The Pafos Aphrodite Festival, opera by Paphos castle

There are few opera settings like the square of Paphos castle, with the castle and the sea behind it. The Pafos Aphrodite Festival has made the most of it since 1999, and I count it among the best reasons to visit Paphos at the end of summer. As I couldn’t find the programme in an official source I’m able to use, I rely on what the Cypriot press published about the 2026 edition. Other festivals are listed in events in Cyprus.

What it is

An open-air opera festival that began in 1999 and is run by Pafos Aphrodite Festival Cyprus, a company whose sole shareholder is Paphos Municipality, according to the press. Each edition centres on one major production, staged in the medieval castle square facing the harbour, and the press describes it as one of the island’s leading cultural events.

The 2026 edition

The 24th edition took place on 4 and 5 September 2026, at 19:30, with L’Elisir d’Amore, Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera first performed in 1832 and famous for the aria «Una furtiva lagrima». It was staged by the Alexander Spendiaryan Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, in a contemporary version set in a symbolic post-apocalyptic world.

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Tickets

They were sold through Ticketmaster Cyprus and at ACS Courier outlets. There was also a limited number of VIP tickets at €150, including access to a reception with food and drinks and the festival programme. I haven’t found standard ticket prices published, so check them when booking, and bear in mind that both 2026 performances were in the evening, at 19:30.

Paphos in September

The festival falls in high season, with highs of around 29 °C in Paphos and almost no rain, as I explain in Cyprus in September. To stay near the castle, see Paphos hotels.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Paphos and pick one that fits your day.

For 2027

As of writing, the 2027 date and opera hadn’t been announced. To catch it, watch for announcements from Paphos Municipality and book your room early, as September is high season.

The 2026 opera

L’Elisir d’Amore tells the story of Nemorino, a simple, lovestruck young man who believes a magic potion will win him the heart of Adina. Through comic twists, the opera reminds us that the real magic lies in sincerity, according to the Cypriot press review. It’s a light work, good for anyone coming to opera for the first time.

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The weather

In September Paphos has a 29.4 °C high and a 20.4 °C low, with hardly any rain, according to the WMO. Early-evening performances come with pleasant temperatures.

My tip

Arrive early enough to stroll round the harbour before the performance, and have dinner in Kato Paphos afterwards.

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