Natural attractions on the island of Cyprus
The beautiful island of Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, southeast of Greece and south of Turkey. The island enjoys a temperate climate and has a rich natural heritage.
The following are just a few of the many natural attractions that visitors can explore while on holiday in Cyprus.
Beaches
Cyprus offers a variety of different beaches to suit all tastes. These include golden, white and dark sand beaches, pebble and rock beaches, secluded in green or desert environments, from lagoon style to rough waters; This list goes on and on. All the beaches are very clean, more than 50 have been awarded the Blue Flag. More than 30 of the islands’ beaches have facilities for disabled visitors.
Ayia Napa Nissi Beach, Protaras Bay Beach, and Konnos Beach in the east have soft golden sands and calm, clear waters, while the beaches in Larnaca have much darker sands. Limassol’s beaches have many hotels right on the shoreline, while Pissouri has high cliffs on either side of the bay. The beaches in Paphos are similar to those found in Limassol, but if you are looking for more secluded beaches, you should go to Latchi or Polis. For complete seclusion, the coast of Lara, west of the Akamas Peninsula, will give you the complete solitude you are looking for! Some of the beaches east of Limassol are quite amazing with a combination of white rock and dark sand. Note that on the west coast, north of Paphos, the sea tends to be much rougher than other parts of the island.
To the west of Paphos at Ayia Napa and Cape Greko there are some very interesting sea caves with great surroundings to explore. It should be noted that if you enter the caves, you must ensure that you do not disturb the bats and other animals that use the caves for shelter.
Walks and Walks
Walkers and hikers have many options in Cyprus. The Troodos Mountains and Paphos Forest offer many walks in lush green surroundings, including Platy Valley, Cedar Valley and The Caledonia Waterfalls. The Akamas Peninsula offers the perfect setting for walking along the coast in the northwest of the island. Between Ayia Napa and Protaras is Cape Greko Park which, although quite small, is ideal for the whole family to explore. As you walk through the Troodos mountains, you will come across some interesting Venetian (man-made) bridges, small waterfalls (the best are in the Platres area), and ancient trees. About 30 of these trees have been declared “natural monuments” and all are over 100 years old and some are over 1000 years old.
Dams and Lakes
Many visitors to Cyprus do not realize that the island has many wetlands and dams. Many of the wetlands attract avid bird watchers, while the dams attract anglers. The most important wetlands are located in Akrotiri and Larnaca, and some of the most interesting dams are the Lefkara Dam, the Evretou Dam and the Xyliatos Dam.
Many walkers find the summer heat too hot for anything too strenuous and prefer to visit the island in early spring when the mountains are green and verdant with fruit trees in full bloom. Temperatures in the spring are in the 20’s with plenty of sunshine, perfect for discovering Cyprus on foot. There are always plenty of last minute trips to Cyprus on the internet, perfect for discovering the natural wonders of the island.