Nattaproblem

Cyprus is a destination that engenders visions of crystal blue water, sea turtles, Greek and Turkish architecture (depending on which side you’re on) and lagoons that rival any lucid dream of paradise. The locals are relaxed, healthy and up-beat and after one week there it was clear why: Cyprus is the new Malibu. Many tech and start-up owners are setting up offices there and it’s becoming increasingly popular as a retirement destination.

Shakira even has a home there on the Western coast. Need I say more? Let’s dive into the major parts of Cyprus that are must-sees and the best way to see them.

1.) The coastlines.

Cyprus coastlines are on par with the Iberian Peninsula, Croatia and California. They’re some of the best, most majestic formations that I’ve ever seen. Rent a car and drive. I started in Larnaca, then drove east to Ayia Napa to explore Cape Greco Peninsula. Afterwards, I drove north through the Greek/Turkish border to explore the Turkish side for half a day, then back through Nicosia, the capital. I spent several days exploring towns surrounding the Paphos forest like Omodos, Agios and Lafou (more on them later). Then I devoted my time to exploring the coast from Lara Bay all the way back to Larnaca. This permitted me to explore Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca including any eye-catching scenery I encountered along the way. You can route a path in any direction, because the roadways are very conducive to those who enjoy exploring. Hiking trails and bike trails are also plentiful, as were archaeological sites.

I covered some ground, so here are the areas I highly recommend with breathtaking shorelines:

North of Lara Bay (on the western coast), adjacent to Avakas Gorge Nature trail, there’s a breathtaking drop off that overlooks the ocean along with several beaches where you can soak in some sunshine. Then there’s the coastline from Lara Bay all the way down to Paphos. You can stop the car anywhere along this coastline and find a beautiful view. White rocks, moored ships (Oniro By the Sea), cliffs, they’re all there. Lara Bay has some banana plantations as well so if you are interested in touring a banana plantation, that’s also an option.

The drive from Paphos to Limassol was also quite scenic. Limassol reminded me of Sunset boulevard with a beach. The friendly shops, beaches, bohemian beach-bum vibe complimented the popular music scene that you ca see advertised on the walls and median-banners. It seems as though Limassol is where all the Millenials and Gen Z’s are setting up their businesses. I saw a cornucopia of new developments under construction and they looked nice! In between Paphos and Limassol, there is Aphrodite’s Rock as well that’s not spectacular, but relevant if you’re a fan of Greek Mythology. Swim around the rock three times if you so desire and perhaps the love of your life will find you in the days to come.

From Limassol to Larnaca, there are several nice coastal views to stop and see but the one that blew me away was the White Rocks Beach. Just east of Limassol, there’s a majestic white limestone rock beach with a seafood restaurant. Park your car, and go for a swim or snorkel. I must say this beach was probably top five in my life. I had one of the best swims and explorations there and managed to get laps in as well! Truth be told, you could have this experience at any number of beaches in Cyprus but this was where I had the chance to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the Mediterranean ocean.

Larnaca was also metropolitan and reminiscent of Santa Monica Boulevard in California. for those who ant to abscond into the quiet nature, you have to drive in between the major cities.

2.) The beaches

My goal was to snorkel and see if I can spot a sea turtle. Cyprus is a nesting island for Olive Ridley and Loggerhead Sea Turtles. The major beaches where turtles are known to lay their eggs include: Alegadi Beach, Gold Coast Beach and Lara Beach. All the other beaches are touristy and don’t have as many nesting sites. Fortunately, both the Greek side of Cyprus and the Turkish side are streamlining an initiative to curb plastics and help the marine organisms within the coastal ecosystems by recycling, marking the turtle nests and only permitting tourists to watch egg hatching events through scheduled visits. Each of the above beaches has a Turtle Conservation Station that regularly monitors the seasonal activity.

Turtles aside, the other marine life that can be found within the Cyprus choral is rich and vibrant. Below I rank the beaches I visited from my most favorite to least favorite. Ranking was based on natural beauty, cleanliness, clarity of the water and quality of the sand.

Konnos Beach (southeastern tip of Cyprus)

Malama Beach (nice rocks for cliff jumping, a thrilling summer activity)

Kafazis Beach

Serena Beach (great food here)

Sunrise Beach in Protaras

Green Bay (turtles love congregating here and in Konnos Beach if you go early in the morning).

White Rocks Beach (just east of the Archaeological Site of Amathous)

Alagadi Turtle Beach (tons of turtle nests here and few people)

Coral Bay

Those were the beaches I saw, there are hundreds. Cyprus is a truly beautiful island and I am sure the beaches I missed are unique in their own right.

3.) The cities and small towns

The clear, blue Mediterranean waters that surround the island of Cyprus make the island difficult to criticize. The major differences in the townships or cities that lie along the shoreline are the size and level of seclusion. Major cities like Limassol, Parphos and Larnaca have their unique promenades lined with Cypriot/Greek style seafood restaurants and beach activities. Personally, I prefer quiet and serenity where I can hear the sounds of the waves drumming against the rocks and the sound of my own breath. On the flip side, there is always a time for crowds, pub-crawls and dancing the night away; if that’s what you’re looking for, I recommend Limassol or Larnaca along with any vibing restaurant in one of the beach locations mentioned above.

Now, Cyprus has numerous small villages each with populations ranging from 100 to 1,000. These villages lie within the Parphos mountain range and inland. Driving southwest from Nicosia (the capital of Cyprus) will take you along the E903 towards any of these scenic villages. Each village has its own personality and local populace. The ones I saw included Omodos (known for it’s wineries such as Linos Wineries: one in 5 wineries that makes natural, blue grape wine), Lofou (known for it’s viewpoints), Agios (known for Byzantine caves) and Lefkara (known for its hand-sewn lace). Many of these towns were inhabited by Greeks and Romans even before the Byzantine era so the history and archaic sense of wonder is exciting, especially when walking along the stone-paved streets that remind you of Lisbon’s cobblestone roads.

Cyprus was a journey across semi arid landscapes with impeccable ocean views. As the world continues to heat up it’s a blessing to be able to experience beauty like this while we still can.