Local information
Climate and air quality
Paphos enjoys a subtropical semi-arid climate with the greatest amounts of precipitation mainly occurring from mid-November to March. It almost never rains in the summer (0.1mm on average). Cyprus has experienced drought-like conditions and the current trend of global warming may increase the severity of these conditions. Mid-October, the mean daily air temperature is around 20-22°C.
Landscape and vegetation
Cyprus has a rich and diverse flora. Due to the geographical position, there are many species of trees, shrubs and flowers. The Mediterranean climate includes mainly three kind of vegetation:
The Mediterranean pine forests, composed of Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinaster, with endemic species of Mediterranean pine represented in Cyprus by the Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia). There are also deciduous forests in wetter areas. Black pine (Pinus nigra), Oriental plane (Platanion orientalis) and Olive and carob tree forests are also well represented.
Garrigue is a type of low, soft-leaved scrubland ecoregion and plant community in the Mediterranean forests and scrub biome where Quercus coccifera or Quercus ilex are widely distributed. Garrigue is associated with calcareous plateaus (limestone and base rich) and calcium associated plants. UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre described garrigue as "discontinuous bushy associations of the Mediterranean calcareous plateaus, often composed of Quercus ilex, lavender, thyme, and white cistus. There may be a few isolated trees." Garrigue habitats can be seen in several areas of the island; however, a typical area is Akamas Peninsula.
Maquis is broadly similar to garrigue, but the vegetation is denser, being composed of numerous closely spaced shrubs. Maquis is associated with siliceous (acid) soils. The plant communities are associated with Quercus suber, Arbutus unedo and Pistacia lentiscus L.
There are approximately 130 endemic plant species of Cyprus of which 39 can be found at Akamas peninsula. Endemic wild flowers of Cyprus include Crocus hartmannianus, Carlina pygmaea, Centaurea akamantis and Tulipa cypria. The Cyprus Post has issued a series of stamps with these plants. Endangered plants of Cyprus include: Akamas Centaury (Centaurea akamanthis), Casey’s Larkspur (Delphinium caseyi), Cyprus Cedar (Cedrus brevifolia), Erysimum kykkoticum, Morris Squill (Scilla morrisii), Sage (Salvia veneris) and Troodos Rockcress (Arabis kennedyae).
- For more information, see Department of Forests
Public transport
Public transport in Paphos is currently served only by buses. The bus company operating in the city is OSYPA LTD.
- To plan your trip by bus, click here
- The bus network map in Paphos can be found and downloaded here
- There are also intercity buses for which info can be found here
- Furthermore, there are some other bus service companies that pass through Pafos and offer transport among airport and cities. For information click here
Emergency telephone numbers
The most important institutions have three-digit telephone numbers that you can reach even without a SIM card inserted in your mobile phone. The service is free.
The Cyprus’s country code: +357
- Emergency 199 / 112
- Ambulance service phone 199 / 112
- Police 199 / 112
- Fire Service 199 / 112
Currency
Legal tender – Euro (€)
- Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cts
- Banknotes: 10, 20, 50 and exceptionally 100, 200 and 500
Electrical voltage
The electrical network in Cyprus has the voltage of 220V. The common power plugs and sockets are of type G (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern).
Smoking
Smoking is strictly prohibited in public spaces (restaurants, bars, airport, means of public transport, cultural facilities, health care facilities). However, there are many shops which have separate spaces for smokers and non-smokers.
Health care
Providers of health care in the EU accept patients with European health insurance cards. It is recommended that non-EU citizens purchase commercial health insurance in their home country before arriving in Cyprus. In case of acute illness or injury, the patient will be provided treatment in any hospital or emergency facility. The public hospital of Paphos (Paphos General Hospital) is approximately 6.5 Km from the conference
- Pharmacies in Paphos - 7 days a week, 24 hours a day: +357 90 901 416
Cuisine
Cyprus is a multinational/multicultural country with one of the most diverse cuisines in the world. Owing to its long history, the gastronomy in Cyprus is closely related to Greek and Turkish ones, however, with further influence from other countries/cultures including French, Italian, Catalan and Middle Eastern.
Not a single dish can be selected as the most representative. Some dishes which have been widely discussed on the internet are:
Kleftiko : lamb dish baked in a kiln and cooked for nearly one day in a clay oven while be marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, and cinnamon.
Souvla (like Russian shashlik) : The difference with shashlik is that before cooking souvla nothing is done (not marinated) with the meat (chicken, lamb or pork). The meat is just cut into big portions, salt and roast on the open fire for an hour and a half). The spitter is rotated over the charcoal using automated mechanism.
Kreas me kolokassi : meat (usually pork or chicken) with small pieces of taro, a root tuber from Colocasia family, that Cypriots have been eating for centuries. Its taste reminds potato. Taro is commonly prepared by baking with vegetables, meat and some red wine.
Moussakas : eggplant-based dish with lamb, mushrooms or potatoes under the bechamel sauce.
Sheftalia : small patties wrapped in a caul fat and commonly grilled or coal roasted.
Meze (equivalent to tapas) : A meze platter, in addition to the main meat (souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko or any type), can include Mediterranean specialties like Tzatziki (a yogurt dip made with garlic, cucumber, and olive oil); Tahini (a paste of crushed sesame seeds, olive oil, lemon, and garlic), Taramosalata (a type of fish roe mixed with pureed potatoes, olive oil, lemon juice and onions), Hummus (a traditional pureed chickpea and tahini dip), and Haloumi, which is grilled and spiced soft goat or sheep’s cheese.
Stifado : stew made with rabbit (occasionally beef). It is simmered in wine, vinegar, onions, and spices such as oregano and garlic.
- For some further reading, click here
