.
- 4 days
- Car: yes