Cyprus, the storied island of Aphrodite, sits at the crossroads of Europe and the Levant. Romans left shimmering mosaics, Crusaders fortified harbors, and Ottoman and Venetian rulers shaped walled cities that still hum with life. Today, ancient sanctuaries share the stage with sapphire coves, fragrant citrus groves, and evenings that stretch over endless plates of mezze.

In one week, you’ll split time between coastal Paphos and cosmopolitan Nicosia. Expect UNESCO-listed antiquities, boat trips to the Blue Lagoon, gorge walks, and relaxed winery stops in the hills. Evenings bring grilled sheftalia, squeaky-fresh halloumi, and Commandaria—one of the world’s oldest named wines—poured under warm island skies.

Practical notes: Cyprus uses the euro and drives on the left. English is widely spoken. Nicosia is Europe’s last divided capital; to cross the Green Line, carry a valid passport/ID and check current guidance. Spring and fall are sweet spots for hiking and swimming; summers are hot and dry with excellent beach conditions.

Paphos

Paphos is an easygoing gateway into Cyprus’ layered past and wave-lapped present. Roman elites once commissioned the island’s most famous mosaics here; today’s travelers wander from archaeological parks to seaside tavernas for long, sunlit lunches. Just up the coast, the Akamas Peninsula shelters limestone sea caves, turtles, and one of Cyprus’ clearest lagoons.

Top hits include the Paphos Archaeological Park (House of Dionysus and Theseus mosaics), the Tombs of the Kings necropolis, Paphos Castle on the harbor, and day trips to Avakas Gorge and Latchi for Blue Lagoon boat trips. Food-wise, this is mezze country—think garden tomatoes, wild greens, seared octopus, and charcoal-grilled pork souvla.

• Where to stay: Base in Kato Paphos for the harbor and beach path, or in Old Town for lanes and local cafés. Browse stays on VRBO Paphos or compare hotels on Hotels.com Paphos. Consider harborfront classics like Annabelle and Almyra, midrange seaside suites at Amphora, or Old Town boutiques near Kennedy Square.
• Getting in: Fly into Paphos (PFO) or Larnaca (LCA). Search Europe flights on Omio or global options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From Paphos Airport, bus 612 runs to the harbor (about €2–3) or take a taxi (~€25–35, 20 minutes).

Day 1: Arrival, Harbor Walk, and Castle Sunset

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, drop your bags and grab a light bite—try a spinach-feta pastry and Cypriot coffee at Pinguino Cafe by the waterfront.

Afternoon: Stroll the palm-lined promenade to Paphos Castle. Explore the medieval fort and linger on the breakwater for views of fishing boats and the old port. Cool off with gelato at Da Vinci Gelateria before checking in.

Evening: Dinner at Mandra Tavern, a local favorite for slow-braised kleftiko, stuffed vine leaves, and village salad. Cap the night with a panoramic cocktail at Muse Café Kitchen Bar in Old Town—order the basil gin fizz and watch the city lights fall to the sea.

Day 2: Mosaics, Tombs of the Kings, and Classic Mezze

Morning: Dive into the Paphos Archaeological Park. The House of Dionysus and House of Theseus mosaics are among the Mediterranean’s finest, retelling myths in tiny tesserae. Bring water and a hat; signage is informative, but a local guide adds context.

Afternoon: Taxi or walk up the coastal path to the Tombs of the Kings, a honeycomb of Hellenistic and Roman rock-cut tombs. After, swim at Lighthouse Beach (shallow, sandy patches) or lounge at Ta Mpania beach deck if seas are calm.

Evening: Book a table at 7 St. Georges Tavern in Yeroskipou for a slow, seasonal mezze feast—no menu, just a parade of garden dishes, grilled meats, and village cheeses. Nightcap at Antasia Beach Club for refined cocktails by the water (check seasonal hours; if closed, try The Lodge’s terrace bar).

Day 3: Akamas Peninsula and Blue Lagoon Adventure

Morning: Head to Latchi (45–60 minutes by car; intercity bus to Polis then local taxi). Join a glass-bottom or small-boat cruise to the Blue Lagoon (€30–45 pp). Snorkel in gin-clear water framed by white limestone and junipers.

Afternoon: Lunch on the harbor—Yiangos & Peter Fish Tavern grills superb sea bream and calamari; add village potatoes and taramasalata. Walk the short cliff path to the Baths of Aphrodite viewpoint, or, if you’re hiking-inclined, tackle a section of the Aphrodite Trail for sweeping views over Akamas.

Evening: Time your dinner for sunset at Oniro by the Sea, perched by the Sea Caves and shipwreck—order octopus with fava and a crisp Xinisteri white. If Oniro is closed off-season, switch to Sea You Beach Bar for easygoing Mediterranean plates and waves practically at your feet.

Day 4: Aphrodite’s Rock, Ancient Kouklia, and a Winery

Morning: Drive east along the coast to Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock), the mythic birthplace of the goddess. Continue to Kouklia’s Sanctuary of Aphrodite (Palaipafos), where Bronze Age worship gave way to a Roman-era temple—small museum, big history.

Afternoon: Lunch at Gabriel’s Tavern in Kouklia (try the moussaka or pork afelia). Then head into the hills for a tasting at Tsangarides Winery (Lemona) or Kolios Winery (Statos–Agios Fotios)—both pour expressive Xinisteri and Maratheftiko with valley views. Tastings typically €5–10; call ahead in peak season.

Evening: Swim or stroll at Coral Bay before a laid-back dinner at Laona Restaurant back in Paphos Old Town. Their slow-cooked beef stifado and baked aubergine hit the comfort-food sweet spot.

Nicosia

Nicosia (Lefkosia) is a city of contrasts—medieval bastions and cutting-edge architecture, artisans’ workshops beside sleek cocktail bars. Encircled by 16th-century Venetian walls, its Old City is crisscrossed by the Green Line, a living reminder of Cyprus’ complex modern history.

Expect excellent museums—the Cyprus Museum’s Bronze Age treasures are unmissable—along with evocative lanes around Faneromeni Church, and a thriving food-and-drink scene. With a valid passport/ID, you can cross on foot at Ledra Street to explore the caravanserai of Büyük Han and the soaring Gothic nave of Selimiye Mosque.

• Where to stay: For atmosphere, book inside the walls near Onasagorou and Ledra Streets; for sleek comfort, look around Eleftheria Square. Browse options on VRBO Nicosia or compare hotels on Hotels.com Nicosia. Look for MAP Boutique Hotel (design-forward), Centrum Hotel (inside the walls), The Classic Hotel (reliable city base), or petite historic stays near Faneromeni.
• Getting from Paphos: Take the Intercity Bus from Paphos to Nicosia (about 2–2.5 hours, roughly €7–9 one way). Check times and tickets on Omio (buses). By car, it’s ~1.5–2 hours via the A6/A1. A private taxi runs ~€120–150 for up to 3–4 passengers.

Day 5: Transfer to Nicosia, Ledra Street, and Old City Tastes

Morning: Depart Paphos after breakfast. Catch an early intercity bus to arrive late morning; drop bags at your hotel and grab iced coffee and a tahini roll at Pralina Experience near Makariou Avenue.

Afternoon: Walk Eleftheria Square (Zaha Hadid’s striking redesign), then meander Ledra and Onasagorou Streets. Pop into the Leventis Municipal Museum for a concise, free primer on city history. If you’d like, cross at Ledra Street (passport/ID required) to wander Büyük Han’s artisan courtyards before recrossing south.

Evening: Book Zanettos, a much-loved taverna serving traditional mezze since the 1930s—expect sausages, beetroot salad with garlic, and coriander-scented pork. Afterwards, sip award-winning cocktails at Lost + Found Drinkery; the menu ranges from citrusy highballs to complex spirit-forward signatures.

Day 6: Museums, Venetian Walls, and a Restorative Hamam

Morning: Start at the Cyprus Museum to see terracotta chariots, Bronze Age figurines, and exquisite jewelry that trace millennia of island life. Brunch at Hustle n’ Flow Eatery for smoothie bowls, eggs with halloumi, and specialty coffee.

Afternoon: Follow the Venetian walls past the Famagusta Gate and into quieter quarters where workshops sell lace, copper, and hand-printed linens. Browse contemporary boutiques along Onasagorou and tiny galleries near Faneromeni Church.

Evening: Book a steam-and-scrub session at Hamam Omerye, a 16th-century bathhouse restored to candlelit serenity (packages typically €25–35; book ahead). Dinner at Piatsa Gourounaki for charcoal-grilled souvlaki, then sample local craft ales at Pivo Microbrewery in the Old City.

Day 7: Courtyards, Art, and Departure

Morning: If you’re a museum lover, the CVAR–Severis Foundation tells Cyprus’ story through paintings and travel sketches—an underrated gem. Prefer a stroll? Explore the narrow lanes around Chrysaliniotissa Church, dotted with flower-filled courtyards and restored houses.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. Shuttles to Larnaca Airport run frequently (about 45–50 minutes; roughly €9–10), or allow ~1.5 hours to reach Paphos Airport by car/bus. For onward flights in Europe, check Omio; for global routes, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re extending your trip regionally, trains and buses across Europe are easy to book on Omio (trains) and Omio (buses); seasonal ferry options sometimes appear on Omio (ferries).

Extra Tips and Local Gems

• Coffee culture: Try a “frappe” (shaken iced coffee) or traditional Cypriot coffee, medium-sweet. Many cafés also serve fresh-squeezed orange juice—local citrus is exceptional.
• Driving: Left-hand driving with well-marked highways; coastal and mountain roads can be narrow. If you plan Akamas hikes or remote coves, a small SUV helps.
• Etiquette: In churches and mosques, dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered). Near the Green Line, avoid photographing military posts.
• Seasonality: Summer seas are calmest for the Blue Lagoon; spring and autumn are best for Avakas Gorge and winery days. Always carry water and sun protection.

In a single week, Cyprus reveals its many moods: wave-lapped ruins in Paphos, cypress-scented trails above wine villages, and the living history of Nicosia’s walled streets. You’ll leave with salty hair, new favorites from the mezze table, and a deeper feel for this island at the heart of the Mediterranean.