Author: Christos

Katsarka Beach – Blue Flag

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A rocky beach by the picturesque harbour.

Located 1 km west of the centre of the popular resort of Agia Napa, the 250-metre long beach of Katsarka is a rocky beach, covered in fine gravel with limited sandy parts and crystal-clear seawaters that are relatively calm.

Facilities on the beach include toilets, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas and water sports facilities, whilst there is a variety of restaurants, kiosks and accommodation in the general area.

Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April – October.

The beach is located just 500 metres from the picturesque Agia Napa fishing harbour, at which point a pedestrian path links the harbour to the beach of Vathia Gonia.

Access is easy by foot, bike or car, and there are car-parking facilities.

GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.98495 Lon: 33.98999

Glyki Nero Beach

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Beach located by Agia Napa’s popular centre.

Located just 1 km east of the centre of the popular resort of Agia Napa, the 250-metre long beach of Glyki Nero is a beautiful coastal stretch that reaches to the impressive Agia Napa Sea Caves, and continues west to the picturesque harbour.

Its name means ‘sweet water’ in Greek, and it is a sandy, natural beach of fine, golden sands, and shallow and calm, crystal-clear seawaters.

Facilities on the beach include toilets, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas and water sports facilities, whilst there are a variety of restaurants, kiosks and accommodation in the general area.

Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April – October.

Access is easy by foot, bike or car, and there are car-parking facilities.

GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.98405 Lon: 34.0117

Vathia Gonia Beach – Blue Flag

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Coast of calm seawaters with a lack of winds.

Located 2.2km west of the centre of the popular resort of Agia Napa, the 300-metre long beach of Vathia Gonia is a beautiful coastal stretch that is located 400 metres east of the more crowded Nissi Bay.

As a sandy beach with a natural rocky bay, it is covered in fine, golden sands, and its crystal-clear seawaters are relatively calm. There is a complete lack of headwinds at the beach.

Facilities on the beach include toilets, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas and water sports facilities, whilst there is accommodation and a variety of restaurants located close by. An innovative system (Seatrac) that offers autonomous full access to the sea for the disabled, is installed on the beach.

Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April – October.

The coast is separated by a pedestrian path, which links the beach to Agia Napa’s picturesque harbour in one direction, and Makronisos beach in the other, where the Makronissos Tombs (archaeological site) can be found.

Access is easy by foot, bike or car, and there are car-parking facilities.

GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.98697 Lon: 33.97961

Ammos tou Kambouri Beach – Blue Flag

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A beach located by stunning sea caves.

Located 2 km east of the centre of the popular resort of Agia Napa, the 100-metre long beach of Ammos tou Kampouri sits between the stunning Agia Napa Sea Caves and Limnara beach.

The small, quiet beach is mostly rocky with a sandy centre that is covered in fine, golden sands. Its crystal-clear seawaters are moderately calm.

Facilities on the beach include toilets, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas and water sports facilities, whilst there is a convenience store located close by.

Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April – October.

Access is easy by foot, bike or car, and there are car parking facilities.

GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.978621 Lon: 34.023437

Agia Thekla Beach – Blue Flag

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A beautiful natural beach.

Located 6,5 km west of the centre of the popular resort of Agia Napa, the 300-metre long beach of Agia Thekla is a beautiful coastal stretch that is located within the SPA (special protected area) of the Natura 2000 network.

As a sandy, natural beach, it has a rocky bottom covered in fine, golden sands, and its crystal-clear seawaters are relatively calm.

Facilities on the beach include toilets, changing rooms, sun beds, umbrellas and water sports facilities, whilst there is a convenience store located close by, and the general area has a variety of restaurants and kiosks.

Lifeguards with lifesaving equipment and first aid services are stationed at the beach from April – October. The beach offers a special wheelchair at the lifeguard tower to help disabled persons enter the sea with assistance from the lifeguards.

The beach is named after the saint Agia Thekla, to whom the nearby carved temple and the new white church are dedicated. A pedestrian path takes you on a leisurely stroll from the beach either to the picturesque fishing harbour of Potamos tou Liopetriou in one direction, or the beach of Vathia Gonia in the other.

Access is easy by foot, bike or car, and there are car-parking facilities.

GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.979 Lon: 33.93452

Treis Elies village

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Located in the Troodos mountain range, in the Marathasa valley of the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the village of Tries Elies sits at an altitude of 800 metres. It can be reached from Lemesos by following the B8 route, then the F802, followed by the F804, and finally the F811.

The tiny village has existed since Medieval times and was part of the royal estates during the Frankish period. It was also the birthplace of Chrysanthos (1767-1810), Archbishop of Cyprus under Turkish rule.

Its sights include interesting churches such as the small 17th or 18th century wooden-roofed structure of Archangelos Michael, and the small 17th century wooden-roofed church of Agia Paraskevi.

Other places to visit in the area include the Venetian bridges of Mylos and Agios Andronikos, whilst accommodation is available in beautiful, traditional houses.

Platres village

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Located in the Troodos mountain range, in Lemesos (Limassol) district, the village of Platres sits at an altitude of 1.100 metres.

The layout of this picturesque village resembles that of a theatre, it is a very popular holiday destination and offers accommodation in quaint hotels.

Aside from its stunning nature trails, Platres has one of the highest waterfalls in Cyprus – Caledonia – believed to be named by English or Scottish visitors of the area in 1878. The village is also filled with charming old buildings and a winery in Kato Platres.

Visitors will also enjoy its unique attractions, which include a chocolate workshop, an adventure rope park, and an exhibition at its Cultural Centre which incorporates old photos of the village, and of the Greek poet Giorgos Seferis who mentions Platres in one of his most famous poems.

Polystypos village

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Located in the Troodos mountain range, in the Pitsilia region of the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, the village of Polystypos sits at an altitude of 1,150 metres. It can be reached from Lefkosia by following the E901 route, then the B9, followed by the E906, afterwards the E907, and finally the F915.  

Polystypos is one of the highest villages on the island and is dotted with springs and streams, vineyards, wild vegetation and colourful flowers. As such it is perfect for a tranquil stay at one of the beautiful, traditional houses.         

The traditional character of the village has been retained, and it is one of the most scenic on the island with a number of unique trees growing in the area, including a wild, evergreen oak bush and an ‘invisible’ tree of soft wood and strong fragrance that grows very slowly. During the winter season, the village sees heavy snowfall, which adds to its picturesque charm.

Visitors can enjoy walking through the designated nature trail, which takes you along an ancient footpath, cutting across a forest of hazelnut trees. The walk totals 1,300 metres, and has three different starting points.

Sights of interest include the church of Agios Nikolaos, which was built between 1908 and 1912 in a Franco Byzantine style.

Pedoulas village

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Located in the Troodos mountains, in the Marathasa Valley of the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, the village of Pedoulas sits at an altitude of 1.100 metres. It can be reached from Lefkosia by following the E901, then the B9, followed by the E908, and finally the F960.

Pedoulas sits amidst orchards and is particularly known for its cherries and the products made from the fruit.

The village is very significant in religious terms thanks to its important church of Archangelos Michael (1474), which ranks among the most impressive Byzantine churches in Cyprus with its amazing frescos. The church is part of the route of 10 Byzantine churches, which are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Close to the church is the Pedoulas Byzantine Museum, which was established in order to house and preserve icons and artefacts from churches in the region, with exhibits dating from the 12th century.

Its other interesting sites include the Folk Art Museum, which exhibits the villager’s daily way of life, customs and traditions of the past, and the natural spring, which is said to hold the key to longevity. Many visitors enjoy a refreshing drink of water from the spring when they pass through the village, or stay for a while at one of its quaint hotels.

Palaichori village

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Located in the Troodos mountain range in the Pitsilia region of the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, the village of Palaichori is just 40 km from Lefkosia and can be reached by following the E903 route, then the F915.

The tranquil village is separated in two by the Serrache River, which springs from the Papoutsa mountain, and offers accommodation in beautiful, traditional houses.

The village is home to vineyards, nut and fruit trees, and produces the spirit Zivania in the traditional way. The spirit also plays a role in important village traditions, such as sharing it with friends in the church courtyard on name days.

A number of old and interesting churches, including significant Byzantine churches are worth a visit, whilst other sights include the village square, a museum exhibiting Byzantine Heritage, the restored hideout of the Gregoris Afxentiou, and the statue of the Cypriot Mother.

Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy partaking in the leisurely hobby at Palaichori Dam, which is constructed on the river of Kampiou.