Paphos property - property in Paphos

Paphos property

This medieval harbour town has been a favourite with British buyers for decades as a budget retirement option, but is rapidly heading upmarket, with many luxury villa complexes springing around Paphos and the surrounding villages.

Birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and with cultural influences ranging from the Classical to the Byzantine, Paphos is steeped in a rich mythological and historical background. This is reflected in the fascinating sights in and around the town, which include intricate Roman mosaics, a Christian basilica and the ancient Tomb of the Kings. But most tourists come to bask in the 30C-plus summer temperatures, enjoying the water sports and blue-flag beach of Coral Bay.

Property in Cyprus

Since Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 property prices have increased year on year, and analysts predict that there’ll be even more investor interest when the Euro is officially introduced in January 2008. Property further from the capital and in the north of the island is priced more keenly – up to 30 per cent lower – but its important to check the details of the land title attached to the building.

Nearly 12,000 British people have bought homes on the island, according to the Cyprus Land Registry. This might not be wholly surprising when you take a closer look at Cyprus. Here, they drive on the right side of the road from the British point of view – which of course means the left – and speak good English. The legal system is similar to the one back home and don’t even have to buy an adaptor for your hair dryer!

With British links dating back to 1914 when Cyprus was annexed by Britain after more than 300 years of Ottoman rule, the island still retains some aspects of its crown colony past. And although it has been independent since 1960, as the sales blurbs for new developments say, “you feel at home in Cyprus”.