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8042 Pafos, Cyprus
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© 2025 Anemi Hotel & Suites · Woven Simply in Pafos
Discover / Arts & Culture
A Living
Tradition
From ancient looms to opera under the stars, Paphos holds a cultural scene that spans centuries of craft and celebration.
The Craft
Hands That Keep
History Alive
A variety of traditional crafts survive across the villages of Cyprus — weaving on wooden looms, pottery shaped by hand, basketry woven from natural materials, woodwork carved from olive and walnut. These are not museum relics. In the hill villages around Paphos, artisan workshops remain open, their techniques unchanged since Medieval times, their makers quietly determined to keep the old ways breathing.
01 — The Loom
Phytiotiko Weaving
In Phyti village, traditional loom weaving has been passed through generations since Medieval times. The distinctive geometric patterns and vibrant colours of Phytiotiko textiles are made on wooden looms in open studios, available to visit on weekends from 9:30 to 1:30. The Fiti Village Weaving Museum offers free admission — open May to October, Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 12 PM and 2 to 5 PM; November to April, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 12 PM and 1 to 4 PM.
02 — The Stage
Festivals Under Open Skies
The Pafos Aphrodite Festival brings opera to the courtyard of Paphos Medieval Castle each September — performances against a Mediterranean backdrop that no concert hall can rival. The AfroBanana Festival, now in its 10th anniversary edition, has grown from a small gathering into an internationally recognised celebration of independent music, art, and workshops. The Paradise Jazz Festival returns annually, and the Anthesteria flower festival inaugurates the Municipal Park of Colours each spring.
03 — The People
Walking Tours & Living Heritage
Free guided “Meet the Locals” walking tours wind through the old town of Kato Paphos, organised by the tourism board. The Folklore Festival of Ktima, now in its 7th edition, celebrates Cypriot folk traditions with music and dance. In Steni, a designated Colourful Village, vibrant painted buildings house a small but dedicated arts community. And then there is the extraordinary: a Cypriot performer who balanced 511 wine glasses on his head, breaking his own Guinness World Record of 319.
The Calendar
Annual Highlights
Aphrodite Festival
Annual opera festival held in the courtyard of Paphos Medieval Castle. Performances against the Mediterranean night sky — Carmen was scheduled for September 5-6, 2025.
Logicom Cyprus Marathon
International running event that has drawn competitors to Paphos every year since 1999. A course that passes through archaeological sites and along the coast.
Anthesteria
Ancient flower festival revived in modern form. The inauguration of the Municipal Park of Colours — a celebration of spring that reaches back to classical antiquity.
Grape Harvest Festival
A celebration of wine heritage in the mountain village of Panagia. Traditional grape pressing, local music, and the kind of hospitality that only a village harvest can produce.
AfroBanana Festival
Independent music, art, and workshops in a stunning natural setting. What began as a small gathering has grown into an internationally recognised cultural event.
Maratheftiko Wine Exhibition
Twelve wineries come together to celebrate the indigenous Maratheftiko grape — a variety unique to Cyprus and the foundation of the island's most distinctive reds.
The Workshops
The Artisans
In the hill villages around Paphos, a handful of craftspeople keep traditional techniques alive. Their workshops are open, their materials local, their methods unchanged across generations.
Weaving
Phyti villageMedieval tradition practised on wooden looms. Distinctive geometric patterns in vibrant colours — Phytiotiko textiles are among the most recognisable crafts of Cyprus.
Pottery
Village workshopsTraditional techniques passed down through families. Both functional and decorative pieces shaped by hand — water jugs, bowls, plates glazed in earthy tones.
Basketry
Natural materialsWoven from palm leaves and reeds gathered locally. A disappearing art that fewer and fewer hands know how to practise. Each basket takes days to complete.
Woodwork
Olive wood carvingKitchen implements, decorative icons, and small sculptures carved from olive and walnut wood. The grain of centuries-old olive trees gives each piece its character.
Before You Go
Festivals
Check dates in advance and book accommodation early for the Aphrodite Festival — Paphos fills up quickly in September.
Walking Tours
Wear comfortable shoes. Tours last 2-3 hours through the old town. Meet at the central square — free of charge.
Museums
The Fiti Weaving Museum is free to enter. Small donations are appreciated and go directly to preserving the collection.
The Concierge Knows What's On
Festival tickets, workshop visits, walking tour schedules — our team keeps track of what is happening so you never miss a moment.
Plan Your Visit