Lighthouse Beach in Paphos: the beach by the old lighthouse

Lighthouse Beach is located in Kato Paphos, on the western side of the city’s coastline. In the official tourism materials of the Republic of Cyprus, it is called Faros Beach. The name is connected with the Paphos Lighthouse located nearby: in Greek, «φάρος» means «lighthouse», hence the two names in use — Faros Beach and Lighthouse Beach.

The main feature of this place is not only the beach itself. The Paphos Lighthouse and the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park with its Roman mosaics, Odeon, Agora and other monuments are located nearby. This makes it convenient to combine a trip here with a walk through one of the most interesting historical parts of Paphos.

• Why the beach is called Lighthouse Beach and Faros Beach
• Paphos Lighthouse
• The Archaeological Park near the beach
• What to see nearby
• Beach infrastructure
• How to combine the beach with sightseeing
• What to consider before visiting
• Frequently asked questions

Why the beach is called Lighthouse Beach and Faros Beach

You may come across two names for this beach. The official tourism portal of the Republic of Cyprus uses Faros Beach, while Lighthouse Beach is also used on maps and in tourist materials.

The reason is simple: the Paphos Lighthouse is located nearby. The Greek word «φάρος» translates as «lighthouse», so Faros Beach and Lighthouse Beach effectively mean the same thing — the beach by the lighthouse.

When searching for the location on a map, it is better to add Paphos or Pafos. This will help you avoid confusing it with another Faros Beach in the Republic of Cyprus, located near Perivolia in the Larnaca district.

The Faros Beach shoreline stretches for 400 m. The beach is sandy, with golden sand and an open view of the sea.

An important feature is that the water here can become wavy. Therefore, Faros Beach should not be regarded as a place where the sea is guaranteed to be calm. Before swimming, especially with children, you should take into account the actual sea conditions and follow the lifeguards’ instructions.

There are opportunities for walks along the coast, and the location next to the archaeological zone makes the beach interesting even outside the swimming season.
Location

Paphos Lighthouse

The white lighthouse above the coast is a real working landmark, not a decorative structure. Pafos Lighthouse is located on the Pafos Point peninsula and is clearly visible from the surrounding coast.

The lighthouse was built in 1888. It served as a navigational landmark for ships approaching Paphos harbour.

The lighthouse is also unusual because of its surroundings. It stands amid the archaeological landscape of ancient Paphos, so ancient monuments and a late-19th-century structure stand side by side on the same walk.

The Archaeological Park near the beach

The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, one of the most important archaeological complexes in the Republic of Cyprus, is located near Lighthouse Beach. The archaeological sites of Paphos have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1980.

The history of this place is considerably older than the lighthouse. At the end of the 4th century BC, Nicocles, the last king of Palaepaphos, moved the city closer to the present-day harbour. From the 2nd century BC to the 4th century AD, Paphos was the capital of Cyprus.

The Archaeological Park covers monuments dating from the 4th century BC to the Middle Ages, with a significant part of the surviving remains belonging to the Roman period.
Location

Paphos mosaics

One of the main reasons to visit the Archaeological Park is its Roman mosaics. They have survived in several ancient villas and depict scenes from Greek mythology.

The site includes:

• House of Dionysus;
• House of Theseus;
• House of Aion;
• House of Orpheus.

Most of these villas and mosaics date from the Roman period.

Odeon and Agora

The Archaeological Park also contains the Odeon and Agora of the ancient city. Together with the mosaics, the remains of urban structures and the lighthouse, they form a large archaeological landscape right next to the modern coastline.

Saranta Kolones

Another site in the complex is the ruins of Saranta Kolones Fortress, a name that translates as «Forty Columns». It belongs to a later period in the history of Paphos.

Limeniotissa Basilica

The archaeological complex also contains the ruins of the early Christian basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa. Thus, during one walk you can see monuments from several historical eras.

What to see nearby

Lighthouse Beach is a convenient starting point for exploring Kato Paphos. The official tourism portal of the Republic of Cyprus lists the Paphos Mosaics, the harbour with its castle and the Tombs of the Kings among the nearby attractions.

Paphos Harbour and castle

You can continue your walk towards the harbour along the coast. The medieval Paphos Castle is located at the harbour, while cafés, restaurants and other tourist infrastructure are concentrated around it.

Tombs of the Kings

The Tombs of the Kings archaeological complex is located north of this part of Kato Paphos. Despite its name, kings were not buried here. According to the official tourism portal of the Republic of Cyprus, the tombs were intended for high-ranking officials and members of the aristocracy.

The monumental tombs were carved directly into the rock and date from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The name «Tombs of the Kings» arose because of the scale and rich design of the structures.

The Tombs of the Kings are part of Paphos’s archaeological heritage, but for visitors they are a separate site with its own entrance. If you plan to visit several archaeological sites, it is better to check the current opening hours and ticket prices before your trip.

Walk along the sea

Even without visiting museums and archaeological sites, the Lighthouse Beach area is suitable for a walk. You can walk along the coast, look at the lighthouse and continue towards the tourist part of Kato Paphos and the harbour.

Lighthouse Beach infrastructure

Faros Beach is an equipped urban beach with full infrastructure:

The beach area also has restaurants, fish tavernas, cafés, bars, kiosks, small shops and accommodation facilities.

How to combine the beach with sightseeing

The main advantage of Lighthouse Beach is that you do not need to plan a separate trip just for the beach. It is convenient to include it in a walk around Kato Paphos.

1. Start your walk at Faros Beach and the coast.
2. See the Paphos Lighthouse.
3. Set aside separate time for the Archaeological Park and the Roman mosaics.
4. Walk to the Odeon, Agora and other sites in the complex.
5. Continue your walk towards Paphos Harbour.
6. It is better to plan a visit to the Tombs of the Kings separately, taking the archaeological site’s opening hours into account.

This option is especially convenient outside the hottest hours of the day: a significant part of the archaeological area and the coastal route is outdoors.

What to consider before visiting

• The sea at Faros Beach can be wavy.
• The presence of lifeguards depends on the season.
• The beach and the Archaeological Park are not one site: separate rules apply to visits to the archaeological monuments.
• Opening hours and admission prices for archaeological sites may change, so it is better to check them before your trip.
• There is practically no point in counting on constant shade in the open Archaeological Park area in summer, so water and sun protection will be useful.
• When searching on a map, you should enter Paphos, as there is also a beach called Faros in the Larnaca area.

Why it is worth coming here

Lighthouse Beach is interesting primarily because of its location. It is not an isolated resort beach for which you necessarily need to plan a separate trip. Its strength is the combination of the sea and historic Paphos.

Here you can spend some time on the beach, see the 19th-century lighthouse, walk through the ancient city with its Roman mosaics and finish your walk at the harbour. This is why Faros Beach is especially interesting for those who want to combine the sea and sightseeing in one route.

If you are planning a route to see the main attractions of the Republic of Cyprus and want to get around without relying on taxis, it is convenient to compare car rental options through Localrent in advance. It is also worth planning basic practical matters ahead of time. Travel medical insurance can be arranged before departure, for example through Tripinsurance, while for navigation and communication on the road, it is convenient to activate a travel eSIM in advance, for example through Drimsim.

Frequently asked questions

Are Lighthouse Beach and Faros Beach in Paphos the same place?

Yes. In the official tourism materials of the Republic of Cyprus, the beach is called Faros Beach. The name Lighthouse Beach is also used because of the lighthouse located nearby.

Why is the beach called Faros?

The name is connected with the lighthouse. The Greek word «φάρος» means «lighthouse».

When was the Paphos Lighthouse built?

The lighthouse was built in 1888. It was used as a navigational landmark for ships approaching Paphos Harbour.

Is the lighthouse operational?

Yes. The regional tourism portal of Paphos states that its light is still operational and visible from a distance of up to 17 nautical miles.

Are there showers and toilets at Lighthouse Beach?

Yes. The official beach page lists toilets, showers and changing rooms, as well as sun loungers and parasols.

Are there lifeguards?

The official tourism portal of the Republic of Cyprus states that lifeguards are on duty from April to October. The specific daily opening hours are not provided on the beach page.

Can the beach be combined with a visit to the Archaeological Park?

Yes. This is one of the main features of the area. The lighthouse, Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, Paphos Mosaics, Odeon, Agora and other archaeological sites are located nearby.