You could easily spend hours pottering around this fantastic attraction close to the harbour. There are structures here that go back to prehistory, but the most famous remnants are from the Roman era.

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The ruins of four villas survive from this time and boast stunningly detailed mosaics, all dating to the year 100 and depicting  scenes from Roman mythology.

A family-favourite for those long summer days, Aphrodite Waterpark  is the largest attraction of its kind on this side of Cyprus.

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In all it has 17 rides and attractions with something for both the big kids and toddlers.

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There are four high-speed plunges for people who want to get the adrenaline pumping, including Racer, in which you face off against your friends to see who can get to the bottom of this tube ride first.

In Paphos you’re close enough to make a day-trip to a fabulous corner of the island. Akamas is less than an hour north along the coast and because of its rugged terrain of peaks and gorges has never been developed.

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The upshot is an abundance of nature, with a third of Cyprus’ endemic plant species found here.

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Akamas also is one of the Mediterranean’s key nesting areas for the loggerhead and green turtles.

This museum documents human activity in western Cyprus from the Neolithic age to the 18th century.

The artefacts on display were excavated from as many as 15 archaeological sites, including the ancient settlements that predated modern Paphos and the neighbouring town of Kouklia.

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You’ll get a real sense of location when you see the collection of coins that were minted right here in Paphos thousands of years ago.

For a change of scenery you could always take to the Troodos Mountains.It’s the largest range on the island, with Cyprus’ tallest peak, Mount Olympus.

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In the foothills the range has sleepy old villages next to terraced olive groves and vineyards, woven by chuckling streams that are ensconced in deciduous woodland.

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As you go higher you’ll come to peaks forested with pine trees and here in winter you can even go skiing.

Cyprus is up there with the best diving destinations in Europe, and Paphos can cater to first-timers, experts and everyone in between.

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The reason why there are so many diving companies in Paphos is down to the clement water temperatures, which range between 16 and 27 degrees.

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There’s vivid sea life off the coast here, together with historic shipwrecks and dramatic underwater seascapes of sheer cliffs and ravines.

 In Cyprus it’s actually a big meal.

At tavernas a series of enticing platters are served in a careful order that begins with olives before moving onto bread and dips like tahini, taramosalata, humus and skordalia.

After that you’ll move onto seafood and vegetable dishes.

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Then get ready for grilled halloumi cheese and, if you opt for a meat meze, a variety of meat dishes, from keftedes (meatballs) and loukaniko (pork sausages) to grilled kebabs, chicken and lamb chops