Is Paphos safe?
Very safe and calm. Heat, traffic and cliff or sea hazards are the main concerns; crime against visitors is rare.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-05-31.
- Homicide rate in Cyprus: 0.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Cyprus: 5.8 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 199 · Ambulance 199 · Fire 199 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Paphos at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Low petty theft from cars and beach bags; occasional drunken disputes in Kato Paphos bar streets. |
| At night | Harbour and main streets are safe until late; quieter side streets are empty. Taxis or a car are best outside the center. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; harassment is uncommon. Standard care applies at night in the bar strip. |
| Other risks | Heat above 36°C in summer; Rough sea at Aphrodite's Rock; Left-hand traffic and rural roads |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Timeshare or holiday-club promoters offering free gifts
- Taxis quoting flat rates for short trips
Take care
- Sea cliffs at Petra tou Romiou and Akamas: rough surf
- Driving on the left at night on dark roads
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing military sites or the UN buffer zone is prohibited.
- Goods bought in the north face strict limits when crossing back south.
How Paphos compares in Cyprus
Quick answers
Is Paphos safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; harassment is uncommon. Standard care applies at night in the bar strip.
Is Paphos safe at night?
Harbour and main streets are safe until late; quieter side streets are empty. Taxis or a car are best outside the center.
What is the crime rate in Paphos?
Low petty theft from cars and beach bags; occasional drunken disputes in Kato Paphos bar streets. Nationally, Cyprus records 0.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Paphos?
Police 199 · Ambulance 199 · Fire 199 · All emergencies 112.
More about Paphos
Going to Paphos solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Cyprus by Bus
- Hermes Airports
- Visit Cyprus
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.