Spend your mornings strolling along golden beaches, with water so clear you can see every pebble on the bottom. Your afternoons will find you hiking through green hills or the Troodos Mountains, full of aromatic pine and cedar forests. Whether you prefer active relaxation or are looking for unspoilt corners away from the crowds, the Cypriot coast will appeal to you.
The most beautiful beaches in Cyprus – Map
We have selected seven of the best beaches in Cyprus, so find out why you should spread out your towel and sunbathe to your heart’s content on these sandy spots. To make planning your trip even easier, why not use our handy map?
Nissi Beach — a photogenic gem
Situated in a picturesque bay, not far from a small island that can be reached by wading in knee-deep water, lies Nissi Beach. There are many natural paths and vantage points from which you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the sea, the beach and the buzzing resort of Ayia Napa. Nissi is surrounded by low hills which add to its charm and provide welcome shade on hot days.
Nissi Beach is one of Cyprus’ most photographed beaches and is famous for its incredibly white, soft sand and crystal clear, turquoise waters.
The beach is easily accessible from various areas of Cyprus thanks to the island’s well-developed transport network. From the popular resort of Limassol, it takes about one hour and 30 minutes by car, while from Larnaca, it takes just 40 minutes. Ayia Napa itself has plenty of buses and taxis running to and from the beach.
Nissi Beach is also known for its wide range of activities. The beach is home to a number of watersports equipment rentals and you can hire scooters and water bananas (to pull behind a motorboat) or even paragliders. During the summer season, the beach comes alive with live music events.
Aphrodite’s Beach – relax with the goddess
According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, was born here. Also known as Petra tou Romiou, the beach is renowned for its rugged natural beauty. The landscape is dominated by massive rocks rising from the crystal-clear sea and the beach is covered with a mixture of sand and small stones. This is the ideal place to admire sunrises and sunsets, when the sky is bathed in pink and orange hues and the rocks appear to glow golden.
Aphrodite’s Beach is easily accessible from around Cyprus. From Paphos it is only a 25 minute drive, or around 40 minutes from Limassol. There is a convenient car park close to the beach.
If you want to enjoy the beauty of nature without too much commercial hustle and bustle, this is the place to dream. Swimming, snorkelling and walking around the beach and its surrounds will quickly help you to regain a sense of harmony. Aphrodite’s Beach is a mysterious place – there are no crowds, just blissful peace and quiet. The sea crashes against the rocks and you are immersed in a world of ancient mythology.
Fig Tree Bay – a beach for lovers
This beach takes its name from the fig tree that has been growing right on the shore for decades, adding to the extraordinary charm and character of the place. According to legend, lovers used to exchange vows of love and fidelity beneath the tree, believing that the magical aura of the place and the mere presence of the tree would ensure their happiness and a long-lasting relationship. To this day, lovers leave greeting cards and tie ribbons under the tree.
Rows of hotels and apartments are visible in the background, but they don’t overwhelm the landscape, rather complement it in a natural way. Fig Tree Bay in Protaras is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Cyprus. Covered in fine white sand and surrounded by clear waters, it is extremely popular.
Fig Tree Bay can be reached from both Larnaca and Ayia Napa. From Larnaca it is a 45 minute drive by car, or a shorter, 15-minute journey from Ayia Napa. The beach is also well served by local buses and has plenty of parking nearby.
Sunbeds and parasols can be hired at Fig Tree Bay Beach, with water scooters, bananas and snorkelling gear available for the active. Fig Tree Bay is also a great choice for families. Children can swim in designated shallow areas with safe water slides and a playground.
There is a promenade along the beach with many cafes and restaurants to try typical Cypriot meze dishes such hummus, tzatziki, halloumi and olives. Larger appetites will enjoy fresh meat and fish dishes such as souvla, a traditional slow-grilled meat dish, or moussaka, which is a casserole of aubergines, minced meat and potatoes with creamy bechamel sauce.
Golden Beach – turtles in the wild
Golden Beach is an important nesting site for sea turtles, including endangered species such as the Green and Loggerhead turtles. At night you can take a trip to watch the adults lay their eggs or see the newly hatched turtles make their first journeys into the sea.
This beach on the Karpas Peninsula, also known as Altınkum, is one of the most beautiful in northern Cyprus. The soft golden sand stretches for miles along the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean.
It is surrounded by natural scenery, including dunes and small hills and the lack of nearby buildings makes Golden Beach an ideal place to relax in nature without the crowds.
It takes a little more effort to get here, but this makes it a less crowded experience, even in high season. From major cities such as Nicosia and Famagusta, the drive can take several hours. The road, while scenic, is narrow and winding in places, so it is best to plan ahead. There are car parks close to the beach.
Golden Beach is the place to be if you want to relax in peace and quiet: beachcombing, long swims in the sea and nature walks. Its location makes it a popular spot for wildlife watching, including rare bird species such as plovers, curlews and golden eagles.
Lady’s Mile Beach – family-friendly and a foodie destination
Lady’s Mile is located near Limassol and features a wide, sandy beach with a gentle and shallow slope into the sea. This makes it perfect for a family holiday. The long strip of white sand stretches for almost eight kilometres along the coast and you can admire the port of Limassol and the mountains in the distance.
Access to Lady’s Mile is extremely easy, especially from Limassol, which is only a few minutes away by car. Numerous well-marked roads lead directly to the beach and large car parks provide plenty of space, even at weekends and on public holidays. Local buses also run regularly from the centre of Limassol to the beach.
Lady’s Mile Beach is a great place for a variety of recreational activities and you can easily while away your afternoon by hiring a kayak or a windsurfing board.
There are several restaurants and bars along the beach offering a wide variety of Cypriot cuisine, including fresh seafood. Here you can try traditional dishes such as halloumi, stifado (meat stew) or kleftiko (slow-roasted mutton).
Lara Beach – a Cypriot paradise
Getting to Lara Beach can be an adventure in itself! The journey from Paphos can take up to an hour and it is best to hire a 4×4 as the roads are partly unsealed and winding.
The route to Lara Beach takes you through the picturesque scenery of the Akamas Peninsula. Along the way you will pass deep gorges, vast forests and unspoilt coastlines, with each stop being an opportunity to get close to nature. Be sure to bring your camera to capture these sights and perhaps some of the wildlife you encounter along the way, such as mountain goats and rare bird species.
Lara Beach itself has wide sandy beaches and rocky islets. With its intimate location and lack of intensive development, you’ll feel like you’re in a paradise that is untouched by human hands and tourist kitsch.
Lara Beach is the place to be if you are looking for tranquillity and wildlife. The lack of commercial attractions allows for complete peace and relaxation. The beach is popular with snorkellers and divers who can explore the rich underwater life around the rocky islets.
The area is also popular with nature photographers and bird watchers. In season, Caretta Caretta, or Loggerhead sea turtles can be seen laying their eggs here.
Konnos Beach – swimming in a blue mirror
The green hills surrounding Konnos provide a natural shelter from the winds. The golden sand and clear water with shades of blue and turquoise are ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Access to Konnos Beach is relatively easy from both Ayia Napa and Protaras. It is a ten minute drive from Ayia Napa and a five minute drive from Protaras. There are also local buses that run between these towns, stopping near the beach where there is a car park.
Snorkelling and diving equipment is available for hire here, as well as kayaks and pedal boats.
On the beach you can try the freshest calamari you’ll ever taste, caught almost on the spot before being fried golden and served with lemon aioli. Local tavernas serve traditional seafood paella, where prawns, mussels and pieces of fish are combined with aromatic herbs and saffron rice.
The surrounding hills and woodlands offer excellent walking and cycling routes. Konnos is also an ideal starting point for walks in the picturesque Cape Greco Nature Reserve.
Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Cyprus
Whether you are looking for an active holiday, warm golden sand or the natural beauty of romantic bays surrounded by green hills, you will find it on the beaches of Cyprus. Each of them has something unique that will make the time you spend there unforgettable.
