The Agora is located in the lower town. In ancient times, it was the traditional hub for commercial and political activities, and the many buildings surrounding it, played an important role in the daily life of the city. During the Roman period, the Agora was organised around a large stone-paved court. Three porticos occupy the other three sides. The west portico opened to the court through 13 Doric columns, and ended at its north edge at a fountain (or a Nympheum), and at a later cistern. Buildings were erected behind the north portico – which is very damaged – and appear to have constituted the most important administrative or religious buildings of the site.

The area south of the Agora is occupied by a public bath (balaneion), which is comprised of a closed circular area and annexes. The bath – along with part of the west portico of the Agora – date to the Hellenistic period, and constitute the earliest indications of human activity in the area.

Also at the site is the Temple of Aphrodite, sat atop of a hill at the Acropolis of Amathous. Evidence of the presence of a sanctuary in the area includes votive offerings going back to the mid 8th century BC. Through the centuries, the Temple of Aphrodite was a sacred enclosed space for ceremonies and votive offerings around an altar. There may have been other buildings in the area, but the cult itself was not housed in a main building.

The site is also linked to the Aphrodite Cultural Route.

The magnificent Greco-Roman theatre – the site’s centrepiece – was built in the 2nd century BC and extended in the 2nd century AD. The theatre has been restored, and is now used for open-air musical and theatrical performances – mainly during the summer months – making it one of the most popular settings for high-calibre cultural events.

East of the theatre are the remains of a prominent building, the ‘House of Eustolios’, which was originally a private villa that was turned into a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period.

Whilst the villa was modest in size, it was well equipped and richly adorned. Its remains consist of four panels of beautiful, 5th century mosaic floors in the central room, and a bathing complex that is located on a higher level, accessed by steps, north of the building. A roof structure allows visitors to enjoy the  site all year round, and explore its remnants.

The baths themselves originally opened off the central room to the north and east, where there were cold baths (frigidarium). Before each is a shallow foot-bath; while on the west, the remains of the hypocausts – which heated the medium room (tepidarium), and the hot room (caldarium) – can be seen. In the latter, the built-in basins for hot baths have survived, as have the firing chambers, where hot air was carried through the hypocausts, travelling up through specially-cut flues, through the walls, and beneath the terracotta tiles of the floor.

Along with the House of Eustolios, there are further impressive mosaic floors in the ‘House of Achilles’ and the ‘House of the Gladiators’, with the villas named after the scenes depicted on the mosaics.

The remains of the Roman Agora are also visible at the site. The structure dates back to the early 3rd century, with additions made later on, during the Early Christian period. The Roman Agora is built on the remains of an earlier public building, which was in use from the end of the 4th century to the end of Hellenistic period.

The Agora of the city is surrounded by porticos with marble columns on both sides, whilst on its northwest side, is an impressive public bath and a small temple, the Nymphaeum, dedicated to the water nymphs.

An early Christian basilica at the site dates back to the 5th century, with separate baptistery on the external northern side.

The Stadium of Kourion  lies 1km to the west, on the right side of the road towards Pafos.

Archaeological Site of Kourion – Audio Guide

Five characteristic cylindrical shaped dwellings have been reconstructed near the settlement, using the same construction methods and materials used in Neolithic times. The dwellings are fitted with replicas of household objects found inside the original dwellings, thus providing a vivid representation of how they actually were in the past. The vegetation around the dwellings consists of native plants and trees that have grown in Cyprus since Neolithic times.

Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement – Audio Guide 

The church is small, single-aisled and barrel vaulted, in the Franco-Byzantine style, with external buttresses and a west portico. In contrast to the deliberately modest exterior that was required by Ottoman rule, the gilded woodwork and bright interior illuminated by crystal chandeliers is particularly ornate. Covered in gold leaf, the woodcarving is in the best tradition of 18th century Cypriot craftsmanship, and it remains the only church in Lefkosia in which the whole of the internal Frescoes have survived in their entirety.

The four large icons on the iconostasis were painted by the Cretan master, Ioannis Kornaros in 1795 and 1797, and the 18th century wall paintings depict scenes from the Bible and the discovery of the tomb of Agios Varnavas (St. Barnabas) at Salamis.

According to tradition, Cypriot hermit Isaiah miraculously healed the daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118 AD). As a reward, he asked for the icon, and though grieved at the prospect of losing the treasure, the emperor sent it to Cyprus, along with the funds to pay for the construction of a monastery where the sacred relic would be kept. The monastery burned down several times and nothing remains of the original structure.

Today, the monastery produces Zivania spirit and other alcoholic drinks, and holds religious fairs on September 8th (Birth of the Virgin) and August 15th (Dormition of the Virgin). There is also a museum on the grounds, whilst it is noteworthy for being the monastery that the first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III served at as a novice.

Monastery of Kykkos – Audio Guide 

According to tradition, an unknown hermit sneaked the icon into Cyprus during the iconoclasm years (between the 8th and 9th century AD) and kept it in his cave until his death. Blessed with the divine grace, the hermits Ignatios and Neophytos around 1145, discovered the cave – which was obscured by bushes – and were able to reach it by cutting down the undergrowth with a knife given to them by divine hand. As a result, the revealed icon was given the name  ‘Machairiotissa’ from the Greek word for ‘knife’ – ‘machairi’. The monastery was built on the same spot, also taking the name.

Today, the renovated vestry basement houses a collection of old books and manuscripts, icons and other religious artefacts.

The brotherhood at the monastery is extremely devout, keeping vows as strict as those of Mount Athos in Greece.

However Umm Haram died shortly after her arrival and buried in the same place where she had fallen off her mule and died. Conservation works, aiming at preserving the monument, have been conducted by the Department of Antiquities on a systematic basis since 1967, involving the masonry, the wooden or other artistic elements.

Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

It forms part of the larger Nissi Beach area, and takes its name from the small island (‘nissi’ in Greek) that is located nearby.

Facilities on the beach include toilets, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas, water sports facilities, beach bars, a diving school and organised events, whilst there a variety of accommodation, restaurants and kiosks in the area.

Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April – October.

Access is easy by foot, bike or car, and there are car-parking facilities. The beach also offers disabled access.

Facilities on the beach include toilets, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas and water sports facilities, whilst the general area has a variety of accommodation, restaurants and kiosks.

Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April – October.

The beach also offers disabled access, including a special wheelchair at the lifeguard tower to help disabled persons enter the sea with assistance from the lifeguards.

Access is easy by foot, bike or car, and there are car-parking facilities.

Facilities on the beach include toilets, showers, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas, dustbins, recycling bins and water sports. There are also a variety of restaurants, fish taverns, cafes, bars, kiosks, convenience stores and accommodation in the area.

Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April – October.

The beach is a great starting point to explore some of the area’s most famous attractions, including the Medieval castle and its picturesque harbour, Pafos mosaics and the archaeological site of Tombs of the Kings.

Access is easy by foot, bike, bus or car, with car-parking available and a bus stop nearby.

The beach has golden sands, and clean and calm seawaters that deepen fairly quickly.

Facilities on the beach include toilets, showers, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas, water sports and diving centre, beach volleyball court, children’s playground, bicycle station and even an Olympic size swimming pool.

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The beach has a small forest (‘dasoudi’ in Greek) running adjacent to it with a beautiful footpath trailing through it. As such, it is a favourite for strolling, jogging and relaxing on the periodic benches.

Beachgoers can choose between the organised facilities or the quieter spots under the eucalyptus, pine and acacia trees behind the sandy shore. There are also a variety of restaurants, fish taverns, cafes, bars, kiosks, convenience stores and accommodation in the area.

Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April – October. The beach also offers disabled access, including a special wheelchair to help disabled persons enter the sea with assistance from the lifeguards.

Access is easy by foot, bike, bus or car, with car-parking available, and a bus stop located nearby.