Things to Do Near Aphrodite Hills by Car
From the on-site PGA golf course to Kourion's clifftop theatre and the Krasochoria wine villages, a hire car turns Aphrodite Hills into a base for all of south-west Cyprus.
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Golf Beyond the Resort
The resort's own PGA National Cyprus course — Cabell Robinson's par-71 layout across two ravine-split plateaus — needs no car; buggies are included with the green fee. But Paphos is a genuine multi-course destination, and the other top clubs are an easy drive away. A car with a proper boot is the practical key to playing more than one of them.
| Course | Drive from resort | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Secret Valley / Venus Rock | 5 min (under 2 km) | Sheltered par-71 in the Ha Potami valley |
| Elea Estate | 15-20 min west | Sir Nick Faldo design, 83 bunkers |
| Minthis (Tsada) | 25-30 min north | 550 m elevation, par-72, cooler air |
Remember the boot-space reality: a full golf travel bag weighs up to 22 kg and will not fit a small hatchback alongside passengers and luggage. Three or four golfers need an estate, a compact SUV or a van. Book those categories early for the October-to-April golf season, then compare car hire deals for your dates.
Limassol, Kourion & Kolossi
Head 35-45 minutes east on the A6 and the scenery shifts from Paphos antiquity to the Limassol district. The pick of the route is Kourion, a Greco-Roman city perched on a coastal cliff near Episkopi, whose restored 2nd-century-BC theatre still hosts performances above Episkopi Bay. Entry is €2.50 and there is a large free paved car park — about 200 spaces — right at the entrance.
- Kolossi Castle: a perfectly preserved 15th-century Crusader keep 8 km on, birthplace of Commandaria wine — €2.50 with free parking outside.
- Limassol Marina & the Molos promenade: high-end dining and superyachts; use the paid multi-storey garages near the Old Port rather than hunting for street parking.
- Kourion and Kolossi sit off the same road, making a historically dense half-day pairing.
Commandaria, made in the hills above Kolossi, is the world's oldest named wine still in production — famously served at the wedding of Richard the Lionheart in Limassol. It is a natural lead-in to a day among the vines.
Wine Country: The Krasochoria
The southern Troodos foothills hold the Krasochoria, the wine villages, where 5,000 years of viticulture coax indigenous Xynisteri whites and Maratheftiko and Mavro reds from high, limestone-rich soil. Drive up the B8 from the Limassol side or through the Diarizos Valley from the Paphos side to reach stone-built villages such as Omodos, Vouni, Koilani and Arsos.
Omodos is the prettiest base, built around the Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) Monastery, with a pedestrianised core of artisan shops and tasting rooms — park in the municipal lots on the village edge rather than the narrow centre. The twisty approach roads and Cyprus's strict limits make a careful look at our Cyprus driving guide worthwhile first.
Cyprus enforces a strict drink-drive limit: 0.05% blood alcohol (22 micrograms per 100 ml of breath), dropping to 0.02% for drivers who have held a licence under three years. A single glass can put you over. On any winery day, nominate a driver who abstains entirely — rural checkpoints are common in the late afternoon.
Beaches & the Troodos Mountains
For an easy beach day, Pissouri Bay is the local answer — a 1.5 km crescent of sand and shingle below Cape Aspro, 15 minutes east and far calmer than the surf at Petra tou Romiou. Exit the A6 at Pissouri Bay, pass the Columbia Beach Resort and turn into the free public car park behind the sand. Coral Bay's golden sand and the Peyia Sea Caves make a longer half-day to the north, while the wild Akamas Peninsula is a full day and needs a 4x4 for its dirt tracks.
To escape the summer heat, climb into the Troodos mountains, topping out at Mount Olympus (1,952 m) where it runs 10-15°C cooler among the pine forests, painted Byzantine churches and waterfalls. From the resort it is roughly 70-90 minutes via the Diarizos Valley or the faster B8.
The B8 and E601 mountain roads are well surfaced but relentlessly twisty. On the long descents use engine braking — drop to a low gear, or 'L' in an automatic — rather than riding the brakes, which can overheat and fade. In January and February snow is common at the peaks, and hire firms can supply chains on request.
Plan the heritage side of your trip with our guide to Petra tou Romiou and ancient Paphos, and sort the logistics with Aphrodite Hills airport car hire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play several golf courses from Aphrodite Hills?
What is the best beach near the resort?
Can I visit a winery and still drive?
Is the drive into the Troodos mountains difficult?
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