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Pafos or Paphos?

We have received many emails asking which is the correct spelling of the name of our town; Pafos or Paphos.

The correct answer is Pafos.  You will see it spelled like this on street signs, maps, government and municipal letter heads even though Paphos is also accepted widely. 

I believe that Paphos is the British spelling of the Greek name ΠΑΦΟΣ.   You will still find many people spelling it Paphos but whichever way you spell it, it is acceptable.   If you are sending a letter it will be delivered whether you spell it Pafos or Paphos

I have heard people pronouncing it Pathos and sometimes even spell it Pathos.  I think this is as a result of some people not being able to pronounce the letter F and instead pronounce it as TH, thus the Pathos.  I would refrain from using that word locally as it means Passion in Greek.  So imagine asking a local “Where can I find Pathos?”  That might get you into some trouble.

So to sum up:  It is acceptable to use both Pafos and Paphos but the correct spelling is Pafos.  You might hear some locals pronouncing it BAFOS but that is just the way things are pronounced locally.

Also note that accepted names when spoken are also Pafo or Papho.

I hope this has cleared up the question.

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 The charming west coast town of Pafos (Paphos) focusses around an attractive little harbour whose picturesque open air fish restaurants line a quayside of bright fishing boats and pleasure craft.

With a population of just 28.000 Pafos nestles In the lee of the Western Troodos Mountains, which add another dimension to this area of scenic beauty. The recent addition of its own international airport nearby has opened up the Pafos area, and the resort is graced with some luxury hotels along the coastline.

Pafos has an air of holiday charm combined with history, and olden-day elegance is lent to the town by its classical style buildings in the upper part of town which leads to the shopping area. The lower part of the town - known as Kato Pafos has a life of its own albeit so close by, down near the sea -home of the harbour, the fish tavernas, souvenir shops and several beautiful hotels with important archaeological sites around them.

Pafos is entwined with Greek mythology, and the legendary birth of Afrodite on her shores brought fame and worshippers there to follow the cult of the Goddess. Landmarks associated with Afrodite are the chunky, rugged rocks of her beautiful birthshore known as the Afrodite Rocks or "Petra tou Romiou", the evocative sanctuary of Afrodite at Kouklia Village, one-time shrine and scene of pagan festivals for thousands, the Baths of Afrodite at Polis, supposed source of fertility and the Fountain of Love, or Fontana Amorosa, a few miles further into the Akamas Peninsula.

Even the town's name is linked to the Goddess, for Pafos was the name of the mythological daughter of Venus and Pygmalion.

Pafos became the capital of Cyprus under the successors of Alexander the Great - the Ptolemies and in those days its harbor was a busy, thriving port. It continued as the island's first city for more than seven centuries, retaining its importance under Roman rule Its most famous Governor Sergius Paulus, was converted to Christianity by St Paul in 45 AD.

But Pafos history dates back a great deal further. In fact the whole area abounds in historical and archaeological treasures.