Hello fodorites!
I am thinking of Cyprus in mid March 2010. I was all set for Paphos as we want a quiet place to stay (have an eye on an apartment) but near to restaurants and sea and historical sites.
Have now seen a thread on net which says Paphos now like Benidorm with Irish pubs and all day breakfasts etc!
How big is Polis? Will it have restauarants etc open in March?
Thanks
Masha
Polis or Paphos?
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It's not accurate to describe Paphos as being similar to Benidorm, especially not in March. Paphos has a beautiful harbour and the mosaics are close by. There is development but not on the Benidorm scale. Polis is probably 30 mins north and is a small town, has a square with restaurants, not sure what would be open in March. Polis is more of an area for natural beauty rather than history, with Akamas closeby and lovely villages like Pomos within easy driving distance (famous for fish mezze). There are alot of apartment and villa choices in this area, some inland in some of the gorgeous villages who do not have much tourism at all. Example Kathikas. Check agrotourism Cyprus website.
I agree with Odin - Paphos is not Benidorm by a long shot. There are one or two tacky places with pictures of the food on display outside the restaurants, but on the whole it is gentle but with a bit of life. It tends to attract a quiet older crowd, the "Benidorm" contingent tend to go to Ayia Napa on the other side of the island.
Polis would be too quiet for me, but if you are looking for a real escape it could be the answer.
If you stay west of the road to the harbour or are in the higher town (the old town- it's very traditional in Paphos. East is a bit strip mall-ish
We've stayed three times at teh Helios Bay apartments albeit not for some years.
Polis is less lovely although it's pleasant enough too. If you can bear to be away from the coast there are some lovely villages just a couple of miles inland.