There are many activities to help keep you fit and focussed and to occupy your leisure time in Paphos, whatever the time of year.

Bowling

Louis Phaethon Bowling Club in Paphos – all enquiries regarding the club should be addressed to Bill Mallow on 26 652814.

Rugby

Paphos is blessed with a very strong new entrant into the sporting arena of this part of the world - The Paphos Tigers. Made up of South African, Australian and British repatriate Cypriots and expats, the Tigers are now in their fourth season. They also run Tiger Cubs for children aged 6 and above, tel: 99 934315.

Sailing & windsurfing

Paphos International Sailing Club meets every Friday lunchtime at the boat yard in Geroskipou, together with a monthly social event at the local taverna.

Windsurfing is available from numerous watersports operations on the main beaches and hotels.

Scuba diving

There are several scuba diving centres in the Paphos region, ranging from the larger year-round operations, to the smaller, more seasonal operators.

There are numerous dive-sites in Cyprus suitable for all levels of ability, including one of the world’s top ten dive wrecks, The Zenobia RoRo Ferry which went down just outside Larnaca.

Cyprus Rally

The Cyprus Rally ranks as one of the toughest in Europe due to the difficult road conditions. The Rally has a co-efficient of 20 in the European Championships, making it even more compelling for foreign drivers to participate and their number has grown considerably in the last few years. The Rally is in September this year and starts and finishes in Nicosia. It follows a gruelling course that covers much of the central and western areas of the island, including the mountains.

Out to sea

Half and full-day cruises; sunset cruises and a day’s outing aboard the Jolly Roger are all available from Paphos Sea Cruises. Mini cruises to Egypt/Greek Islands are widely available and glass-bottom boat trips can be taken from Paphos and Latchi harbours. For something more exhilarating, a 20-minute wave-bouncing dash on the Tiger Boat, a semi-rigid inflatable capable of 100 knots, is a must.

On safari

There are a number of companies offering safari and adventure tours and excursions. Particularly recommended are visits to the Akamas and Avakas Gorge (as featured on p2), and recommended tour companies are Zephyros and Exalt.

Young and young at heart

Paphos Bird and Animal Park; Paphos Aquarium; Adonis Baths waterfall; Athiki Amusement & Mini Golf Park; Snake George Reptile Park; Cosmic Bowling and Cockatoo Bowling; Kid’s Kingdom Indoor Play Centre; go-karting; horse riding; various amusement parks.

Golf

There are three superb championship golf courses within 20km of Paphos. Secret Valley and Aphrodite Hills are situated along the coast near Paphos Airport and the third club, Tsada, lies inland not far from the main road to Polis.

Of archaeological interest

The mosaics of Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings; the Medieval Fort; Panayia Chrysopolitissa Church and Byzantine Basilica. In the old town of Paphos (Ktima) there is the archaeolical museum and the Hammam.

Polis and Latchi

Baths of Aphrodite; the Fountain of Love; scuba-diving; snorkelling; boat trips; watersports; go-karting; Akamas nature trails, Neokhorio village stone houses; the Petratis Gorge.