Considered the birthplace of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of beauty and love, Cyprus holds millennia of legends, lore and secrets centered around one of the most iconic deities ever known. In fact, in the eighth century B.C.E., Homer (author of The Illiad and The Odyssey) mentioned Aphrodite as “Kypris,” showing just how far back the goddess has been linked to the island.

Cyprus actually has its own Aphrodite Cultural Route, allowing travelers to walk in the footsteps of the country’s patron goddess. This self-guided tour features real sites intertwined with mythology.

© Deputy Ministry of Tourism Cyprus

Baths of Aphrodite

This natural grotto sits at the tip of Akamas Peninsula. Shaded by an old fig tree, legend says Aphrodite used to bathe in these waters and even met her lover Adonis when he stopped for a drink while hunting. It is said Adonis fell in love with her the moment he drank from the water.

Kition (Larnaka/Larnaca)

Excavations at this site shed light to the sacred quarter where Aphrodite was worshipped in sanctuaries and later in temples. These buildings were often associated with workshops for the melting of copper, a major source of wealth on the island at the time.

© Deputy Ministry of Tourism Cyprus

Petra tou Romiou

Aphrodite’s mythical birthplace, this geological formation of huge rocks can be found on the southwest coast of the Pafos district. Myth says the goddess was borne from the sea foam here. It’s believed those who swim around the rock three times will receive blessings like eternal youth, beauty, good luck, fertility and true love

Amathous

Located near Limassol, this was one of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus, an important site of worship for Aphrodite. Remains of temples, sanctuaries and female figures of the goddess can be seen today.

© Deputy Ministry of Tourism Cyprus

Palaipafos

In Kouklia Village, this archaeological site was also a city-kingdom of ancient Cyprus and was the first Cypriot site to be included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1980. The site was a place where the goddess was worshipped as an aniconic symbol (conical stone) until Roman times.