POLIS CHRYSOHOUS or POLIS CHRYSOCHOUS
The name of the market town Polis Chrysochous means ‘the city of the golden land’. This town stands on the ancient sites of Marion and Arsinoe which gained their wealth came from the copper mines at nearby Limni – the town’s archaeological museum tells the story!. Today it has retained its original charm and the town has relatively untouched by tourism. Life still focuses on its square which is fringed by coffee shops that are great for ‘people-watching’.
Westwards from Polis Chrysochous is also a fun drive and just a few kilometers along the coastal road is the pretty fishing harbour of Latchi - the only harbour in Cyprus to hold a commercial sponge fishing licence. The fish tavernas overlooking the harbour are the perfect setting for a fresh fish meal and there is a variety of watersports and boat trips available from the jetty. It is fun to visit the famous Baths of Aphrodite which are situated west of Latchi. Which are linked to the goddess of beauty and love. For those who enjoy walking, there are several trails from the Baths of Aphrodite - the most popular being the one that follows the coastal track westwards to Fontana Amorosa (Aphrodite’s legendary ‘Fountain of Love’, which in reality, is a muddy pool!) and beyond to the north -western tip of the island at Cape Arnaouti.
Whilst this is a brief introduction to some of the hidden treasures of the Paphos District there are many more to discover at your own pace with a hire car but be warned it will prove so much fun that you might well need the car for an extra day or so. Proceed to book villa Lemonia.