Old town wanders
Perched high on a hill, Pafos’ Old Town has been lovingly renovated in recent years. Much of the work in its squares and lanes is now complete, transforming them into a soulful destination stuffed with cafes, galleries and boutiques. At The Place (theplacecyprus. com), you can watch artisans at work and browse handmade items such as jewellery and woven textiles. If the island’s antiquities have fired up your own creative juices, book a mosaicmaking course with former archaeologist Sharen Taylor at her studio (facebook.com/ Sharentaylormosaics).
For keen walkers, western Cyprus has forest strolls and coastal rambles to discover.
The Akamas Peninsula north of Pafos is particularly beautiful. Set off from the natural pool known as Loutra tis Afroditis (Baths of Aphrodite) to follow a circular route along sage-scented paths, listening out for unique birds such as Cyprus warblers and Cyprus wheatears.