Local Information:

TALA AREA

The picturesque village of Tala, with its unique village square,  is 2 minutes drive from Villa Callista and offers traditional tavernas serving good food and drink at reasonable prices.  There is also a village shop for your basic everyday needs.  Only 2 minutes in the opposite direction to Tala is the main Paphos road, which has a small shopping area with a supermarket, bakery, newsagents, kiosk, takeaway etc.  This is the road which takes you directly into Paphos town within 10 minutes drive.

PAPHOS AREA

Paphos was originally the capital of Cyprus in Roman times and has become a very popular resort amongst holidaymakers.

Paphos is now a bustling resort on the west coast of the island.  The newer part of the town is known as “Kato Paphos” – this is the main tourist area and centres around the harbour and sea front area.  Here you will find a huge array of restaurants, tavernas, bars and shops to suit all tastes.

The Old Town of Paphos – known as Ktima to the locals – is set on a hill overlooking the sea and hosts a colourful indoor market and is home to a maze of winding streets and alleyways.

Shops:  During the high season the shops in Paphos are open from 08.30 -12.00 and 16.00 – 19.00.  There is half day closing every Wednesday and Saturday, and shops are closed all day on Sundays.  However in the main tourist areas many shops stay open all day every day.

Market:  The market which is in the old town centre is open from 07.00 to 13.00 every day except Sunday.

Pharmacies:  There are plenty of chemists in Kato Paphos and around the town centre.  They are open from 08.30 -13.00 and 16.00 – 19.00 Monday to Saturday.  Each chemist displays information showing the location of a 24 hour pharmacy should the necessity arise.

Banks:  These are open 08.30 – 12.30 from Monday to Friday, with some providing additional tourist services for an hour in the afternoon. Check for the opening hours on the door of the individual bank.  Most banks offer a foreign exchange service and also many have cashpoint machines.

Places of Interest to Visit In and Around Paphos:

Harbour and sea front area

Paphos harbour and sea front are within a 10 minute drive from Tala, and here you can take boat trips around the coast or even a glass bottom boat closer to shore.

Tombs of the Kings:-  In Kato Paphos, open Mon-Sun 0730-1700.

These impressive underground tombs date back to the 4^th century BC.  They are carved out of solid rock, some decorated with Doric pillars.  The magnificence of the tombs gives the locality it’s name.

Mosaics of Paphos:-  In Kato Paphos near the harbour, open Mon-Sun 0730-1700.

The mosaic floors are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean and mainly depict scenes from Greek mythology. 

Paphos Medieval Fort:-  Kato Paphos harbour, open Mon-Sun 0730-1700.

A Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour.  Rebuilt by the Lusignans, dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 and rebuilt during the Ottoman empire of the 16^th century.

Petra Tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock): -  25km east of Paphos.

Legend dictates that Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. 

Baths of Aphrodite: - Akamas Peninsula, Nr Polis, 48km north of Paphos.

According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to take her beauty baths in the pool of a natural grotto, shaded by a fig tree.  Nature trails set off from Akamas to lead nature lovers to incomparable views of unspoiled land. 

Polis/Latchi: - 36 km north of Paphos

Polis is the market town for the Akamas area with a pleasant square and close by is the attractive fishing village of Latchi, which is renowned for its fish tavernas plus a long, unspoilt beach.  This area is wonderful for swimming and snorkeling as the waters are crystal clear. 

Coral Bay:

Boasts the best beaches in the area and is a mini resort in itself.  With its sandy, gently shelving beaches it is less than 15 minutes drive away.  Here you will find all the watersports facilities you will need, together with a variety of beachside tavernas, restaurants, bars and evening nightlife.  There is also horseriding nearby. 

Akamas Peninsular National Park and St Georges:  15 minutes drive from Tala.

The Akamas Peninsular National Park is a protected area on the far western tip of Cyprus.  The landscape is spectacular and it is an excellent place for walking, nature watching or just lazying on the many unspoilt beaches of the area.  At the entrance to the park is the quaint unspoilt fishing hamlet of St George.  This boosts a splendid taverna overlooking the sea, which is very popular for Sunday lunches!  This area is possibly the most picturesque corner of Cyprus and is not to be missed.

Troodos Mountains:

This is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is easily accessible from Tala.  The area is wonderful for walking or just driving around enjoying the beautiful countryside and visiting some local Cypriot villages.  You are even able to Ski in the Troodos mountains in the months of January to March! 

Aphrodite Waterpark and Paphos Aquarium:

Near Paphos is the newly built Aphrodite Waterpark and a small aquarium.