Cyprus / The verdict
Are the Tombs of the Kings worth it?
Go. For EUR 2.50 you can climb down into rock-cut courtyard tombs above the sea. Go early or late, wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
By The Real Traveler Experiences team.
The Cyprus story
Cyprus sells itself on beaches, but the island's real depth is archaeological. Paphos' whole harbour district is a UNESCO site where Roman villa mosaics sit beside the water, the Tombs of the Kings honeycomb the cliffs north of town, and the Troodos mountains hide painted Byzantine churches listed in their own right. It is also the practical kind of easy: English is everywhere, driving is on the left, and distances are short, with a swimming season that runs roughly May to November.
The verdict in 30 seconds
Go
Go. For EUR 2.50 you can climb down into rock-cut courtyard tombs above the sea. Go early or late, wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
Go if
- Travelers who like atmospheric ruins they can walk into
- Anyone adding a cheap archaeological stop to a Paphos day
- Early risers and late-afternoon visitors who want cooler, quieter conditions
Skip if
- You can only come at midday in summer, when the site is hot and crowded
- You cannot manage carved, uneven steps and rocky ground
- You want a fully interpreted museum visit; the logged visits describe mostly open ground and rock
What it costs
- Tombs of the Kings admission, adult: €2.50 (20% off organized groups of more than 10). Official source, checked Oct 2026.
- Department of Antiquities 1-day entry card: €8.50 (3-day card EUR 17, 7-day card EUR 25). Official source, checked Oct 2026.
- Pafos Buses district single fare, day: €2 (Single fare paid on the bus; daily ticket EUR 6.50). Official source, checked Oct 2026.
What travelers report
Based on 3 traveler reports (Jul 2025 to Jul 2026) and the official sources linked on this page. 0 were negative.
What people like
- One visit calls the atmosphere calm and a little magical before the crowds arrive.
- One visit found the site easy and cheap, and another describes moving freely between the tombs.
- A logged visit recommends staying for the sunset over the sea.
What people complain about
- Little shade on open ground, so midday sun feels intense, per the logged visits.
- Uneven rock and carved steps make good shoes necessary.
- Midday summer visits are described as crowded and very hot.
How to do it right
- Go early in the morning or later in the afternoon; the reports describe midday as crowded and very hot.
- Pay the EUR 2.50 entrance fee; the official listing gives opening hours of 08:30 to 19:30 from 16 April to 15 September and 08:30 to 17:00 the rest of the year.
- Wear shoes for uneven rock and carved steps, not flip-flops.
- Allow one to two hours, per the logged visits.
- From the harbor, one logged visit took bus 611; the single fare is EUR 2, paid on the bus.
- Carry water, a hat and sun cream; the reports mention little shade.
The trap to avoid
Arriving at midday in summer. The reports describe the site as crowded and very hot then, with little shade on open rock.
Why this verdict
The Tombs of the Kings charge EUR 2.50 and take one to two hours, according to the official listing and the logged visits. The tombs are rock-cut chambers on the Paphos coast, and the official listing says some imitate the houses of the living, with burial chambers opening onto a peristyle atrium. The logged visits describe steps down into the rock, underground chambers, stone columns and an open courtyard-style layout, and one calls Tomb 3 one of the most impressive parts.
The three logged visits agree on conditions. The ground is uneven and rocky, there are carved steps, and there is little shade, so one writer advises against flip-flops and another says to bring water and a hat. Two of them warn that midday gets hot and crowded, and a third arrived mid-morning and found the crowds had not yet come. The reports are positive on atmosphere and mixed only on comfort.
Timing and tickets
The official listing gives the EUR 2.50 entrance fee, a 20% reduction for organized groups of more than 10, and Department of Antiquities entry cards at EUR 8.50 for one day, EUR 17 for three days and EUR 25 for seven days. Hours run 08:30 to 19:30 from 16 April to 15 September and 08:30 to 17:00 the rest of the year. The listing also warns that hours and fees can change without notice. Go early or late, and the reports suggest finishing with the sunset over the sea.
Book or check times
Visit Cyprus: Tombs of the KingsDepartment of Antiquities site listing
Where to stay
Staying in Cyprus?
Which area of Cyprus to stay in, based on traveler reports. Search Cyprus hotels on Expedia partner site
Questions
Were kings actually buried here?
No. The official listing says high-ranking officials and aristocrats were buried here, and the size and splendour of the tombs gave the site its grand name.
How long does it take?
The logged visits put it at about one to two hours.
What are the opening hours?
Per the official listing, 08:30 to 19:30 from 16 April to 15 September and 08:30 to 17:00 from 16 September to 15 April. It is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Orthodox Easter Sunday, and hours can change without notice.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Only partly. The official listing says the site is partially wheelchair accessible, with a view from above only.
When is the best time to go?
All three logged visits recommend early morning or late afternoon, because the open site gets hot and busier around midday.
Pack for it
Gear verdicts from our sister site, Real Buyer Experiences: