Cyprus's UNESCO World Heritage Sites: A Visitor's Guide

Cyprus has three places on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and you can see all of them in a long weekend. This guide covers what each one is, how to get there, when to go and how to combine them with other day trips.

What are the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Cyprus?

UNESCO also keeps a tentative list for Cyprus. It includes the village of Fikardou, Mount Olympus in Troodos, the church of Panagia Angeloktisti at Kiti, and Hala Sultan Tekke with the Larnaca Salt Lake. These are worth visiting too, but they are not yet inscribed.

What can you see at the Paphos World Heritage site?

The Paphos property has two parts.

• Kato Paphos, by the harbour, holds the remains of ancient Nea Paphos. Its floor mosaics are considered among the finest in the world. They show scenes from Greek myth and date from the Hellenistic to the Byzantine period. The Archaeological Park also has an odeon, the Saranta Kolones fort and the remains of villas.
• The Tombs of the Kings, a short way north, are underground tombs cut from solid rock. Some have Doric columns and courtyards. Despite the name, officials and aristocrats were buried here, not kings.
• Kouklia (Palaepaphos), a short drive east of town, has the Sanctuary of Aphrodite. It was built in the 12th century BC and used until Roman times.

As of 2026, Visit Cyprus lists entry to the Tombs of the Kings at €2.50. The sites open daily, with longer hours from mid-April to mid-September, and close on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Orthodox Easter Sunday. For more ideas in the area, see our Paphos district hub.

What are the painted churches of Troodos?

Ten churches and monasteries in the Troodos mountains form a single World Heritage property. Their wall paintings run from the 11th to the 16th century. They are small, often plain stone buildings with steep timber roofs, and the paintings inside are the reason to go. They include Asinou near Nikitari, Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis in Kakopetria and Panagia tou Araka in Lagoudera.

The churches are spread across several valleys, so plan at least one full day. Our painted churches route guide has a two-day itinerary and visiting hours.

What is Choirokoitia?

Choirokoitia is a Neolithic settlement on a hillside in Larnaca district, about 6 km from the south coast. People lived here from roughly the 7th millennium BC. They built circular houses of mudbrick and stone with flat roofs inside defensive walls. Only part of the site has been excavated, and a French CNRS team has worked here since 1976.

Near the entrance are reconstructed houses that show what the village looked like. A path then climbs up to the excavated area. Visit Cyprus offers a free audio guide you can download before you go.

How do you get to each site?

1. Paphos: Kato Paphos is in town by the harbour. The Tombs of the Kings are a short drive or bus ride north. Kouklia is off the old Limassol–Paphos road.
2. Choirokoitia: Take the A1 motorway between Limassol and Larnaca and follow the signs from the Choirokoitia exit. Lefkara village is close by, so the two are easy to combine.
3. Troodos churches: You need a car. Kakopetria and Galata are about an hour from Nicosia. Pedoulas and Kalopanagiotis are further west in the Marathasa valley.

Buses reach Paphos and the main Troodos villages, though services are limited. Check routes on our public transport guide.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) are the most comfortable seasons. The Paphos and Choirokoitia sites are open and exposed, with very little shade. In summer, go when they open in the morning, and wear a hat and carry water. The Troodos churches are cooler in summer, but mountain roads can be icy in winter.

Practical tips for visiting

• Tickets: As of 2026, the Department of Antiquities sells cards for all its museums and sites: €8.50 for one day, €17 for three days or €25 for seven days. If you plan to visit several sites in a few days, they can save money.
• Groups: Groups of more than 10 people get 20% off standard entry.
• Footwear: The mosaics and tombs have uneven stone surfaces and steps. Wheelchair access is partial at most sites.
• Churches: Dress modestly (cover your shoulders and knees), and check the rules on photography inside.
• Hours change: Visit Cyprus notes that opening times can change without notice. Check the official page on the day.

Does Cyprus have intangible UNESCO heritage too?

Yes. Cyprus has seven elements on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

• Lefkara lace, Lefkaritika (2009)
• Tsiattista poetic duelling (2011)
• The Mediterranean diet (2013)
• The art of dry stone walling (2018)
• Byzantine chant (2019)
• Midwifery (2023)
• Commandaria (2025)

You can still see Lefkara lace being made in the village. Tsiattista duels are performed at festivals such as Kataklysmos in Larnaca. To learn about the wine, read our Commandaria guide.

What to do next

• Plan a mountain day with the Troodos painted churches route.
• Add Kourion to a Paphos trip. It is not on the World Heritage List, but it is one of the island's most impressive ancient sites.
• Check what is on during your visit in our events listings.