Peyia

Peyia is one of the largest villages in the Paphos district, spread across the steep coastal slopes above Coral Bay at the southern end of the Akamas peninsula. It became an independent municipality in 1994, sits at 200 metres, and lies about 15km from the centre of Paphos, bordering Kissonerga, Akoursos, Kathikas and Pano and Kato Arodes.

It is also written Pegeia. The name derives from the Latin ‘baia’, meaning bay — which makes sense given how close the village is to Coral Bay, and given the Venetian and Ottoman history layered over it.

The Vrysi

Villagers once collected their water from the local spring, known as the Vrysi. It doubled as a meeting place for young men and women filling clay vases to carry home, and the spring water was held to make the women beautiful — there were songs about it, some of which are still sung.

Today Peyia has a large and growing population of British expatriates. The centre holds a police station, the town hall, small shops, restaurants, cafés, Saint George church and banks, along with tavernas serving traditional meze and both traditional and modern cafés.

The sea caves

The village territory runs from the Peyia forest all the way down to the shore and its sea caves, where the sunset is the draw for locals and visitors alike. The seashore there covers a stretch of about 20 metres, with rocks and tall formations along it.

For wine, a short drive to Kathikas is worth making. Otherwise Coral Bay, Paphos Zoo, the Avakas Gorge and the Edro III shipwreck are all within easy reach — the shipwreck lies on this village’s own coastline.

Traditional and modern houses sit side by side across the village, including a good number of holiday homes; with the tavernas, shops and cafés, and the position between forest and sea, Peyia works well as a base rather than a stop.