Remote beaches fill the island of Cyprus, offering tourists a peaceful retreat away from bustling beaches and incredibly spacious surroundings. Imagine curbed beaches, golden sands, clear skies and magnificently cool, clear waters. Holidaymakers flock to the beautiful haven of Konnos Bay, for its remote location, serene surroundings and not forgetting, its famous status for being the most scenic beach in the whole of Cyprus.
Alykes beach is very centrally located near the harbour in Kato, Paphos and has shallow waters and rock pools which makes it ideal for families with small children. The beach has plenty of sun loungers and parasols but as it is quite small and very popular, it can get crowded at peak times. There are, however, sandy terraces along the promenade which are ideal if you want to relax on a sunbed, take in the sea view, read a book, people watch or just to soak up the rays.
During the summer months, there are various water sports on offer and a lifeguard is always in attendance. If you fancy a break from the beach there are plenty of shops to explore or cafes and bars offering a good selection of snacks, meals, and drinks.
Aphrodite’s beach in Kouklia is very pebbly and to get to the sea you will have to walk over the pebbles and even some boulders, so wearing beach shoes would be advisable. The main attraction of this beach is that you can swim out and climb onto Aphrodite’s Rock which according to legend, is where Aphrodite (the Goddess of Love) chose to begin her life as a human after travelling the seas and oceans.
Surrounded by other smaller rocks, Aphrodite’s Rock is covered in corals, seaweed, and shells which makes it quite slippery, so you do need to be careful if you climb onto it.
The sea is a stunning colour and very clear and the beach is well worth a visit. Parking is free and there is a small shop providing drinks and snacks and there are toilet facilities in the tourist pavilion.
The CTO Beach in Larnaca, is named after the Cyprus Tourism Organisation is also known as Pyla or Pylo. A beautiful stretch of golden sand and shallow water makes this beach a firm favourite with families. There are lots of activities such as volleyball and handball alongside all the usual water sports and for the younger members of the family, there is a park and playground area behind the beach.
With stone walls quite far out into the sea, you can walk quite a way out and then go snorkelling to see the pretty marine life that has been created.
The beach has plenty of sunbeds for hire and a few palm trees providing some much-needed shade, a small shop and the CTO restaurant which has a good selection of snack food and Cypriot meals. There are showers, toilets, changing rooms and lifeguards on duty over the summer.
Faros means lighthouse which is where this beach got its name as there is a lighthouse situated at the end of this peninsula, has only recently been developed as a beach resort and is about 12km south of Larnaca near the village of Pervolia.
The beach is sandy, deep and long and is usually reasonably quiet. The offshore rock barriers protecting it make it safe for families with children. The sea is a clear, crystal blue with many fish and is ideal for those that like to snorkel or dive.
There are a number of water sports on offer, a small volley beach court, a football pitch, changing rooms and toilets and a beach-bar restaurant. Lifeguards are on duty over the summer season and several rows of sunbeds and umbrellas are usually placed well back from the water's edge, a truly lovely place to unwind and relax.
Alykes beach is very centrally located near the harbour in Kato, Paphos and has shallow waters and rock pools which makes it ideal for families with small children. The beach has plenty of sun loungers and parasols but as it is quite small and very popular, it can get crowded at peak times. There are, however, sandy terraces along the promenade which are ideal if you want to relax on a sunbed, take in the sea view, read a book, people watch or just to soak up the rays.
During the summer months, there are various water sports on offer and a lifeguard is always in attendance. If you fancy a break from the beach there are plenty of shops to explore or cafes and bars offering a good selection of snacks, meals, and drinks.
Finikoudes Beach is located just in front of the heart of Larnaca town and was named after the small palm trees planted there in 1922. The beach has a blue flag status and has soft, fine sand and clean, calm, clear waters. Swimming here is safe for children, as the water stays shallow for quite a way out.
The beach is very clean and has sun loungers and umbrellas for you to whilie away the hours relaxing and sunbathing. If you want something to do, there are beach activities such as volleyball and football and there are many designated sports areas in the sand to play games. There is also a small fun park with an arcade.
If you want a bite to eat you can enjoy a snack, lunch or a drink at a cafe or restaurant at the charming promenade opposite the beach.
Kapparis beach is located in the Famagusta area of Cyprus and is a quiet, secluded and remote beach found at the end of a one-kilometre track. It is not as popular as some of the other beaches in Cyprus as it is the closest beach to the Turkish occupied area.
The sea has crystal clear waters but there are a few rocks beneath the surface. It is ideal for snorkelling as the area is full of marine life and reefs. The beach has fine, golden sand where sunbeds and parasols are available to hire. There are also water sports facilities operating from the small floating piers, changing rooms, toilets and a van selling drinks and snacks with restaurants, bars and kiosks nearby.
Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed on the beach between April and October.
Konnos Bay can be found 2km north of Cavo Greko and is considered to be one of the most scenic beaches in Cyprus. The water is crystal clear and calm and swimming conditions are especially good for families with children as there are no waves. The beach is about 200 metres long with fine golden sand and is protected from the wind by the cliff.
Konnos beach is very popular with the locals and tourists alike. There are a variety of water sports to be found and the beach has all the usual sunbeds, parasols, facilities, and amenities. Restaurants, bars, and cafes are found nearby and cater for all palates. There is also a handy convenience store if you prefer to buy the ingredients to make yourself a picnic to eat in this beautiful, peaceful setting.
Kourion Beach is a one-kilometre long, lovely beach of grey sand and small pebbles Located in the Limassol area of Episkopi Bay. The sea is crystal-clear and varying shades of blue but is a bit rough as it is open sea. However, this does make it ideal for windsurfers as the area is also very windy. Although the western end of the beach is suitable for swimming the eastern end is considered unsuitable.
The beach has disabled access and lifeguards are present from April to October. There are sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, and several fish taverns.
If you should want a break from the beach one of the island’s most famous archaeological sites - that of ancient Kourion - is close by and well worth a visit, especially for its magnificent Greco-Roman amphitheatre.
Located in Limassol is the Lady Mile Beach, a seven-kilometre stretch of beautiful white sand and warm shallow waters, especially at the southern end of the beach.
The beach is sandwiched between the sea and Akrotiri Salt Lake behind, a stopping off point for migratory birds and a winter home for thousands of flamingos. There is very little vegetation and because the surface is so close to the salt water-table you get very little in the way of shade.
There are facilities for windsurfing and many other water sports, sunbeds and parasols to hire plus showers and toilets. Lifeguards are present at the beach from April to October.
As it’s not too crowded, many choose to take a peaceful walk along the shore but be aware that the quiet can sometimes be broken by the sound of the RAF jets from the nearby base.
Nissi Beach is a well-known blue flag beach in the resort of Ayia Napa and stretches for 500 metres. It has gently shelving white sand – a perfect place to lie on a sun lounger, relax, top-up your tan or spend time people watching. The sea is very still with no waves and there is a small hill situated in the water where you can sit for a while.
There are many water sports on offer including jet-skis, banana boats, and pedalos There is also a diving centre should you want to do some diving and a volleyball court if you fancy a game. When you are feeling hungry, there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafes to choose from.
As an added bonus; the resort is nestled among luscious gardens, featuring colourful plants and flowers and is a natural haven for birds.