Cycling Paphos

Planning a Paphos cycling holiday?

In this guide, you’ll find the key information you need to plan a Paphos cycling holiday: routes from Paphos, where to stay, when to visit and local bike rental options.

Read on and plan your Paphos cycling trip.

Looking for our separate guide to cycling in and around Limassol? Click here.

Why should cyclists visit Paphos?

So what are the cycling routes from Paphos like? Paphos is a practical west Cyprus base for road cyclists, with coastal rides, inland climbs, access to Paphos Forest and routes towards the Troodos Mountains.

The main things Paphos offers cyclists are a good spring and autumn climate, mild winters, straightforward airport access, bike hire, sports-friendly hotels and a road network that quickly becomes quieter once you leave the coast. We were impressed by the road surfaces, sea views, inland climbs and the mix of ancient history, mythology and practical resort infrastructure.

For a Paphos and Mallorca weather comparison, jump to this section.

An overview of cycling in Paphos

Geography of Paphos and west Cyprus

The highest point in Cyprus is Mount Olympus in the Troodos Mountains. It stands tall at 1,952 metres, which is just over 500 metres higher than the highest point in Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana range.

The Troodos mountains run from Poli in the northwest down towards the famous city of Limassol in Cyprus, which lies in the south.

Paphos sits on Cyprus’ west coast. As a cycling base, it gives easy access to flatter coastal cycle routes, Aphrodite’s Rock, Paphos Forest and harder climbing days towards the Troodos Mountains.

Why base yourself in Paphos?

Paphos does not have the same density of road cyclists as places like Mallorca or Girona, but that is part of its appeal if you want quieter roads once you ride inland.

Paphos is one of the main road cycling bases in Cyprus, alongside places such as Polis, Limassol and Nicosia. Its biggest advantage is convenience: Paphos Airport, Kato Paphos hotels, local bike hire and quick access to both coast and hills.

From Paphos, you can keep rides relatively gentle along the coast or head inland for much harder days towards Paphos Forest, Mount Olympus and the Troodos Mountains. The contrast between coast, forest and mountains is one of the main reasons to base yourself here.

What are the roads like around Paphos?

Around Paphos, the cycling scene feels well set up for visiting riders, with local bike shops, road bike hire, guiding options and sports-focused hotels.

Here are some points to note:

• around Paphos and the coastal towns there are some dedicated cycling lanes, but be aware that they do not always have on and off ramps suitable for road bikes
• if you’re on the coastal roads around Paphos, expect some traffic and shoulder riding. Head inland towards the hills to find quieter roads
• as you ride inland from Paphos, you’ll encounter long climbs of more than 20 kilometres, some double-digit gradients and regular sea views
• drivers around Paphos were generally respectful of cyclists during our visit – see the notes below
• there are also easier coastal cycling options along the Paphos seafront, though these are more suited to relaxed rides than serious road cycling

This all said, the road surfaces we came across from Paphos were good and, dare we say it, at least as good as those in Mallorca.

Scenery around Paphos

Around Paphos, the scenery changes quickly: seafront roads and resort areas give way to dry hills, vineyards, olive groves, old stone villages, ancient churches and pine-clad mountain roads as you head inland.

Even in winter, Paphos can still feel green and productive in places, with citrus trees and cultivated land adding interest on inland rides.

Cycling routes from Paphos

Three cycling routes from Paphos

On our Paphos cycling trip we deliberately chose three rides that show different sides of the area:

1. the first heads up to Mount Olympus, the highest point on the island. This is a hard ride of a little over 150 kilometres, with more than 3,000 metres of climbing.
2. the second heads into Paphos Forest further north. It is around 130 kilometres long and still has nearly 3,000 metres of climbing.
3. the third route is a flatter coastal ride from Paphos to Pissouri Bay via the Rock of Aphrodite. It is 72 kilometres long and has around 750 metres of elevation.

Click on the buttons below for route maps and detailed descriptions of these Paphos cycling routes.

If you’re cycling from Paphos, these rides are easy to adapt because each one starts and finishes near our Kato Paphos cycling base, close to the seafront at the Aliathon hotel.

Read our tips for planning a Paphos cycling holiday and our tips for cycling in Cyprus before you set out.

Rides

Cycling Mount Olympus in Cyprus’ Troodos Mountains

152km 3160m

Cycling to Pissouri Bay, Cyprus

72km 770m

Paphos Forest loop, Troodos Mountains, Cyprus

130km 2970m

Other Cyprus cycling bases

For routes based further east, see our separate guide to cycling in and around Limassol.

Easy cycling in Paphos

We have deliberately not written up some of the more family-friendly coastal Paphos cycling routes along the seafront, as these are easy to follow on mixed-terrain bike trails and can be ridden without a GPX file or guide. Most Paphos bike hire outlets rent hybrid bikes for adults and children, while shops such as Ride Easy also offer road bike hire.

For local group rides from Paphos, check with Ride Easy Bike Shop before you travel, as timings and ride options may change.

Cycling events in and around Paphos

Cyprus Gran Fondo

The Gran Fondo Cyprus is a more recent addition to Cyprus’ cycling scene, and is organised by Activate Cyprus. It usually runs during early April and offers a three-day road “Cycling for All” event.

The first day gives you the chance to qualify for the Individual Time Trial World Championships. The following two days provide two separate chances (one in every stage) to qualify for the Road Race World Championships.

Cyprus Sunshine Epic

Probably the best known cycling event in Cyprus is the four-day international mountain bike competition (the “Cyprus Sunshine Epic” – it was originally known as “Afxentia”).

L’Etape Cyprus by Tour de France

Last, but certainly not least is the exciting L’Etape Cyprus by Tour de France which was held for the first time on 13 November 2022. The 2026 edition will take place on 13 November 2026.

Where to stay in Paphos for cycling

Paphos works well as a cycling base because it has airport access, seafront hotels, sports facilities, local bike hire and quick access to both coastal and inland cycle routes. Aphrodite’s Rock is around 25 kilometres southeast of Paphos and makes an obvious landmark for coastal rides.

For most cyclists visiting Paphos, Kato Paphos is the most practical base thanks to its hotels, seafront location, nearby sports facilities and access to bike hire.

• Paphos is very convenient for Paphos Airport, which is around 10 minutes from Kato Paphos by car. Larnaca Airport is much further away.
• If you are travelling for an event, check where it starts and finishes before choosing your base.
• Paphos has several local bike rental options, including shops and hotel-based bike stations.

Do bear in mind that Paphos is on Cyprus’ busy coast, so it is not a rural idyll. Base yourself in the mountains if you want doorstep access to quieter high-level riding.

Geroskipou sports centre running track (photo credit: John Maskell)

Where to stay in Paphos (for cyclists)

Our choice: Aliathon Hotel, Kato Paphos

The Aliathon Hotel is a large hotel that’s close to the seafront and makes a great base for cycling in Paphos. It has seven different swimming pools and is also close to the Geroskipou Municipal stadium running track and the Yeroskipu 50m / 10 lane international pool. It’s the hotel of choice for sports companies such as ETE TriCamps, Aspire Cycling and Mokapot Productions and offers bike rental in Cyprus via Aspire Cycling.

What we loved

• The Aliathon hotel complex has a total of seven swimming pools: some of which are quiet around the Aegean Village area and suitable for sunbathing. The largest pool, called the Faros pool in the Fishing Village area, is probably large enough to host a triathlon!
• The Aliathon Plaza at the front of the hotel has pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, a pharmacy, medical centre and, perhaps more importantly, a Haagen-Dazs ice cream shop.
• The rooms are a decent size and generally have a microwave and kitchen area. You probably won’t need this, though, as the restaurants are very good.
• The main Pantheon restaurant has very good buffet food with something for everyone including local dishes and also has free water, wine, beer and soft fizzy drinks.
• The restaurants did not seem to mind fruit and other little pieces been taken out of the restaurant for the ride: our favourite was a nut and carob syrup based “brittle” called Pastelaki.
• We thought it was very good value for money. The price even included buffet meals on a half board basis, as well as free water, wine, beer and soft drinks.
• There is a Faros spa by the main large Faros pool where you can get decent massages pre or post ride.
• We were allowed to keep our bike in our hotel room, which gives peace of mind and convenience when planning a Cyprus cycle trip.

Things to know

• Just in case you’re not a fan of this – bikes are kept in your room. There is no dedicated bike room on site.
• The hotel is on the “wrong” side of the road for the sea; you have to walk over a road to get to the beach.
• The hotel is split into the Aliathon Aegean (relaxed tranquillity) and Aliathon Ionian (fun-filled, action-packed family holidays).

Conclusion

The Aliathon was good value for money. It’s very clean, and set in wonderful gardens with a surprisingly large number of housemartins flying low along the paths catching insects in mid-flight. The food was good and there were no “add-ons” like having to pay for bottled water: something we find annoying in some budget Mallorca hotels.

Other hotels for cyclists in Paphos

Athena Hotel, Kato Paphos

If we had wanted to be on the sea side of the road then opposite the Aliathon Hotel is the Athena Hotel. The Athena beach hotel was slightly more expensive than the Aliathon when we were booking, but it has better views over the sea and also dedicated bike rooms. The Athena is also used by multiple sports companies and we regularly saw triathletes training in the pool.

The Athena Hotel, opposite the Aliathon Hotel, is a better bet for seaviews than the Aliathon (photo credit: John Maskell)

Almyra Hotel, Kato Paphos

If we had gone with the family and needed a smarter, but more expensive hotel, we would have probably chosen the 5* Almyra hotel which is also slightly closer to Pathos harbour and the old town area. It is used by some of the sports companies, and friends who stayed there in 2018 spoke highly of it.

Casale Panayiotis, Kalopanayiotis

Alternatively, if we had been in Cyprus to really get to know the Troodos mountains, we might have stayed at the very highly rated Casale Panayiotis. This is based around a handful of stone cottages in a luxurious spa retreat in the Marathasa valley, right in the heart of the Troodos mountains.

We would have had to rent a car as this hotel is very remote, but is on the doorstep of some very good riding within the mountains. It is significantly more expensive than the Aliathon and Athena, but is well regarded.

Aphrodite Hills, near Kouklia

Another option that would require car rental. It is the kind of resort where many visitors choose to stay on site, apart from riding days. It is located 15 kilometres east of Paphos and 50 kilometres west of Limassol.

Where to stay beyond Paphos

For Limassol accommodation ideas, see the where to stay section of our separate Limassol cycling guide.

Bike rental in Paphos and beyond

Paphos bike rental options

Bike rental beyond Paphos

For bike hire further east, see the bike hire section of our separate Limassol cycling guide.

Tips for bike hire in Paphos

• Book Paphos bike rentals in advance, particularly in peak season or if you need a specific road bike size.
• Remember to bring your own pedals, shoes and helmet. This packing list may help!
• Check which way around your brakes are set before you ride away (i.e. whether the front brakes are on the right hand (as is usual in the UK) or on the left (as is usual elsewhere in Europe)). Also take a look at our list of things to check before hiring a bike.
• Undecided on whether to hire a bike or bring your own? Read this now.

When to cycle in Paphos

The ideal times to cycle in Paphos are usually September, October and November, then March, April and May after winter.

While Paphos can still be mild between December and March, rain is more likely and mountain conditions can be less predictable.

During summer, average high temperatures are around 30 to 33°C, so for most road cyclists Paphos will feel too hot for long rides.

Source: Cyprus Tourism Board

Paphos v Mallorca: weather comparison for cyclists

The table below compares Paphos and Palma in the European off-season. Paphos is usually warmer at night and in the mornings, which can make a difference for early rides.

Paphos can be a good option for road cycling and triathlon training outside the main European summer season, particularly if you want milder conditions than many western Mediterranean destinations.

Paphos can feel calmer than some western Mediterranean cycling destinations, but wind and weather still vary. December, January and February can be wetter, and snow is possible in the Troodos Mountains between January and March.

In April, (when we went), the rainfall is less in Cyprus than in Mallorca, with an average of only three days over the month.

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

At the Geroskipou Olympic swimming pool, wearing stolen goat’s core orange tri suit (photo credit: John Maskell)

Tips

Getting to Paphos

Paphos Airport is the most convenient arrival point for a Paphos cycling holiday, especially if you plan to ride the west coast, Paphos Forest or the Troodos Mountains. Larnaca Airport is the other main option, but transfer times are longer.

It is illegal to land in the Turkish occupied north eastern side of Cyprus and then cross the UN controlled partition to the Republic of Cyprus. More information here.

Highway code and travel information

While the whole of the Republic of Cyprus is a full member of the EU, the country is divided by the Green Line (a UN demilitarised buffer zone) which separates the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” from the south.

Only one country – Turkey – officially recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. All other countries in the world, including all members of the United Nations and the European Union, consider Northern Cyprus to be part of the Republic of Cyprus. You can check out your own country for travel information.

As ever, it’s a good idea to check current travel information before you book and travel. You should consult your own country travel information before heading to Cyprus. For UK visitors, the UK government travel information pages for Cyprus are here.

You should also read and follow Cyprus’ highway code. Please note that both driving and road cycling are on the left side of the road.

Paphos history and culture

Cyprus was formally annexed by the British in 1914, gained independence in 1960, was invaded by Turkey in 1974 (and is still split by the Green Line, a UN buffer zone, because of this act of aggression). Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 and adopted the Euro in 2008. Although the island is geographically Asian, it’s an EU-member and, certainly in relation to the southern part of the island, culturally and politically is part of Europe.

This guide focuses on Paphos and the south western part of the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus. Check current travel information before you book and travel.

For a Paphos-focused guide, keep the off-bike history centred on nearby sights such as the Archaeological Park of Kato Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings, Aphrodite’s Rock and inland churches or traditional villages you might pass on rides.

British influence and road rules

Due to historic British influence, Cypriots drive and cycle on the left hand side. English is widely spoken in Paphos, but road signs and speed limits use the metric system.

Cyprus v Mallorca

The overall population is approximately 860,000, while it is 966,908 residents in Mallorca. The island of Cyprus is nearly three times larger (it’s the third largest island in the Mediterranean): so for cycling this means less traffic and longer roads.

Conversely the flight to Cyprus from London is around 4 hours 30 minutes; double the flight time to Mallorca and as a consequence the cost of the flight is also roughly double that of flights to Mallorca. The longer flight time and cost was the main reason cited by Paphos bike hire shop owners for the relative lack of cyclists compared to numbers in Spain. Flight time from Munich to Paphos International Airport is 3 hours 15 minutes.

We really enjoyed our trip and there’s always something special about exploring a destination that is a bit off the beaten track.

What to see off the bike in Paphos

If you are into history, there is plenty to see close to Paphos and the surrounding roads.

The Archaeological Park of Kato Paphos (Kato means lower) is located near the harbour close to the majority of the hotels. It was built by Nicocles, the last king of Palaipafos at the end of the 4th century BC and around this time Paphos was the capital city of Cyprus. The complex includes important monuments such as the Asklepieion, the Odeon, the Agora, the Saranta Kolones castle (forty Columns), the Limeniotissa ruins of the early Christian Basilica and the Tombs of the Kings.

Paphos is also home to the famous Tombs of the Kings and the underground tombs are carved out of granite rock. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

A few final Paphos cycling tips

It gets dark early in Cyprus during winter. In December, the sun sets around 16:45 (4:45pm) and even in mid March, it’ll be dark by 18:00 (6pm).

Be aware of goats, aka mouflon, free-roaming even inland. They are semi-feral, often owned by villagers, but allowed to roam freely. Certain areas particularly in the Troodos Mountains, the Akamas Peninsula, and villages like Kalopanayiotis, are well-known for free-roaming goats. They often roam onto rural and mountains roads, especially early in the morning and late afternoon. They are slow-moving and unpredictable. Therefore, you should be cautious.

And finally, don’t miss our practical cycling tips for Paphos and wider Cyprus.

Enjoyed our Paphos cycling guide?

We’d love to hear from you – comment below or drop us a line.

If you’re looking for more Cyprus cycling inspiration, don’t miss:

• Cycling Limassol, Cyprus, for key cycling routes and hotels
• Cycling Mount Olympus in Cyprus’ Troodos Mountains, with route notes and tips
• Paphos Forest loop, Troodos Mountains, Cyprus, for cycling highlights and café stops
• Cycling to Pissouri Bay, Cyprus, with accommodation suggestions and practical tips
• 12 of the best cycling destinations in Europe 2026, with Cyprus mentioned as another Mediterranean island destination for cycling

Want to check out some other destinations? Search by the month you want to travel or cycling destination you want to visit, here.

John Maskell is a roving reporter whose mission in life is to find the best coffee stop on any given ride.

Claude is an avid cross-country skier and cyclist who is passionate about inspiring others to embrace a healthier lifestyle through sports. As a world traveller, he has enriched his experiences by participating in international skiing and cycling races across diverse cultures. Notably, he completed the Canadian Ski Marathon and several Worldloppet events between 1990 and 2000.

After a career with the UN and Canadian government, Claude shifted focus to the cycling industry. He has consulted for companies like Blade Carbon Wheels and Beet It, promoting their products in Canada and abroad. A pivotal moment came in 2006 when he completed l’Étape du Tour de France, igniting his passion for international road cycling.

Currently, Claude is an ambassador for Pactimo and is a contributor to Epic Road Rides. He is dedicated to discovering new cycling destinations and sharing his journey on social media, encouraging others to pursue their cycling passion.