Paphos Aphrodite Rock
No trip to Paphos is complete without a visit to Aphrodite’s Rock. This famous landmark is located between Limassol and Paphos and is something not to be missed.
Cyprus is extremely proud of its ancient pass and this includes the fact that it is the birthplace of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite who was the Goddess of love and beauty. Legend has it that Aphrodite emerged from the sea in a surge of amazing sea foam in 1200 BC at this point and it is believed that she herself choose Aphrodite’s rock as the ideal location to begin her life as a mortal.
There are a number of different versions of how Aphrodite rose from the sea and the most famous of them says that she rose naked from the sea riding on a scallop shell that was blown by the wind. They say that Aphrodite’s first stop was in fact the tiny island of Cythera but because this island was so small that Aphrodite moved on until she reached Cyprus where she settled and began living in Paphos.
Aphrodite’s Rock is located just a few kilometers away from Pissouri Village and is said to be an amazing site at sunset and its beauty is something you will never forget. The Greek name for Aphrodite’s Rock is Petra tou Romiou which in fact means The Rock of the Greek and this name came from Dighenis Akritas. He was a legendary frontier guard during the Byzantine period. He rise to fame came from his amazing strength which he used to keep of the Saracens by throwing a large rock (petra) into the sea.
A visit to Aphrodite’s rock is a great day out and once you reach the car park you will find a shop that sells drinks and snacks and there are also toilets in the tourist pavilion. The parking here is also free. There are a number of steps from the car park down to the beach where you will be amazed by the stunning colour of the sea and the beautiful surroundings. The area is extremely peaceful too.