Cyprus

Paphos vs Limassol: Where to Stay in West Cyprus

Discover Anassa a 5-star hotel in Cyprus
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Paphos and Limassol are the two main bases in western Cyprus, both reached via Paphos airport. Paphos is relaxed and historic, with Roman mosaics, a harbour and the wild Akamas peninsula nearby; Limassol is the island’s cosmopolitan second city, with a long seafront, a marina and smart beach resorts.

Here is our guide to choosing, with nine of our best-rated hotels.

You’ll find on this page

At a glance: compare the hotels

Hotel Where Stars Board TripAdvisor Adults only
Alexander The Great Beach Hotel Paphos Resort, Paphos 4★ Bed and Breakfast, Full Board Plus, Half Board Plus 4.8/5 Yes
Louis Paphos Breeze Paphos Resort, Paphos 4★ All Inclusive Plus, Bed and Breakfast 4.7/5 No
Coral Beach Hotel & Resort Coral Bay, Paphos 5★ All Inclusive Plus, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board 4.3/5 No
Queens Bay Hotel Coral Bay, Paphos 4★ All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board 4.3/5 No
Anassa Polis and Latchi, Paphos 5★ Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board 4.6/5 No
Aphrodite Hills Aphrodite Hills, Paphos 5★ Bed and Breakfast, Half Board, Self Catering 4.3/5 No
Columbia Beach Resort Pissouri, Paphos 5★ Bed and Breakfast 4.6/5 No
Royal Apollonia by Louis Hotels Limassol (Paphos Airport), Paphos 5★ All Inclusive Plus, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board 4.6/5 No
St Raphael Resort Limassol (Paphos Airport), Paphos 5★ All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board 4.4/5 No

Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.

Quick verdicts

Paphos, Coral Bay and Latchi

History, a harbour and easy access to the Akamas peninsula.

Alexander The Great Beach Hotel

Alexander The Great Beach Hotel, Paphos Resort
  • Paphos Resort, Paphos
  • 4-star
  • Full Board Plus
  • TripAdvisor 4.8/5
  • Adults only

Adults-only Alexander the Great Beach Hotel in Paphos is beachfront, with fantastic sea views and excellent service.

Best for: Adults-only

See Alexander The Great Beach Hotel →

Louis Paphos Breeze

Louis Paphos Breeze, Paphos Resort
  • Paphos Resort, Paphos
  • 4-star
  • All Inclusive Plus
  • TripAdvisor 4.7/5

Louis Paphos Breeze is seafront, with a modern design, bright and spacious rooms and All Inclusive Plus.

Best for: All-inclusive

See Louis Paphos Breeze →

Coral Beach Hotel & Resort

Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, Coral Bay
  • Coral Bay, Paphos
  • 5-star
  • All Inclusive Plus
  • TripAdvisor 4.3/5

Five-star Coral Beach Hotel & Resort in Coral Bay is beachfront, with a pool with waterslides and a brilliant All Inclusive Plus package.

Best for: Families

See Coral Beach Hotel & Resort →

Queens Bay Hotel

Queens Bay Hotel, Coral Bay
  • Coral Bay, Paphos
  • 4-star
  • All Inclusive
  • TripAdvisor 4.3/5

Queens Bay Hotel in Coral Bay has excellent sea views, a relaxing pool area and a friendly atmosphere, and it is perfect for adults.

Best for: Sea views

See Queens Bay Hotel →

Anassa

Anassa, Polis and Latchi
  • Polis and Latchi, Paphos
  • 5-star
  • Full Board
  • TripAdvisor 4.6/5

Five-star Anassa near Latchi is beachfront, with charming Cypriot-inspired architecture, a peaceful atmosphere and a superb spa.

Best for: Luxury hideaway

See Anassa →

Between the two

Golf and quiet bays halfway along the coast.

Aphrodite Hills

Aphrodite Hills, Aphrodite Hills
  • Aphrodite Hills, Paphos
  • 5-star
  • Half Board
  • TripAdvisor 4.3/5

Five-star Aphrodite Hills has an 18-hole championship golf course, stylish apartments and an excellent range of dining.

Best for: Golf

See Aphrodite Hills →

Columbia Beach Resort

Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri
  • Pissouri, Paphos
  • 5-star
  • Bed and Breakfast
  • TripAdvisor 4.6/5

Five-star Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri is beachfront, with charming Cypriot-inspired architecture and beautiful restaurant settings.

Best for: Food lovers

See Columbia Beach Resort →

Limassol

A long seafront, a marina and a cosmopolitan city.

Royal Apollonia by Louis Hotels

Royal Apollonia by Louis Hotels, Limassol (Paphos Airport)
  • Limassol (Paphos Airport), Paphos
  • 5-star
  • All Inclusive Plus
  • TripAdvisor 4.6/5

Five-star Royal Apollonia is beachfront, with beautiful sea views and a large lagoon-style pool, and it is perfect for couples.

Best for: Couples

See Royal Apollonia by Louis Hotels →

St Raphael Resort

St Raphael Resort, Limassol (Paphos Airport)
  • Limassol (Paphos Airport), Paphos
  • 5-star
  • All Inclusive
  • TripAdvisor 4.4/5

Five-star St Raphael Resort is beachfront, with a great pool area, a fantastic spa and a great choice of board options.

Best for: Spa

See St Raphael Resort →

Which suits you?

Choose Paphos for history, a relaxed pace, the Akamas peninsula and the shortest transfers: most hotels are 20 to 40 minutes from the airport. Choose Limassol for city life, restaurants, a marina and long seafront walks; it is around 45 minutes to an hour from Paphos airport, or a similar distance from Larnaca. In between, Pissouri and Aphrodite Hills are peaceful, with golf and quiet bays.

How we chose these hotels

We looked at all 46 hotels we sell in the Paphos and Limassol area and chose the best-rated in each part of the coast. We excluded hotels already featured in our other guides, so you get fresh choices. Every hotel here is well rated by our guests on TripAdvisor, and every one can be booked with us as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.

When to go

Cyprus has a long season, from April to November, with very hot summers. May, June, September and October are ideal. Flights take around four and a half hours from the UK.

Things to do

See the Paphos mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings, visit Aphrodite’s Rock, take a boat to the Blue Lagoon on the Akamas peninsula, explore the ancient city of Kourion near Limassol, stroll Limassol’s marina and old town, and drive into the Troodos Mountains to visit wineries and painted churches.

Frequently asked questions

Is Paphos or Limassol better?

Paphos for history and a relaxed pace; Limassol for city life and dining.

Which airport is best?

Paphos for both, although Larnaca also works well for Limassol.

Is there golf near Paphos?

Yes, including Aphrodite Hills, between Paphos and Limassol.

How long is the flight to Cyprus?

About four and a half hours from the UK.

Find your Paphos and Limassol holiday

Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to compare these hotels.

Ask a Travel Designer →

Keep planning

Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.