Beaches	Villages

Beaches

The Blue Flag Campaign which was launched in 1987 during the European Year of the Environment, was supported financially by the European Union and is promoted by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE) in 18 European countries, including Cyprus.

"Blue Flag" is awarded to beaches which fulfil a number of criteria relating to the quality of the bathing water according to the European Union Directive, environmental education and information and beach area management and safety. In 1996, eleven beaches were awarded the "Blue Flag".

Ayia Napa
This little town has the nicest and longest sandy beaches in the republic. A special charm has the Nissi Bay, where the mediterranean sea sparkles and glimmers in various shades from deep blue over turqois till green.

Fontana Amorosa
A little sandy beach with a heathland in the background at the north coast of the Akamas peninsular.
This beach is only by boat from the harbour of Latchi or by foot from the baths of aphrodite accessible. Therefore very quiet. No hotels or taverns around.

Governors Beach
A beach approximately 15 km east of Limassol. Only by car or taxi reachable. Small sandy spaces, Taverns and a camping site but no hotels or apartments.

Kurion Beach
A long sandy beach below the archaeological sites of Kurion and the boarder of a Steilkuste. 3 Taverns right at the beach. No hotels or apartments. Reachable only by car or taxi.

Coral Bay
A sandy beach a few kilometres west of Paphos with a Tavern, Hotels and Houses in walking distance.

Larnaka
A long sandy beach immediately before the town centre. Kilometres of straight sandy beaches stretch out in the east of Larnaka.

Petra tou Romiou
The beach where Aphrodite was born from the sea. A pebble beach with a rough sea and strong currents most of the times.
A short refreshing bath here becomes an experience due to the legendary significance. It is advisable to remain close to the shore as the currents are very dangerous.

Polis / Latchi Harbour
Right in front of the Eucalyptus forest stretches out a pebble beach.
Also west of Polis one can find long pebble beaches with reach over Latchi almost until the baths of Aphrodite.Only few taverns and hotels in the back land.

Villages

PAPHOS

Kallepeia
Situated approximately 13 km north of Pafos, 500 m above sea level. The village is famous for its beauty. It has kept its authentic character with houses built from stone with generous yards, the countless barrels and water tanks made from clay, a wine squeezer of stone and marble stones coming from the surrounding area. The old church of Saint George is worth a visit.
The area is rich of plants, plantations and vineyards which present a wonderful scenery.

Peyia
Around 13 km from Pafos lies this large mountain village with original taverns offering Cyprus specialities from the charcoal grill.

Polis
A small town on the north coast of the island. Very popular amongst younger tourists. Various private and boarding houses offer cheap but cosy accommodation. Camping site in the eucalyptus wood below the town close to the pebble beach.

Latchi
A little fishing village with excellent fish taverns.

Yeroskipos
A large village joined to the city Pafos and famous for its Loukoumia (jelly sweets) At the village square is on of the oldest churches of the island situated from the 9. or 10. Century. The St. Paraskevi church contains wall paintings from the 10., 12. and 15. Century. In front of the icon of the St. Paraskevi hang a great number of signs depicting eyes. The Saint was perform miracles on people with eye diseases.

Kritou Tera
Located 470 m above sea level. The village name Kritou is said to come from its inhabitant the Erotokritos during the byzantine period and Tera must have been a neighboured village which was joined with Kritou. The old village school was taken over by the University of Cyprus and changed into a centre for natural sciences. Interesting is the beautiful church Chryseleousa (19. Century), the old byzantine church of St. Ekaterini, the old wash house, the water mill and the water springs.

Nikokleia
Situated 17 km southeast from Pafos within a valley crossed by the river Diarizos. The name leads back to the last King of Pafos, Nikoklis (520 b.c.). Many species of birds are here at home. The Asprokremnos Dam is located right outside the village. In the village centre is the precious St. Demetrios church from the year 1768.

Kathikas
A village with a long historical background. Going back to the antique, the village was resting place for travellers between Pafos and Polis Chrysochous. The church of St. Evangelistris from the year 1870 worth a visit.

Goudi
3 km away from Kato Akourdalia. It is said that the name of the village comes from it's first inhabitant. Most of it's inhabitants today live and work during the week in the cities and come only on the weekends.

Panayia
Wine growing village 33 km north-east from Pafos. It has a rough character with it houses built of stone on the edge of a mountain. The village has its name from the holy mother "Panayia" which is venerated in this area more than somewhere else. In the region one can visit the monastery of St. Nikolas which was, according to the legend, built by the Saint himself or the monastery Chrysoroyiatissa and the church of St. George. Very interesting is also the cultural centre of Makarios III. and the birth house of the archbishop.

LARNAKA

Vavla
470 km above sea level. A small traditional village which has kept it's original architectural style until today within a natural green surrounding. Worth seeing is the monastery of the St. Minas on the boarder of the village and the settlements of Choirokitia from the early stone age.

Kalavasos
3 km west of Tochni lies the village Kalavasos. It's name means in greek: good base which is true due to its central position 30 car minutes from Nicosia, Larnaka and Limassol. Close to the village is the Kalavassos water reservoir. Worth a visit is the old mine on the boarder of the village which is not operationg anymore and the archaeological site "Tenta" from the neolithic age around 20 walking minutes from the village.

Tochni
20 km northeast of Larnaka. Situated on two hills separated by a little stream. It's name comes most probably from the word "Techni" (art). In the old age the village was famous for its stonemasons which hewed the stone in a special way. During a walk through the narrow alleys the village will present its traditionall face with its stone houses, back yards and gardens. In the village centre one can visit the churches St. Constantinos and St. Eleni.

LIMASSOL

Arsos
At 800 m above sea level with an exceptional architectural style. The wine from Arsos is famous since the ancient times and wine growing is still today the main income of the inhabitants.

Lofou
26 km northwest of Limassol. One of the most beautiful and historic villages on the island. The name comes from the byzantine period "lofos" the greek word for hill because of its location on a hill. In the last years many old village houses were restored which helps to keep the traditional character of the village alive.

Episkopi
14 km west of Limassol lies this village near the river Kouris. The village has its origin in the antique. It was closely connected to the ancient city Curium and later the regional centre and residence of the archbishop giving it the name Episkopi (greek: archbishop). The area is rich of churches and archaeological sites.

Saittas
33 km from Limassol at a height of 600 m in a mountainous location near the river Amiantos. The village is an ideal starting point for exploring the region of the Troodos Mountains and its forests as well as other picturesques villages

Pano Lefkara
The picturesque village is famous all over the world for its embroidery as well as gold and silver ware. The embroidery "Lefkaritika" is still made in the traditional way by the women of the village sitting outside their houses. In the old times, the men of the villages travelled around the world selling their goods. The "Lefkaritika" was brought to Cyprus by Venetian noblewomen in the 15. Century. It is said that Leonardo da Vinci bought "Lefkaritika" from here for the altar of the Cathedral of Milan. A small private museum exhibits special samples of the local handicraft. The village church is worth a visit to see a silver cross from the 13. Century

TROODOS

Ayios Nikolaos
Wine growing village on the road from Pano Platres via Omodos to the south coast.

Moutoullas
800 meters above sea level. The village deliveres the mineral water with the same name. Carpenters still manufacture traditional baking troughs which decorate so many hotels and restaurants all over the island. In autumn the famous schouschouko is made here. The small church of the Panayia tou Moutoulla located above the main road is decorated with dated, partly damaged frescos from the year 1280.

Omodos
Wine growing village situated 750 m above sea level with one of the most beautiful village squares of the island. Under mulberry trees one can sit on the stretched out plateia in front of the coffee shops. Worth a visit are the holy cross monastry and it's church which are now a museum.

Pano Platres
1200 m high. In summer very popular because of it's pleasant temperatures and freshnes. In winter very busy during the ski season. On the boarder of the village is a forest restaurant where on can enjoy fresh trout from the mountain stream.

Pedhoulas
Famous for it's cherry trees, situated in the Marathasa valley around 1100 m high. The alleys in the village are beautiful. A walk from the main road past the village church will take you to the church of St. Michael where frescos from the year 1474 in very good condition can be admired.

Phini
850 m above sea level. In the old times it was the centre of the Cyprus pottery. A museum gives evidence of this traditional handicraft. In two small work shops one can find handmade traditional coffee shop chairs with woven seats.

Prodromos
The highest inhabited village in the Troodos Mountains approximately 1400 m above sea level. A marking point is the large, for a long time unoccupied hotel Berengaria

Troodos
Small, 1700 m high situated settlement. In winter during the ski season very busy. Horseriding is available on the boarder of the village.