Essentials
- City
- Paphos, Paphos District, Cyprus
- Population
- 95,000 (Metropolitan area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 100 Mbps (Fiber available via Cyta and Cablenet)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. Major banks include Bank of Cyprus and Hellenic Bank.
- Tap Water
- Safe for showering/brushing teeth; bottled or filtered water recommended for drinking due to high mineral content.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets (UK standard)
- SIM Card
- Cyta (SoEasy), Epic, and PrimeTel. Tourist SIMs approx. €15 for 50GB.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut is widely used; Bank of Cyprus offers expat accounts with proof of residency.
- Accommodation
- Mix of holiday villas and modern apartments; Bazaraki and Marketplace are key for local listings.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, contactless payments accepted almost everywhere, including small kiosks.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com. Average studio: €800-€1,100 per month.
- Budget Accommodation
- Katka Hostel (approx. €25/night) or Trianon Hotel in the Old Town.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kato Paphos (Harbour area) for proximity to archeological sites and the promenade.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Universal area (modern apartments, walkable) or Ktima (Old Town) for a local vibe.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Hübe (Old Town) - €20/day, €200/month. Modern facilities with high-speed mesh Wi-Fi.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Let Them Eat Cake (Gladstonos Street) - quiet atmosphere, great Wi-Fi, and power outlets.
- Networking Events
- Paphos Digital Nomads & Remote Workers Meetup (via Facebook/Meetup.com).
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly 'Paphos Social' drinks at various bars in the Old Town.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt and Bolt Food; also the local app 'Taxi Cyprus'.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Nextbike (approx. €2/hour) and various rental shops like ABC Rentals (€15/day for mopeds).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Coral Bay (15 mins by bus 615). €2.50 for a sunbed.
- Top Regional Airline
- Cyprus Airways
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair (Paphos is a major hub), EasyJet, Lufthansa.
- Highway Access
- A6 Motorway connects Paphos to Limassol (45 mins) and Larnaca.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Karavella Main Bus Station (Intercity and local buses).
- Public Transport Passes
- €1.50 per single trip, €5 day pass, €40 monthly pass (Paphos Transport/OSYPA).
- Regional Travel
- Intercity Buses connect to Nicosia and Limassol for approx. €7-€9 round trip.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Evangelismos Private Hospital (Vasileos Constantinou Ave).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Space Paphos - €15 for a drop-in class.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Aegeas Fitness Center - €50/month. Includes modern machines and sauna.
- Laundry Services
- Quick Sip/Quick Wash Laundromat (Kato Paphos) - approx. €10 per load wash & dry.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt and Foody (very fast and reliable).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sheftalia and Halloumi Kebab at Kostas Tavern.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Meraki Market Cafe (Griva Digeni) - excellent plant-based bowls and smoothies.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelamo Gelato (Harbour) - artisanal Italian ice cream.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Lidl and Sklavenitis for groceries; Paphos Municipal Market for fresh produce.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Public.cy (electronics) and Amazon.de (shipping to Cyprus takes 7-14 days).
- Grocery Delivery
- Wolt Market or Superhome Center online.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Bar Street (Agios Antoniou) for clubs; Old Town (Ktima) for chic cocktail bars like Muse.
- Local Brewery
- Aphrodite’s Rock Microbrewery (located in Tsada, 15 mins from city).
- Wine Bars
- Boulevard Bistro in the Old Town - domestic Xynisteri wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Pithari Tavern (Takeaway gyros) - approx. €5-€7 per pita.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Wagamama (Kato Paphos) or Baan Thai (Central).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Paphos Archaeological Park (Mosaics) and the Medieval Castle.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Paphos District Archaeological Museum.
- Historical Sites
- Tombs of the Kings (UNESCO World Heritage site) - Entry €2.50.
- Religious Sites
- Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa (St. Paul’s Pillar).
- Annual Events
- Aphrodite Festival (Opera at the castle) in September.
- Cultural Districts
- Moutallos area (historically Turkish Cypriot, now revitalized with murals).
- Theater Venues
- Markideio Theatre (Old Town).
- Local Markets
- Paphos Farmers Market (Saturday mornings in the Old Town area).
- Music Scene
- Live jazz at Technopolis 20 Cultural Centre.
- Street Art
- Street Art Square (near the Old Town bus station).
- Cooking Classes
- Follow the Fat Chef (localized culinary workshops in traditional villages).
- Art Galleries
- En Plo Gallery (by the Harbour).
- Historic Buildings
- Paphos Town Hall (Neoclassical architecture).
- Local Heritage
- The Legend of Aphrodite - Birthplace at Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Akamas Peninsula National Park (Blue Lagoon and hiking trails).
- National Parks Nearby
- Troodos Mountains (1.5 hours drive for skiing or mountain hiking).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Paphos Coastal Promenade (5km from the Castle to Geroskipou).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Muse Cafe Kitchen Bar (Elevated view over the entire city and sunset).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ezousa Valley (near Episkopi Village).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted by law; designated BBQ areas in Pikni Forest (near Peyia).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- ACS Courier or Akis Express (Same-day island-wide delivery).
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer SOS Paphos (Chloraka).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Paphos Sporting Center (near the stadium).
- Language Classes
- Learn Greek Paphos (Private tutors approx. €20/hour).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Cypriot Municipal Library (28th October Square).
- Community Centers
- Paphos International Women's Association (PIWA) for community help.
- Gaming Lounges
- InSpot Paphos (PC Gaming and eSports).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- C2 Casino Paphos (near Paphos Airport).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (€128,000 for 40 m²).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,400 per m² (€96,000 for 40 m²).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,900 per m² (€174,000 for 60 m²).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,100 per m² (€126,000 for 60 m²).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,700 per m² (€216,000 for 80 m²).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,950 per m² (€156,000 for 80 m²).
- Corporate Tax
- 12.5% (One of the lowest in the EU).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for non-tax residents; 17% (Special Defence Contribution) for tax residents.
- Tax System
- Domicile vs. Non-Domicile system; non-doms are exempt from tax on dividends/interest for 17 years.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% on income over €60,000 (First €19,500 is tax-free).
- VAT
- 19% (Standard rate).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, implemented under EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive.
- Property Tax
- No annual immovable property tax; local municipal taxes approx. €150-€300/year.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer fees range from 3% to 8%; waived if VAT is paid on new properties.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa available for non-EU nationals; 60-day rule for tax residency for those with business ties.