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Paphos Ethnographic Museum

Paphos Ethnographic Museum

Paphos Ethnographic Museum
4.5
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  • Helen P
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth taking time visit.
    A gem of a find, we have been coming to Cyprus for so many years and didn’t even know this place existed! Excellent guide who was the daughter of the archaeologist and founder of the museum, to be able to spend time listening to a person with a direct link was amazing and captivating . This one is really worth visiting whilst in Paphos! We thoroughly enjoyed it!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 4, 2023
  • Janice M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fascinating little museum
    This little museum was packed full of really interesting things collected from the lives of people in the Paphos area . The exhibits were collected by the father of the lady who runs it and she very kindly spent time showing us round and was a mine of information. I would definitely recommend a visit.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 14, 2023
  • Mary H
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Paphos Ethnographic Museum
    We loved visiting thus museum which started life as a personal collection The original owners daughter now runs the museum. It is a fascinating collection housed in a wonderful building and it gives a real insight into the lives of the inhabitants of Paphos in the past.The courtyard was beautiful too. We recommend it
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written January 15, 2024
  • RobynColin
    Sydney, Australia83 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Paphos Ethnographic Museum
    Paphos Ethnographic Museum is well worth a visit. The private museum, the family's old home, boasts an interesting collection of family memorabilia, traditional artifacts and archaeological finds of George Eliades. It was a pleasure to view the collection and discuss their significance with George's daughter, the custodian.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 18, 2024
  • Venture57660512227
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Treasure of Paphos
    What a treasure trove this was! I studied art history but there’s nowhere else I’ve been like this, a seriously impressive collection of antiques and ancient history - archaeological, architectural, and artistic without the formality of a mainstream institution. The museum is run by a very kind woman who is in fact related to the intelligent man who began this collection. She had great stories to share and patiently answered our questions. I highly recommend visiting this museum to support it, as it is an important part of Paphos history. Arranged over two floors with a beautiful garden, too. Lots of treasures to see!
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 4, 2024
  • Mike Holm
    Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The definition of a HIDDEN GEM: Unveiling Cyprus' History at the Ethnographic Museum of Paphos
    My trip to Paphos wouldn't have been the same without experiencing the magic of the Ethnographic Museum. This isn't your typical museum; it's a portal to Cyprus' rich history, guided by the most passionate storyteller imaginable – the daughter of the renowned Cypriot archaeologist who meticulously built this collection. Imagine artifacts whispering tales from every era of the island's past, beautifully preserved and curated with love. Each piece, from ancient pottery to intricate textiles, felt like a tangible connection to the lives and traditions of bygone eras. But the true heart of the museum lies not just in the collection, but in the building itself. This historic house is a treasure in its own right. The generations-old furniture, passed down through a prestigious Cypriot family, added another layer of depth to the narrative. It's clear this museum isn't government-funded, which makes the dedication of the family behind it even more remarkable. Their passion for preserving Cyprus' heritage is truly awe-inspiring. This museum deserves far more recognition and visitors. It's more than just an exhibit; it's a testament to the enduring spirit of a family and the captivating story of a nation. If you're looking for a cultural experience that will move you, don't miss the Ethnographic Museum of Paphos. It's an unmissable treasure that will stay with you long after you leave.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 10, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles312 reviews
Excellent
198
Very good
52
Average
34
Poor
15
Terrible
13

Sweeton C
Canada102 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Visitors have to remember that this is a private museum and reflects the interests of its founder. There are farm implements, archaeological finds, coins, implements used for weaving, pottery and lace making. There is not much in the way of signage and it is all housed in an old home with a pleasant courtyard. At 5 Euro it is more expensive than most of the ancient sites in Cyprus and although the collection is large you can't get close to most of it and it is all crowded together.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

muffinn2
Worcester, UK160 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
5€ gets you into a place that is almost the definition of quirky. Lots to look at when you've enjoyed the set speech of the lady on the desk, a descendant of the person who started it all. You'll come away with more questions than answers though as the labelling is not always helpful. We spent an enjoyable 3/4 of an hour here.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Malcolm P
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
The Courtyard garden was really beautiful as an introduction to this wonderful collection of ancient Cypriot artefacts.
Some of the pieces dated back to 7000BC and were extremely interesting, along with more contemporary items also
Included.
Fryne Eliades the extremely informative guide and owner of this private collection was there to explain and answer a plethora of questions.
Please visit to support her efforts as the Cypriot government doesn’t provide any kind of monetary grant to help her.
This is unbelievable because this abundant slice of Cyprus cultural history is protected and maintained by herself alone.
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Georges V
13 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
The first impression is disappointing when you enter the museum: it is very small and all stuff looks like it has been piled up.
When you come outside and take the stairs down, it becomes interesting.
A little old street with rooms on each side who offer an interseting look of how people lived on Cyprus some time ago.

There is also a burrial site carved in the rocks that dates from the Hellenistic period. Go down the stairs and have look at the rock carved graves and the pottery in it.
Written November 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Felicity F
Retford, UK4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Family
Do take time to visit this small but important museum. It curated by the creator's daughter over a lifetime. Take time to go into the downstairs courtyard and see a tiny shrine area with icons, ancient fragments of stone carving, carts and textiles from C19th Cyprus, a bedstead, a wedding arch and many other things. Upstairs are two chained off rooms which give an insight into the curator 's family life. There are important neolithic finds and ancient amphora. The daughter of the eminent archaeologist who colled these objects can give you an in depth background on the objects and a guidebook is available for 5 euros. Yes, the collection is quite eclectic, and labels are old etc. but that is its charm. It is a record of a time in history, an ethnographic collection. Do not miss, allow up to 1 hour to do a superficial tour, take a little longer and znd listen to the present day curator .
Written October 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christine C
Purley, UK4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
This is a fascinating museum, housed in a very interesting old house giving an insight into how people lived their day to day lives in the past with all kinds of artefacts on display. There are also some ancient finds collected by the owners father from thousands of years ago, including Roman coins and oil lamps, arrowheads and other stone tools - so many things to see. The owner, Mrs Eliades, is extremely knowledgeable and friendly and happily tells you all about the exhibits on show. The house belongs to her family, her father originally set up the house as a museum. The museum has no financial support other than from visitors, so please support this very interesting museum.
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Louise I
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022 • Couples
One of the best collections of prehistoric tools I have seen, plus stunning archaeological finds from the Chalcolithc Period through to the Roman Period excavated locally. There are then collections of items from daily life from more recent centuries. All are displayed beautifully within a 300 year old family home that has an original Hellenistic tomb in the rock that forms a boundary to the beautiful outside courtyard.
I was so pleased to have discovered this museum as it is a rare and very special place.
Frayne, whose father excavated and collected the exhibits, runs the museum and is able to answer any questions. She is very welcoming and gives it a personal as well as historical context.
Written March 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helen P
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
A gem of a find, we have been coming to Cyprus for so many years and didn’t even know this place existed! Excellent guide who was the daughter of the archaeologist and founder of the museum, to be able to spend time listening to a person with a direct link was amazing and captivating . This one is really worth visiting whilst in Paphos! We thoroughly enjoyed it!
Written October 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MrsBP
Welwyn Garden City, UK24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
This isn’t our first time visiting the museum and it won’t be our last. Full of beautifully preserved artefacts dating back hundreds of years this place really represents true Cyprus 🇨🇾. The museum has lots of sentimental value for us too as we also go married here in 2019, it’s a iconic venue and unlike the forever changing hotels and other venues we home that it stands in time for many many years to come. We were sorry to see that the lovely mother of the museum has passed but we continue to come back and visit her daughter 🥰
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John I
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
Paphos: Ethnographical Museum

In Paphos. if you climb Apostle Paul
past The Tombs of the Kings, and then the stairs
that skirt the clifftop restaurant, you’ll come
to the town center. And there’s a museum
just by a tavern you might like to see.

It’s ethnographical, and houses all
the history of Cyprus. So, downstairs
you’ll find a catacomb, and implements
for plowing and for weaving, plow and loom.
There is a bedroom which is Cypriot,

complete and antique. There’s an Arabic
inscription from the time the Ottomans
were here. Upstairs, there is a library,
and cases with five thousand years of art
come from the ground: a pot shown in the Louvre,

some pre-Cycladic statuettes, intact
vases, amphorae, made when Pericles
ruled Athens and the statues smiled, or when
blind Homer had just sung the Odyssey.
There’s jewelry and coins – the centuries

give way to the millennia in them,
from Alexander’s time, or Lusignan’s,
or bearing Ottoman or Roman script.
This was one man’s collection. It’s as if
you see his mind, the digs, the long research.

15.ii.2023
Written February 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Paphos Ethnographic Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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