Some of the best scenic drives Paphos district offers are not the ones you race through on the way to a beach or landmark. They are the roads that ask you to slow down – the bends where the sea suddenly appears, the village lanes lined with stone houses and citrus trees, and the mountain stretches where the air turns cooler and smells faintly of pine. If you enjoy seeing a place gradually, through its landscapes, small tavernas and changing light, Paphos rewards unhurried driving beautifully.
What makes this part of Cyprus especially appealing is the contrast. Within a single day, you can leave a quiet inland village, descend towards the coast, follow a harbour road for a while, then climb again into hills where the pace feels almost untouched by time. These are not drives for ticking off attractions as quickly as possible. They are for stopping when a view asks you to, taking the longer route on purpose, and letting the district reveal itself in layers.
The best scenic drives in Paphos district for a slower holiday
If you are staying in the north-west of the district, near Polis or the surrounding villages, you are particularly well placed. Many of the loveliest routes begin almost at your doorstep, and they suit travellers who prefer authenticity over crowds. A good scenic drive here is rarely just about the road itself. It is also about where you pause for coffee, which village bakery you find by chance, and whether you decide to turn left simply because the hillside looks beautiful in the afternoon sun.
Polis to Latsi and the edge of Akamas
This is one of the gentlest introductions to the area, and one of the most rewarding if you want sea views without a demanding drive. Starting from Polis, the road to Latsi is easy and relaxed, with the coastline gradually opening up beside you. In the early morning it feels fresh and spacious, while towards sunset the light softens everything – fishing boats, low hills and the water itself.
From Latsi, many visitors continue towards the Baths of Aphrodite and the Akamas edge. The scenery becomes wilder here, with fewer signs of town life and more of that raw, open beauty that makes this corner of Cyprus so memorable. The trade-off is that roads can become narrower and, in parts beyond the main route, rougher. If you prefer comfort over adventure, it is perfectly enough to enjoy the paved sections and stop often.
Polis to Pomos along the north-west coast
If you like dramatic coastline and a sense of distance from the busier parts of the island, the drive from Polis towards Pomos is a favourite. The sea stays close for much of the route, but the mood is different from Latsi. It feels more remote, more elemental, with stretches where cliffs, scrubland and open water create that lovely sense of being somewhere slightly apart.
Pomos itself is worth the journey, not because it is polished, but because it still feels real. It is the sort of place where a simple lunch by the water can become the highlight of the day. This route is especially good outside peak midday hours, when you can pull over for photos without feeling rushed and enjoy the changing blues of the coast in peace.
Inland from Polis to Kathikas via the vine villages
For travellers who love villages, vineyards and a quieter kind of beauty, heading inland is one of the best decisions you can make. The route towards Kathikas takes you away from the coast and into a different rhythm altogether. Terraced hills, old stone houses and cultivated land replace the broad sea views, and the district starts to feel more intimate.
This drive suits those who enjoy combining scenery with food and wine. Villages in this part of Paphos are known for traditional tavernas and a slower, more grounded atmosphere. The roads are generally manageable, though more winding than the coastal stretches, so it is better approached with time to spare rather than as a quick outing between other plans.
Tsada and Minthis countryside loop
Closer to Paphos town, the countryside around Tsada offers a softer mountain landscape with broad views and a slightly cooler climate. This is a lovely option if you are spending part of your stay near the coast but want a change from the shoreline. 
The ascent itself is part of the pleasure, as the land opens behind you and the district takes on a wider scale.
This route feels particularly good in spring and autumn, when the temperatures are kinder and the countryside has more texture. It is not the wildest drive in the district, but it has elegance. If your idea of a scenic outing includes a long lunch, a village coffee and a graceful return by late afternoon, this area delivers well.
Mountain roads and forest views
The coastal drives tend to receive the attention, but some of the best scenic drives Paphos district has for repeat visitors are in the hills. The mountain routes give you shade, depth and a sense of the island beyond its postcard image.
Through Paphos Forest and Cedar Valley approaches
This is where the district begins to feel more rugged and untamed. The roads leading towards Paphos Forest, and further on to the approaches around Cedar Valley, are wonderfully atmospheric. Pine-covered slopes, deeper ravines and long, quiet stretches make this a drive for people who genuinely enjoy being in nature.
It does require a little more care. Bends can be sharper, road surfaces more variable, and distances can feel longer than they look on a map. But for those who want cool air, birdsong and views that feel far removed from resort Cyprus, it is immensely rewarding. If you are travelling with a dog, this area can also be ideal for a calm walk once you find a suitable stopping point.
The Diarizos Valley route
South-east of the district’s better-known village circuits, the Diarizos Valley offers another beautiful drive that often feels overlooked. This is part of its charm. The route carries you through traditional rural landscapes where farming, village life and the natural contours of the land still shape the day.
There is a lovely sense of continuity here. You are not driving from one famous stop to another, but through a lived-in landscape. For many thoughtful travellers, that is far more memorable. It is a good choice if you prefer authenticity to spectacle and would rather find a family-run taverna than a heavily photographed viewpoint.
How to enjoy scenic drives in Paphos district well
The pleasure of scenic drives in Paphos depends as much on timing as route choice. Early mornings are particularly lovely in warmer months, when the roads are quiet and the light is clean. Late afternoons are equally beautiful, especially on west-facing coastal roads where the sun begins to drop into the sea. Midday can still be enjoyable, but it tends to flatten the colours and make brief stops feel hotter and less inviting.
It is also worth accepting that road conditions vary. Some of the most beautiful areas in the district are reached by narrower or more winding roads, and in a few places the surface may be less polished than you expect. That is part of the character, but it does mean the best approach is an unhurried one. Keep water with you, allow extra time, and do not plan too many stops in a single day.
If you are staying somewhere peaceful in the Polis area, such as Ithaki House, this style of day out feels very natural. You can set off after a slow breakfast, return for a swim or a quiet evening, and never feel as though the drive was just transport. It becomes part of the holiday itself.
Which route is best for you?
That depends on the mood of your stay. If you want easy coastal beauty, choose Latsi and the Akamas edge. If you prefer a more remote shoreline, go north towards Pomos. If food, wine and village life matter most, head inland towards Kathikas. And if cooler air and forest landscapes call to you, make time for the mountain roads.
The real pleasure is that you do not need to choose only one. Paphos district is wonderfully varied, and its scenic drives are close enough together to shape several very different days. Leave space in your plans for the unexpected stop, the roadside view, the village you had not meant to visit. That is usually where the day becomes memorable.
This piece was prepared by Ithaki House, a private village holiday home near Polis Chrysochou, Paphos District, Cyprus, ideal for those who value calm, nature and a slower pace of travel.
For more information about Ithaki House please visit our Digital Guest Book bit.ly/IthakiGuestBook
For stays and enquiries, you can find us at www.ithakihouse.com or call us/send us a WhatsApp at +35799496071
