Nea Pafos is located on a small promontory on the South-Western coast of the island. According to written sources, the city was founded in the late 4th century BC by Nicocles, the last king of Palaipafos. At the beginning of the third century BC, when Cyprus became part of the Ptolemaic kingdom, which had its capital in Alexandria, Nea Pafos became the centre of the Ptolemaic administration on the island. Until the end of the second century BC, Nea Pafos acquired such an important role as a political and economic centre of the region that the Ptolemies made it the capital of the whole island. When in 58 BC Cyprus was annexed by Rome, Nea Pafos continued to be the capital of Cyprus. Only after the disastrous earthquakes of the 4th century AD the capital was transferred to Salamis, which was later renamed Constantia. Even then, Nea Pafos dominated the other cities of Cyprus. After the Arab incursions of the mid-seventh century, Nea Pafos went through a period of decline, which lasted several centuries, and was therefore reduced in size. The city regained part of its importance during the Byzantine and medieval period, but from the Venetian period onwards the coastal settlement of Nea Pafos was abandoned and the population began to move further inland where the current city of Pafos developed (Ktima ).

The most important monuments of the site are:

Dionysus' house. This rich building is of the Greco-Roman type, with rooms arranged around a central courtyard which served as the nucleus of the house. It appears that the house was built in the late 2nd century AD. and was destroyed and abandoned after the 4th century AD earthquakes The house of Dionysus occupies 2000 square meters, of which 556 covered with mosaic floors decorated with mythological and hunting scenes. At the entrance of the house there is a mosaic of pebbles representing the mythical sea monster Scilla which belonged to a Hellenistic building found under the following Roman one.

Orpheus' house. It belongs to the typology of the rich Greco-Roman houses with a central courtyard similar to the house of Dionysus. Dates from the late 2nd / 3rd century AD The main hall of the building is decorated with a mosaic floor depicting Orpheus among the bEasts. The mosaic floor of the next room has two panels, one depicting Hercules and the Lion of Nemea, and the other an Amazon with his horse.

The Villa of Theseus. The villa was built in the second half of the 2nd century AD. on the ruins of previous houses from the Hellenistic and early Roman periods and was in use until the seventh century AD The large size of the villa, consisting of over 100 rooms, suggests that the building was the residence of the governor of Cyprus. Many of the rooms and three of the four arcades around the central courtyard are lined with mosaic floors with geometric patterns. Three rooms in the South wing of the building are embellished with mosaic floors with human representations, all belonging to different phases. The oldest is the mosaic depicting Theseus and the Minotaur, dating from the late third or early fourth century with evident subsequent restorations, probably made after the earthquakes of the mid-fourth century. At the end of the 4th century AD a new mosaic depicting Poseidon and Amphitrite was added to a room, which probably served as a bedroom. At the beginning of the fifth century, a mosaic floor was laid in the reception room, of which only a part is preserved today and represents Achilles' first bathroom.

Aion's house. Only part of the house has been excavated so far. On the floor of an apsidal room, there is the most spectacular mosaic of Pafos dating back to the mid-fourth century AD. The mosaic, of excellent quality, is composed of five panels depicting the newborn baby Dionysus, Leda and a swan, a beauty contest between Cassiopeia and the Nereids, Apollo and Marsyas, and finally the Triumph of Dionysus.

The Agora. The Agora, of which only the foundations are preserved today, has the shape of a courtyard surrounded by four arcades. The buildings that occupy the West  wing of the agora are the best preserved. They include an Odeon, which hosted several cultural events, and the Asklepieion. The whole complex dates back to the 2nd century AD.

Theater. It is located in the north-Eastern part of the ancient city, on the slopes of the so-called "Fabrica" ​​hill. The construction of the theater dates back to the founding of the city, but underwent alterations and its original plan changed during the Roman period. It seems that the theatre continued to be in use until the 5th century AD.

The Chrysopolitissa Basilica. It is one of the largest basilicas built on the island in the second half of the 4th century AD. Originally it had seven aisles, which were compressed into five during alterations dating back to the sixth century. The rich geometric decorations of the mosaic floors of the basilica date back to the 4th and 6th centuries AD. In the central nave there are three scenes that represent Christian allegories. After the destruction of the basilica, a Byzantine church was built in the 11th century. This was followed by a second church dated around 1500 AD, which is still used today as an Anglican church in Pafos. To the North of the basilica are the ruins of a Gothic church belonging to a Franciscan monastery. The Gothic church was built around 1300 AD. and fell into disrepair in 1600 AD.