Larnaca to Paphos and Aphrodite's Rock: Private day trip

A stone’s throw from where Aphrodite is said to have been born from sea foam, Paphos was one of the most important settlements on Cyprus, even serving as the island’s capital during the Ptolemeic and Roman eras. But after the city was destroyed by Muslim raiders in 960, it languished until being revitalized by the British occupation in 1878. Today, Paphos is a resort town for sun-lovers with a penchant for history. There are a slew of beaches where you can catch some rays, including Alykes Beach, right downtown, which is surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops. Or, walk along the harbor to Paphos Fort, a UNESCO-listed bastion, which is watched over by a contemporary statue of Aphrodite, and, in September, the fort serves as the backdrop for the Aphrodite festival. But the standout attraction is undeniably the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, which boasts some of the most impressive and best-preserved mosaics in the Mediterranean.

According to legend, Aphrodite's Rock is where the Greek goddess of love was born from the foaming sea. Another myth says that the mighty Digenis Akritas hurled massive boulders into the sea to ward off the enemies, giving the rock its other nickname: the Roman Rock. No matter what you call it, this sea stack is undeniably picturesque. Take in the view from every angle by walking the two beaches on either side of the point, before cooling off in the clear blue waters. Just be careful when swimming - there’s no lifeguards and that foam that spawned Aphrodite is the very real result of the waves that sometimes buffet the coast.