Tourist Car Rental in Paphos
Paphos has a lot to see, and it is spread across a wide area. Some highlights are a short walk from each other. Others are a drive away, along paved coast roads, through hillside villages or up towards the mountains. This guide sorts the sights by whether you need a car, so you can decide how long to rent for. CHMI Rentals has served Paphos for over 23 years from Tombs of the Kings Avenue.
What Needs a Car, and What Does Not
| Plan | Car needed? | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Harbour, castle and promenade | No | Walk or use a short taxi ride |
| Archaeological park and mosaics | Optional | Walkable for most, a short drive in the heat |
| Coral Bay and beaches north | Yes | See Coral Bay |
| Petra tou Romiou and the south coast | Yes | A scenic paved coast road |
| Polis and Latchi | Yes | Best with a full day. See Polis and Latchi |
| Tala and the monastery of Agios Neophytos | Yes | A hillside village above Paphos. See Tala |
| Limassol | Yes | By motorway, for the seafront promenade and marina |
| Mountain villages towards Troodos | Yes | Paved mountain roads only |
A common approach is to enjoy the first few days on foot, then rent for the days you want to explore. That saves money, and we can deliver the car to your hotel the morning you need it. Our minimum rental is 72 hours, so plan a block of three days or more. See daily car rental.
Drives Worth Taking
- The south coast to Petra tou Romiou. A scenic paved coast road east, to the rock linked with Aphrodite. Aphrodite Hills, with its resort and golf course, is on the way.
- The north-west to Polis and Latchi. A longer drive that rewards you with waterfront lunches and boat trips. It is outside our free delivery area, so delivery there has an extra charge; call the shop.
- The hills above Paphos. Tala, with sea views and the monastery of Agios Neophytos nearby, and the quiet villages of Empa and Mesa Chorio inland.
- Along the coast to Coral Bay and Peyia. Beaches, villas and the harbour at Agios Georgios.
- Limassol by motorway. Coffee or lunch, the seafront promenade and the marina.
- Into the mountains. Paved mountain roads lead up towards the Troodos villages.
Mileage is unlimited on our rentals, so the length of these drives does not change the rental price. Fuel is not included. See our unlimited mileage guide for drive times from the airport.
What Is Off Limits in a Rental
Important
Under our terms, the rental car may not be used in Northern Cyprus, the Akamas region, or off-road. Damage there voids cover and makes the renter fully liable.
The Akamas peninsula, with its famous dirt tracks and the Blue Lagoon, is a popular tourist target, but it is off limits in a rental car. If it is on your list, book a licensed jeep safari or a boat trip from Latchi instead. It is safer for you, and it keeps your rental agreement intact.
Parking Around the Sights
Parking is the main challenge in Kato Paphos, especially on summer evenings when the restaurants fill up. Look for marked bays or car parks, since unmarked kerbs often mean a fine. Park once and explore on foot: the castle, the mosaics, the harbour and the promenade are close together. A small car makes parking much easier.
Choosing a Car for Sightseeing
| Car | Best for | Monthly rental |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Note | Legroom and luggage space | €450 |
| Suzuki Swift | An agile car with Bluetooth | €540 |
| Honda Fit | Comfort and versatile seating | €650 |
| Toyota Vitz | A small, easy-to-park city car | €650 |
For more space or longer drives, see SUV rental. For a family, the automatic Nissan X-Trail has the most room.
Driving on the Left: The Basics
- Cyprus drives on the left, and your rental car has the steering wheel on the right.
- Roundabouts run clockwise, and traffic already on the roundabout has priority over cars entering it.
- Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on rural roads and 100 km/h on motorways, with a minimum of 65 km/h.
- Speed cameras are common, and fines are issued automatically. The renter pays all traffic fines.
- Wearing a seat belt is the law, and that includes rear passengers.
How Booking and Handover Work
- Choose your car and dates on the fleet page. The minimum rental is 72 hours.
- Book at least 24 hours before if you want delivery to your hotel, villa or home, or a handover at the airport.
- Bring your documents: a valid driving licence, your passport or ID, and cash or a credit card in the renter's name.
- Meet your agent at the airport arrivals terminal, at your accommodation, or collect from our shop.
- Sign, pay and leave your passport as security, as set out in our terms.
- Return the car on time with the same fuel level. Returns are during shop hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm.
What You Need to Rent
- A valid driving licence. Drivers must be over 21, or have at least 3 years of driving experience.
- Your passport or ID, which is left as security under our terms.
- Cash or a credit card. Debit cards are not accepted, and you do not need a credit card if you pay in cash. See renting without a credit card.
Book Your Sightseeing Car
Choose your dates on the fleet page. See also our holiday car rental and international travellers guides. Call or WhatsApp +357 99 655104 (office +357 26 819880), or visit us at Shop 3, Royal Complex, Tombs of the Kings Avenue, Paphos. The shop is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm.