Pafos Named the World’s Best Destination for Sunrise and Sunset Views
New international recognition from leading travel publication Travel + Leisure
The Pafos Region has earned another major international distinction, being named the world’s best destination for enjoying and photographing 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 secured first place in the global ranking, ahead of internationally celebrated destinations including Santa Monica in California, the Maasai Mara in Kenya, Tamarindo in Costa Rica and the Sahara dunes in Morocco.
The ranking was compiled by European photographic products company CEWE, in collaboration with award-winning travel photographer Bella Falk. Destinations were assessed according to their visual impact, landscape diversity, accessibility and the photographic opportunities they offer during sunrise and sunset.
Pafos’ western coastline, its combination of sea, dramatic natural formations and historic monuments, as well as the region’s favourable year-round weather conditions, were among the key factors that secured the destination’s leading position.
The distinction carries additional significance, as Cyprus had already been included by Travel + Leisure among the 50 best destinations to visit in 2026. The article also highlights 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 memorable experiences beyond the traditional sun-and-sea model.
From the Birthplace of Aphrodite and the Kato Pafos coastline to the Sea Caves, the Akamas Peninsula, Latchi, Polis Chrysochous and Pomos, every sunrise and sunset reveals a different side of Pafos, inviting visitors to experience the destination through its light, colours, landscapes and sensory appeal.
Pafos now stands at the top of the world as a destination where sunrise and sunset become a truly unforgettable travel experience.
Reference: The Best Destination for Sunrise and Sunset Views
