Palaipaphos and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite
Palaipaphos and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Paphos audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~75 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~75 min
- Paphos Paphos guide
About Palaipaphos and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite
The ruins of Old Paphos at Kouklia, site of the ancient Sanctuary of Aphrodite, a pilgrimage centre for the whole classical world where the goddess was worshipped as a black conical stone, now in its museum.
Palaipaphos, 'Old Paphos', lies beneath the village of Kouklia, about fourteen kilometres east of the modern city, and was one of the great city-kingdoms of ancient Cyprus. Here stood the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, one of the most important shrines of the ancient world and a pilgrimage centre for the whole Mediterranean, worship continuing from the Late Bronze Age until the pagan cults were banned in 391 AD. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was the first Cypriot site inscribed, in 1980.
Remarkably, the goddess was worshipped here not as a statue but as a cone-shaped black stone, which the Roman historian Tacitus described and which now stands in the site museum, housed in a medieval Lusignan manor. Homer already knew of Aphrodite's altar at Paphos, and each year pilgrims processed here from the new city along the sacred road.
Did you know? Palaipaphos at Kouklia was home to the great Sanctuary of Aphrodite, one of the most important shrines of the ancient world and a pilgrimage centre for the whole Mediterranean until pagan cults were banned in 391 AD.
How long should you spend at Palaipaphos and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite?
Plan about ~75 min at Palaipaphos and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Palaipaphos and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite worth visiting?
Palaipaphos and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Paphos, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Paphos
Day 2 of the Paphos in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Palaipaphos and the Sanctuary of Aphrodite
Preview the Paphos tour free in the Gingerguide app.