Southern Cypriot Charms
Cyprus Tourism were keen to prove on this trip that there is more to Cyprus than lazy sun-drenched beaches and I’m pleased to report they succeeded! In fact, Cyprus is brimming with history and culture, stunning landscapes and coastal scenery, delicious culinary delights and friendly and hospitable locals everywhere you go.
We had three bases for our trip, all in the South: Agia Napa, Lemesos and Pafos, with side trips and excursions from all making for a packed itinerary. Southern Cyprus is really easy to get around, whether by local bus/coach or by hiring a car (driving on the left).
Cyprus’ East is famous for lovely beaches, sunbathing and party time but it offers plenty more to boot. The main holiday season starts from May so our visit was just before the party hoards arrive, but with a monastery in the heart of the town Agia Napa definitely offered more culture than I’d expected. The Monastery is free to look around and creates an interesting juxtaposition to neighbouring Central Square, home to the many bars and nightclubs! The Thalasso Museum was an unexpected pleasure too, filled with natural history and island stories. For kids there’s a treasure hunt – an enjoyable way to escape the midday heat for an hour or so.
As more of a nature lover, Cape Greco Coastal Path was the real highlight of the East for me, with stunning views from the cliff tops across turquoise waters, coves and sea caves; an ideal spot for hiking or cycling, benefitting from the cooling sea breeze. It’s also possible to get up close and personal to the coves by kayak.
On to Larnaka for a spot of shopping (plenty of little tourist shops along with familiar big brands) followed by a delicious lunch with sunny sea views. Larnaka’s hub is its promenade ‘Finikoudes’, with restaurants, cafes and bars galore – a buzzing area and the perfect spot to eat, drink and people watch.
Moving inland we found a more traditional side to island life during our visit to lovely Tochni Village. Swapping beachside resorts for stone houses clustered across the hillside; winding streets and flowering shrubs, cacti and trees, this is a really picturesque part of the country. Perfect for a scenic drive and lunch, or for the more active, cycling, horse riding and nature trails are plentiful.
Next stop Lemesos (Limassol), a lively, cosmopolitan city offering beachside resorts, ancient cities to either side, and an historical centre home to a 14th century Byzantine Castle along with a great selection of bars, cafes and restaurants. The perfect spot for a long weekend and for longer trips it’s a perfect central base for exploring further afield.
Our first full day trip took us to the stunning Troodos Mountains. With lovely views across the valleys of Lemesos and Larnaka, and the greater Masaoria plain, this is another dramatic contrast to the coastal resorts and cities. Alongside the plentiful natural beauty are wine trails and some of the island’s most important medieval frescoed churches. Troodos is also home to numerous pretty little villages with cobbled streets, terraced slopes, an array of artisan shops and plenty of tavernas should you need to re-charge the batteries. Definitely worth a visit.
Next stop, Ancient Kourion, perched on a hillside with stunning views across patchwork fields to the sea beyond, and home to the remains of an ancient settlement and a reconstructed Roman Theatre. Walkways guide you through the various remnants with Roman foundations and mosaics still visible. All pretty amazing, particularly those spectacular views.
From here we wound our way to Pafos for our final stay. This stretch of road follows the coastline and is really stunning, with plenty of scenic stops along the way including Aphrodite’s birthplace, a particularly beautiful spot. A journey for the Sunday driver in you!
To the west of Pafos lies the Akamas Peninsula, a designated National Park and home to gorgeous lagoons and secluded bays, limestone cliffs and valleys. The terrain here is rough and unsealed so a jeep safari is recommended, or for the more energetic (and adventurous) there are walking and mountain biking trails. Our exciting jeep safari took us across plains covered in flora and fauna, and along mountain roads with slightly terrifying bends. Again the scenery was just stunning. With more time there are gorges and beaches to explore – again, well worth a visit. Our day was rounded off nicely with a visit to a traditional village home for bread making, music and a delicious home cooked meal with our friendly hosts.
Back at Pafos there was just time to explore some local highlights, with visits to UNESCO’s Tombs of the Kings (a vast complex of burial grounds dating from the 4th century), Pafos Archaeological Park (home to a great selection of third-century mosaic floors) and pretty Pafos Harbour. All really interesting and just a few of the historical sites to see in this part of the country.
It really was a jam-packed itinerary and a great introduction to the array of sights and activities available. Just a snapshot of the photos here - visit my Facebook page for many more.
A big thank you to Cyprus Tourism, Aegean Airlines, Adams Beach Hotel, Amathus Beach Hotel, Almyra Hotel and the various operators and restaurants that hosted us throughout the trip. Spoilt once again!
