Palaepaphos, the sanctuary of Aphrodite at Kouklia

Palaepaphos is where Aphrodite was worshipped for more than a thousand years. Today it’s a field of stones beside a village, and it takes a little imagination, but it’s the half of the goddess’s myth you can actually stand on. Here’s what you’ll see, what it costs and how to get there. For the surrounding area, see Paphos district.

What is Palaepaphos?

Palaepaphos, or Palaipafos, means Old Paphos. UNESCO includes it in the Paphos World Heritage property as site II, in the village of Kouklia, while site I covers the Tombs of the Kings and Nea Paphos. Its listing dates the Mycenaean sanctuary here to the 12th century BC, says it remained in use until Roman times, and that Cyprus had been a place of worship of pre-Hellenic fertility deities since the Neolithic. Why the whole island is tied to the goddess is explained in Aphrodite in Cyprus.

Kouklia had 1,211 residents in the 2021 census and lies about 14 km east of Paphos, according to the tourism board. From here you head into the Diarizos Valley by way of Nikokleia and its 18th-century mill.

What to see at the sanctuary of Aphrodite

The Pafos tourism board presents it as one of the most important ancient sites linked to the goddess. The site is extensive and its key piece is the conical stone that represented Aphrodite until Roman times. There are also the remains of a Roman temple, a second sanctuary and a Roman house. The huge blocks of the oldest part still lie scattered across the plain.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Paphos for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.

The museum in the manor house

The manor house at Kouklia is, according to the tourism board, one of the finest surviving examples of Frankish architecture in Cyprus. It was the centre of the local feudal estate, which also ran sugar production, and dates from the 13th century. Today it houses the Palaipafos museum, with finds from the sanctuary, the ancient city and the cemetery, and it’s used as a venue for music festivals. Other finds from the sanctuary, such as sculptures dedicated to the goddess, are in the Paphos Archaeological Museum.

A few metres from the temple stands the church of Panagia Odigitria. The tourism board says it was built with stones from the ruins of the sanctuary and stands just 10 to 15 m from the goddess’s temple.

Opening hours, price and getting there

Site and museum open daily at 8:30, closing at 17:00 between 16 September and 15 April and at 19:30 for the rest of the year. The ticket costs €4.50 and covers both. The site is partly accessible by wheelchair, following the staff’s guidance, as the accessible route isn’t marked. The museum’s phone number is 26 432 180.

Pafos Buses route 631 leaves Paphos harbour, stops at the Kouklia site and carries on to Aphrodite’s Rock. The 630 leaves Karavela station and also stops at the site. For somewhere to stay, the easiest base is Paphos, and if you want something closer, Aphrodite Hills is covered in hotels in Paphos.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Palaepaphos (Kouklia) on GetYourGuide.

If you would rather go at your own pace, see the car hire deals in Paphos: the earlier you book, the more cars are left to choose from.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Paphos for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.