Excavations and historical monuments in Cyprus

Here you can find an overview of historical monuments and excavations on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

Kato Pafos Archaeological Park

( Paphos) Archaeological complex - consisting of the mosaic floors of four Roman villas, the sanctuary of Asklepios, the Odeon, the Agora, the Forty Columns Castle, the Basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa and the Royal Tombs - which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Opening hours: November to March: daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; April to May and September to October 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; June to August 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Admission: 1,70 € - 3,40 €

Amathus

(8 km east of Limassol) Excavation site with hilltop ruins of a city-kingdom with acropolis.

Opening hours: November to March: daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; April to May and September to October 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; June to August 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Entrance fee: 1,70 €

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Castle of Kolossi

(15 km west of Limassol) The Crusader castle was the ancestral seat of the Knights Templar and later the Knights of St. John.

Opening hours: November to March: daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; April to May and September to October 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; June to August 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Entrance fee: 1,70 €

Choirokoitia

(30 km west of Larnaka) A Stone Age settlement (round houses) dating back to 6800 BC.

Opening hours: November to March: daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; April to May and September to October 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; June to August 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Entrance fee: 1,70 €

Pafos harbor fort

Built as a Frankish fortress to protect the port, reinforced by the Lusignans, the Venetians and Turks.

Opening hours: November to March: daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; April to May and September to October 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; June to August 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Admission: €1.70

Hala Sultan Tekke

(on the shore of Larnaka's Salt Lake) One of Islam's holy sites. Built in 1816 in a palm grove, the mosque contains the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad's foster mother.

Opening hours: November to March: daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; April to May and September to October 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; June to August 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Admission: free

Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates

(20 km west of Limassol) Apollo - "the protector of the forest" - was worshipped in this temple for centuries.

Opening hours: November to March: daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; April to May and September to October 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; June to August 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Admission: 1,70 €

Kition

(Larnaka) Exposed remains of an important city-kingdom dating back to 1200 BC.

Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8 am - 2:30 pm and Thursday 8 am - 5 pm.
Entrance fee: 1,70 €

Ancient city of Kourion

The ancient city of Kourion (20 km west of Limassol) is, along with the archaeological site of Pafos, one of the most worth seeing in Cyprus. The excavations include, in addition to the ancient theater, a large basilica and the extensive field of ruins, the so-called Acropolis with many remains and foundation walls of the former city-kingdom. In Kourion gladiators used to fight. Today, the ancient theater serves mainly concert and theatrical events (Shakespeare).

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Opening hours: November to March: daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; April to May and September to October 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; June to August 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Admission: €1.70

Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church

(Pafos) The complex of 3 churches represents over a thousand years of Byzantine history. It also includes the Pauline Column where, according to tradition, the apostle was flogged before converting the Roman governor Sergius Paulus to Christianity.

Tamassos Tombs

(23 km south of Nicosia in the village of Politiko) Two royal or heroic tombs and some ruins testify to the fact that this was once an important Greek city where copper was mined, processed and exported.

Opening hours: November to March: daily 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; April to October 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: 1,70 €