Tombs of the Kings

About

Located just two kilometres north of the bustling harbour of Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings is a sprawling necropolis that dates back to the 4th century BC. The underground chambers are practically carved out of solid basalt, many decorated with Doric columns and vivid frescoes that echo Greco‑Roman artistic traditions. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 along with the wider Paphos and Kouklia sites, the tombs showcase the burial customs of Cyprus’s aristocracy and high officials. Excavations—led since the 1970s by the Cyprus Museum and the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology—continue to uncover new rooms, artefacts and evidence of everyday life in Paphian society. For visitors, the site offers a rare glimpse into an ancient civilisation with its serene, rock‑cut chambers, intricate mosaics and stories of mythology engraved on wall surfaces. The Tombs of the Kings is a must‑visit destination for history enthusiasts, archaeological scholars and travellers keen to experience Cyprus’s rich cultural heritage.