Polis
Polis at a Glance
Costs: Moderate tourist costs - expect $80-140 per day for mid-range hotels, car hire and dining in the Polis area.
Safety: Very safe - very safe and tourist-friendly with low violent crime and well-policed coastal roads.
Best Time: April to October - april-October for warm beach weather; spring and autumn best for hiking and avoiding crowds.
Why Visit Polis?
A mellow coastal town on Cyprus’s northwest coast, Polis Chrysochous appeals to travelers who want the Akamas Peninsula’s wild coastline and a relaxed harbor scene. Latchi harbor, its fishing fleet and waterfront tavernas serve fresh seafood and Cypriot meze, and the nearby Baths of Aphrodite and nature trails invite days outdoors. Slow-paced dining, local wineries and traditional village squares make it a good base for exploring Paphos District beyond the ruins.
Best Things to Do in Polis
Museum
Paphos Archaeological Park
Archaeological site with extensive Roman mosaics and ruins
Monument
Kykkos Monastery
Orthodox monastery housing gilded icons and relics
Archaeological Site
Tombs of the Kings
Ancient rock-cut tombs near Paphos archaeological park
Mountains
Troodos Mountains
Central Cyprus mountain range with forests and monasteries
Mountain
Mount Olympus (Cyprus)
Cyprus's highest peak on Troodos massif
Archaeological Site
Soli
Ancient city ruins with Roman mosaics and harbor remains
Castle
Paphos Castle
Medieval fortification at Paphos harbor
Castle
Saranta Kolones
Byzantine-era fortress ruins overlooking Paphos coastline
Polis Bucket List
Don't Miss
Akamas Peninsula - Wild coastal reserve with Baths of Aphrodite, walking trails and secluded coves.
Latsi harbour - Small harbour village with tavernas, boat trips, and evening sea views.
Polis Municipal Museum - Local museum presenting regional archaeology and traditional rural life exhibits.
Hidden Gems
Avakas Gorge - Narrow limestone gorge ideal for short hikes and geological interest.
Latchi fish market - Early-morning fish market next to Latsi harbour with fresh daily catches.
Pomos lighthouse viewpoint - Clifftop lighthouse offering expansive sea panoramas and tranquil walking paths.
Day Trips
Paphos Archaeological Park - UNESCO site with mosaics, Roman villas, and ancient amphitheatre near the coast.
Coral Bay - Popular sandy bay for swimming, sunbathing, and family-friendly beach facilities.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Polis
Polis is nicest in late spring (April-June) or early autumn (September-October) when temperatures are pleasant and crowds are smaller. Summers are hot and dry; winters are mild but wetter.
Summer
Long, hot, bone-dry days - perfect for beaches and swimming, but inland hikes and sightseeing are exhausting during midday heat.
Winter
Mild but rainy - good for low-season sightseeing and quieter beaches, though many sea activities are windier and cooler often.
Spring
Blooming countryside, warm days, comfortable evenings - ideal for cycling, coastal walks, and avoiding the summer crowds, with fewer tourists.
Polis's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 95 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| February | Very Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Very Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.9 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.8h |
| April | Excellent | 12° - 22° | 17° | 22 mm | some cloud | 70% | 3.1 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.0h |
| May | Ideal | 15° - 26° | 20° | 11 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 2.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.9h |
| June | Ideal | 18° - 29° | 24° | 3 mm | clear | 65% | 2.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.4h |
| July | Ideal | 21° - 32° | 27° | 1 mm | clear | 65% | 2.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.1h |
| August | Ideal | 21° - 32° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 68% | 2.5 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.3h |
| September | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 25° | 4 mm | clear | 67% | 2.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Ideal | 16° - 27° | 22° | 32 mm | mostly sunny | 66% | 2.1 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 55 mm | some cloud | 69% | 2.2 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.2h |
| December | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
How to Get to Polis
Polis (Polis Chrysochous) in Paphos District is most easily reached via Paphos International Airport (PFO) with onward road transfers. Cyprus lacks a passenger rail network, so buses, taxis and car hire are the practical choices to reach Polis.
Paphos International Airport (PFO):
Paphos Airport is the closest major airport for Polis Chrysochous. From Paphos to Polis by taxi takes roughly 35-50 minutes depending on traffic and costs around €40-60. Shared transfer services and local car hires are common alternatives.
Larnaca International Airport (LCA):
Larnaca is further away (about 1.5-2 hours by road). Many visitors arriving at Larnaca use long-distance bus services or hire a car; a taxi direct to Polis will be significantly more expensive than from Paphos (expect €90+).
Train:
Cyprus does not have an active intercity passenger rail system.
Bus:
Polis is served by intercity buses from Paphos and occasionally from Nicosia and Larnaca; the Paphos → Polis route typically takes ~40-60 minutes by bus depending on stops and costs in the region of €3-€6. Bus frequency is limited compared with cities, so check the timetable in advance.
How to Get Around Polis
Polis is best navigated by bus, taxi or car - there’s no train service. If you want maximum flexibility, rent a car; for budget travel use the limited intercity buses and local taxis for short hops.
- Intercity bus (€3-6) - Buses connect Polis with Paphos and other towns; services are inexpensive but infrequent outside peak tourist season. Buy tickets at the bus station or directly from the driver and plan around published schedules.
- Taxi / private transfer (€40-60) - Taxis provide door-to-door transfers from Paphos Airport or the city; shared transfers can reduce cost. Expect roughly a 35-50 minute drive from Paphos, price depending on luggage and time of day.
- Car hire - Hiring a car is the most flexible way to explore Polis and the surrounding Akamas Peninsula. Roads are well signposted and driving times to nearby attractions are short; parking in Polis is straightforward during most of the year.
- Local taxi / dolmus - Local taxis and shared minibuses operate short inter-town connections; they can be helpful for last-mile travel when bus timetables don’t align with your plans. Negotiate or confirm fares in advance for shared rides.
- Walking - Polis town centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, with shops, cafés and the harbour within walking distance. Use walking to get between local sights and restaurants.
Where to Stay in Polis
Budget
Polis / Latchi - €25-60/night
Polis has several small, affordable guesthouses and pensions near the harbour and Latchi beaches.
Budget guesthouses in Polis (search) - Small family-run guesthouses.
Malibu Beach Hotel Polis (example budget/guesthouse) - Simple seafront rooms.
Mid-Range
Latchi / Polis - €60-150/night
Polis and Latchi offer comfortable mid-range hotels and boutique stays; Anassa sits at the top end for this area.
Anassa (upper mid / luxury-adjacent) - High-quality seaside hotel near Polis.
Panareti Coral Bay Resort - Comfortable resort near Coral Bay.
Luxury
Latchi coast - €200+/night
Polis has limited true five-star hotels; Anassa is the main luxury property, with private villas nearby.
Anassa Hotel - Luxury seaside hotel near Polis.
Select luxury villas & boutique resorts - Private villas and high-end stays.
Where to Eat in Polis
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Polis’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Polis
Nightlife in Polis is low-key and largely centred on tavernas and seafront bars, especially around Latchi harbour. Expect relaxed evenings with seafood restaurants and a few bars rather than loud clubs or late-night scenes.
Shopping in Polis
Shopping in Polis is small-scale and relaxed: bakeries, boutiques, souvenir stalls and a weekly market provide local goods and regional produce. For larger department stores or brand-name shopping, Paphos has more options a short drive away.