Paphos marina for 1,000 yachts moves back into tender stage

The Paphos marina project has moved back into an active phase: according to In-Cyprus, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism launched an expression of interest on 17 September for the Potima marina in Kissonerga. The plan concerns a development of about 165,000 square metres with capacity for up to 1,000 recreational vessels. For the property market, this is an important infrastructure signal: if the process reaches implementation, the western coast of Cyprus could gain not only a tourism facility, but a new anchor for residential, commercial and hotel demand.

What happened

The Paphos marina has been discussed for decades and has repeatedly stalled because of procedural and legal delays. The government is now using a two-phase open process: the current expression of interest stage is intended to test potential bidder interest, followed by a call for proposals. According to In-Cyprus, tender results are expected in early 2026.

The project is planned for the Potima area in Kissonerga. The stated parameters include 1,000 berths for recreational vessels: 70–80% of capacity is expected to be wet berths, with the remainder used for dry storage and land-based maritime infrastructure. Importantly, the tender also covers residential and commercial development, potentially including hotels and cruise-related facilities.

Why it matters for real estate

For an investor, a marina is not only about boats. Projects of this type usually create a new demand map around them: restaurants, services, holiday apartments, hotels, jobs and stronger tourism flows. President Nikos Christodoulides described the project as a landmark development that should strengthen Paphos as a maritime and tourism destination.

Paphos is already seen as one of the clearest markets for foreign buyers: an airport, the sea, an English-speaking environment, resort infrastructure and a wide range of formats, from apartments to villas. If the marina progresses, the interesting locations will not be limited to the first line. Nearby districts that gain better access and a new visitor flow may also benefit. In the ProNadlan catalogue, such areas should be evaluated through liquidity, the district development plan and future rental demand.

Investor takeaway

The news does not mean that construction has already started: tender procedures and participant selection still lie ahead. But the launch of the expression of interest is a strong signal that the state is again trying to move the project into a practical stage. For property buyers, this is a reason to watch Paphos and Kissonerga early: infrastructure projects of this scale often change how a district is perceived before the physical asset is completed.

Source: In-Cyprus