Tombs of the Kings - Ptolemaic Necropolis

UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring spectacular rock-cut underground tombs carved for Ptolemaic aristocrats (3rd century BC - 3rd century AD). The architecture was inspired by Alexandrian traditions, with peristyle courtyards carved from solid rock.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Descend Into the House the Dead Built for Themselves History · Price: low

   The Ptolemaic aristocrats buried here built a HOUSE for their dead — an entire domestic courtyard carved straight down into limestone bedrock so their dead could live underground exactly as they had lived above. Descend 12 stone steps into Tomb 3 (follow site map from entrance gate on Tombs of Kings Road, GPS: 34.7722, 32.4033) and find Doric columns that are not assembled from quarried stone but left standing while everything around them was carved away. The frieze of triglyphs and metopes above them: same. This architectural vocabulary arrived directly from Alexandria — the shallow cradle-vault ceilings are signature Alexandrian tomb design. Arrive at 08:30 when the site opens — Tomb 3 is still in shadow and light through the open atrium is extraordinary. Entrance: €2.50, students and over-65s free.

   Backup: If Tomb 3 has a school group in it (most likely mid-morning), walk directly to Tomb 4 — it is the best preserved of all the tombs and shows the same peristyle architecture with fewer crowds.

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2. 2 Find the Tomb of the King Who Chose Death Over Rome History · Free

   In 58 BC, when Rome annexed Cyprus, the last Ptolemaic king chose poison over surrender rather than become High Priest at the Sanctuary of Aphrodite. Excavator Sophocles Hadjisavvas believes the body in Tomb 8 — the northernmost and most isolated tomb, 10 minutes from the entrance (GPS 34.7740, 32.4038) — is that king. The evidence: two stone falcons found in the burial chamber, carved symbols of Ptolemaic royal power representing Horus, the royal god of the dynasty. The tomb's architecture is unique — where every other tomb has an open atrium, Tomb 8 has a square monolith of rock left standing at the center with a carved chamber inside it. It looks like a shrine. Or a throne. Stand at the atrium edge and look at the central rock platform, then out toward the Mediterranean — the king who died rather than give this island away lies somewhere beneath the ground you're standing on.

   Backup: If Tomb 8 is temporarily fenced for ongoing excavation, Tomb 7 is directly adjacent and shows the most intact Doric entablature on the site — four columns per side of the porticoes, triglyphs and metopes in exceptional condition.

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3. 3 Taste the Ancient Grape That Nearly Vanished From Cyprus Wine · Price: moderate

   The Ptolemaic aristocrats buried 2 km up this road drank Cypriot wine documented since 800 BC, when Hesiod described Cyprus's dried-grape wine. That tradition nearly died until 1980s viticulturalists found Maratheftiko — an ancient red grape so unusual it cannot self-pollinate — nearly extinct in Paphos vineyards. At 7 St. Georges Tavern (14 Tombs of Kings Road, literally on the same road as the necropolis, GPS: approx 34.7710, 32.4055), they make their own house wine and serve it in endless meze that flows until you say stop. Tell them you want the meze (€22 per person) and ask for the house wine. When it arrives, ask what grapes they use, then ask if they have any bottles of Maratheftiko from local producers. The benchmark is Vasilikon Winery's 'Aeon' Maratheftiko from Kathikas village. Walk in without reservation for lunch; total €35–40 per person with wine.

   Backup: If 7 St. Georges is closed (they close Sundays), Karlina's Restaurant is directly opposite the tomb site entrance on the same road and stocks both local and international wines with a full meze menu.

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4. 4 Track the Stone Falcons to the Museum — Seal the Story Adventure · Price: low · Optional

   The two stone falcons that unlock the whole story — carved symbols of Ptolemaic royal identity found in Tomb 8's deepest chamber — are at the Paphos District Archaeological Museum (Griva Digeni Avenue 43, GPS: approx 34.7760, 32.4230). You've stood in Tomb 8, seen the central monolith, the corridor, the burial chambers. But these falcons, representing Horus the falcon-headed god of living pharaohs, are the last fingerprint of a dynasty at its extinction. After Ptolemy of Cyprus died in 58 BC, no Ptolemaic king ever ruled this island again. The falcons are the full stop at the end of that sentence. Ask at the front desk specifically for 'the Ptolemaic falcons from the Tombs of the Kings' — they will direct you to the correct gallery. Entrance: approx €1.70. Allow 45–60 minutes. Hours: Mon 08:00–14:30, Tue/Thu/Fri 08:00–15:00, Wed 08:00–17:00, Sat 09:00–15:00, closed Sunday.

   Backup: If the museum is closed (Sunday or public holiday), the Paphos Archaeological Park — the house-floor mosaics of Dionysus and his wine myths, 10 minutes from the museum — is open different hours and provides a different but equally compelling layer of the Ptolemaic Paphos story.

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Insider tips

• Open 08:00-17:00 (winter) to 19:30 (summer)

• Free entry for over-65s and students with ID; otherwise 2.50 EUR

• Combine with the Archaeological Park for a full day