Tomb of the Kings by Bike – Where the Past Feels Alive

Just north of the harbour, beyond the cafés and castle walls, lies a quiet patch of coastline where time seems to sit still. Ride up on your BiRide Electric Bike, take a turn off the coastal path, and suddenly you’re not just in Cyprus, you’re in the 4th century BC. Welcome to the Tomb of the Kings.

No, not kings exactly. The name oversells it. These sunken tombs were reserved for the elite, including high-ranking officials and wealthy families, individuals important enough to be buried in homes carved directly from the limestone earth. But once you walk among the weathered columns and stone staircases, you get it. There’s something regal in the silence.

A Place Carved in History

The Tombs of the Kings, or “Tafoi ton Vasileon”, make up a large necropolis carved directly into the native rock just 2 km north of Paphos Harbour. It’s part of the wider Kato Paphos area, which was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Most of the tombs were built between the 4th century BC and the 3rd century AD, spanning the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Their design reflects both Egyptian and Greek influences, with Doric columns, open courtyards, and in some cases, frescoed walls. Some even mimic the structure of actual houses, a reflection of the belief that the dead should rest as they lived.

Early accounts date back to the 1700s, but it wasn’t until the late 19th and 20th centuries that proper archaeological digs began. Today, research still continues at the site, with ongoing studies helping to date finds more accurately, especially through stamped amphorae used in the burials. Although many original grave goods were lost to time and looters, the significance of the site remains.

A Ride That Slows You Down ,In the Best Way

The beauty of cycling to the tombs is that you arrive differently. You don’t get off a tour bus with a crowd. You roll up at your own pace, wind in your face, views of the sea just over your shoulder. The ride from Paphos Harbour is flat and easy,  perfect for a morning or late afternoon cruise.

With BiRide, you’re not sweating the uphill. You’ve got battery power on your side, and that means more energy to explore once you arrive.

The First Steps Underground

There’s no grand entrance gate or flashy sign, just a quiet welcome, a modest ticket booth, and then you’re free to wander. The tombs stretch out over a wide area, many open to the sky, cut deep into rock. Some feel like houses without roofs. Others, like small courtyards sunk into the hillside. It’s peaceful, almost haunting. And if you go early or late, you might have whole sections to yourself.

The light plays tricks here,  bouncing off old stone, slipping between columns. Bring your camera, or don’t. It’s just as good to leave your phone in your pocket and walk slowly, listening to your footsteps echo off the walls.

It’s Not Just About the Tombs

What makes this ride special isn’t just the site,  it’s everything around it. The path there takes you past Paphos Castle, along the edge of the Archaeological Park, and right beside the sea. You can smell the salt, feel the shift in air as you climb ever so gently away from the shoreline.

Want to turn it into a loop? Head inland after the tombs to Mandria Village for something quieter. Or keep hugging the coast to reach Coral Bay, lively, sunny, and full of places to grab a bite.

Tips From the Saddle

• Go early or late – Avoid the midday heat and catch the golden light.

• Bring water and wear proper shoes – The site is open-air and the ground uneven in places.

• Give yourself time – An hour’s good, 90 minutes is better if you like to linger.

• Don’t skip the little tombs – Some of the smallest chambers feel the most personal.

The Ride Back Feels Different

You’ll notice it on the way back, the way the light hits the coast, how the breeze picks up just as you pass the castle again. You’re not just heading back into town. You’re rolling out of a 2,000-year-old silence and back into the hum of modern Paphos.

And that’s why we love this route.

You don’t just visit the Tomb of the Kings. You arrive on your own terms. And with BiRide, the journey there is part of the story.

Looking for more cultural rides nearby? Pair this one with Paphos Old Town, or keep your eyes on future routes to Lempa Village and Agios Neophytos Monastery, both rich with history and perfect on two wheels.