A quiet, beachy destination totally worth the trip!
This beautiful, less visited beach town is a lovely little getaway from the busier, larger towns of Limassol and Paphos. An easy bus trip on the 645 bus, it takes approximately an hour for 2 euros to arrive in Polis from Paphos.
A note on busses in Cyprus: Traveling by bus in Cyprus is a very cheap (especially compared to taxi travel), easy method of transport. Sometimes they run behind or may be a small van instead of a large bus, so it's worth asking destination and the bus number, if it's not visible, to ensure you are on the right track. Tickets are available on the bus for cash purchase and drivers will give change.
There is an app available but I had more success with alternative websites that list prices and routes: for intercity travel between large cities and for Paphos and Polis travel. The only bus I really had trouble with was the early morning bus from Larnaca to the Larnaca airport, which didn't show up and no taxis were around so a nice marathon runner from Latvia, in the same position, flagged down a passing car who agreed to take us to the airport for 10 euros.
Sites
Reachable via easy bus travel by the 622 bus from Polis Chrysochous
The Baths of Aphrodite, a World Heritage site, is a free, lovely, natural wonder with mythical roots. The short walk to the baths extends through a lush forest. There are additional hiking trails around this site. I highly recommend visiting the Baths Of Aphrodite Restaurant to enjoy some absolutely incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea and a coffee or lunch before heading out.
Beaches
There are several beaches near Polis, I went to Latchi beach as it was near my Airbnb lodging and even in November the water was nice for swimming, the sand and beach front is extensive. Other options are listed on Tripadvisor here.
Latchi (Latsi) Neighborhood
The Latchi neighborhood has a lovely location on the beach. I stayed here and walked into the town of Polis, a 3 km stroll when I wanted to visit the City Center and wander around the town. The views and access to the beach are excellent in Latchi and the shops and restaurants are very convenient and have the charm of a small beach town. Since I visited in November, things were quiet, but I imagine it is quite lively in the summer.
City Center
The city center is small but scenic. Shops and beautiful architecture, enough cats to make any cat lover happy, and friendly Cypriots made every stroll I took around the city center area or from Polis proper to Latchi a pleasant experience. Cyprus is an island of cats, which I loved, most are friendly and the people take good care of them as a community effort. I very rarely saw a sickly looking cat and I stopped for as many as I could to give them a little pet.
Food
This restaurant is a great place to stop for food or cocktails and a lovely sunset. It has 4.5 stars was awarded Traveler's Choice on Tripadvisor for a very good reason in 2021. Right on the beach, the ambiance is excellent day or night with the waves lapping on the shore. The staff is friendly, food and local wine are excellent and the décor is modern, cozy, and relaxing.
Baths Of Aphrodite Restaurant (next to the Baths of Aphrodite parking)
This restaurant has absolutely incredible views of the Mediterranean. Even if it is just a stop for a Cyprus coffee, after visiting the Baths of Aphrodite, this restaurant is a highly recommended stop.
Artopiotis Bakery
I met Saavas, a most lovely elderly gentleman in a moment of looking lost in Polis and he regaled me with stories of Cyprus and his past. He also introduced me to a fabulous bakery and taught me about the local and international pastries they had to offer. The Koupes, pictured on the left of the tray is a wonderful meat-filled pastry that should be eaten with a squeeze of lemon. They also make wonderful cheese pastries that won my heart. This knowledge served me well for the rest of my trip whenever I came across a bakery.