StuNest - Smart Housing for International Students in Cyprus

Introduction

Moving to Cyprus as an international student is exciting - but finding safe, affordable housing in Paphos can be overwhelming.

I arrived at Neapolis University in November 2021, and I was among the lucky ones who secured university accommodation before arrival. But I watched my classmates - other international students who arrived just days after me - struggle desperately to find a place to live.

One day, three of them approached me for help. They had spent two weeks searching from their home countries before arrival, browsing Bazaraki, Cyprus Home, and countless Facebook groups. Nothing. After landing in Cyprus, they burned through a week in an expensive hotel, watching their savings drain while landlords ghosted them after viewings.

I jumped in to help. We scheduled viewing after viewing - different neighborhoods, different price points. Landlords would say "we'll call you back" and never did. After dozens of dead ends, I finally secured a 2-bedroom apartment in Universal for two of them. The third? He ended up sharing a room with one of the guys because we simply couldn't find another place.

That experience opened my eyes. This wasn't just their struggle - it's the reality for hundreds of international students arriving in Paphos every semester.

After helping dozens more students over the years, I built StuNest - a verified housing platform that eliminates the chaos, scams, and dead ends.

But whether you use StuNest or not, this guide shares everything I've learned about finding student accommodation in Paphos, including costs, neighborhoods, red flags to avoid, and insider tips that actually work.

Let's make sure your housing search doesn't start with a week in an overpriced hotel.

Why Finding Housing in Paphos is Challenging

The Reality:

Most landlords don't advertise online
Facebook groups are flooded with spam and scams
University housing fills up fast (waitlists of 50+ students)
You're searching from abroad without local knowledge
Language barriers with only Greek-speaking landlords

The Good News:

Once you know where to look and what to avoid, Paphos has plenty of great student housing options.

Student Housing Costs in Paphos (2026)

Here's what you can expect to pay monthly:

Studio Apartment:

• Kato Paphos: €500-€700
• Universal area: €650-€800
• Geroskipou: €500-€600

1-Bedroom:

• Near Neapolis: €700-€850
• Kato Paphos: €650-€900
• With bills: add €80-€120/bi-monthly (usually)

Shared Apartment:

• Per room: €300-€450
• Total for 2-bed: €600-€800

Deposit: Usually 1-2 months rent

What's Included vs Extra:

Usually included: Furniture, WiFi
Usually extra: Electricity, water, gas (€60-€100/month)
Sometimes included: All bills (look for "bills included")

Best Neighborhoods for Students

1. Kato Paphos (Most Popular for Neapolis)

Distance to Neapolis: 2-4 km

Vibe: Beachfront, cafes, nightlife

Pros: Walking distance to harbor, tourist area (safe)

Cons: More expensive, noisy in summer

Best for: Students who want social life and beach access

2. Universal Area (Close to Campus)

Distance to Neapolis: 1-2 km (depends which part you're staying)

Vibe: Residential, quiet

Pros: Walking distance to university, supermarkets nearby

Cons: Far from beach

Best for: Students who prioritize short commute or have personal transport

3. Tomb of the Kings

Distance to Neapolis: 2-3 km

Vibe: Mix of residential and tourist

Pros: Good restaurants, close to beach

Cons: Tourist crowds in summer

Best for: Balance of beach access and quiet living

4. Geroskipou (Budget-Friendly)

Distance to Neapolis: 4-5 km

Vibe: Local Cypriot neighborhood

Pros: Cheaper rent, authentic Cyprus experience

Cons: Need bus/car to get to university

Best for: Budget-conscious students

A boat is out in the ocean on a sunny day — Photo by Andrew Vvedenskij on Unsplash

How to Find Housing (Before StuNest)

Traditional Methods:

1. University Housing Office

• Contact: housing@neapolis.ac.cy

• Wait times: 2-8 weeks (first come first serve model)

• Limited spots

2. Facebook Groups

• "Students in Paphos"

• "Paphos Rentals"

⚠️ High spam rate

3. Bazaraki.com

• Cyprus's Craigslist

• Search: "Paphos rent"

• Filter by area

⚠️ Many overpriced or fake listings (where you never get response to inquiry or any contact)

4. Word of Mouth

• Ask current students

• Join WhatsApp groups

• Most reliable but slow

Red Flags: How to Avoid Scams

🚩 Warning Signs:

🚩 Never send money before viewing
🚩 Landlord refuses video of the apartment (if you're abroad)
🚩 Price is too good to be true (€300 for Kato Paphos = scam)
🚩 Landlord only accepts cash (no contract)
🚩 Property photos are stock images (reverse image search)
🚩 Deposit demanded before contract
🚩 "Many students interested, send deposit now" (pressure tactic, RUN)

✅ Safe Practice:

✅ Video tour, and connect with someone already on the island to verify the place exists before sending money
✅ Written contract (even simple is fine)
✅ Receipt for deposit
✅ Landlord's ID/contact verified

What to Check Before Signing

The Property:

☐ WiFi speed (test it!)
☐ Water pressure/heating
☐ A/C works (essential in summer)
☐ Kitchen appliances functional
☐ Washing machine included?
☐ Parking available?

The Contract:

☐ Monthly rent clearly stated
☐ What's included in rent?
☐ Deposit amount and return terms
☐ Minimum stay (6 months? 1 year?)
☐ Notice period to leave
☐ Landlord's contact info

The Location:

☐ Distance to campus (walk/bus)
☐ Nearest supermarket
☐ Bus stop proximity
☐ Safe neighborhood (ask current students)

Transportation: Getting to Campus

Bus Routes:

• Route 610: Kato Paphos → University area
• Route 611: Geroskipou → Paphos
• Cost: €2.00 per ride (50% discount with student card)
• Frequency: Every 15-60 minutes (depends on day, season and time)

Walking:

• Universal area: 20-50 min walk (bus routes available)

• Kato Paphos: 15-40 min walk (bikeable)

Car/Scooter:

• Rent: varies/month

• Fuel: varies/month

• Good if living in Geroskipou

A body of water that has some rocks in it — Photo by Dimitry B on Unsplash

Introducing StuNest

After helping dozens of students find housing and seeing the same struggles, I built StuNest - a verified housing platform specifically for international students in Cyprus.

What makes StuNest different:

✅ Only university-verified students can access
✅ All landlords verified (no scams)
✅ Smart matching based on your budget and preferences
✅ Properties show distance to your campus
✅ Direct contact with verified landlords

Coming Spring or Fall, 2026 → stunest.homes

Let's do the searching for you, you worry about settling in. ΚΑΛΩΣΌΡΙΣΕΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΆΦΟ (Welcome to Paphos in Greek)

Final Tips

Start early: Begin searching 4-6 weeks before arrival
Join groups early: Get into student WhatsApp groups ASAP
Ask current students: They know which landlords are good
Don't panic: There IS housing available, don't rush into bad deals
Temporary housing: Book Airbnb for first week if needed, then apartment hunt in person

Budget Checklist (First Month)

• Rent: €500-€700
• Deposit: €500-€1400 (1-2 months)
• Bills: €80-€120
• Groceries: €150-€200
• Transport: €50, €25 with your student card (bus card) or €250 (car rental)
• Phone/Internet: €20-€30

Total first month: €1,500-€2,700

Conclusion

Finding student housing in Paphos doesn't have to be stressful. With the right information and resources, you'll find a great place to call home during your studies.

Questions? Get in touch at admin@stunest.homes or join our student community.

Good luck with your housing search!

— Manuel Wills | MSc Information Systems & Digital Innovation | Neapolis University
Founder of StuNest

The Complete Guide to Finding Student Housing in Paphos, Cyprus (2026)