Troodos Geopark

The Troodos Geopark opened in 2015, after 10 years in the making, and will continue to be an ongoing development.

It is located near the abandoned asbestos mine in the Troodos National Forest Park, near the Karvounas – Troodos Road, and next to its sister site of the Troodos Botanic Garden.

The Geopark incorporates an Educational Yard and Viewpoint, as well as a Visitor Centre that presents the Geology of the Troodos mountain range through a variety of interactive and high-tech displays.

In the Exhibit Hall, the geomorphologic rocks of the area are presented, whilst in the Projection Room, video footage shows the emergence of the island from the sea, and the significance of Troodos’ geology. There is also a specialized library.

Region: Troodos area [Lefkosia (Nicosia) district]
Address: Karvounas – Troodos Road
Contact No: Tel: +357 25752401, email: [email protected].
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 09:00 – 16:00.
Operating Period: All year round.
Entrance Fee: Adults €3,00 / Children €2,00 (6 – 18), free (under 6).
Special rates for groups of 10 or more persons.
Website: www.troodos-geo.org
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

Cedar Valley

Located on the crossroads of Lefkosia (Nicosia), Pafos (Paphos) and Lemesos (Limassol), the breathtaking mountain locality of Cedar Valley is nestled within Pafos Forest, and is distinctive for its thousands of endemic Cedrus brevifolia species (Cedar trees), which is a close relative of the famous cedars of Lebanon. There are also some Calabrian pines – Pinus brutia in the valley, which is popular for its peaceful seclusion.

The area is crossed by the country road that joins the village of Panagia with the monastery of Panagia tou Kykkou, and also unfolds into Stavros tis Psokas, an additional mountain locality that is home to the rare and shy Mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion) – an endemic species of wild sheep found exclusively on the island.

The remnants of three old, Venetian mountain bridges are interesting sights to take in whilst enjoying a stroll around the area.

Akrotiri Salt Lake

Located south west of Lemesos (Limassol), Akrotiri Salt Lake is the largest inland body of water on the island, and is considered to be one of the most important wetlands in the eastern Mediterranean.

The 10.65 square kmlake fills with water during the winter period, and is home to migrating birds between November and March. These include flocks of thousands of flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus), cranes, birds of prey and migrant waders – for whom the depth of 30cm across over half the lake provides a welcome stopover. At its deepest point, the lake is around 1m, and at its lowest it is 2.7m below sea level.

The most basic element of the food chain in the lake’s ecosystem is the small fairy shrimp (Branchinella spinosa), which the other life greatly relies on. When flamingos and other water birds are unable to find the shrimp, they desert the salt lake and continue their journey by travelling to Larnaka Salt Lake or south, towards Africa.

Less saline than Larnaka (Larnaca) Salt Lake, Akrotiri Salt Lake is a significant natural habitat fringed with reed beds. It usually dries up in the summer, but not always, andgeologists hypothesize the lake was formed after an offshore islet was gradually joined to the mainland.

 

Akrotiri Environmental Education and Information Centre

Situated at Akrotiri Village, the Centre has been operating since October 2004 with the purpose to promote the unique environmental and cultural significance of Akrotiri Peninsula through programmes and exhibits.

The Centre consists of an exhibition room, library, projection room and wildlife observation kiosk and offers educational programmes for schools on the history and habitat of the region. Visitors can view exhibits related to the protected Akrotiri peninsula, the geological formation of the region and can admire the view of the nearby Salt Lake.

Region: Lemesos (Limassol)
Address: Akrotiri Village, 14km west of Lemesos
Contact No: Tel.: +357 25 826 562, Fax: +357 25 826 563
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 13:30
Saturday- Sunday: Closed     
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox).
Entrance Fee: Free.
Disabled Access: Offers facilities for the disabled.
Website: www.akrotirienvironment.com
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

Multifunctional Seaside Park

The Multifunctional Seaside Park of Lemesos (Limassol) stretches across 1km of functionally-connected coast, offering several accesses, as well as sites of interest and many upgraded facilities.

The park begins in front of the city centre, and continues for an area of 65.000 square metres up until the old harbour, having continued from the coasts of Olympion and Enaerios. Included along its length are a cycle path – that connects the Olympion coast with the luxury Marina; the linear park of Garyllis; three cafeterias; enhanced pedestrian roads; playgrounds; areas for skateboarding; a small theatre; ponds and fountains; trees and bushes, modern lighting and the Lemesos Sculpture Park, amongst others.

The Sculpture Park is comprised of 20 modern sculptures commissioned by the municipality, and is located on the seafront promenade. Created by local and foreign artists, the sculptures are the result of sculpture symposiums held from 1999-2001.

The backdrop and views of the Mediterranean Sea have been incorporated into the area’s design, with a pedestrian road that runs parallel to the sea and a cycle path alongside it, three docks for walking, a large crescent-shaped, multi-purpose platform and a pier.

 

OCHI Open Market

The market of ‘OCHI’ is a farmer’s market held every Wednesday and Saturday in the area of Bayraktar Mosque, on one of the 11 bastions of the Venetian walls of Lefkosia (Nicosia).

The farmers sell the freshest of seasonal, local produce – mainly fruit and vegetables – with bargains to be had, all in the historical setting of the Ottoman mosque that was built in honour of the flag carrier who first climbed on to the walls of Lefkosia during the siege of the city by the Ottoman troops in 1570. The name of the mosque comes from Turkish word ‘bayrak’, meaning ‘flag’ or ‘military trophy’.

Region: Lefkosia
Address: Constantinou Paleologou on Constanza Bastion
GPS coordinates: Lat: 35.169443 Lon: 33.366332
Operating Hours: Wednesday: 06:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 06:00 – 16:00
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Free
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

Athalassa National Forest Park / Visitor Centre

Located on the south-eastern edge of the city of Lefkosia (Nicosia), Athalassa National Forest Park is an oasis of greenery set across an area of 840 hectares, with many endemic, indigenous and adventive trees, shrubs and herbs. Its network of trails – covering 20 kilometres – makes it a popular place for cycling, walking and dog walking (on a designated pathway).

The Botanical Gardens are open daily and are free of charge to visit, whilst the grounds of the park also incorporate a Visitor’s Centre that provides information about the environmental features of the park. A scale model replica of the park shows its basic natural features, vegetation and recreational facilities, whilst dioramas give three-dimensional representations of the area’s vegetation, birds, mammals and reptiles.

Geological samples, fossils and related objects are exhibited in a separate room, and visual material is used to present the local fauna and flora.

Region: Lefkosia
Address: Leoforos Keryneias, 1, Aglantzia
Contact No: Visitor Centre, Tel: +357 22 462 943 / +357 22 403 704 / +357 22 805 533
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 07:30 – 15:30
Closed on weekends.
Operating Period: Visitor Centre:
All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Visitor Centre: Adults / children over 6, €1,00 / Children under 6, free.
Website: www.moa.gov.cy
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

Sculpture Park Petreon – Mazotos village

Located in the coastal village of Mazotos, 22km outside of Larnaka (Larnaca), the sculpture park of Petreon takes its name from the Greek word for ‘stone’ (‘petra’).

The park consists of a permanent open-air sculpture exhibition – with stone pieces of varying sizes by artist Savvas Koulendros, the Liasidion Amphitheatre, the Archontariki – where various exhibitions are hosted, and a small stone church.

The 8,5 metres high sculpture of Petreos, the man that was born from the stone, dominates over the entire park, whilst the gardens themselves are picturesque with their different cactus species and other flowering plants.

Region: Larnaka
Address: Mazotos, 22km from Larnaka, on the road towards Zygi village
GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.788231 Lon: 33.486757
Contact No: Tel: +357 99 648 116
email: [email protected]
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetreonSculpturePark
Operating Hours: Open only with appointment.
Organised groups: Winter, daily: 09:00 – 15:30  /   Summer, daily: 09:00 – 18:00
Individuals / general admission: Summer: 16:00 – 18:00
Special considerations / requests can be discussed including private tours of the grounds.
Operating Period: All year round.
Open on all Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Adults €2,50 / Children €1,50 / Organised groups €2,00
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

Larnaka (Larnaca) Salt Lake

Larnaka (Larnaca) Salt Lake is the second largest salt-lake in Cyprus and measures 2,2 square kilometres. In 1997 it was declared a protected area under Cypriot Law for the Prote­ction and Management of Nature and Wildlife and under the European Ha­bitats Directive. It is a significant Ramsar and Natura 2000 site – one of the most significant biotopes in Europe – and one of the most important habitats in Europe for waterfowl.  

Located southwest of Larnaka town and east of the villages of Meneou and Dromolaxia, the Salt Lake – known locally as ‘Alyki’ – is actually one of four lakes in Larnaka. Together, with Lake Orphani, Lake Soros and Airport Lake, the lakes collectively cover a total area of 1.761 hectares.

During the winter, the lake fills with water and is home to migrating birds, including thousands of flamingos that stay between November and March, along with wild ducks and other water or shore fowl that find refuge here on their migratory journeys. The most basic element of the food chain in the lakes’ ecosystem is the small brine shrimp Artemia (Artemia salina), which the other life greatly relies on. When flamingos and other water birds are unable to find the shrimp, they desert the salt lakes and continue their journey by travelling to Lake Akrotiri in Lemesos or south towards Africa.

Winding through the lake area is a designated, linear nature trail that is 4 km in length, and leads all the way up to the old aqueduct of Kamares. The various flora of trees, shrubs and flowers is signposted with information along the way, and there are also periodic benches, making the path popular for walkers and joggers.

Archaeological finds show that the salt lake area and that of the nearby mosque have been inhabited since the Late Bronze Age (2nd century BC). In prehistoric times the salt lake was a harbour that served the town, unearthed near where the Hala Sultan Tekkesi mosque stands today. The town was one of the large urban and commercial centres of Cyprus in the Late Bronze Age (1650-1050 BC). When the town was abandoned, the estuary silted up and the natural harbour was destroyed.  

According to legend, the lake’s saltiness stems from SaintLazarus’ request of an old woman for food and drink. She refused, claiming her vines had dried up, to which Lazaros replied ‘may your vines be dry and be a salt lake forever more’. A more scientific explanation is that the salt water penetrates the porous rock between the lake and the sea, making the water very salty.

Throughout the Middle Ages, salt was so plentiful that it became one of the primary export commodities of Cyprus. Its harvesting and selling were strictly controlled and taxed. Salt was last harvested in 1986.

The nature trail links the area with the Aphrodite Cultural Route.

Cape Gkreko National Forest Park

Located east of Agia Napa and southeast of Protaras, the beautiful and protected National Forest Park and conservation area of Cape Gkreko is a Natura 2000 site that unfolds across 385 hectares of stunning, unspoiled natural landscape.

The park incorporates a network of nature trails – lined with Calabrian pine trees and Phoenician junipers – as well as specialist cycling paths, with benches along the way. The two kilometres Aphrodite Nature Trail runs through the southeast coast of the Cape Gkreko promontory, and is part of the Aphrodite Cultural Route that commemorates the island’s link with the Ancient Greek Goddess.

Rich in indigenous fauna and flora, approximately 400 different plant species grow in Cape Gkreko. Out of these, 14 are endemic, and another 14 are extremely rare.

The forest was once abundant with trees, but is now covered with low vegetation, making it home to many mammals, such as foxes, hares and hedgehogs; reptiles such as snakes and lizards, and a large number of birds. The majority of birds are migratory, with five varieties and two endemic species – one of which is  the Cyprus wheatear ‘Oenanthe cypriaca’, a migrating bird that breeds on the island.

The general views from the limestone sea cliffs are spectacular and overlook the crystal clear waters of the region. The area is also highly popular for diving and boat trips to the many caves, where an underwater world awaits discovery.

The tiny, whitewashed church of Agioi Anargyroi is also a lovely place to visit, with steps that lead down to a cave by the sea.