PAFOS RANKED THE WORLD'S BEST DESTINATION FOR SUNRISE AND SUNSET VIEWS
New international recognition from leading travel publication Travel + Leisure
The Pafos Region has secured yet another major international distinction, having been named the best destination in the world to enjoy and photograph both sunrise and sunset.
The recognition was featured by the internationally renowned travel publication Travel + Leisure in an article published on 22 July 2026, entitled “This Coastal City Was Just Named the World’s Best Place to Watch the Sunrise and Sunset.” Pafos ranked first in the global list, surpassing iconic destinations such as Santa Monica in California, the Maasai Mara in Kenya, Tamarindo in Costa Rica and the Sahara dunes in Morocco.
The international ranking was compiled by the European photographic products company CEWE, in collaboration with award-winning travel photographer Bella Falk. The destinations were assessed on the basis of visual impact, landscape diversity, accessibility and the opportunities they offer for photographic composition during sunrise and sunset.
Pafos’ western coastline, the combination of sea, natural formations and historic monuments, together with the region’s excellent year-round weather conditions, were decisive factors in securing first place.
Mr Nasos Hadjigeorgiou, Executive Director of the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism, stated: “This new international recognition is yet another important confirmation of the uniqueness and authenticityof the Pafos Region. The sunsets of Pafos are not simply a beautiful natural spectacle, but a complete experience that brings together light, the sea, mythology, history and the destination’s distinctive landscape.
Achieving first place in a global ranking and receiving exposure through an internationally influential publication such as Travel + Leisure significantly strengthens the image of Pafos in overseas markets and creates new opportunities for promoting thematic experiences related to nature, photography, culture and romantic tourism.”
The distinction carries additional significance, as Cyprus had already been included by Travel + Leisure among the 50 best destinations to visit in 2026, while the same article also refers to the exceptional quality of the country’s bathing waters.
For the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism, this international exposure is fully aligned with its strategy of positioning the region as a multidimensional, high-quality destination offering experiences beyond the traditional “sun and sea” model. Through targeted digital promotion, the production of audiovisual content and collaborations with international media and content creators, the Pafos Regional Board of Tourism is using sunset experiences as one of the region’s most recognisable and emotionally powerful tourism assets.
From the Birth Place of Aphrodite and the Kato Pafos coastline to the Sea Caves, the Akamas Peninsula, Latchi, Polis Chrysochous and Pomos, every sunset reveals a different side of Pafos and invites visitors to experience the destination through its light, colours and sensory appeal.
Pafos Regional Board of Tourism
Εταιρεία Τουριστικής Ανάπτυξης και Προβολής Περιφέρειας Πάφου
P.O.Box 60082, Pafos 8100, Cyprus
Tel: +357 26 811500, info@visitpafos.org.cy, www.visitpafos.org.cy
Pafos now officially stands at the top of the world as the destination where sunrise and sunset aretransformed into a truly unforgettable travel experience.
