Cyprus Holiday Villa V342

This large and welcoming village clings to the rugged hills that act as a backdrop to this photogenic stretch of Paphos coastline. Having slumbered through the day, Peyia wakes up at night and as the evening air cools and taverna tables groan under the weight of fresh food, the village centre comes alive with the sounds of animated conversation. Heading uphill from the villa will bring you to the centre of Peyia village, approximately 1 kilometre away. Boasting traditional tavernas, restaurants with international theme nights, wine bars, coffee shops, well stocked supermarkets, delicatessens and a bakery, Peyia really does have something for everyone.

Venturing down the hillside will bring you to Coral Bay the well known beach resort for the Paphos district. This family oriented area has become a lively resort with plenty to offer in terms of amenities and activities. The resort boasts two sandy beaches, the busier of the two being the popular Coral Bay Beach approximately 5 kilometres away. This sandy horseshoe shaped bay is honoured with a Blue Flag of the European Union. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for hire, watersports are on offer and there are two beach cafés providing refreshments. A little further along the coast is the quieter of the two beaches at Corallia Bay. Continue still further along the coast and you reach the natural rock caves of the area know locally as Sea Caves, an area which provides ideal snorkelling territory and is popular with local scuba diving schools.

Paphos Town, approximately 16 kilometres away, was once the capital of the island and is now included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world's heritage. The remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs mean that the town is of exceptional architectural and historic value. The well preserved mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings are probably the biggest cultural draw with further archaeological discoveries continually being made. Ano Pafos on the cliff is the main administrative centre and residential district while Kato Pafos, by the sea, is the main tourist area built around the harbour and medieval port.

Moving away from the coastal area to explore a little further inland, you will come across the sleepy village of Kathikas. Kathikas is part of the Laona project, a rural regeneration and ecotourism project helping to introduce the concept of agrotourism to five villages on the border of the proposed Akamas reserve area. Located in the heart of wine country, Kathikas is one of the most attractive villages in the area, well known for its great many vineyards, grapes being its main product and their cultivation the main occupation of the villagers. Kathikas even has its own village winery which offers free wine tasting!

Take the time to explore some of the villages off the beaten path between Peyia and Polis on the northwest coast and you'll discover such delights as village cultural centres and museums, galleries and Churches.

Exploring Coral Bay, Paphos and everywhere in between, increases the list of available activities and attractions to include mini golf, watersports, go-karting, horse riding, a snooker hall, bowling alley, heritage sites, modern shopping facilities, a waterpark, an aquarium and the Paphos Bird and Animal Park.