Kato Paphos Castle to close for Pafos Aphrodite Festival

The Medieval Castle of Kato Paphos in Cyprus will be temporarily closed to the public from Wednesday, September 2, to Sunday, September 6, 2026. The Department of Antiquities, under the Deputy Ministry of Culture, issued an official announcement confirming the closure to accommodate preparations and hosting of the annual Pafos Aphrodite Festival.

While the monument will remain inaccessible for five days, the primary events of the opera festival are scheduled to take place on September 4 and 5. The Department of Antiquities has formally apologized to visitors and the public for any inconvenience caused by this temporary suspension of operations.

This closure is a standard procedure to facilitate the logistics and staging required for the high-profile cultural event. Following the conclusion of the festival and the subsequent dismantling of the performance infrastructure, the castle is expected to resume its regular operating schedule for the public.