Lake Como is actually one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in Italy. It is such a scenic and breathtaking location. There is a lot to see, a lot to do, fantastic restaurants, incredible views, and nice people.

One of our favourite places near Lake Como is Bellano town. During our second day at Lake Como, we decided to spend the night at Dervio, which is near by to Bellano.

We rented a car so we just parked by the entrance of the village and started walking and exploring by foot as well as visited the Orrido Di Bellano creek.

Tips before traveling to Bellano

SIM card

I personally recommend Esim, which is an electronic SIM. I like Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. 

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How will you know that your device supports eSIM ? Very simply go to this link and you will know.

How we arrived to Bellano?

The easiest way is to fly to Milan airports (MXP, LIN or BGY) and rent a car and drive to Bellano. About 1.30 hours drive. You can also arrive there by train and a ferry but renting a car is the most recommended way.

You can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through it because it saves me time (instead of going to several websites) and it also has the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies. 

Attractions in lake Como

You can get ideas for other cool tours you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price). The first attraction site is called tiqets, the second is the site Get Your Guide or via Viator.

How to get to Bellano by train from Milan?

Bellano is one of the stations of the train that departs from Milan. On the line that goes from Meliano to Tirano

From the center of Milan it is an hour and ten minute journey and its cost is: 7.40 euros in normal class and 11 euros in first class.

Link to the train’s website to order tickets and schedules

How to get to Bellano by boat?

You can reach Bellano from various towns on Lake Como. Link to the website for ordering tickets and schedules.

For example, from the town of Bellagio to Bellano there is a direct boat and the sailing time is half an hour.

How to get to Bellano by ferry?

If you have a car and want to travel with it between the different towns on Lake Como, then you have the option of taking the car to the ferry that passes through different towns such as Varenna Bellagio, Menaggio Cadenabbia

How to get to Bellano by flight?

The closest airport to Lake Como is the airport in Milan. And from there you can continue by car or train.

Where to sleep in the town of Bellano?

We slept in a nearby town called Dervio in an Airbnb apartment, but I found some options with good reviews in Bellano that can suit those who want to sleep in the town itself.

• Hotel Meridiana
• Valle dei Mulini – Lake Como
• ORO, 8
• Villa Marina – Como lake
• Patty & Bleto House

Search for other accommodations

Coffee by the Lake

As soon as we got to Lake Como we had to refuel, so we sat at a cafe to have some coffee. It was pretty cloudy, but the temperatures were good and it didn’t rain, so we decided to take our coffees outside. We were the only ones sitting on the porch and it was great 🙂 This way we took loads of pictures and videos without having people looking at us with a weird look.

There are several cafes and restaurants that are aligned along the lake, and it’s so so nice to just sit there and eat, or enjoy a cup of Italian coffee. After we had our caffeine dosage, we started walking around the village and at some point we decided to go to Orrido Di Bellano.

Orrido Di Bellano

The Orrido Di Bellano is a creek that was naturally created around 15 million years ago, that we read of before reaching to the area. We read that it’s worth paying a visit, but we had no clue that it would be so impressive.

There was a beautiful waterfall and the creek itself was just so gorgeous. For an entire hour we just walked around, and admired the beauty. The creek is easy to find. There are signs in the village that point the way. After we left, we decided to explore the hiking trails.

Address:
Via XXV Aprile, 4, 23822 Bellano LC, Italy
Hours: Everyday from 11am-1pm and 3pm-7pm. Entrance is 3 euros.

Short hiking Trail with a viewpoint to the village

We decided to follow the signs and to climb up. On the way up, we passed through a cemetery and we climbed quite a lot of stairs to get to the top. There are signs all the way to the hill, and every time you look up you discover breathtaking view of the lake and refuel with energy. The trail is about 30 minutes overall, and we saw that there were also longer trails.

Beach

If you come to Bellano in the summer then of course one of the things you should do is go to the Public beach Directions

Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime di Lezzeno

The sanctuary is on top of a hill overlooking the lake. It has an elegant and simple baroque facade with some decorations. Next to the church, on the right, is the bell tower. The sanctuary is open every day between 8:00 and 17:00. Arrival instructions

Restaurants in Bellano

• Italian restaurant Ristorante La Darsena directions
• Che Pasta restaurant directions
• Hamburger restaurant Wonder Cafe directions

I hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, then you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram. Looking for more information about lake Como ? I have in the blog more posts about lake Como and posts about Italy.

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We stayed a Lake Como for 3 nights. We arrived to Dervio town from Lucca in Tuscany.

The city of Bellagio is known as “Como’s Pearl,” and has been known for that name since Roman Times. Bellagio is a city that lies in a beautiful location and is absolutely stunning. It was built on half an island that separates Lake Como into 2 parts. Thanks to the convenient weather, the city has plenty of trees and flowers.

At Bellagio you will find a villa with stunning botanical gardens, a lovely fishing village, variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and mostly a lot of beauty! We actually took a boat to get to Bellagio since we were at the other side of the lake. It costs 18 euros for the both of us to both directions. We parked in Varenna, where we got on the boat, and parking costs 6 euros from 12pm-8pm.

There is also a boat back at 10pm. You can even get your car on the boat if you wanted to for an additional cost. It was a short sail of 15 minutes, and we viewed all the villages surrounding the lake, and it was absolutely beautiful.

Villa Malzi

As soon as we got to Bellagio we went to Villa Malzi, which was about a 10-minute walk from the boat. The villa was built between 1808-1815. The beautiful gardens lay near the lake. Francesco Malzi Darryl worked with the architect Jokondo Albroli, and asked that he would design a beautiful and extravagant villa.

The English gardens are well-designed. There are so many sculptures and flowers everywhere. The gardens were designed by the architect Luigi Canonica and by the botanic Luigi Villoresi. From the first moment we stepped on the lawns we were amazed by the beauty. We were there at the beginning of May, and the colors were just so vibrant and beautiful! We took countless of pictures, with the beautiful lake in the background.

We walked around the gardens for 2 hours and if we wouldn’t have been hungry, we would probably stay for longer.
Address:
Via Lungolario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio
Hours: Everyday 9:30am-6:30pm. Tickets are 6 euros per person.

Lunch at Bellagio

After our visit to the villa we continued to the city square and had lunch. We found a restaurant called Bar Caffe Rossi that views the lake. The vibes were great and the food smelled delicious. I ordered spaghetti bolognese and Roman ordered pasta with cheese and spinach. Both courses were good and the prices were decent.

We checked out the coffee and pastries and they seemed really good as well.
Address
Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, 22

After we finished our meal and got back to exploring the streets, Roman, being usual Roman, was still hungry so he got a salami and cheese sandwich at an Italian deli. It was only 3.5 euros and Roman really liked it.

MICHELE GILARDONI
Alimentari – Salumeria – Rosticceria Via Bellosio,1

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Fisherman village – Pescallo

After the deli we continued exploring, and we started walking towards the fisherman village that we saw beforehand. We took the shortcut. You can either take the road which is longer, or climb up a staircase and shorten the way.

There are signs, just follow them and not Google. Climbing the stairs was not hard, there were just a lot of them. The village itself is really unique. It is very calm and quiet. There are even hotels and apartments, so for those who seek for some peace of mind then this is the place to go. We walked around the village and then got back to the city.

An Amazing Wine Bar at Bellagio

To finish our amazing day in Bellagio, we went to the wine bar that we had reservations for. We got there in the early evening and it was just the two of us. After a little while a few more people walked in. The bar is super romantic and they serve a lot of different kinds of wine. Their menu is just bottomless. We ordered 3 glasses each. Even though we didn’t drink everything, we wanted to taste as many wines as we could, and it was good enough to have just one glass.

I ordered some white sparkly wine and then another kind. I’m a white wine kind of person. Roman started off with a rose, continued with white wine, and finished with some red. For snacks we ordered a cheese platter with the stronger flavors, but the menu also ordered a mild cheese plate. It was served along with hazelnuts, yum. We also ordered a fish platter, and each fish was cooked differently.

I must say that the fish and cheese were the perfect match with the wines, and they were delicious. Our server was really nice, and she explained about each wine and also recommended a few according to our taste. The place was beautifully designed, and practically magical.

We actually met another couple that were there when we were and got back because they wanted to get another taste of the place.

Enoteca Cava Turacciolo
Address:
Salita Genazzini, 3, 22021 Bellagio
Hours:
Thursday-Tuesday: 10:30am-1pm, 6pm-midnight. Closed on Wednesday and during the winter.

Hacarmel Market is one of our favorite market in Tel Aviv.

Chi-Chu sandwiches

Address Rabi Akiva St 20
Opening hours: Sunday- Thursday 10:00-18:00 and Friday 10:00- 16:00

Moroccan sandwiches stall. The stall is designed in a cool, modern way. They offer a varied sandwiches menu that can also be suitable for vegans.

In their options of sandwiches you can find: beef cutlets, lamb cutlets, fish cutlets, chicken cutlets, vegetable fritters and beetroot fritters. With the sandwich you also get a salad on the side and soda pop. The price range is between 32-35 shekels.

We tried the fish cutlet sandwich. It came inside a great bun and with tahini, matbucha (a salad with Moroccan origins), spicy, parsley, tomato, and pickled lemon (of course you can change the toppings if you want). The fish was so delicious and all the flavours combined really well, and the salad was also very good. The meal was filling and it’s a nice option for a light, inexpensive, and very tasty meal.

They also have another branch in Haifa.

Beer Bazaar

Address : Yishkan St 36
Opening hours: Sunday- Thursday 10:00- last customer. Friday 10:00- 16:00

Great bar with a large and varied menu of beers and special beers. This is the place to come and grab a beer and something tasty to eat. In their menu they offer small dishes, medium-sized dishes and large dishes.

Example of dishes from the menu: taramosalata with onion and bread, garlic bread with tahini and tomato, fish dish- hering, Matthias, and smoked Plamida with sour cream, vegetables and bread. The prices range between 9-42 shekels

We tried the taramosalata and it was great with the beer. We tasted some of the beers and really liked a beer that in the menu they call “Dodash’cha” (your aunt).
Every month they have theme days like Indian night, unlimited beer night, etc.

Every Monday they add special vegan dishes to the menu. And on Friday afternoon the atmosphere there is awesome.
They also have a beer stall in the heart of the market. And they have other branches in Habima, Tel Aviv, and the Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem.

Market restaurant

Address: Simtat HaCarmel 41
Opening hours Sunday-Tuesday 09:00-18:00, Wednesday-Thursday 09:00- last customer, Friday 09:00-16:00

Bar restaurant with Greek and Spanish cuisine. They have alcohol (of course) and a great menu with excellent dishes and specials of the day.
Examples of dishes from the menu: Salmon/Matthias with sour cream and vegetables, shakshuka with goat cheese, stuffed vine leaves on tzatziki, spicy roasted vegetables.

Prices range between 19-46 shekels
We ordered the roasted vegetables and an Asher’s sandwich (the chef’s special sandwich). The two dishes were very good and the sandwich was juicy and spicy with great olives on the side. It’s a great place for a meal and drink

Hachalal (The space)

Address: Malan St 46
Opening hours: Coffee shop Sunday-Thursday 09:00-18:00, Friday 09:00-16:00
Bar Sunday- Thursday 19:00-last customer

It’s a big space that includes a coffee shop, bar, and gallery
We only visited the coffee shop and the coffee was very good. The worker gave us a little tour of the gallery and bar .
The design of the place is really modern and beautiful and the bar is very big with a lot of space.

Uzi-Eli the etrogman

Address: Alenby 60, Alenby corner and Hacarmel st
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 08:00-19:30 and Friday 08:00-16:00

Uzi-Eli’s famous citrons shop is a refreshing place in the Hacarmel market that sells varied types of therapeutic juices for the body. They also sell lotions and sprays.

You can choose a juice from the varied options or ask them to make you something else according to the fruits and vegetables that you want.
I like to choose from the ones that have already been prepared and it is also nice because you can choose a small glass for 5 shekels.

You can also ask to taste the juice before you buy it.
All the juices I tried were very good and with unique flavors.
They have another branch in the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem that has been open for more than 20 years.

Tel Aviv is filled with restaurants, and not just any restaurants, but exceptional ones. The guidelines that made me write today’s post are restaurants that have the combination of delicious food, fair prices, good service and great vibes.

I’m not writing this because I critique restaurants, but I’m just someone who appreciates great food 🙂 I’m sure I missed some other great places but I promise to update this post once in every few months, so you’d want to subscribe to my newsletter and get updated as soon as I put my eyes on an awesome new place.

All restaurants mentioned in this post are my favorites, and I arranged them according to price. Every vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free can find a dish, and there are a couple of kosher ones.

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Hashakshukia (The Shakshuka Place)

This is a homey shakshuka place that is also kosher. It’s located on Ben Yehuda and Gordon. You can find the best shakshukas there. They are simple, easy on the oil, and there’s a large variety. For an appetizer I love getting the garbanzo beans dish. Careful while asking for extra spicy, it will put your mouth in flames (there’s level 1 spicy and level 2). I love my shakshuka spicy.
Hours: SU-TH 10am-4pm and 6pm-10pm F:10am-4pm SA: closed.

Wok Republic

Asian style noodles. They have 2 locations in Tel Aviv. I frequently visit the Ben Yehuda location. It’s a street style resturant that serves asian noodles. The design is cool and you can even see the cooks in action through the outside window.

Their dishes are delicious, large, and very appetizing. Sometimes we like to sit there, and other times we just take our food to go and do a picnic at the park. I love the shrimp noodles and chicken satay noodles. Every single dish I’ve ever tried was super good. They also make deliveries. Hours: Sunday-Saturday 12pm-12am

Hummus VeShut (Hummus and Co) 

A hummus place on Florentin that serves extraordinary hummus. They also serve msabaha, shakshuka, roasted cauliflower, fries, salads and cooked dishes. They have a good lunch menu that applies every day all day. You can go there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 10am-12am, Fri: 10am-6pm, Saturday: 10am-12am

Tenat

An Ethiopian restaurant in South Tel Aviv. This restaurant serves vegan Ethiopian food. We haven’t been in Ethiopia yet, but our friend has and she said that this one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in Israel.

In this restaurant, you can eat Injera, a flat Ethiopian bread made of Teff flour (Gluten free). Its taste is sort of sour and its texture is spongy. On top of the Injera, you will get several dishes and salad. A dish for 2 people costs 45 shekels and it’s rather filling.

You can also order an Ethiopian broad bean. So yummy. Another good dish is Injera with grilled mushrooms and tomatoes. They also have great drinks and deserts. If you haven’t tried Ethiopian food yet, Tenat is the restaurant to begin with.

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Ouzaria

Greek food place. Located in the Levinsky market. The vibes are great and the food is amazing. There are some cheap appetizers that you can order a variety and share them. The shitel dish was great and one of my favorites is the shrimp & dried tomatoes, and in fact, it’s one of the greatest shrimp dishes I’ve had. Hours: Sunday-Friday 12pm-12am, closed on Saturday

Java Bar

Cafe-restaurant located on Ben Yehuda and Jabotinsky. If you’re looking for a place that serves some cheap alcohol and great food then this is your place. They have a breakfast/lunch menu and dinner. We were there a few times, but only for dinner. Regardless, everything we ever ordered was super good. It’s a great place to go on a date or just to hang out with friends.

Hours: Sunday-Friday: 8am-2am Saturday: 9am-2am

Ijo and Bavette

Bar and restaurant, located on Dizengoff and Gordon. They have a great happy hour during the week from 5pm-8:30pm – all the alcohol on the menu is buy 1 get 1 free. The food is great. I love the lentil msabaha, the sabih salad, and they also have some great sandwiches. For dessert, I love the nutella crepe which is so so good.

The vibes are good and chill, and they serve great cocktails. Great place for going out.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 5pm-2am, Friday 12pm-2am, Saturday 5pm-2pm

Alora

A great Italian restaurant. They have 2 locations, one on Ben Gurion and the other is on Rothchild. We’ve been to both and liked them. I’m not the biggest fan of Italian food because sometimes I find it too heavy, but Alora makes high quality food that is fresh and not too heavy. Last time I was there I ordered a gnocchi dish that was one of the best I’ve ever had.

The flavors were subtle, and it’s handmade in-house, and you can taste it. It was soft and absolutely great. We dined with my husband’s family and everybody were happy with their dishes. We ordered so much food. On the table we had some pizza, lasagna, pasta and seafood, and even pasta with mushrooms.  The prices were just right and the main course was large enough to not order an appetizer.

$$$

Eva Sappi

A kosher Moroccan restaurant located in Neve Tzedek. The entire place is decorated with Moroccan style, the vibe is really nice and the food is great. The couscous is handmade, and it so so good. I ordered the veal couscous course and I couldn’t even leave a single bite on the plate from how good it was. It just melts-in-your-mouth-amazing and it’s so subtly flavourful. The hot fish dish was great as well, and the starters were amazing too. Definitely worth a visit. Hours: Sunday-Friday 6pm-3am, Saturday: 9:30pm-3am (sometimes it opens for lunch, just make a call if you’re craving this.

Delida

A restaurant located at the Levinsky Market. I’m pretty sure that we tasted from all dishes and they were all good. None of them was bad so that’s always a sign for a good restaurant. The zucchini creme is amazing, the bull tail sambusak is great, and their opening courses are absolutely addicting. They have pepper brule that is a combination of sweet and spicy, always a winner.

I highly recommend checking out this place and especially on weekdays from 5pm-7pm because they have a special happy hour where the entire menu is 50% off (.). You can’t go wrong with that killer deal. Hours: Sunday, Monday, and Thursday: 5pm-2am, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 12pm-2am

Kalamata

Greek food with a view that’s hard to beat – the Mediterranean Sea at the Jaffa Port. The restaurant is located at the Kedumim Circle at Jaffa, where you’ll find yourself sitting watching over a beautiful view, and there’s great breeze.

My favorites are the fish kebab, little fried fish, and the fish filet with risotto and mushrooms. I recommend going during the day and ask for a table by the window (where you’ll see the sea.) Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 5pm-last customer leaves, Thursday-Saturday 12pm- last customer.

Romano

If you are an Eyal Shani fan (I sure am), then this place is a must-go.

The restaurant is located on Derech Jaffa street, there is a lively hipster vibe with great music and amazing service. Eating there is a pure culinary experience. The fries dish is the best I’ve ever had. I must mention that Abraxas North and Port Saiid are amazing as well. They don’t have a phone number, and some people don’t really like the hipster vibes but I think it gives the place character and the food is awesome. Worth trying.

Santa Catarina

A chef restaurant that’s located at the big synagogue place on Allenby. I loved sitting on the bar and watching the chef and cooks in action. The food was delicious, especially while comparing it to other chef restaurants. We were so full by the time we finished, and the check was really reasonable. The eggplant soup was surprisingly delicious. The pizzas were fantastic and I especially enjoyed the crab bruschetta.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12:30pm-4pm and 6pm-midnight, Friday 13:30pm-5pm, Saturday 7pm-midnight

Tasting Room

A wine bar with Spanish style cuisine that’s located in Sarona. You can get a ticket and recharge it for wine tastings. The space is really intimate and nice. It’s a great pick for the wine lovers both because the food is great and the wine. The bree course with the honey was really good.

The potato course sounded simple, but it was surprisingly delicious. Cheese platter is great as well, and actually, we just enjoyed everything that we ordered. Hours: Sunday-Thursday & Saturday 5pm – last customer, Friday: 12pm – last customer

All the restaurants that we tried in Hurfeish  (north Israel) were amazing. Everything is of local production. Everything is fresh, the places are clean, quiet, with a homey atmosphere and of course with awesome food. Read about things to do in Hurfeish and lodging .

Druze Pita

On the main road (road 89) there is a sign that says: “Alulid point druze pita”.
From whole wheat flour.
The woman who runs the place is Kochav Pars (Kochav in Hebrew means star). And like her name, she is really a star there. Every morning she makes fresh pitas, labaneh (soft white goat’s milk cheese) , and stuffed grape leaves with rice.

Everything is homemade, and her sister makes the hyssop (spice from herb) . Kochav prepared for us a pita with labane, hyssop and a little bit of spice. We also ordered the stuffed leaves that were excellent. But the pita was WOW. that was the best pita we ever ate. It was crunchy and huge (i ate only half, but i took the other half take with me). People all around the country are coming to eat here and i understand why.

In the winter, the place is covered, and there is a fireplace.
The place is open every day from 08:-21:00 (sometimes even later).
We arrived at this place as part of a tour

Sambusak Haarazim

In Hurfeish there are several Sambusak’s places (sambusak: These savory turnover pastries, similar to hand pies, are stuffed with a variety of fillings, from ground lamb or beef to chickpeas to cheese and more).

We decided to try this place: Sambusak Haarazim. I don’t know how the rest of the food is, but i tasted the best sambusak ever. They make everything fresh every day. I tried the cheese sambusak with tomato sauce (called “sambusak pizza”) and Roman tried the lamb sambusak. They both were amazing. They are so delicious and filling. It was so good that we decided to buy 10 sambusaks for take away and put them in our fridge.

Nimer Shawarma

The shawarma is on the main road across from bank “Mercantil”. I was already full from the sambusak, so i just watched Roman eat. He ordered Shawarma in taboon bread. The salads you can put but yourself so it’s nice. Roman said that the shawarma is really good and he was satisfied that they gave him a lot of meat and the taboon bread was thin.

Yarden Bakery

It’s also on the main road. The moment we arrived there,the Knafeh was already finished (Knafeh is a Middle Eastern cheese pastry soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup). The owner of the place asked us if we want to wait 20 minutes and she will make a new one.

Of course we wanted her to. Meanwhile, we sat and ordered coffee. After 20 minutes, the Knafeh was ready, and she served it to us. The Knafeh was stuffed with fresh goat cheese (the cheese is imported specially from dairy farms). The Knafeh is a true delight.

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Pninat Hahar restaurant

Also on the main road across from the druze pita. Really good middle Eastern restaurant. They have great salads, meat dishes like lamb chops and shish kebab, hummus, chips and good desserts. The restaurant is clean and welcoming, if you are hungry, this is definitely the place to eat lunch.

If you are looking for an idea for a vacation in Israel in a different style, you had better read this post about the Druze hospitality in Hurfeish village in the north of Israel. This vacation isד suitable for families, couples, or friends who want an authentic and fascinating Druze experience.

Hurfeish is a Druze village located in the Upper Galilee. It has a population of 6200, 96% of them are Druze and the other 4% are Christians. The village is quiet and clean. The people there are humble and adorable. It’s filled with interesting sites, holy places, great projects, hiking trails, and delicious food. Map
Read about recommended restaurants in Hurfeish.

Druze lodging in Hurfeish

Yearot Havadi zimmer

Romantic cabin, beautifully designed in Druze style. In the site there are two cabins with huge balconies and a shared Hot tub Spa.
Each cabin has a private bathroom and a second floor (gallery floor) with a bed (so it’s suitable for couples and families as well).

We went to the cabins with another couple and it was amazing. The view from the balcony is breathtaking.
The price per cabin is around 500 shekels and it includes a big Druze breakfast (for every kid it’s 100 shekels extra).

There is an option to also order a Druze dinner and you can buy homemade products like olive oil, jams, and more, we bought the olive oil and apple jam that were great.
Naaman and his family are fabulous hosts and we had an amazing time staying in their cabins. I really recommend it. Naaman’s phone 053-9418709

Annan zimmer in Hurfeish

The zimmer is a big area with four rooms. Three rooms have a double bed, a  single one, and a private bathroom. One more room is a big room with a double bed and a lot of mattresses.
There is a shared equipped kitchen and a huge balcony. A part of the balcony is covered (for the winter). The place is suitable for families, friends, and couples.

The balcony outside has two tables and breakfast is served there.
The view from the balcony is over all the Hurfeish village.
The price for a couple is 400-500 shekels and includes a big Druze breakfast.
There is an option to also order dinner (Druze or BBQ).

Another thing that you can order is a tour with the owner, Hamdan. He is a tour guide and he can take you to a great tour in the village (separate payment). You can book the tour even if you are not staying in his zimmer.
Hamdan and his family were super nice and great hosts. Hamdan’s phone 050-6948590

Things to do in Hurfeish

Hiking trail

Hiking in a trail called “shvil habanim” (trail for the boys). It’s a long trail that covers 226 km and passes through 18 Druze villages. The trail in Hurfeish is a small part of it. It’s about 4.5 km. The trail is easy to walk and it’s also suitable for kids. It has several springs and it’s really nice to walk there.

There are other trails you can do that are more difficult (there are several ones signalized with different colors). The trail is not circular, so it’s recommended to leave the car at the end of the trail.

Tour in Hurfeish

You can go independently to each landmark that I will mention, but I think that the tour with Hamdan has added value. Hamdan (the owner of “Annan” zimmer) explains everything: he talks about the tradition, history of each place, and answers every question. The tour is about 2-3 hours and I really recommend it.

D”r ziad dabour visitor center

Ziad, son of a Druze family, was born in the village of Beit Jann in the heart of Mount Meron Nature Reserve which is the largest and richest in medicinal herbs in Israel. His childhood years were spent in the company of his grandfather, a farmer with ties of love to the soil of the Galilee.

A deep understanding of the natural components that contribute to the biochemical and physiological processes of the skin, constitute an inexhaustible resource in the research, development and production of a series of specialty products for the protection, health and the youthful look of the skin.
The center is open Monday-Saturday 10:00-16:00 and the entrance is free

The memorial center for Nabia Marai

The memorial is located across from the visitor center
Nabia Marai was born in Hurfeish. He was the first Druze that was accepted to join the paratroops. And at the moment of his death he was with the highest rank Druze who died during military service.

He was killed in 1996 and six months later the memorial center opened in his brother’s first-floor house. His sister-in-law (Amal) maintains the center voluntarily.
You can visit the center through an appointment with Amal.

Lace makers

In the heart of the village of Hurfeish, resides the Hurfeish Women Center for Traditional arts & crafts.
35 religious women, housewives, assemble for a social gathering and engage together in their common hobby of embroidery and knitting. It is a hobby inherited from their mothers and grandmothers and is passed down in the family from one generation to the next.

The meeting is the result of a touristic cultural and social initiative, designed to promote the status of Druze women and to integrate them in the workforce, while preserving their traditional handicraft and enabling them to help in the household economy.

You can order their products online or come to the place itself and hear about the amazing project and be impressed by their products.
Product prices range from 5 shekels for a hairpin to 1200 shekels for a bed-spread.

Nebi Sabalan

He is one of the prophets of the Druze ethnic group. He spread the Druze religion 1000 years ago in Hurfeish. He lived there in a cave. The cave and all the site are considered as a holy place.

The site is located on top of the mountain so the view from there is wonderful. Every 10th of September there’s a pilgrimage to his cave with people all around the world.

Eilat is a great city for a vacation in Israel. You can find a lot of beaches there, great hotels, bars, water activities, attractions, a beautiful promenade, and more.

The brewery

“The brewery” was opened a year ago and the restaurant itself before half a year and I’m glad it did, because this place is awesome and decorated really impressively. All the decoration is with a beer theme. On the side you will see the brewery itself. There are really special beers and in the beginning the waitress served a tray with samples of beers. After tasting the samples you can decide which one you prefer. I loved the ginger beer, but also the rest were tasty (and I’m a person that is not a big fan of beer). The food menu is attractive and the prices are reasonable. We ordered small dishes of beef jerky and fish on toast. Mid dishes of homemade sausage and potato stuffed with a lot of good things and fish in beer with chips. The dishes were excellent and all the flavors matched great with the beer. This place is really awesome.

Opening hours are Saturday-Thursday 14:00 until the last of the customers and on Friday 13:00 until the last of the customers,

5th Avenue

A restaurant-bar in Eilat that was open a year and a half before by Shlomi, one of the owners of Evani beach. The place’s design is modern and impressive.

From 19:00-22:30 the concept of the place is more of a restaurant, and from 22:30-02:00 the place transfers to bar atmosphere (the food menu is the same). We arrived there to hang out and drink cocktails. I ordered a mojito cocktail based on acai, berries, cinnamon and chili (I like spicy cocktails) and Roman(my husband) ordered a cocktail based on cucumber, gin, and lemon.

For desert we had the Mexican hot chocolate with a cold chocolate chili cream and white chocolate ball with passionfruit.  The cocktails and dessert distribution way was in a very high-standard. Shlomi himself served us the desert and he spilled the chocolate cream on the ball until it melted. The service was great and the atmosphere was fun and cool. I

t’s certainly a place that’s worth visiting while you are in Eilat to eat and to hang out. Don’t miss it.
Opening hours 19:00-02:00

Barbaris restaurant in Eilat

A Hamburgers restaurant that is very good. The restaurant been open for many years and they even changed their location in order to expand. The thing that I loved about this restaurant is that they have a lot of sauces like garlic with honey, or palm sauce.

We ordered the Entrecote hamburger with garlic spread and lamb hamburger with egg and bacon, and mushrooms on the side. Both of the dishes were excellent. The service was very good and we really enjoyed our dinner there.

Opening hours 12:00-01:00

Mosh beach

Vegetarian food that is surprising and really tasty. We ordered their dish of Sabich (potato, eggplant, egg, and hummus) in a plate and crispy pita breads on the side. And another dish of lentils and also pita breads on the side. The dishes cost around 40 shekels and were very filling. This a great beach to come to eat and to sit with friends or read a book.

Opening hours 08:00-20:00

To read about recommended beaches and things to do click here.

Eilat is a great city for a vacation in Israel. You can find a lot of beaches there, great hotels, bars, water activities, attractions, a beautiful promenade, and more. Read about recommended bars and restaurants in Eilat.

Attractions in Eilat

Stalbet on the water (relaxation pool)

In Stalbet on the water you will find therapeutic pools of sweet water or seawater or salt water.
Usually you can enter the place only if you have booked a treatment or breakfast with entrance to the place. The price ranges are 170-420 shekels depending on the duration of the treatment

The place is open from Monday to Saturday 09:00-23:00.
But beside what I described above there is another option. To come on a Saturday evening 21:30-00:30 and to pay only 70 shekels and then you can use all the pools.

It’s so relaxing and calming. I can’t describe the feeling. It’s like meditation in the water. In the salt water you can float without nothing and in the other pools you can use floatation belts. The place is very romantic. I’m sure the treatments are really good, but if you want to try the pool experience, I recommend you to go on Saturday and check them out. 

The pools are located near the dolphin reef.

Snorkeling

Following the recommendation of our friend from Eilat, we went to do snorkeling in Eilat’s Coral Beach Nature Reserve. He told us that this is the most beautiful place to do snorkeling in, and he was right!! It was absolutely amazing. The waters are so clear and there are impressive reefs and unique fish.

Another thing that is great there is that you have a bridge that you can jump to the water from and you don’t need to walk on the water on all the stones until you arrive to the reefs area.

Opening hours every day 09:00-17:00, on Friday until 16:00.
The entrance costs money but is definitely worth it. 35 shekels for an adult and 21 shekels for a child.
Renting a snorkel mask cost 23 shekels and a deposit of 100 shekels.

Icaemall

A rounded mall. I really liked its shape, ‘cause this way you can see all the shops without a problem. It’s really easy to navigate there and you don’t have to spend time searching for a shop or a restaurant.

In the mall there are a lot of attractions like skating, soccer, golf for kids, 3d movies, a playground, and more.

Unintentionally we arrived there on the same day that there was a national rhythmic gymnastics contest. So, instead of the skating area there was a contest. It was a great event and we enjoyed it very much.
Opening time every day 09:30-23:00

Beaches in Eilat

The beaches that I love the most

Mosh beach

Mosh beach reminds of Sinai beaches. Shanti music and a lot of mats on the beach. There are shaded areas with mattresses and pillows, so it’s very comfortable to lie down and relax there.

Near the restaurant there is an area with tables and chairs and great vegetarian food. We ordered two dishes: one was sabich and the other one was lentils. The dishes cost around 40 shekels and were very tasty. You can spend hours on this beach, reading a book, or hanging out with friends.

Opening time every day 08:00-20:00

Bar beach

If you are snorkeling at Coral Beach Nature Reserve, it’s worth going to the near bar beach.
It’s an organized beach that people go to dive from and it has a great beach restaurant.

We ordered a Greek salad, hummus with calamari, and taramosalata there, everything was delicious and filling. The service was great. We sat on the balcony with a view to the beach and it was awesome.

Opening hours every day 08:00-21:00

Avenue beach

The beach located near the mall “Mul yam”. The beach is organized and clean, with tanning beds for rent and a great restaurant.

The thing that I liked the most about this beach was that most of it has small stones, so you can lie down on a towel on the beach to tan and it’s comfortable and also you can enter the water without stepping on rocks.

The beach is not too crowded and has an excellent atmosphere. It’s just fun to stay there. We ordered a delicious fruit shake from the restaurant. ‘Cause what can be better than a fruit shake on the beach?
Opening hours every day 08:00-22:00

Where to stay

Our favorite hotels:
5-stars hotel: Dan Eilat Hotel
4-stars hotel: Rimonim
3-stars hotel: C hotel

Tips for Eilat:

• On Saturday you can find cheap flights from Tel Aviv to Eilat
• It’s better to visit Eilat during days that are not holidays, or in July-August because it’s very crowded and more expensive
• In every hotel you can find a coupon book. I recommend to check it ‘cause there are discounts for a lot of attractions and restaurants.

In Paphos there are many good restaurants, coffee shops and taverns, in this post I will mention the ones that we liked the most.

Restaurants in Paphos

Savvas grill

It’s a local restaurant designed beautifully and with great service. In this tavern we decided to order from the menu and not to take the mezze option. Our friend recommend us to try the kleftiko (a meat dish) he claimed that its’ the best kleftiko he has ever eaten in Cyprus (he lives there).

So Roman (my husband) ordered it and also shared the musaka dish with me. The musaka was great. And for starters we ordered a tomato salad that was very refreshing and dips of hummus, tzatziki, tahini, and taramosalata. They were all good and Roman loved the kleftiko.

Opening hours: every day 17:00-23:00.
Address Akamantos Ave 32, PeyiaN3

Baan Thai kitchen

A homey authentic Thai restaurant. A small restaurant with a Thai chef that makes awesome curry fishes. As a matter of fact, all her dishes are great with flavors from Thailand.

Opening hours:
Tuesday-Sunday 18:00-22:30 Monday it’s closed
Address 5 Lidas Street, Basilica Gardens, Block D – Shop 1-2

Lengo Tavern

Lengo tavern (update 12.2023 – the restaurant is closed)  is a homey tavern with a really fun atmosphere. They have a musician that plays local music. I recommend to go there with a group, because it’s a great place to hang out in the evening and the more the merrier. We went there as a group of 8 people. We booked a table in advance ‘cause this place is very popular.

I recommend to take the meze meal. It’s a tasty meal that is served in the center of the table to share. It’s the only tavern that also serves vegan mezze (the owner’s daughter is a vegan and she convinced him to make a vegan option).

In our table we were 4 people who ordered the vegan mezze and 4 the meat meze.

I ate the vegan mezze and enjoyed every dish they served. They serve many options on the table and each dish was unique. We also ordered wine and beer. The meal is based on the raw materials they have on that day, so every time you go there you will get different menus.

You need to take into consideration that in the meat meze they can serve irregular dishes like a snails dish or a pigeon soup. So if you don’t want to take the risk, just order the vegan mezze. You won’t be disappointed.

The mezze meal cost 17 euro per person (it’s nothing compared to the amount and quality of the food), and the bottle of wine cost 14 euro, and was excellent (I loved the white wine).
A local experience you have to try

Opening hours Monday-Saturday 19:30-23:00, Sunday it’s closed.
Address: Zappeiou 1 Str

Pingouino Cafe Lounge Bar

A restaurant on the promenade with cheap prices and a great view of the sea. This restaurant is a good option for breakfast or lunch.

We ate lunch there. I had a fresh apple juice and quinoa salad with avocado which was a light and great meal. Roman ordered a plate with fried mushrooms, potato, and more with beer. Our friend ordered hamburger. We sat in the balcony with a great breeze. It was so relaxing and tasty. It’s a good option for a restaurant on the promenade.
Address
Poseidonos Ave

Wagamam

A Japanese restaurant in the King Mall in Paphos. Usually I don’t like restaurants in the mall because they don’t have the best atmosphere to eat in, but this is a great restaurant. Once you enter it, you forget that you are in the mall. They have a rich menu with many options. All the dishes that we ordered were very good. A noodle dish, ramen soup, bun stuffed with bbq meat. We were 5 people and everyone enjoyed the meal.

Opening hours:
Everyday 12:00-22:00
First floor in the King’s Avenue Mall

Omikron brunch

A great coffee shop that has a really cool design (the owner is also an interior decorator). They have great coffee. They also have a recommended pancake dish. If you want to drink a good coffee with a pastry or eat a good breakfast, this is a great place to go to

Opening hours
Every day 07:00-22:00
Address: 25 Martiou

Zorbas bakery

It’s a 24/7 bakery that has great chocolate-chip cookies, a lot (!!) of cakes, pastries, cookies, and whatever dessert you can think of. If you want a nightly snack or simply a desert, or even buy a cake of occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) this is the bakery to go to.

Address: they have 3 branches in Paphos
Hellados Ave 81
Apostolou Pavlou Ave
Akamantidos, 13

Since May 2021, we have been living in Cyprus. Although we reside in Limassol, we visit Paphos quite often—sometimes for vacations and sometimes just for a fun day out. Even before moving to Cyprus, we had vacationed in Paphos several times, and each visit brought new attractions and experiences we hadn’t discovered before.

Paphos is a coastal city in the southwestern part of Cyprus, located on the Greek side of the island. It’s a great destination for a summer holiday and a perfect winter getaway, especially if you rent a car and explore the surrounding areas.

Looking for recommendations on things to do in Paphos with kids? Check out my post on Top Things to Do in Paphos with Kids.
Searching for a good restaurant? Take a look at my guide on Recommended Restaurants in Paphos.
Not sure where to stay? Read my Hotel Recommendations for Paphos to help you decide.

Yacht cruise in Paphos

During one of my vacations with Roman in Paphos, it was his birthday, and I decided to look for a fun attraction that we hadn’t done yet in the city. That’s when I saw that there were various types of cruises available in Paphos. I looked up companies offering cruises and found Paphos Sea Cruises, which had good reviews and an adult only yacht cruise. Since we’ll soon be parents, I thought this was a good opportunity to enjoy the quiet and go for a relaxing cruise.

The cruise left the port at 10:00, but it’s recommended to get there an hour early and get good seats (The seats aren’t reserved). We got seats on the third floor of the ship and realized afterwards this isn’t recommended for those who suffer from seasickness, or pregnancy. If you have a tendency for sea sickness, you’re better off sitting downstairs, which is what we did after the first stop. We just brought a chair to the side of the yacht where it was shaded and enjoyed the sea breeze. If you want to sit there, there’s no need to come early, unless you want to grab a tanning bed.

The cruise consisted of two stops. At first, we stopped at Coral Bay Beach for an hour and a half with the option of snorkeling, kayaking or just floating with a long sponge noodle floater, and there was also a lunch break with a buffet. Then we continued sailing for another twenty minutes and stopped at the stunning Sea caves, this time for an hour during which we could snorkel, kayak or swim. We also enjoyed a fresh fruit dessert there with watermelon, pineapple and melon, and some cakes.

We returned to the port around 16:00, and Roman and I agreed this was a great attraction. We had a good time and were very pleased with the company’s service.

This particular cruise costs 89 euros and is an “all included” package. The package includes transportation to and from the hotel, a glass of champagne upon arrival, a beach towel, a light breakfast, a fancy yacht with a maximum of 55 people on board, a buffet lunch, and an open bar with alcohol and light drinks.

Adonis Baths

During one of my vacations with Roman, we decided to go explore the villages in Paphos, starting at Chloraka village and moving on to Tala, where we stumbled upon a sign pointing towards Adonis Baths. We were in Paphos three times before, and had never heard of them until then, so we decided to check it out.

The drive was on a dirt paved road through the mountains. It was a bit rough, but suitable for any type of vehicle (Ours was a small automatic car which barely made the ascents, but it was fine). It’s about a half hour drive on an unpaved road, but it was worth the effort to find this gem in the mountains. There’s a 9 euro entrance free per person, there are two natural pools with waterfalls.

My recommendation is visiting early in the day, in the middle of the week if possible, so it’s less crowded. The water is really cold, so take note. (For example, I only dipped my feet in, but Roman enjoyed swimming in them). There’s also a museum there (We didn’t find it particularly exciting) and a food stand with sandwiches, coffee and more… There’s also a tanning bed area. By the baths is a tavern for anyone looking to have lunch there.

Oniro by the sea restaurant

I found a recommendation for Oniro by the sea. A restaurant with an amazing view of an abandoned ship and water caves.

It’s a great Mediterranean seafood restaurant with a wonderful view. It’s recommended to reserve a table in advance, so you can sit in the first row facing the sea. We didn’t book one, but after we arrived at around 15:00, a table in the first row became available within about 15 minutes.

We ordered two salads – I had a mango, avocado and jumbo shrimp salad and Roman got a ceviche salad with salmon, they were both excellent (At about 12 euros each). We chose to split a main dish, a special dish of linguini with jumbo shrimp – it was perfect (I can only hope they have it on the menu when you’re there).  Roman had a passionfruit cocktail (About 9 euros for a cocktail) and I had a non-alcoholic cocktail of ginger and almonds (About 6 euros for a non-alcoholic cocktail). The cocktails were of really high quality, we enjoyed them immensely. This restaurant is highly recommended, regardless of the view. View included (For the sea caves and the abandoned ship), I think this is a must when visiting Paphos. You can spend hours just looking out and taking photos of the magnificent sights.

Old Town in Paphos

The old town of Paphos offers a peaceful and authentic experience. Among the narrow alleys, you’ll find local shops, quaint restaurants, and cafes. Once, we even booked a room in the heart of the old town and spent the night there with Maya to experience Paphos differently, not just staying at an all-inclusive hotel by the sea. We stayed in a lovely and affordable apartment at a place called Rooms – Unique Staying in Paphos Centre.
For breakfast, we went to Piedra All Day Cafe Lounge Bar, which we enjoyed. In the afternoon, we wandered the streets and even found a small playground, then stopped for coffee at Cafe Nero, which has a stunning view.

Update from April 2025:

During our vacation in Paphos, while staying at the Sofianna Hotel (featured in the recommended hotels in Paphos post), we visited several excellent spots in the Old Town, and I thought I’d share:

Covered Souvenir Market – Open every day until 5:00 PM, with many souvenir shops and local products. The market was renovated three years ago and is colorful, pleasant, and really inviting for a stroll. Directions

Campo De Fiori Café – A charming café with a sea view and a fun atmosphere. We ordered coffee, a cocktail, and hot chocolate – everything was excellent! We also tried Japanese cheesecake – opinions were divided: I liked it, Roman didn’t, and the girls devoured it and asked for more. Directions.

Stephanie’s Rose Café – An Instagram-worthy café all in pink, with flowers and hearts in every corner. They offer a variety of beautiful and impressive desserts. Directions.

Mount Sinai Pizzeria – Even though we were staying at an all-inclusive hotel, we just had to try it – and honestly? It was delicious. The girls also finished it all. Directions.

Fun Segway tour

We took a Segway tour with Paphos Segway Tours company. We were a group of eight and had two super nice guides, Liam and Callum.
After all the group members had arrived, we went outside for an instruction on the Segways.

During the tour, we went through several interesting sites on Paphos, stopping at each one while the guide told us about the place.
We rode along the sea a lot – it was really relaxing and I didn’t want the tour to end.

The company has longer, special tours for those already experienced with Segways. Maybe next time we’re In Paphos we’ll try one of the advanced tours.
I wrote about the tour in detail in a post about the segway tour.

Wine tastings

About a 30-minute drive from Paphos center there’s a great winery that offers wine tastings for visitors, Tsangarides winery. From the moment we arrived, we fell absolutely in love with the place. The area is very idyllic and the design itself is very pretty as well. We sat outside and the owner, Angelos, brought 4 kinds of wine for us to try – White, Rosa, red and organic.

In addition to that, he served us some cheese and grapes as well. We chatted a lot and found him to be a really charming and humble person. At one point, a group of Hungarian journalists showed up and he gave them a tour of the winery, which we joined in on.

The winery produces as many as 300,000 bottles a year. It was really interesting learning about the wine making process – we really like drinking wine and touring wineries. If you come as a couple or a small group the tastings are free. A larger group would have to pay 5-euros per person, which is a purely symbolic price.

We enjoyed the winery and meeting Angelos very much. If you like wine I think this is a wonderful experience for those staying in Paphos.

 Archaeological site Paphos

Near the harbour, there is a big archaeological site. It may sound boring to you, but Roman (my husband) and I were surprised for the good. First of all, there was an amazing brewing (we visited in the spring) and it was so beautiful to wander around there and to see all those flowers. Aside from the flowers, the site itself is impressive.

There are ruins and mosaics and you can walk for at least 2 hours there to see everything. There is also a castle near the site (outside of it but close). We had a great time there and the weather was very good, so it was completely great.

An entrance ticket costs 4.5 euro
Opening hours: every day 08:30-17:00

 Paphos zoo

This is a large, kid-friendly zoo with a variety of fun activities. Although I’m personally not very fond of zoos, there are some interactive experiences for children, such as feeding the fish and watching a short parrot and owl show (about 15 minutes). The show is suitable for children who can sit quietly, as movement can startle the owls, which fly right above the audience. Additionally, you can feed the lemurs for an extra 5 euros per person, or participate in feeding a Bengal elephant for an additional 50 euros for a group of up to 5 people.
The average time to spend there is 3 hours.

The show hours are 12:00, 14:30, and 17:00
Opening hours: every day 09:00-18:00

Link to purchase tickets for the zoo

 Indoor local market

A great local experience. If you want to buy unique souvenirs this is definitely the place to visit and it’s worth checking it out even if you don’t plan on buying anything.

There are many shops with souvenirs, bags, wallets, statues, and more, at decent prices. Although it’s not a big market, the selection is pretty big and we saw souvenirs there that we didn’t see in other places.

You can park the car in a parking place (there is a yellow sign on the way that shows you where it is). At the parking there is also a small market with fruits and vegetables (we bought fresh kiwi, mango, and strawberries there that were very good) and from there you can climb the stairs.

In the market there is also a small shack that sells iced coffee and hot coffee for euro and a half.
Opening hours Monday-Saturday 08:00-14:00, on Sunday it’s closed (the shifts are changing but it will be open at the hours I mentioned).
A direction map

Hang out in the port

Paphos Harbour serves as a central tourist port in Cyprus, primarily for cruises and boating. The harbour area features restaurants, cafes, and tourist shops, making it a popular spot for leisure. Additionally, there are water activities such as sailing, fishing, and yacht tours. The harbour is located a short distance from the city center, offering easy access to tourist activities.

Tombs of kings

Underground tombs from the 4th century. It turns out that kings are not buried there, but important people such as the military general of Alexander the Great. The tombs are impressive, and the name of the place attracts many tourists. The area itself overlooks the sea, making it a very nice place to visit and explore.

We’ve visited there several times, both on our own and with the girls, and honestly, we’ve always enjoyed exploring the place, but it was even more fun with the girls.

Entrance ticket costs 2.5 euro.
Opening hours every day 08:30-17:00
And in the summer 08:30-19:30

Joulietta Homemade Chocolate store

We are not big chocolate fans, but when we found this homemade chocolate store, we had to try it – Joulietta Chocolatier Patissiere. There are many flavors and you can even watch how they make the chocolates one by one.

In the summer they also do chocolate workshops. The seller, as well as the owner and chocolates maker, was nice and she let us try the cherry chocolate which was good.

We decided to take takeaway to our hotel. We chose the cappuccino and caramel flavors and we ate them in the hotel’s bar’s balcony with a coffee 🙂 it was very delicious.

Kings Avenue Paphos Mall

The mall includes a wide variety of fashion stores, jewellery, electronics, and more. Additionally, it has a diverse food court with restaurants and fast food outlets. There is a Japanese restaurant we enjoyed (check out my post on recommended restaurants in Paphos). The mall also has a large play area for kids and a cinema that shows both children’s and adult movies in English.Opening hours: every day 10:00-20:00; on Sunday it opens at 11:00

 Bicycle trip

Along the main road there is a long bicycle trail. It’s very fun to rent bikes and do a bike trip with them or use them as transportation.

Other things to do in Paphos, that we didn’t try, but they looked nice

• Water park – Link to purchase tickets for the water park.
• Minigolf
• Bowling
• Karting

And there are other attractions like a fishing tour, jeeps tours, and more. You can book them from your hotel or from agencies. We saw several agencies along the port

Questions and Answers about Paphos

I receive quite a few questions on social media and email about Paphos, so I decided to gather here the recurring questions with clear answers.

Do I need to rent a car in Paphos?

If you’re planning a relaxing beach holiday, you can get by without a car, using taxis or buses for transportation. However, if you want to visit sites outside the city, such as Lara Beach, the Agios Neophytos Monastery, or Venetian Bridges, it’s highly recommended to rent a car – even with the opposite driving (steering wheel on the right, like in the UK).

Special offer for blog followers: I recommend renting a car from Cosmos Rentals, and I received a 10% discount coupon for online bookings from the owner. To book directly through Cosmos Rentals (don’t forget to use the coupon code at checkout: trvbox). For more information on car rentals in Cyprus.

Which area is recommended for a hotel in Paphos?

The harbor area is the most central, with restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and proximity to the Kings Avenue Mall. Coral Bay area is ideal for those seeking beautiful sandy beaches with hotels and more peaceful vacations. Another option is Lower Paphos (Kato Paphos), where there are hotels close to key attractions like the Royal Tombs and famous mosaics.

Is there a water park in Paphos?

Yes, the Aphrodite Waterpark is a large and recommended water park, usually open from April to October. It’s located about a 10-minute drive from the harbor and features slides, a wave pool, and kids’ play areas.

Link to buy tickets for Aphrodite Waterpark – Tickets can be reserved for free in advance, with a free cancellation option up to the day before.

What kind of electrical sockets are in Paphos?

Cyprus uses G-type sockets (like in the UK) with three prongs in a trapezoidal shape. You can buy an adapter in most supermarkets or convenience stores, and many hotels offer adapters at the reception.

Which beaches are recommended in Paphos?

• Coral Bay Beach – A sandy and organized beach with clear water and sunbeds.
• Lara Beach – A natural and secluded beach, where sea turtles lay their eggs.
• Venus Beach – A beautiful beach with a local legend claiming that Aphrodite was born there.
• Faros Beach – A beach close to the city with a view from the Paphos lighthouse.

Nightlife in Paphos – Where to go?

Unlike the lively Ayia Napa, Paphos nightlife is quieter, focusing on stylish bars with a pleasant atmosphere and stunning views. You can start the evening with a meal by the water in the harbor area, and then continue to one of the many bars along the promenade.

For those seeking more lively entertainment, Agiou Antoniou Street – also known as the “Bar Street” – offers plenty of pubs, bars, and clubs, where you can hop from one place to another and enjoy different styles. This street is especially popular with tourists, but for a more local vibe, you’ll find authentic tavernas in the old town.

Recommended bars and clubs in Paphos:

• Robin Hood Pub – A popular pub in the heart of Bar Street, designed like a medieval castle. The atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming, with different music every night to suit all tastes.
• Loft Club – A modern-style club offering Greek, electronic, and pop music. Open only on weekends and occasionally hosts special dance and music performances.
• Pit Stop Pub – A family-run pub for over 25 years, located near the Royal Tombs. Known for bingo nights and live music events.

Is there a casino in Paphos?

Yes, there is a small casino in Paphos – C2 Pafos – Cyprus Casinos, which only has slot machines and no gambling tables. The largest casino in Cyprus, City of Dreams Mediterranean, is located in Limassol, and it is the biggest casino in Europe.

How to get to Paphos?

There are direct flights with Ryanair to Paphos. Another option is to fly to Larnaca and then drive to Paphos, which takes at least an hour and a half. You can also take a taxi or bus from Larnaca Airport to Paphos.

The less recommended option is to fly to Larnaca and then travel to Paphos. However, if there are no direct flights to Paphos, flights to Larnaca may be necessary. In that case, the most affordable way would be to rent a car, as taxi fares can be at least 120 euros one way.

Where to stay in Paphos?

We’ve stayed at several hotels in Paphos. We loved the Olympic Lagoon Resort – a 5-star all-inclusive hotel, Minthis Golf Resort – a stunning golf hotel in the mountains, and the Louis Ledra and Louis Breeze hotels. But there are many other great hotels in Paphos, and I’ve written about them in detail in my post: Recommended Hotels in Paphos.

Where to buy a SIM card for Paphos?

I recommend eSIM, an electronic SIM, and I recommend the Airalo company. I was very satisfied with their user experience (easy-to-follow instructional videos for SIM card operation), and everything worked perfectly.

For blog followers, there’s a 15% discount code for Airalo to purchase an eSIM – use this link to redeem the discount. The code is already included in the link and will appear at checkout.

Guided Tour or Custom Itinerary in Cyprus – Hot Recommendation!

If you’re planning a trip to Cyprus, I highly recommend Roni Schwartz! A Cyprus resident who takes care of everything – private tours with a certified guide (the guide is fluent in English/Russian), very professional and pleasant, who will take you on a perfect 8-9 hour tour day. Roni plans a personalized itinerary, tailored to your preferences, and ensures you’ll see all the places you want. It’s also suitable for larger groups, and everything is done in a comfortable and luxurious vehicle.

Contact Roni for a guided tour in Cyprus

Want to explore independently?

No problem! Roni also plans customized itineraries (minimum 3 days) so you can experience Cyprus at your own pace, exactly how you like.

Contact Roni for a customized independent itinerary in Cyprus

There’s also a special benefit! If you book any of Roni’s services and mention that you came through my blog, you’ll receive a special surprise!

Paphos is an excellent city for a beach vacation with plenty of attractions. It’s most enjoyable during the summer months, allowing you to enjoy beach activities like water sports, pools, the water park, and the sea. However, you can also find things to do in the winter months.

I hope this post has been helpful. If it has, I would love to hear your comments, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask them in the comments or contact me on my blog’s social media pages: on Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Paphos? I have additional posts on Paphos and Cyprus on my blog.

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