Polis Chrysochous: what to see, where to stay and how to get around
Under the little town of Polis lies a city that was rich on copper and gold: Marion, one of the ancient kingdoms of Cyprus, destroyed and refounded under a new name by Egypt's Ptolemaic kings. Today Polis is one of the quietest towns on the island, with a pedestrian centre and a long beach. This walk and short drive take a relaxed morning. End at Latchi harbour for fish at lunch.
A short history of Polis Chrysochous
In antiquity this was the site of Marion, a city-kingdom that grew rich from the copper mines in the mountains. In 312 BC Ptolemy I destroyed it, and a new city, Arsinoe, named after the Ptolemaic princess, was built nearby. The name Polis Chrysochous means "the city of the bay of gold". For most of the 20th century it was a small farming town, and tourism reached it later. Nearby, on the Akamas peninsula, are the Baths of Aphrodite, where according to myth the goddess bathed.
The ten best sights in Polis Chrysochous
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1Latchi harbour
Fishing harbour 3 km west; boats to the Blue Lagoon leave in the morning
2Marion-Arsinoe Archaeological MuseumSmall museum of the ancient city under the town; half an hour
3Agios AndronikosA small church with uncovered frescoes, next to the museum; ask for the key at the museum
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4Polis town centre
A pedestrian square with tavernas and cafés; quiet and unhurried
5Latsi beachLong pebble beach between Polis and Latchi, clear water
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6Baths of Aphrodite
A shaded grotto pool at the start of the Akamas trails; no swimming in it
7Blue LagoonTurquoise bay reached by boat from Latchi or by 4x4
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8Fontana Amorosa
The spring of love near the tip of the peninsula, by boat or a long walk
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9Smigies
Picnic site and two nature trails in the Akamas pines
10Avakas GorgeThe narrow gorge on the west side of the Akamas
Scan with your phone camera to open the map there
What is an audio walk?
Tours in Polis Chrysochous →A guide in your headphones: open the walk on our site, walk from stop to stop, and at each one your phone tells its story. No guide, no group, and free. This is the first walk in Polis Chrysochous:
Free walking tours in Polis Chrysochous
Marion, then Arsinoe
Under the little town of Polis lies a city that was rich on copper and gold: Marion, one of the ancient kingdoms of Cyprus, destroyed and refounded under a new name by Egypt's Ptolemaic kings. Today Polis is one of the quietest towns on the island, with a pedestrian centre and a long beach. This walk and short drive take a relaxed morning. End at Latchi harbour for fish at lunch.
- Marion-Arsinoe Archaeological Museum · Ptolemy I destroyed Marion in 312 BC, and his son Ptolemy II refounded it as Arsinoe, named after his sister, who was also his wife. The museum shows finds from the tombs of both cities.
- Agios Andronikos · The 16th-century church was turned into a mosque under Ottoman rule, and its paintings were covered with plaster. Restoration in recent decades has brought the frescoes back into view.
- Polis town centre · Polis Chrysochous means 'the town of Chrysochou', after the bay it stands on; chrysos is Greek for gold. The centre is a small pedestrian area of tavernas under trees.
- Latsi beach · The beach runs for several kilometres along Chrysochou Bay, mostly of pebbles with clear, deep water. Loggerhead turtles nest on some beaches of this bay in summer, so marked nests should be left alone.
- Latchi harbour · Latchi grew from a fishing anchorage into the boat harbour of the Akamas, and its fish tavernas buy from the boats that tie up in front of them. Glass-bottom boats and cruises to the Blue Lagoon leave from the quay.
- Neo Chorio · Neo Chorio means 'new village', and it sits at the edge of the Akamas, the largest protected natural area on the island's coast. Its upper lanes look straight down over Latchi and the bay.
Aphrodite's peninsula
The Akamas peninsula is a wild ridge of pine and juniper with almost no roads, named after Akamas, a son of Theseus who in legend founded a city here after the Trojan War. Aphrodite is said to have bathed in its grotto, and its far tip has a spring of love. This route mixes a walk, a boat and dirt tracks; allow a full day. Bring water — there is nothing to buy past the Baths.
- Baths of Aphrodite · Legend says Aphrodite bathed in this pool under a fig tree and met Adonis here. Bathing is forbidden today; the botanical garden beside it labels the plants of the Akamas.
- Akamas ridge · The Akamas is named after a son of Theseus who, in legend, settled here after the Trojan War. From the ridge you see both coasts of the peninsula at once.
- Blue Lagoon · The bay owes its colour to white sand and rock under shallow, very clear water. Boats anchor here for swimming; the road in is a rough track best left to 4x4s.
- Fontana Amorosa · The Italian name means 'fountain of love', and legend says anyone who drinks from it falls in love. The spring itself is small and hard to find; the walk and the view of the cape are the reward.
- Smigies · Smigies is a forest picnic site with two marked circular trails through the pines, one short and one of about 7 km. On clear days they look down on both Chrysochou Bay and the west coast.
- Avakas Gorge · The gorge is the only home in the world of a plant called Centaurea akamantis, which clings to its limestone walls. At the narrowest point the walls almost meet overhead.
The empty coast and the forest
East of Polis the coast road runs past small fishing villages towards the edge of the island's divided north, while the hills behind hold the great Paphos Forest. Few visitors come this way, and the drive is the point: sea on one side, pines on the other. Allow a full day on winding roads. Fuel up in Polis first.
- Kathikas · Kathikas stands on the Laona plateau, a high limestone tableland where vines grow on red soil. Several of the region's wineries are in and around the village.
- Evretou Dam · The dam holds one of the larger reservoirs in the Paphos district and feeds the farms of the Chrysochou valley. Its shores are a quiet place for birds and a picnic.
- Stavros tis Psokas · The forest station keeps Cyprus mouflon, the island's wild sheep and its national animal, in an enclosure where they can be seen up close. In the wild they live hidden in this forest.
- Kato Pyrgos crossing · The crossing point at Kato Pyrgos opened in 2010 and lets people drive along the coast into the north of the island. Check rental-car insurance before crossing.
- Pachyammos · The name means 'thick sand' in Greek, after the wide grey beach. It is a tiny fishing settlement with a church on the shore.
- Pomos · Pomos has a small harbour and a few fish tavernas, and the rocky point next to it is a favourite sunset spot. Above the village, the Pomos reservoir lies in the hills.
Getting to Polis Chrysochous and getting around
- Polis bus station · Regular buses to Paphos, and local buses on to Latchi and the Baths of Aphrodite
- Paphos International Airport · About 50 minutes over the hills
Cheap eats in Polis Chrysochous
Polis is a village-sized town, and its food is simple Cypriot cooking: souvlaki, grilled halloumi and fish straight from the boats at Latchi. Quick meals come from a few souvlaki and gyros shops around the centre, and the bakery is the place to stock up before the Akamas. Prices are in euros and lower than in Paphos.
- Souvlaki Stavros Petrou · Souvlaki in pita in the centre, about €5-7
- Gyradiko Ai Giorgis · Gyros pita, quick and cheap, about €4-6
- Streetadiko · Street food: wraps and burgers, about €5-9
- Artopoiotes Bakery · Bread, pies and koulouri for the Akamas, about €1-4
- Kebab House · Grilled kebab on the square, about €6-10
Museums in Polis Chrysochous
- Marion-Arsinoe Archaeological Museum · Tomb finds of two ancient cities
- Agios Andronikos · Frescoes back from under plaster
- Baths of Aphrodite botanical garden · The plants of the Akamas with labels
- Stavros tis Psokas · Forest station with mouflon
Nature and day trips near Polis Chrysochous
- Baths of Aphrodite trails · Two marked trails start here, Aphrodite and Adonis, each about 7 km
- Blue Lagoon · Swim from the boat in turquoise water
- Smigies · Pine trails with views of both coasts
- Avakas Gorge · A narrow gorge with its own rare plant
- Evretou Dam · Reservoir for birds and a quiet picnic
Things to do in Polis Chrysochous with kids
- Latchi glass-bottom boats · See fish and rocks through the floor of the boat
- Stavros tis Psokas · Meet the island's wild sheep
- Latsi beach · A long beach next to town
- Baths of Aphrodite · A short shaded walk to the grotto
Where to eat in Polis Chrysochous
- Arsinoe Fish Tavern · Fish taverna in the centre of Polis
- Archontariki · Cypriot dishes in an old house
- Polis Herb Garden · Garden restaurant in the centre
- Moustakallis Restaurant · Cypriot family taverna near the square
- The Old Town Restaurant · Dinner by the square
Frequently asked questions about Polis Chrysochous
What is there to see in Polis Chrysochous?
The top sights in Polis Chrysochous are Latchi harbour, Marion-Arsinoe Archaeological Museum and Agios Andronikos. The full list on this page has 10 sights, each with a photo and a short note.
How many days do you need in Polis Chrysochous?
Three to four days are enough to see the best of Polis Chrysochous without rushing, including at least one walking tour.
Is there a free walking tour in Polis Chrysochous?
Yes. sleepntrip has 3 free audio walks in Polis Chrysochous, with no guide and no group: your phone tells the story at every stop. The first one: Marion, then Arsinoe.
How do you get to Polis Chrysochous and get around?
The main ways are Polis bus station and Paphos International Airport. Full details are in the transport section on this page.
Where to stay in Polis Chrysochous, and for how much?
sleepntrip shows only rooms in Polis Chrysochous that meet nine conditions: a good location, high guest scores, cleanliness, and a price of up to $80 a night for two. Pick your dates and see what is free.
Looking for a hotel in Polis Chrysochous for your dates?
Only rooms that meet nine conditions, up to $80 a night.