Screen Free Things to Do with Kids in Paphos This Winter

Mosaics, a castle, underground tombs, free museums, a coastal nature trail and a real carpentry workshop. Ideas for getting children off screens between now and spring.

Published 13 October 2026 · 8 minute read · By Luke Barry, 15 years in the building industry

Winter in Paphos is mild, quiet and, for families, a little bit of a puzzle. The beach clubs close, the water parks shut for the season, and it is easy for weekends to drift towards tablets and television. The good news is that some of the best things to do with children here are at their best in winter, when it is cool enough to walk and the big sites are almost empty.

Every price and opening time below comes from the official Cyprus tourism site or the organiser, checked on 13 October 2026. Hours and fees can change without notice, so check before you set off.

1. Find the myths in the mosaics at Kato Paphos

The Archaeological Park of Kato Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has some of the finest Roman mosaic floors in the Mediterranean. The floors of four Roman villas, the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion and Orpheus, show scenes from Greek myths, which makes them a brilliant way into the stories for children.

Make it work for kids: before you go, tell them the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, then let them find it on the floor. Give them a list of animals to spot in the mosaics. The park is big and open, so there is space to run between the villas, and you can also see the Odeon, the old Agora and the ruins of Saranta Kolones castle.

• Winter hours: daily 08:30 to 17:00 from 16 September to 15 April
• Entry: €4.50
• Closed: Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday

2. Climb Paphos Castle and walk the harbour

The medieval fort at the end of Paphos harbour is small, which is perfect for younger children. It began as a Byzantine fort, was rebuilt, pulled down and rebuilt again, and was restored by the Ottomans in 1592. Children can explore the rooms around the central courtyard and look out over the sea from the roof.

Combine it with a walk along the harbour front and the seafront path, and with the Archaeological Park, which is a short walk away. Our Paphos page lists local trades if you are visiting a holiday home at the same time.

• Winter hours: daily 08:30 to 17:00 from 16 September to 15 April, closed on public holidays
• Entry: €2.50

3. Explore the Tombs of the Kings

Despite the name, no kings were buried here, but children rarely mind. The tombs are cut into the rock, with stairs leading down into underground courtyards surrounded by columns. It feels like an adventure, and older children enjoy working out how the tombs were carved. Wear sensible shoes, as the ground is uneven and the steps are steep, and keep a close eye on younger children near the edges.

• Entry: €2.50, according to Visit Cyprus

Money saving tip: the Department of Antiquities sells entry cards valid for all its museums and monuments: €8.50 for one day, €17 for three days and €25 for seven days. If you plan to visit several sites over the holidays, work out whether a card is cheaper.

4. Two free museums for a rainy day

Archaeological Museum of the Paphos District

Finds from the Paphos region from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD, shown across five rooms. It is a manageable size for children, and seeing real objects from the sites they have walked round helps it all make sense.

• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 to 16:30, closed Mondays and public holidays
• Entry: free

Local Ethnographic Museum of Geroskipou

An 18th century house full of everyday life from the 19th and early 20th centuries: pottery, weaving, rope making and silk production. It is a good one for showing children how things were made by hand before factories and shops, and it fits nicely with a stop in Geroskipou village square.

• Winter hours: daily 08:30 to 16:00 from 16 September to 15 April, closed on public holidays
• Entry: free

5. Walk to the Baths of Aphrodite

Winter is the best time for walking in the Akamas, when it is cool and green. The Aphrodite nature trail starts at the Baths of Aphrodite, where, according to legend, the goddess used to bathe. The full circular trail is 7.5 kilometres and takes three to four hours, climbing to 333 metres with views over Polis Chrysochous and the coast, past the ruins of the Queen's Tower and a 500 year old oak tree.

That is a lot for small legs, so with younger children, visit the Baths and walk the first part of the trail, then turn back. Older children who like walking can manage the full loop with snacks and stops. The fountains on the route are not drinking water, so bring plenty of your own, and check the weather before you go.

6. Visit Pafos Zoo in Peyia

Pafos Zoo in Peyia is a long established animal park and a reliable favourite with children. We were not able to confirm its winter opening times and prices from an official source for this guide, so check the zoo's own website before you go.

7. Build something real at the TTC Junior Carpenter Workshop

This one is ours, so we will be upfront about it. TrustedTradesCyprus runs a supervised practical workshop where children complete a real carpentry and building project and take it home. It is designed to give children the experience of measuring, building and finishing something with their own hands, the opposite of a screen.

• Date: Saturday 21 November 2026
• Ages 7 to 9: 11:30 to 13:30
• Ages 10 and over: 14:00 to 16:00
• Price: €35 per child. Families with children in both age groups can book both sessions in one payment.
• Safety: public liability insurance is in place, safety glasses are worn during practical work, closed toe shoes are required and long hair must be tied back. A parent or guardian stays on site throughout.
• Venue: shared with confirmed attendees only

Places are limited. You can book, join the waiting list if a session is full, or register interest in future workshops on the TTC workshops page.

8. Christmas in the villages

Paphos district puts on Christmas villages and events from late November. Last year, the Christmas village at Statos Agios Fotios ran from 22 November 2025 to 6 January 2026, with workshops for children and adults, choirs, live music and theatre. Dates for 2026 had not been announced when we wrote this guide, so watch the Paphos municipality and community pages from November.

Screen free ideas at home

Not every weekend needs a day out. A few things that work well on wet winter days:

• A simple woodwork project. A bird box, a pencil holder or a small shelf, with an adult doing any sawing and children sanding, assembling and painting. Our workshop is a good way to build the confidence for this at home, and our carpenters in Cyprus page shows the trade in action.
• A mosaic of your own. After the Kato Paphos visit, children can make a mosaic from coloured card squares or pebbles collected on the beach.
• Grow something. Autumn and winter are planting season in Cyprus. Herbs, broad beans or bulbs in a pot give children something to check every day. Our garden landscaping guide has ideas for plants that cope with dry summers.
• A beach clean. Winter beaches are empty, and collecting rubbish with gloves and a bag turns a walk into a mission.

Making space for projects at home

If winter woodwork catches on, a proper place to make things helps: a garden workbench, a shed, or a corner of a room cleared for a craft table. Our directory lists builders in Paphos for a garden room or shed, landscapers for an outdoor workspace and painters and decorators for turning a spare room into a playroom. Before you hire anyone for a bigger job, our guide on how to check a builder in Cyprus covers the licence and insurance checks, and you can browse every trade in the TrustedTradesCyprus directory.

Planning tips for winter days out

• Most sites close at 16:00 or 17:00 in winter, so start in the morning.
• Check opening times on public holidays, when many sites are closed.
• Bring layers. Mornings can be cold, and the sun is still strong at midday.
• Keep children close at the Tombs of the Kings and on castle roofs, where there are drops and uneven steps.
• Pack water and snacks. Cafés near the sites may keep shorter hours out of season.

Frequently asked questions

What can kids do in Paphos in winter?

Good options include the Roman mosaics at the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, Paphos Castle, the Tombs of the Kings, the free District Archaeological Museum and Geroskipou ethnographic museum, the Baths of Aphrodite nature trail, Pafos Zoo and the TTC Junior Carpenter Workshop on 21 November 2026.

How much does the Paphos Archaeological Park cost?

Entry is €4.50 according to Visit Cyprus. In winter, from 16 September to 15 April, it is open daily from 08:30 to 17:00, and it closes on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday.

Are there free museums in Paphos?

Yes. The Archaeological Museum of the Paphos District and the Local Ethnographic Museum of Geroskipou are both free to enter, according to Visit Cyprus. Check opening days before you go, as the archaeological museum is closed on Mondays.

What age is the TTC Junior Carpenter Workshop for?

There are two classes on Saturday 21 November 2026: ages 7 to 9 from 11:30 to 13:30, and ages 10 and over from 14:00 to 16:00. Tickets cost €35 per child and a parent or guardian stays on site throughout.

Sources

• Visit Cyprus: Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos (accessed 13 October 2026)
• Visit Cyprus: Pafos Castle (accessed 13 October 2026)
• Visit Cyprus: Archaeological Museum of the Pafos District (accessed 13 October 2026)
• Visit Cyprus: Local Ethnographic Museum of Geroskipou (accessed 13 October 2026)
• Visit Cyprus: Aphrodite circular nature trail, Akamas (accessed 13 October 2026)
• Cyprus Mail, 21 November 2025: Christmas village opens in Paphos
• TTC Junior Carpenter Workshop details