Paphos Lighthouse, Maritime beacon in Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos Lighthouse is a white cylindrical tower standing 20 m (66 ft) tall on a raised point at the edge of Paphos harbour in Cyprus. It has a single open gallery near the top and a glass lantern room that faces the sea on all sides.

The lighthouse was built in 1888 during the British administration of Cyprus to guide ships along the route between the Suez Canal and British colonial ports. It has remained in continuous use since then and still functions as an active navigational aid today.

The lighthouse stands inside the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, surrounded by Roman ruins and ancient mosaics that lie just a short walk away. This mix of a working navigational structure and ancient remains gives the site a layered character that visitors notice as they move through the grounds.

The tower stands above the archaeological site's Odeon, within a walled compound that also holds the keeper's house and outbuildings; the tower itself is not open for climbing. The light is automated and unmanned, powered by photovoltaic panels, so there are no keepers on site. Look for the tower from the surrounding ruins and the Paphos point shoreline.

The light from this tower sends out a long white flash every 15 seconds, a pattern that is registered in nautical charts and still used by vessels today. Standing at the harbour after dark, you can watch the rhythm of the flash against the open sea.