Paphos is a coastal city in the southwest of Cyprus, and is the capital of the Paphos district, and houses Paphos International Airport which is the second biggest airport on Cyprus. The economy of Paphos is strongly dependent on tourism and has four main resorts: Kato Paphos, Coral Bay, Latchi, and Aphrodite Hills. The city is particularly well-served by reliably lovely weather (for much of the year) and a large number of historic sites and attractions, arts and sports making it a popular destination for holiday.
Paphos has a subtropical Mediterranean climate, with mild and fairly wet winters, and hot, dry and sunny summers. The moderation from the surrounding seas means that significant fluctuations in temperature are rare. Frost and snow are very rare during the winter months, but are not completely unheard of, and widespread snowfall occurs on an average of roughly one in ten seasons. Snow is quite frequent, however, up in the nearby Troodos mountain range, where skiing holidays are possible in February and March.
The mean maximum temperature ranges from 17°C in January to 30°C in July and August, and significant heatwaves occasionally crop up, when southerly winds pull up hot air from northern Africa. Unlike in inland parts of the island, Paphos does not usually experience temperatures in excess of 40°C, thanks to its coastal location and moderation from the nearby sea, but temperatures as high as 38°C have been recorded.
The climate is sunny and dry even by normal Mediterranean standards, which can lead to problems with drought during summer and early autumn. The mean annual precipitation is just 387mm, most of which falls between November and February inclusive, and rainfall amounts during the wet season can vary considerably depending on how far south the jet stream is, and consequently, how far south Atlantic low pressure systems track. From May to September inclusive, on average, less than 10mm of precipitation per month falls and the months of July and August usually remain completely dry.
Sunshine totals average 3415 hours per year, which is over 75% of the possible total. Even during the wet months sunshine is quite abundant, and the cloudiest month of the year, December, boasts an average of 186 hours per December (6 hours per day) which is on a par with average May, June and July sunshine totals over much of northern England, in spite of shorter hours of daylight. During the summer months, average daily sunshine durations of 11 to 13 hours are typical.
Although the climate is very dry in the summer half-year, mean relative humidity levels are typically moderate, thanks to the proximity to the surrounding seas. On average mean humidity levels peak at 76% during January, but the summer months are often quite humid too. The average sea temperature ranges from 17°C in January and February to 27°C in August, which makes diving and snorkelling attractive during late spring, summer and early to mid autumn.
What's The Weather Like in Paphos in January?
January is an excellent month to go sightseeing in Paphos because the weather isn't too hot and there are fewer crowds. You should also be able to get better deals on flights and accommodation.
How Hot Is Paphos In January?
January is the second-coldest month of the year in Paphos, marginally warmer than February on average, but the temperatures are usually mild, with an average daytime maximum temperature of 17°C and an average minimum of 8°C overnight.
Frosts are rare with an average of just one year in ten, though there is an average of one day per January with a ground frost.
Does it snow in Paphos In January?
There was an unusual snowfall in many parts of Cyprus in early January 2013 which included Paphos, though it did not last for long.
Does It Rain In January?
January is traditionally one of the wettest months of the year with a mean precipitation total of 80mm, spread over an average of 13 wet days per month.
How Warm Is The Sea In Paphos In January?
There's a daily average of 6.3 hours a day of sunshine. The average sea temperature in January is 18°C, which all but hardy swimmers would attempt.
Is it Humid In January?
January is normally a moderately humid month with a mean relative humidity of 76%.
Hotels for Paphos in January
Louis King Jason
Paphos has a large assortment of good hotels, catering for a wide range of tastes. The Louis King Jason at Pentadaktylou St, Kato Paphos, is a series of luxury 4-star apartments which as of 2012 and 2013 have been very highly rated on TripAdvisor, and has numerous facilities.
Pyramos Hotel
Those on a tight budget are quite well catered for and can consider the surprisingly good 2-star Pyramos Hotel at 4 Agias Anastasias Street.
Beaches for Paphos for January
Latchi Beach
January is not one of the better times of year to visit one of the many beaches at Paphos but the weather can still be reasonable enough during a fine spell. Latchi Beach is situated by Latchi fishing village in the Akamas Peninsula, and is a good fishing spot as well as offering relaxation opportunities. Aphrodite's Rock, one of the main landmarks in Paphos, is well worth seeing, and has some secluded pebble beaches nearby.
Restaurants and Bars for Paphos in January
Tea for Two
A good British-style restaurant is Tea for Two at 50 Tombs of the Kings Road, sells English breakfasts and many British-style meals, with large portions at relatively low prices.
Flintstones Bar
Paphos also boasts many good cocktail bars, including the Flintstones Bar at Dionisiou 2 Kato Paphos, which is particularly suitable for special occasions as it contains some expensive but high-quality cocktails.
Things to do in Paphos in January
Paphos Archaeological Park
Since the weather in January is fairly unreliable but usually contains significant fine spells and is not particularly hot, January is quite a good time to visit Paphos's many historical sites. It boasts numerous ruins and mosaics that date back to Roman times. The centrepiece of the park is four Roman villas with mosaic floors, and there are numerous other attractions at the park.
Tombs of the Kings
Visitors can try out the Tombs of the Kings, which feature impressive underground tombs in which high officials rather than kings were buried (despite the title of the tombs), or the mosaics at the House of Theseus and the House of Orpheus, among other locations. Other attractions within the park include Saranta Kolones, which is a ruined castle that was built in the 13th century and was destroyed by an earthquake but many ruins still stand.
City Sightseeing
There are some good bus tours in and around Paphos. Go to Kato Paphos, Harbour Coach Park offer "hop on and off" bus trips around some of the main attractions within Paphos, while for a quirkier option,
Dates for the diary
Epiphany
Paphos celebrates Epiphany on the 6th January each year, which is also celebrated generally around coastal towns and cities in Cyprus. The festival features processions and a church service and young men dive to retrieve the cross which is cast into the seaside water by the local Church prelate. In Limassol, approximately 36 miles away from Paphos and accessible by shuttle bus, the New Year International Regatta is organised by the Paphos Yachting Association and features yacht race competitions, typically within the first two weeks of January and spanning just under a week.
