A day trip from Paphos to Limassol is one of the best ways to experience two very different sides of Cyprus in a single day. The drive along the southwestern coast takes under an hour, but along the way you’ll pass the rocky birthplace of Aphrodite, vineyard villages frozen in time, and ancient ruins that predate the Roman Empire — before arriving at one of the Mediterranean’s most vibrant coastal cities. Whether you’re after history, hiking, harbour views, or a long lunch at a traditional taverna, this route delivers all of it.
🚌 Getting there? See our full guide to the Paphos to Limassol bus — timetables, prices & stops
The distance between Paphos and Limassol is approximately 58 kilometres — around 45–50 minutes by car on the A6 motorway, or just over an hour by bus.
You have three options:
By bus — Intercity Buses run hourly services for €5 one-way. It’s the cheapest option and drops you in central Limassol
By taxi — door-to-door in around 45 minutes for approximately €50–70
By Rental car — the most flexible option, giving you the freedom to stop at villages, viewpoints, and attractions along the way (which this guide covers in detail below)
🚌 For full bus timetables, stop locations, Sunday services, and airport transfers, see our complete Paphos to Limassol Bus Guide.
Whether you’re travelling by car or bus, there are plenty of rewarding stops along the route between Paphos and Limassol. These include:
There are a serious number of historic landmarks between Paphos and Limassol. The ancient area of Palepaphos close to Kouklia village was one of the primary Kingdoms of Cyprus until 4 B.C.
The area hosts a wide range of cultural landmarks worth visiting such as the rocky birthplace of Goddess Aphrodite (Petra Tou Romiou), the Sanctuary of the Goddess Aphrodite, the Roman House of Leda mosaics, the Byzantine church of Panagia Katholiki, and the Northeast gate.
You’ll find most of these historic sites at the Palephos archaeological site at Kouklia.
Other historic sites you can visit once you reach the Limassol district from Paphos are the Ancient Kourion amphitheater, which hosts cultural events every year, and the Kolossi castle which dates back to the Middle Ages and is located in Kolossi.
Both Paphos and Limassol districts have a wealth of beautiful villages to visit. Here are 4 to look out for :
If you’ve hired a car and are driving from Paphos airport to Limassol, look out for Timi Village.
This is the closest village to Paphos airport that is worth visiting for its two beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, a picnic site with greenery, great fish and meat tavernas, and a weekend local market selling fresh produce, clothes, and accessories.
Just look at these luscious peaches!
Kouklia village is located around 15 minutes from Paphos town and around 25 minutes from the Limassol city borders.
Aside from hosting the ancient monuments of Palaepaphos, it has several traditional tavernas, Mediterranean restaurants, and small art and craft shops.
Pissouri is located around 28 minutes from Paphos center and 20 minutes from Limassol city center (by car).
A picturesque village with a stunning village square, plenty of options serving good food, a blue flag beach, and magnificent sunsets.
Episkopi is a beautiful coastal village located between the northeastern coast of Limassol and the British territories. It is home to the Kouri dam/river, the Kourion Archaeological museum, and the Blue-Flag Beach of Kourion, which you can learn more about with our guide to Must Visit Paphos Beaches.
If you are a fan of golf, there are two fairly large golf courses located in Aphrodite Hills and Cha Potami area with several residential villas–the Aphrodite Hills Golf Club and Resort and the Secret Valley Golf Course.
Aphrodite Hills Golf Club is located around 20 minutes from Paphos and 32 minutes from Limassol City and features an 18-hole championship golf course, training facilities, and a lush guest area with changing rooms, restaurants, and cafeterias. It is a PGA-standard course.
The Secret Valley golf course is located near Petra Tou Romiou at Kouklia village and is a stunning 18-hole championship course with lush green vegetation, a golf supply shop, changing rooms, and a great restaurant offering Cypriot dishes with a contemporary twist.
Both golf clubs host annual competitions and championships for adults and children. For more info, visit their official websites at Aphrodite Hills Golf Club and Secret Valley Golf Resort.
Despite its small size, Cyprus boasts a diverse and interesting landscape and many hiking trails between Paphos and Limassol.
Exiting the motorway you can stop by these villages which have hiking trails that lead into the surrounding countryside:
A moderately challenging linear trail that starts from the village Prastio of Limassol and ends at the Foinikaria area.
Since most of the above hiking trails are moderately difficult and some take more than 2 hours to complete, make sure you wear hiking boots and carry all the necessary equipment, water, and perhaps a snack to get you through the trail.
Tip: Watch out for snakes in all but wintertime in dry and coastal areas. Having grown up in Australia, I don’t find 1-meter snakes large, but people who see them slithering across dirt roads in Cyprus often freak out! So – wear hiking boots and thick socks when hiking.
Here are two to seek out:
🔸 Kentrikon Restaurant-Cafe-Pub (KENTPOIKON) in Mandria village, Paphos. A quality café-restaurant serving a wide range of local dishes, grilled kebabs, coffees, and drinks.
🔸Old Stable’s Tavern in Episkopi village, Limassol. A highly recommended traditional tavern and perhaps the best of its kind in the area, the Old Stables Tavern is a local and tourist favorite because of its fresh, delicious food and excellent service.
Limassol, being the largest coastal city and district of Cyprus, offers its visitors a broad range of options – from seasonal shopping venues to Mediaeval monuments and of course plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes for any age, style, and taste.
You can walk between most of these sites, but you can also take public transport, for example, a Limassol Bus to the Cyprus Motor Museum, for those areas a little away from the foreshore.
If you’re on a day trip from Paphos to Limassol, here are the top things not to miss:
Currently the biggest Marina in Cyprus, Limassol Marina hosts a line of luxurious yachts, villas, restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops selling branded goods.
A scenic seaside promenade only a few minutes away from Limassol Marina and the old harbor, dotted with Palm trees, a nice stone-built walk line, sculptures, and a few cafeterias in between.
Wandering through the historic old center of Limassol is my favorite thing to do here. There are small covered walkways between streets and in the small walkways, you’ll find shops, bars, and museums.
The stately buildings that begin only a street or two from the foreshore include mosques and Islamic architectural flourishes and minarets, the Castle and its medieval museum, and cafes that radiate out from the Castle.
Limassol has a wealth of shops on nearly every corner, however, if you plan to go on a full shopping spree in an area packed with several shops, head to Anexartisias Street near the city center or My Mall Limassol at Zakaki.
If you’re traveling by car from Paphos to Limassol, the first area you’ll drive through after leaving the motorway at Exit 29 in Limassol is an industrial zone.
(Alternatively, you can catch a local Limassol bus (Numbers 7 and 21 from My Mall) to Epimitheos Str. 3056, A’ Industrial Area).
If you love classic cars (and I do), there’s a very interesting hour or so to spend peering into a wonderful collection of 3-wheeled post-WW2 vehicles, to classics Jags, Rolls, and more modern hotted-up numbers.
The couple who run it are lovely and you’re welcome to have a cup of coffee and a chat.
Although Limassol City lacks a bit in terms of seawater quality compared to Paphos, there are a few notable beaches you can visit for sunbathing, beach sports, and swimming.
Try the sandy Miami Blue Flag Beach or Akti Olympion Beach for any of the above.
For even more inspiration on what to experience here, read our article about Things to Do in Limassol: Ultimate Limassol Travel Guide!
Go by rental car if you can — most of the best stops between Paphos and Limassol (Petra Tou Romiou, Pissouri village, Kouklia) are off the main bus route. A car gives you the freedom to stop wherever and for however long you like
Start early — Limassol’s old town, Marina, and castle area are best explored before the afternoon heat sets in during summer. Aim to leave Paphos by 9 am
Wear comfortable shoes — whether you’re hiking a trail near Pissouri or wandering Limassol’s cobbled alleyways, you’ll be on your feet for most of the day
Carry cash — many traditional tavernas and village shops between Paphos and Limassol are cash-only or prefer it
Check bus times before you go — if travelling by bus, the last service back to Paphos departs at 8 pm on weekdays and 7:30 pm on weekends. Missing it means a €50–70 taxi home. See our Paphos to Limassol Bus Guide for the full timetable
Book lunch in advance in peak season — popular spots in Pissouri village and Limassol’s old town fill up quickly in July and August
Watch out for snakes on hiking trails — outside of winter, wear hiking boots and thick socks on any of the trails between Paphos and Limassol, particularly in dry and coastal areas
Allow at least 4–5 hours in Limassol — it’s easy to underestimate how much there is to do. Budget extra time if you plan to stop at villages or ruins on the way
Paphos to Limassol is a quick jaunt along the motorway but once you get off, you’ll find yourself at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an incredible sandy beach, an old harbor, a historical center, or a castle.
It’s such a pleasure to explore the countryside in the short distance from Paphos to Limassol, but Limassol is also an interesting day trip that shows you a different side of Cypriot life, architecture, and cuisine.
If you want to continue your trip exploring more of the island, then have a look at our Cyprus Tours. And should you have any questions about them, just get in touch.
At Take Me to Europe Tours, we design custom-planned trips to Cyprus that take you beyond the tourist trail — into the ancient sites, hidden villages, and living history that make this island one of the Mediterranean’s most extraordinary destinations. We also run small-group history tours for travelers who want expert guidance at every step.
Dr. Monique Skidmore is a globally renowned anthropologist and the founder of Take Me To Europe Tours. She speaks four languages, has conducted immersive fieldwork across multiple countries, and divides her year between the Mediterranean, a cottage in northern England, and her home in the mountains near Melbourne, Australia. Through her small-group history tours across Italy and the Mediterranean, she brings the same depth of cultural curiosity to travel that she has applied throughout her academic career — helping travelers genuinely connect with the ancient world rather than simply pass through it.
