Googlemap Location: Kouklia Village

Kouklia Village is situated just a 5 minute drive from Aphrodite Hills, towards Paphos. A quiet, traditional village, Kouklia is a wonderful place to visit to get a real taste of Cypriot village life, and also a great place to learn about some of the island’s history.

While you’re here, make sure to visit one of the taverna’s in the square – Gabriel’s is our favourite, but you can read our Eating Out Guide for Kouklia for more inspiration. During the summer months the locals block off the village square to cars so that the restaurants can collectively put on a weekly ‘Cyprus Night’ which features local music, dancing, cuisine and all round fun – we highly recommend the Cyprus Nights here, they are a wonderful way to get familiar with Cypriot culture. The Cyprus Nights normally take place every Thursday evening in summer months, we recommend that you check with the restaurants in our 8509 Magazine guide for up to date information.

Kouklia: Ancient City-Kingdom Palaepaphos, Aphrodite’s Birthplace

The History of Kouklia is somewhat significant in Cyprus. Palaepaphos (meaning Old Paphos) is the name given to the area that is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty & Fertility, which was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world, and once a city-kingdom of Cyprus.  It is thought that the ancient tradition of worshipping Aphrodite was practiced in Cyprus from as early as the Neolithic period – more details on it’s history can be found on the Department of Antiquities Website (click Here).

In September 1980, Palaepafos and Nea Pafos became the first Cypriot sites to be included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.

Palaepaphos is located within the limits of the modern village of Kouklia (just 5 minutes from Aphrodite Hills Resort), where excavations are still taking place today.  It is home to many archaeological monuments which can be visited today, including the ‘Sanctuary of Aphrodite’ (a temple including two ancient shrines for the Goddess), and the ‘Northeast Gate of the defensive wall’ (remains of the ancient fortification for the old town) and ‘The Church of Panagia Katholiki’ (dating from the 12th or 13th century AD).

Lusignian Manor House should get a special mention because it is very well preserved and it’s Gothic Hall is considered to be one of the finest surviving monuments of Frankish profane architecture on the island; so much so that the Hall nowadays plays host to concerts – it’s acoustics are wonderful.  The International Pharos Chamber Music Festival takes place here every year and is a special event that we recommend, even if you’re not into chamber music (this event normally takes place towards the end of May every year). The Manor House also hosts the local museum where various finds from Palaepaphos site are on display.

The famous Aphrodite’s Rock is also located within the Kouklia region – read more about it here.