The unique Akamas peninsula is located in the northwestern part of the island of Cyprus, 48 ​​km from Paphos. A fabulously beautiful reserve, born by nature itself, will pleasantly impress any tourist. Perhaps because of the rare beauty of herbs and flowers, preserved only on this peninsula, and once growing throughout Cyprus, the famous Homer called it - "The Fragrant Island of Flowers". Clear springs gush out of the crevices, and even islanders from nearby villages come here to get drinking water. A wonderful place, the air here is filled with the aromas of a pine forest and wild herbs.

The history of Akamas is closely connected with Greek mythology, for example, the myth of Theseus, who defeated the Cretan monster - the Minotaur with the help of the royal daughter Ariadne, in one of the altered versions takes us to Cyprus. The ship on which Theseus escaped from the island of Crete with his beloved Ariadne, her sister Phaedra, as well as the people whom he saved from the monster, washed up on the coast of Cyprus in a strong storm. Tui the hero had to leave Ariadne, who was pregnant and could not continue swimming with everyone. After some time, Theseus returned for his beloved and learned that Ariadne had died during childbirth.

When Theseus returned to his native Athens, where he was king, he married his sister Ariadne, who gave him two sons. Many years later, one of them - Akamas, who became famous for his dexterity and strength, replaced Theseus on the throne. The people revered and loved their new king so much that they erected a monument to him in Athens.

There is even a hypothesis that in ancient times there was a fairly developed civilization on Akamas, the center of which was Akamantida. But no trace of her has yet been found.

The origin of the name of the peninsula has long been of interest to Cypriot researchers. According to one of their versions, the word "Akamas" means "akavtos", i.e. fireproof. This version is supported by the fact that the famous Cypriot chronicler Leontios Machairas wrote about how the Saracens (as the Europeans called the Arab conquerors) quite often attacked Cyprus, robbed and burned it. After one of these attacks, the island was completely incinerated to the ground - only Mount Akamas remained.

The landscapes of Akamas are incredibly beautiful: petrified shells, parts of ceramic vessels that remind of the settlements that existed here in antiquity, created many legends and legends. Their echoes can be found in such poetic names as: Fortress of Rigena, Fontana Amoroz, Baths of Aphrodite and many others.

The Baths of Aphrodite are very popular among travelers who come to Cyprus. As the myths say, this place the goddess of love and beauty, also called Cyprida, took baths. Here love was born between Aphrodite and Adonis, but just like mere mortals, the gods of Olympus were jealous and envious. And a beautiful young man dies from wounds inflicted by a boar, which was sent by Artemis. Aphrodite, mourning her beloved for a long time, turned him into a beautiful flower. From the blood of Adonis roses bloom, from the tears of the goddess - anemones.

Now the Baths of Aphrodite reminds of the beautiful goddess - a small lake to the north-west of the coast, fed by a mountain stream. Washing in this stream, you can get eternal beauty, but swimming is prohibited.

The Akamas peninsula is the most amazing and wonderful place in Cyprus, where nature has been preserved in its original form. The peninsula is home to 168 species of birds, including the rare griffin Vulture, 20 species of reptiles, majestic moufflons, and a diverse and vibrant world of butterflies.

Every year, green (Chelonia midas) and common (Caretta Caretta) sea turtles crawl into the dunes of Lara Beach to lay thousands of eggs in small coves. In the area of ​​​​the city of Paphos there is an incubator station engaged in artificial reproduction sea ​​turtles. On the peninsula, constant work is being done to protect reptiles, protect their habitat, especially breeding, feeding and wintering areas.

On the plateau of Laona there is a mysterious three-kilometer plateau with its impressive caves. Relatively recently, in the forest of Akamas, at a depth of 70 meters, a labyrinth was found, which only a few local shepherds knew about before, but were afraid to go down there because of its inaccessibility. The cave has two exits, which are currently closed as a precaution.

To get into the caves, you need to go through one of the passages, 3 meters in diameter, and then crawl along a 30-meter manhole, after which a zigzag tunnel begins, which stretches 20 meters and where a person can already stand at full height.

After walking a short distance, you find yourself in a gallery with large stalactites and stalagmites. This place is home to thousands of bats. It is difficult to imagine the surprise of the researchers who descended to the depths with the help of special equipment and found a copper arrowhead and ancient pottery there. How these objects ended up in the cave, none of the researchers can understand, probably it will remain a mystery.
Public organizations and the state are closely monitoring the Akamas to prevent the advance of civilization on this unique corner nature, inherited by the islanders from previous generations.

The peninsula is best explored on your own, on foot or by bike, walking along the most beautiful in Cyprus tourist routes: "Path of Aphrodite" and "Path of Adonis" (both start at the Baths of Aphrodite). This type of recreation is now very popular with foreigners. Route map can be captured at the station tourist information, as well as in the offices of the Cyprus Tourism Organization.

You can get to Akamas by ordering.

From Paphos we spent the whole day driving to the Akamas peninsula, one of the most beautiful places in Cyprus. It is located north of Paphos, about an hour's drive from it. About the trip itself.

Even at home, I was thinking about which part of Akamas to choose for a walk: eastern or western. On the western side is Avakas Canyon, a narrow, picturesque passage between high cliffs. Photos of the canyon reminded me of the famous passage of the Siq to Petra in Jordan. Behind Avakas is the protected beach of Lara, where sea turtles lay their eggs.

Akamas Peninsula Map

On the eastern side of the Akamas peninsula is a grotto called the "Baths of Aphrodite", where, according to myths, Aphrodite spent time with Adonis. From the grotto deep into the peninsula go hiking trails. One of the routes stretches along the seashore, rounding numerous bays, and leads to the bay of Fontana Amarosa, or the Blue Lagoon. The water in the lagoon is indeed an amazing turquoise color.

Other trails climb mountains. One of them is called the “path of Aphrodite” and leads to the top of Mount Sotiras, which offers a wonderful view of the peninsula and its many bays.

At the bottom, the "path of Aphrodite" connects with the "path of Adonis", which also goes through the mountains in the middle of the forest.

How to get from Paphos to Akamas

Travel agencies offer a full day tour throughout the peninsula. First, they drive in jeeps to Avakas Canyon, then to Lara Beach, and then move to the east side, and it all ends with the “Aphrodite’s Bath” and fish restaurants in the village of Latchi.

But we wanted to penetrate deep into the peninsula. It was possible to rent a car for a day (on the peninsula itself you can only drive in jeeps), but for one day renting a jeep was a little expensive, and besides, right-hand traffic was embarrassing.

In general, we thought and chose East Coast Akamas.

The girls working at the city bus station and at the same time cooperating with the Ruslan Travel travel agency instructed us in detail how to get there and gave us a bus schedule.

First you need to get from the Harbor city bus station by bus 618 to the center of upper Paphos (Karavella bus station). There, transfer to the 645 bus, which goes to the city of Polis. Minibus number 622 leaves from Polis to the village of Latchi and the "baths of Aphrodite".

It sounds cumbersome, but the buses are docked with each other and, most importantly, a ticket for the whole day costs 5 euros. At first we thought that the "all-day ticket" is valid only in Paphos itself (and our guide confirmed this), but the girls at the bus station said that it is valid throughout the entire Paphos-Polis area.

When boarding the first bus, you need to ask the driver for an “all-day ticket”, and on the next buses show it when boarding.

So, we arrived in upper Paphos, at the Karavellu bus station.

Caravel bus station in upper Paphos

It was Sunday. Either on weekends in this area it is so deserted, or always, but the center of upper Paphos seemed extinct. We had about half an hour before the next bus, and we wandered through the deserted streets, meeting only two men who were sitting in an open cafe and at the same time screaming in terrible voices. We tensed a little: by all indications, a fight was planned. But, coming closer, they saw that they were just playing some kind of board game and looked quite good-natured.

And we also came across the closed Jami Kebir mosque, formerly the Hagia Sophia church.

Hagia Sophia Church, or Jami Kebir Mosque

Soon the 645th bus arrived, on which we went to the city of Polis. We drove to Polis for about 40 minutes and admired the surroundings.

The country around was mountainous, a wide green valley stretched below, a mountain range stretched in the distance.

Vineyards were planted on the slopes. Blossomed almonds. When I said almond blossoms, I used to always imagine a bright pink cloud, something like cherry blossoms. It turned out that the flowers of almonds are small, slightly pinkish. And the almonds look like light bright clouds on the green slopes.

And there were orange and tangerine groves strewn with fruits.

Our bus overcame the pass and began to descend to the sea. Sometimes the road was cut through the rock, and we drove along a narrow white stone corridor with high rocky walls on the sides.

rocky corridor

In Polis, we changed to a minibus and drove along the sea for 15 minutes. We passed the village of Latchi and soon got off at the final stop.

In addition to us, there were several other tourists in the minibus, so we all together headed along the path to the “Bath of Aphrodite”.

First, a small garden with winding paths appeared on the way.

These are such funny birdhouses

We rise above

The path led us to a shady grotto with mossy rocks. Water flowed down the rocks in thin streams and fell into a small shallow lake.

This is what the Bath of Aphrodite looks like.

Trail of Aphrodite

A well-groomed path departed from the grotto, along which we went further (following the sign “Nature trail”).

Cyclamens in February in Cyprus are scattered on all slopes

First, we walked along the coast, went out onto the road.

On the road from time to time jeeps were passing, heading deeper into the peninsula.

You can see how the road runs along the edge of the peninsula

In especially beautiful places oh, there are benches - for rest and admiring.

And - again cyclamens:

We decided that the lower route - along the sea to the Blue Lagoon - is more suitable for the summer period, when you can explore the bays along the way and swim at every opportunity. And in winter, it’s better to climb higher and look at the Akamas from above.

Therefore, as soon as we met a path that goes up, we went along it.

This is where we left the road and began to climb the path.

At first we were surrounded by bushes, rocks, snags.

steep serpentine

The hilly shore stretched into the distance, every cove was visible, and the Blue Lagoon was clearly visible, distinguished by its color.

Then the sound of bells was heard ahead, and we saw a herd of goats in front of us.

Cypriot goats are a separate issue. There is probably no such variety of colors in any herd. One is weirder than the other. And brown with white stars, and mousey in apples, and pure Dalmatians. They scattered along a steep slope among tall grass, and a melodic ringing comes from them.

Multi-colored grains of sand goats scattered all over the slope.

And the top rocks are already visible.

We rise higher and higher.

The trail goes around the hill and leads to the top of Mount Sotiras (375 m - the height of this mountain).

The top is a flat grassy clearing. We approach the rocky edge.

Peak of Sotiras, 365 m

The views from there are excellent. Just very windy.

From the top the path descended to a wide hollow with tall pines. These pines were visible from afar, and we decided that we would have a snack under their spreading crowns.

Descent from the top. Juniper

Along the trail there were signs and markers with mileage.

But the route along the path of Aphrodite, as it turned out, we went in the opposite direction, so now our mileage was decreasing: 3 km, 2, 1 ...

Soon we came to a hollow with pines. In the middle of the clearing stood a sprawling oak tree, behind it was a spring.

Here is such a sprawling oak tree!

It was a special place for recreation and picnics, with drinking water and benches. The ruins of a house could be seen a little way off.

In the clearing we had a snack, a little rest.

Resting-place

The main path went down. And there was also a pointer to the path of Adonis. At this point, near the oak, the path forks: the path of Aphrodite goes to the right, and Adonis to the left.

Adonis trail

We decided to walk along the path of Adonis. It is also a picturesque route in terms of vegetation, the relief differs from the previous one.

The path of Aphrodite passes through lighter, open places, there are more flowers, brighter vegetation.

The Adonis trail passes through juniper and pine forest. The wind has given the pines the most fantastic poses, they are undersized, stocky, some of them completely bent down to the ground.

Another well-equipped resting place

There are cypresses and plane trees, strawberry, myrtle and pistachio trees.

On both routes, there are signs describing plants or geological types, such as "Eroded Territories", "Limestone Cliffs", "Turpentine Tree".

There are more tourists on the Aphrodite trail. At Adonis, it seems that we were alone among the newcomers, but from time to time we met locals who climb in their jeeps to the most unexpected places.

The locals hunt here. The sounds of shots were heard on the mountain, but here in the forest - especially often. There were bullets on the trail. Here is the reserve for you.

Sleeves on the trail

Meanwhile, it would be time for us to go down to the village, since at 15-30 our minibus departed for Polis.

And the trail kept leading and leading us through the mountains.

In the end, we went out into the ravine, saw the sea again.

For some time they skirted the prickly pear plantation, fenced with a net. From above they saw how our minibus drove along the highway to the village.

Below is the highway

Finally, we went down to the highway about three hundred meters in front of the village and ran upstairs. At the very beginning of the village, such a bougainvillea grows.

And next to it - prickly pear.

We managed in time and after a while we were already going to Polis, exchanging impressions with other tourists. We returned to Polis with approximately the same composition as we had come here.

Arrived in Paphos before dark.

Avakas Canyon

On the way we met an elderly couple from Switzerland. They said that they had already visited the western side of Akamas and showed photos of the Avakas canyon.
How to get to Avakas Gorge from Paphos
At the Harbor bus station, take the 615 bus and get to Coral Bay. There, transfer to bus 616 and get to the final one - to the church of St. George. And from there, walk along the sea to the canyon. Before the beginning of the canyon there is a parking lot where those who traveled to Avakas by jeeps leave their jeeps (independent auto travelers or organized groups who bought the Akamas Peninsula Jeep Safari tour).
Our new acquaintances went to the end of the canyon and climbed up. I was surprised. Usually in the descriptions of the Avakos Gorge it was said that people reached the end of the canyon and returned back the same way.

No, there, it turns out, you can climb up, only "very strong", as the Swiss woman said. There is a trail along the top of the canyon. The entire route took them 6 hours. They seemed to me a photo on the camera display - attractive.

I use my card when I travel Tinkoff Black
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Tombs of the Kings in Paphos

True connoisseurs of antiquity will definitely find something to see in Cyprus - undoubtedly the Tombs of the Kings in the city of Paphos in southwestern Cyprus. The majestic necropolis, whose history of creation goes back to antiquity, became the last refuge for high-ranking officials and representatives of the aristocracy of ancient times - one has only to imagine that the first tombs were carved out of stone as early as the 4th century BC.

What are these great creations?

• Underground rooms are hollowed out right inside the rocks and, connecting with each other by stairs and passages, form one huge complex.
• Burials exactly repeat the dwellings of the buried people - amazing copies of luxurious houses and palaces in which these noble personalities lived.
• All tombs in the necropolis are numbered for the convenience of visitors to find the right one.
• Next to each burial, you can find an earthenware jug that was filled with wine, milk or honey so that the deceased could “get enough”. These gifts were placed in special ritual chambers located next to the tombs.

3. Petra tou Romiou (25th km of the Paphos-Limassol road)

Aphrodite beach

On the 25th kilometer of the road leading from Paphos to Limassol, there is a place whose history is shrouded in myths and legends - Petra tou Romiou, or Aphrodite's Beach. One of the most romantic attractions in Cyprus is a small stretch of rocky beach with beautiful boulders and the purest water which is especially popular among couples in love. It is believed that after bathing in these waters, lovers will stay together forever. Swimming at Aphrodite's Beach at midnight, you can find eternal beauty and youth, a successful marriage and healthy children. Also, according to beliefs, one of the large rocky stones - the stone of Aphrodite - has a special power, and after performing a certain ritual around it, you can later meet true love.

On Petra tou Romiou beach, you can not only enjoy the beauty of nature, see famous and memorable places with your own eyes, but also visit a cafe located in a parking lot near the beach, on the opposite side of the road. Here you can also take a shower, shop for local souvenirs or visit a restaurant with stunning sea views, driving a little further along the road towards Limassol .

4. Akamas National Park (Western Akamas Peninsula)

The pristine beauty of nature in Akamas Park

Approximately 50 kilometers from Paphos, beautiful panoramas of nature will open to your attention - unique landscapes with an abundance of vegetation and pristine beaches. This is another attraction of Cyprus - the Akamas National Park, a reserve in which nature has been preserved in its pristine beauty. This is an area of ​​coniferous forests, stupefying with their aroma, pebble beaches and sandy coves with crystal clear water.

A wide variety of wild plants grow here, many of which remain only in this limited area:

• wild plum;
• arbutus;
• myrtle tree;
• eastern plane tree;
• mountain lavender;
• cyclamens;
• orchids;
• pink-purple peonies listed in the Red Book.

Surprising wealth and local fauna:

• 168 species of birds;
• 20 species of reptiles;
• 12 species of mammals;
• 16 types of butterflies.

A remarkable place of the peninsula is the Avakas gorge, located among limestone rocks up to 30 meters high and stretching for about 3 km in length. A mountain river flows along the bottom of the gorge. This place is also worth visiting, because even the path to it is interesting - in order to get into the gorge itself, you should walk about 2 kilometers through the protected park, which smoothly, changing landscapes one after another, turns into a deep and narrow gorge, striking the eye with its monumentality.

5. Catacombs of St. Solomon (Paphos)

Catacombs of Saint Solomon - a Christian shrine in Cyprus

Travelers who wondered what to visit in Cyprus are given the opportunity to see one of the most unique Christian shrines - the Catacombs of St. Solomon. This ancient building created partly by nature, partly by man. According to one of the beliefs, in ancient times, a certain righteous Solomonia lived in Paphos, who refused to perform Roman rites and was forced to hide with her sons in the catacombs from her pursuers. According to one version, the pagans walled up all the passages in the catacombs, dooming the woman to a slow death, but 200 years later, when the passages in the catacombs were freed, the holy martyr came out safe and sound. According to another version, the sons of the woman were found after the escape and executed, and Solomonia herself was left alive, and the unfortunate woman spent her days and nights in tears over the graves of her sons, eventually dying of grief.

The first thing that opens up to visitors to the catacombs is a pistachio tree, completely hung with multi-colored shreds of fabric. The fact is that when visiting the catacombs, you can ask Saint Solomonia for healing from various ailments, and in order for prayers to be heard, you should tie a commemorative shred on a tree branch.

If you wish, you can walk through the catacombs, as well as visit a small well in the depths of the catacombs, the water in which has healing powers - it cures eye diseases.

Be sure to watch this beautiful video about Cyprus!

6. Winery Keo Aliki (Limassol)

Cellar winery Keo Aliki

Limassol city, a major economic and Cultural Center country, is also considered the center of winemaking in Cyprus, and being here, you do not have to think about what to visit in Cyprus . After all, it is here that you will have a unique opportunity to visit one of the largest factories in Limassol - the Keo winery. The tour is held in the premises of the plant as part of a promotion, so visitors are provided with a number of opportunities:

• observe the production of the best wines in the area;
• taste any product for free;
• hear some entertaining stories about the plant and its products;
• buying good wine is much cheaper than in stores throughout Cyprus.

One of the most famous alcoholic beverages produced at the Keo factory is Commandoria premium wine - the history of its first release dates back to the 8th century, and is now considered one of the best wines in Cyprus. For the production of this drink, a special grape variety is used - Xynisteri, and the process of making wine also has its own subtleties. Grapes are dried in the sun so that its juice acquires sweetness, after which the juice is poured into special vessels and aged in them for several years.

7. Show of dancing fountains (Protaras)

Magic of fire, water and music of dancing fountains

One of the most spectacular sights of Cyprus, amazing with its grandeur, is located in the small resort town of Protaras. Every evening, magic jets come to life here to rhythmic music, synchronously soaring up and performing extraordinary pirouettes. All this is accompanied by a light laser show and all sorts of effects in the form of smoke and fire.

The dancing fountain show is based on a modern and one of the most sophisticated fountain control systems in the world. As many as 18,000 nozzles and a multitude of LED lamps immersed in water create a mesmerizing performance: water streams, illuminated by multi-colored lights, continuously change their movements, obeying musical rhythms and creating an amazing atmosphere.

The show attracts the attention of both adults and children, and you can watch this beauty from May 1 to September 30. Guests are invited to book a table in cozy cafe directly next to the fountains or on special spectator benches.

8. Eucalyptus grove (Limassol)

eucalyptus grove

Attracts to the seaside town of Limassol and another attraction of Cyprus - a eucalyptus grove, stretching along the coast for about one and a half kilometers in length. It is difficult to pass by the intoxicating aromas of numerous eucalyptus trees growing right along the coastline and not enjoy this beauty. During the summer heat, it is especially good to hide from the rays here. scorching sun, and fragrant ethereal vapors bring peace and tranquility. In rainy weather, the grove will also become a great place for walking, when the aromas of trees mix with fresh air saturated with ozone - such a kind of "inhalation" will help improve health and boost immunity.

The park also has sports grounds, a children's playground. After enjoying the walk, you can visit a cafe or a restaurant with a picturesque view of the sea - there are many such establishments along the eucalyptus grove. Guests also have the opportunity to check into one of the hotels located in the immediate vicinity.

9. National Forest Park “Cavo Greco” (Cape Greco)

Beautiful view of the blue sea

In the eastern part of Cape Greco, also called Ayia Napa, there is a luxurious reserve park Cavo Greco, whose area is huge - more than 385 hectares. The original purpose of the park was to preserve unique flora, fauna and landscape of this part of the island. Later, another important mission was added to this goal - to attract more tourists to Cyprus.

Along with pristine nature, here you can find well-maintained picnic areas, bicycle paths and hiking trails with benches for relaxation, offering excellent views of the coast, with its purest sea water. By the way, the coast here is ideal for diving and fishing - in coastal waters you can find moray eels, octopuses, sea bass and igloo fish.

Today the national park inhabits

• about 4 hundred species of plants, 14 of which are considered extremely rare - juniper, acacia, mastic, fennel, wild garlic, etc.
• many representatives of the fauna - hedgehogs, foxes, hares, snakes, lizards and various birds.

10. Finikoudes Beach (Larnaca)

beautiful beach Finikoudes in Larnaca

And what to see in Cyprus for lovers of sunbathing? The first thing worth visiting is, of course, Finikoudes Beach, located right next to the central promenade of Larnaca. It is one of the most popular beaches in Cyprus, so entire regular buses come here from time to time, bringing numerous tourists and those who simply want to have a good rest.

The name “finikoudes” itself means “little palm trees” in translation - indeed, the beach is separated from the city by a palm alley, which was planted here back in 1922. Once small palm trees have now turned into large trees, the beauty and grandeur of which delights many visitors.

The length of the beach is about 0.5 kilometers, and the width in different places varies from 30 to 100 meters. The sand on the beach is of volcanic origin, so its color has a grayish tint. The Blue Flag certificate, which Finikoudes corresponds to, confirms its cleanliness and safety, and the service here meets the highest demands:

• lifeguards are on duty throughout the territory;
• inventory rental works;
• there is a sanitary zone;
• shower room with fresh water;
• perfect cleanliness is maintained throughout the beach.

Sights of Cyprus: what else to visit while in Cyprus

17. Fortress of Paphos (Paphos)

View of the medieval fort on the western edge of the harbor from the city of Paphos

In the extreme point in the west of the city of Paphos there is a defensive fort, which has become one of the symbols of this place. The uniqueness of the medieval building is given by thick walls, behind which you can visit the ruins of the former fortress. The fort was built in the 13th century by the king of Cyprus - one of the representatives of the Lusignan dynasty. Initially, the castle consisted of two towers united by a wall, but over the centuries the building was repeatedly destroyed by invaders, suffered due to natural disasters, and then restored by new owners. There was a Paphos castle and a prison, and a mosque, and even a salt warehouse. But the appearance that the fortress has today, it acquired in 1592, when it was restored in the Ottoman style. Today, this monument has the status of a museum - for 20 years in a row, opera music concerts and festivals have been held here, among which the Aphrodite festival is the most famous.

18. Kolossi Castle (10 km from Limassol)

Three-story square donjon tower in the 12th-century Kolossi castle in the Limassol area

For those who are interested in the sights of Limassol , it is worth visiting Kolossi Castle - a medieval military fortress about ten kilometers from Limassol. The building, erected at the beginning of the 13th century, was once the center of the Knights Hospitaller. Today, the castle of Kolossi is most often referred to as a massive battlement tower, but it is only part of architectural complex. The thickness of its walls, which is 1.25 meters, is striking - it is this factor that allowed the tower to withstand earthquakes and survive to this day. On the first floor of the tower, presumably, there was a pantry - you can still see water tanks there. There are two rooms on the second level, one of which has a fireplace - most likely, a dining room was located here. In another of the rooms, a large fresco has been preserved, which depicts the scene of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the faces of the Virgin and St. John. The third floor once served as a knight's hall and the personal quarters of the Commander.

19. Buffavento Castle (Northern Cyprus)

The ruins of the fortress walls of the Buffavento castle in the Kyrenia mountains in northern Cyprus

Along north coast islands of Cyprus stretched mountain range - the Kyrenia mountains. It was there, on the very peaks, at an altitude of about a kilometer, that three glorious medieval castle- Saint Hilarion, Kantaru and Buffavento. As for Buffavento, this fortress was built by the Byzantines back in the 7th century with the main goal of protecting it from Arab raids. The place for the construction was chosen ideally - from this height the whole island was perfectly surveyed. The fortress consists of two levels: the first began with a bastion, followed by a guardhouse - it still has a fireplace. A level higher are the ruins of a chapel, and from here you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Kyrenia Mountains. The castle cannot be attributed to a specific period of history - judging by the method of masonry, different levels of the castle were built starting from the 7th century and completed until the 14th century.

20. Kyrenia Castle (Northern Cyprus)

Kyrenia Castle 16th century castle in the eastern part of the old harbor of Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus

Another significant bastion in the lands of Cyprus is the Kyrenia Castle, towering over the old harbor ancient city Kyrenia, in the very north of Cyprus. Just like Buffavento, Kyrenia Castle was built in the 7th century to resist the invasions of the Arabs. The citadel has a rectangular shape with bastions located at the tops. Such an architectural solution was so successful that the castle has never been taken by storm throughout history. The courtyard is so vast that once there were even held jousting tournaments. A visit to the interior of the castle will impress with the history, the spirit of which is kept within these walls to this day: prisoners were kept in the dungeons and, according to legend, it was here that the Knights Templar were executed. Now in these places there is a museum of torture, impressive with its exhibits. On the territory of the castle there is also the Shipwreck Museum and a small Byzantine church of St. George.

21. Church of St. Lazarus (Larnaca)

Church of St. Lazarus - an Orthodox church of the 9th century in the city of Larnaca

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world flock to one of the most important shrines in Cyprus - the Church of St. Lazarus, because everyone wants to touch the relics of the saint, who, according to the Gospel, was resurrected by Christ three days after his death. The clergy did not like the miraculous resurrection then, and Lazar was forced to flee - Larnaca became his refuge. After his death, the relics of the saint were buried at the base of the church, after which the temple was repeatedly rebuilt, and it was believed that the remains were irretrievably lost. Only in the 70s of the last century, during the restoration, in the process of opening the stone tombs under the altar, the relics were found - today they are the most valuable artifact and are exhibited for general worship. Among other valuables of the temple are a burnt-out wooden iconostasis with the miraculously preserved face of St. Lazarus, the icons of St. Martyr George and the Mother of God Hodegetria.

The buildings of the Orthodox monastery of Kykkos in the picturesque Troodos mountains in Cyprus

By renting a car in Cyprus, you immediately get the opportunity for a rich holiday, not tied to the regulations of general excursions. Having a car, you can visit the mountains and picturesque bays, walk along the ancient streets of mountain villages, see ancient monasteries. By the way, in the Troodos mountains you can find what to see in Cyprus by car - This is the stauropegial monastery of the Mother of God of Kykkos. The monastery has always had a special role in the history of Cyprus - its brethren have always sought to inspire the people in the most difficult times. And within the walls of the monastery church is kept the Miraculous icon of the Kykk Mother of God - according to popular belief, this is one of the three icons painted by the apostle and evangelist Luke. This shrine is covered with many legends associated with its miracles - the Mother of God has repeatedly protected, saved from troubles, and from ancient times to this day, the icon is carried out to Mount Troni during the most difficult trials.

23. Ayia Napa Monastery (Ayia Napa)

Courtyard of the monastery of Ayia Napa in the center youth resort Ayia Napa
Monastery of Our Lady of Napa of the 15th century in the style of the Italian Renaissance in the city of Ayia Napa

Those who are looking for the beautiful sights of Cyprus, Ayia Napa will meet with picturesque beaches with white sand, bizarre limestone cliffs and azure sea. But a large seaside village is known not only for its developed beach infrastructure - Ayia Napa Monastery is located not far from the coast, and once the history of a modest fishing village at that time began from it. The monastery is located very close to the coast, in the very center popular resort. The history of the monastery began in the 14th century - they say that in those days an impenetrable forest grew on these places, where the inhabitants of nearby settlements hunted. One day, one of the hunters in the thicket discovered a cave in which an ancient icon of the Mother of God was kept. It was on this place that a church grew over time, and after another two centuries, a monastery. The most valuable shrine of the monastery is the veil handed over to the Savior by Saint Veronica during the procession to Golgotha.

24. Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia (Northern Cyprus)

View of the Selimiye Mosque (former St. Sophia Cathedral) from the Shakolas Tower (Museum-Observatory Ledra) A.Savin

Already at the entrances to Nicosia, you can see the spiers of the Selimiye Mosque towering over the city, built in the 13th century, but still impressive in its size and monumentality. The history of the great monument is extremely rich - the mosque was built for a century and a half, and this process was accompanied by numerous disasters, the construction was repeatedly interrupted due to earthquakes and Egyptian Mamluk raids. Initially, the shrine was created as a Roman Catholic church, but in the 16th century, after the capture of Cyprus by the Ottomans, the cathedral was converted by the Turks into a grandiose mosque - the former decoration was destroyed and painted over, and two minarets were attached to the building. But even today, the marble tombstones of the Cypriot kings, covered with carpets, have been preserved. The majestic mosque strikes the imagination with a carved entrance arch, fancy windows, huge columns, Gothic vaults, mosaics and bas-reliefs.

25. Ghost town of Varosha (Northern Cyprus)

Varosha quarter in the city of Famagusta - a former tourist center in Cyprus Zairon
Abandoned hotels in the ghost town of Varosha in Northern Cyprus Zairon

To be precise, Varosha is not a city, but a district of the city of Famagusta, which today belongs to the territory unrecognized state Northern Cyprus. Once it was a thriving resort town with a 4-kilometer strip of beach, brand new hotels, shops, markets, nightclubs and private villas. But in 1974, its prosperity was abruptly interrupted by a coup d'etat, when the Greek part of the local people rebelled, demanding the annexation of Cyprus to Greece. And Turkey, in order to protect the interests of the Turkish part, sent troops from the north, and the Varosha region became the extreme point of this offensive. So Cyprus was divided into two parts, the north remained occupied by Turkish troops, and the city of Varosha on the border began to play the role buffer zone guarded by UN troops. This place was abandoned by the inhabitants, and to this day hundreds of UN representatives guard the empty city.

26. Ancient city of Kourion (Gulf of Episkopi)

The ruins of the ancient city of Kourion on the shores of Episkopi Bay near Limassol Anna & Michal

Just a few kilometers from historical center Limassol, sprawled along the bay ancient city Kourion. Once it was a large city-state - it was still a thousand years before our era. During its existence, the city passed into the possession of the Byzantines, Greeks, Romans, but after many centuries it began to decline - apparently, the devastating earthquake of the 4th century AD became the starting point of this process. And finally the city was abandoned in the 7th century as a result of the Arab invasions. Today, Kourion is a major Archaeological Museum with ruins from several eras - Hellenism, the Roman period and the early Christian era. A walk through the ruins will turn into an informative journey into the past - among the ruins you can see such objects as the house of Achilles and Eustolios, Roman baths, the house of gladiators, an ancient theater, the ruins of a basilica, the ruins of a nymphaeum, fragments of a mosaic.

27. The ancient city of Amathus (south of Cyprus)

Excavations of the ancient city of Amathus near Limassol Carole Raddato

Going to explore the sights of southern Cyprus , you should definitely visit one of the ten remaining ancient cities in Cyprus. This is the ancient city of Amathus, with which mythology was closely intertwined - for example, there was ancient sanctuary, which was one of the most important places of worship for the goddess Aphrodite, and today you can see the remains of this building. The city was built on convenient location on a coastal cliff, on the coast of a natural harbor - this fact predetermined the rapid development of the city in the ancient period, through the local port there was trade with Greece and the Levant. For centuries, the city was conquered by the Persians, Romans, Ptolemies, Byzantines, and at the end of the glorious history, the city was destroyed as a result of the Arab invasions. Today, on the territory of the ancient city, you can see the ruins of the acropolis, the remains of the temple of Aphrodite, a market with rows of marble columns and ancient burials.

28. Aqueduct Kamares (Larnaca)

Kamares stone aqueduct or Bekir Pasha aqueduct of the 18th century on the outskirts of Larnaca in Cyprus

On the island of Cyprus, the sights of Larnaca occupy a special place - these are kilometers of magnificent beaches, ancient temples and fortresses, a walk through the surroundings of which takes many centuries into the past. There are other valuable historical sites, such as the Kamares aqueduct. This is the prototype of a modern water supply system, created in the 18th century, the purpose of which was to deliver water to Larnaca from a source located above. For two centuries, the aqueduct successfully fulfilled its important role, until in the 30s of the last century it was replaced by a modern plumbing system. Once Kamares was located outside the city, but over the years the city grew and built up, and now the building is in its very center. By the way, the city government appreciates this monument and even created a special committee to protect it.

29. Forty Columns Castle (Paphos)

Preserved gate of the 7th century Byzantine fortress in Paphos Archaeological Park Wolfgang Sauber

Not far from the city of Paphos is another of the many fortifications of Cyprus, created to protect against the invasions of the Arabs. This is the castle of Forty Columns, which is part of the archaeological complex. By the way, the existence of the castle was not known until the second half of the last century, when, during processing land plot located above the port, a fragment of a mosaic panel was found. With further excavations, it turned out that it was only part of the archaeological treasure that lurks underground. It is believed that the castle was built in the 7th century by the Byzantines, and in the 13th century it underwent a radical reconstruction. However, a strong earthquake undermined all these works in the bud, destroying the fortress almost to the ground. The fortress got its name thanks to the granite columns that once supported its vault - it is they who have survived to this day, along with the remains of towers, gloomy dungeons and cellars.

30. Caravanserai Buyuk Khan (Northern Cyprus)

Fountain in the center of the open courtyard Buyuk Khan caravanserai in Cyprus

There are interesting places in Cyprus that keep the history of those years when Cyprus was part of the Ottoman Empire. One of them is the Caravanserai Buyuk Khan - the largest Ottoman settlement in Cyprus, located in the north of Nicosia. The caravanserai was built by the Turks in the 16th century immediately after the victory they won over the Venetians who ruled here before. Previously, the Lusignan Palace was located here - it was on its ruins that the inn was built. Once upon a time life was in full swing here - every now and then an inexhaustible stream of guests arrived here, providing prosperity to its owners. Since 1878, this territory was assigned to the British, who organized a prison here, and after World War II, Buyuk Khan was equipped as a homeless shelter. Today it is an arts center, where there are galleries, workshops, souvenir shops, and Shadow Theater shows are also held here.

31. Settlement of Khirokitia (valley of the Maroni River)

Reconstructed circular dwellings of Choirokitia between 7000 and 5800 BC. e. Ophelia2

In the Neolithic era, the lands of Cyprus were also inhabited, and this fact is confirmed by the oldest settlements found on the island. How could a person get to the lands of the island even before the era of navigation? It is believed that once Cyprus was part of the mainland, and only a strong earthquake turned these territories into an island. The Neolithic settlements of Cyprus include Khirokitia, where people settled as far back as 7 millennia BC. A small group of people was only 300-600 people. They were engaged in cattle breeding, agriculture, hunting, fishing and erected round houses from stone or clay. On the site of the ancient settlement, even today you can see the remains of round-shaped dwellings, with burials located under the floor, and defensive structures. Some of them have been restored, and when visiting the settlement, today you can look inside one of them to find out how people lived many millennia ago.

32. Avagas Gorge (Laona Plateau)

river among picturesque rocks in the Avagas Gorge on the Laona Plateau in Cyprus

A trip to Cyprus will not do without beautiful nature- the island is rich in natural beauty, excellent scenery and climate. Therefore, you should definitely visit the natural attractions of Cyprus. The presentation of natural sites would not be complete without Avakas Gorge, located 20 kilometers from Paphos. This natural creation more than a thousand years ago was formed by a river flowing here, which dried up over time - now only a small stream at the bottom of the canyon remains from it. Avagas - real paradise for hikers, there are breathtaking views, an incredible abundance of flora, including endemic and endangered species. As you pass through the gorge, the distance between its stone walls gradually narrows, eventually forming a narrow corridor where the stone masses hover right above your head - a frightening but mesmerizing sight.

Attractive scenery of Fig Tree Bay in the resort town of Protaras in Cyprus dronepicr

Coastline The city of Protaras is completely dotted with small bays, but one of them stands out from the rest - this is Fig Tree Bay, or Fig Tree Bay. Today it popular place rest, where a lot of figs grow - they say this is the only place in Cyprus with such a cluster of fig trees. Once the decoration of the bay was a giant fig tree - this is where the name of the area came from. Diving lovers will be especially interested in exploring the coastal underwater world - this is facilitated by the purest transparent water and a rich underwater world with mysterious sea caves. The beach offers a lot of entertainment - boating, water skiing, sailing, volleyball, basketball, tennis, there are numerous restaurants with traditional local dishes. The bay is surrounded by a string of hotels with different levels of service.

34. Nissi Beach (Ayia Napa)

The famous Nissi Beach inside a cozy bay in the resort of Ayia Napa in Cyprus

The Cypriot resort of Ayia Napa is famous for its beaches, among which the most popular is Nissi Beach, comfortably located in a beautiful Mediterranean bay. Comes here every year incredible amount vacationers who prefer noisy parties and fun holidays with friends. Every day this place is filled with the noise of discos, it pleases young people with a huge selection of entertainment. For example, in the daytime - banana riding, parachuting, scuba diving, in the evenings - incendiary dances, foam parties and beach competitions. Nissi Beach is also well equipped for comfortable rest- there are comfortable sun loungers, umbrellas, cabins and showers, and azure water and soft sand are ideal for swimming. You can have a bite to eat in any of the numerous cafes and restaurants.

35. Cape Greco (southeastern part of Cyprus)

Sea caves at Cape Greco in the southeastern part of the resort of Ayia Napa Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

Looking for what to see in Cyprus in May , the route should definitely include Cape Greco, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in Cyprus. This is a true oasis of serenity, located in the southeast of the island. Its territory - untouched lands that change their amazing appearance every season - it is no coincidence that in 1993 they were given the status of a national park. Thus, the flora of the local park includes more than four hundred species of plants, including endemics and simply rare vegetation. Flowers are especially beautiful - in April-May the whole area blooms with the most unimaginable colors, impresses with brightness and beauty. In addition, hunting is completely prohibited at Cape Greco, due to the need to protect native species fauna - along with numerous foxes, hedgehogs and hares, more than 80 species of birds live here, including migratory ones, as well as a huge variety of fantastic butterflies.

A trip to Cyprus can be compared to the real world tour- it is amazing how many monuments of nature, history and culture are concentrated on one small island. Holidays in Cyprus will not only allow you to escape from the everyday bustle and everyday worries, but also plunge into another world, touching the cultures of different eras.

The history of the area

One of the most mysterious and deserted places in Cyprus is considered national park Akamas. It is located near the city of Polis, and is a monument of nature and history, attracting great attention.
The development of this territory began in ancient times. For the first time this area is mentioned in one of the ancient Greek myths about Theseus, the winner of the Minotaur. Brought to the island of Cyprus by a storm, the hero was forced to leave the pregnant Ariadne. One of the sons of Theseus, Akamas, the hero of the Trojan War, after being expelled from Athens, settled in these places. It was thanks to Akamas that the Big City, and the peninsula was named after him - Akamas. By the way, many historians are still arguing where the name of the peninsula came from. In the future, judging by the data of archeology, this area was actively populated.
The rich nature, convenient bays made the surroundings of modern Polis especially attractive to the ancient settlers. In our time, and the territory of the Akamas National Park, several ancient cities and settlements of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine periods have become known.

National park today

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus takes a very responsible approach to the protection natural park. It is forbidden by law to violate the nature of this place in any way. An interesting fact is that the Cypriots themselves carry out the order of the authorities with great love and care. public organizations, locals from the city of Polis very zealously keep order on the territory of the reserve. And there is something to watch.
The national park is located on a large territory, part of which is limited by the sea. In the Akamas National Park itself, hundreds of different representatives of flora and fauna live, many of which are unique.
The highlight of the park, as well as the whole island of Crete, is that it is located on the border of the natural zones of Europe, Africa and Asia. In the park you can see the rare breed of Vulture griffins, numerous and varied butterflies, herds of wild goats in their natural environment.
A lot of work of the park staff is carried out with sea turtles. They deposit on the shores belonging National park Akamas in Polis has hundreds of thousands of eggs. But birds of prey and sea creatures allow an extremely small number of turtles to survive. There was a time when these reptiles were on the verge of extinction. Today, Polis nature lovers are helping to restore the population of these wonderful animals. Beautiful pink-purple peonies, which are listed in the Red Book of Cyprus, can be distinguished from the flora of the park.

The amazing nature of Polis

Of the natural objects of the park, one can distinguish, first of all, the caves in the Avakas gorge. They were discovered relatively recently, and immediately became one of the most famous places in the park. The fact is that these caves stretch for many kilometers underground.
The nature of Polis generously rewarded these caves with beautifully shaped stalactites and stalagmites. People once lived inside, as evidenced by fragments of ceramics and a copper arrowhead. Who these people were, what they did in the vicinity of Polis, historians and archaeologists have yet to find out. Everything together makes the Akamas National Park interesting place for visiting tourists.

Akamas National Park is located on the peninsula of the same name in the northwestern tip of Cyprus, near the cities of Paphos and Polis. The area of ​​the reserve is about 230 sq. km. The mysterious park is saturated with ancient Greek mythology and the picturesque beauty of nature.

In the reserve you can find endemic plant species (Akamas beetroot, local cyclamens and buttercups): officially - 39 out of 128 rare species In Cyprus. Frequent representatives of the fauna of the peninsula are fruit bats, foxes, wild goats, shrews, vultures, Cypriot owls, sea turtles.

History of the Akamas Reserve

The development of the peninsula began long before our era. The first mention of the reserve is found in the myth of the famous Theseus, who defeated the Minotaur. The peninsula is named after the son of Theseus - Akamas, the hero of the Trojan War, who settled here after being expelled from Athens.

This was the beginning of the settlement of the park. The favorable climate and convenient location near the sea attracted many people here, and more and more settlements began to appear. According to the finds of archaeologists, there were several cities of the Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods.

Panorama in Akamas park with mountain road— Google Maps

Today, the government of the Republic of Cyprus and the inhabitants of the island themselves are very careful about the protected area. Local laws prohibit in any way to violate the nature of the park. Akamas Park staff is working with sea turtles, the population of which was previously on the verge of extinction.

What to see

The territory of the reserve includes places known all over the world. Each of them is a unique attraction associated with the religion of the ancient Greeks and the characters of myths. If you are lucky enough to be here, it is recommended to visit them all. This is enough for a day, which can be completed with a delicious dinner in a fishing village.

Bath of Aphrodite

The Baths of Aphrodite is a natural cave filled with water from a natural spring, located in the northeastern part of Akamas. According to myths, the Goddess Aphrodite took baths here and met with an ordinary shepherd - Adonis, who, however, had divine beauty.

It is believed that bathing here rejuvenates the body, but this will not be easy to verify. In front of the entrance there is a warning that swimming is prohibited here, but you can wash your face. Further along the path you can see the Fountain of Love - good place to visit with your soulmate.

Trail of Aphrodite

The attraction is a 7.5 km long trail. According to legend, the path appeared when the grass and stones began to recede in front of the Goddess passing here. On the path, she met Adonis, and under a centuries-old oak standing on the side of the road, they were given love.

If you follow the path without turning, you will come to the point from which you started the path. During the walk, you can see goats, the descendants of those who were followed by Adonis himself. There are benches along the entire trail, from each of which you can enjoy fabulous romantic landscapes, it is also worth bringing your soulmate here.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is perhaps the most famous attraction national reserve Akamas. The bay, framed by rocks, is one of the most beautiful places for swimming in Cyprus. The water is blue and very clean - the bottom is perfectly visible, snorkeling and swimming are very popular here.

It is recommended to swim or go here early, tourists love this place very much, during the day there are thousands of them. Walkers will not be disappointed either: the lagoon is located 4.6 km from the baths of Aphrodite, if you walk along the sea to the northwest.

Lara beach

Turtle Lara Beach is a protected coast of the bay of the same name in the southern part of Akamas Park. Nearby is a hatchery for rare sea turtles, where you can learn more about them. The reptiles are well guarded, the nests of turtle eggs are fenced off so that no one steps on them, and during the peak of the nesting season, the bathing place is generally closed to visitors.

The coastline of the beach is very convenient for swimming - the clearest water and sand that is pleasant to the touch, a gentle entrance and a gradual increase in depth. However, it is forbidden to put up umbrellas and there is no infrastructure at all, you will have to forget about the resort service.

Avakas Gorge

Avakas Gorge is located 5-6 km from Lara Beach. The place is great for active lovers hiking and difficult routes. The height of the rocks here is about 30 m, the distance between them is small. Here you can see the famous Labyrinth of the Minotaur, but without special equipment and skills you can’t get there alive.

The route along the gorge will be approximately 3 km. It begins with a sign about the danger ahead, which, by the way, should be taken into account. It is not recommended to go into the gorge with children and in shoes with soft or poorly fixed (slip-ons, sandals) soles - you simply will not be able to move over the stones.

How to get to Akamas National Reserve

There is a connection between the cities closest to Akamas Park public transport. You can get to the reserve on the Akamas Peninsula from Polis by bus number 622, it stops near the Baths of Aphrodite. There are no direct routes from Paphos, but you can get to Polis by bus number 610.

By car, it will not take long to get from both nearby cities, however, an ordinary passenger car will not pass here. You need an all-wheel drive car with high suspension or an ATV. If there is no such transport, then you can rent it, in Cyprus this is a very popular service.

Route by car from Paphos to Akamas National Reserve in Cyprus - Google Maps

Also, from any pier you can sail away on a rented motor boat or even a yacht. Transfer in Cyprus is also carried out by taxi, there are both Russian taxi companies - Kiwi Taxi and Cyprus Taxi, as well as the popular international Gett service.

Video "Akamas National Park from above"