The island of Cyprus is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. No good thing stays secret for very long. After years of accommodating British tourists on their annual search for the sun, there is little left of the island that is untarnished by tourism. At Economy Car Hire we are dedicated to bringing you the best travel tips and advice, so we have found an area of Cyprus that still retains its sense of authenticity.
This small part of the island is still off the beaten track. It lets you look back to a time when Cyprus wasn’t crammed with sun loungers. The Akamas Peninsula is the north western tip of the island and its unspoilt countryside is paradisiacal. Only 2 hours’ drive from the tourist hotspot of Larnaca and even less from Limassol, it makes for a great day trip if you are looking to escape the throngs of sun worshippers.
All Aboard to Latchi
A tour of this area of the island is a must if you are after some peace and quiet. There is no better place to start it than in the coastal town of Latchi. There are some beautiful attractions in and around the town so make sure you take the time to seek them out.
Latchi has a beautiful marina as its focal point and a stroll round its outer wall should be obligatory. There are some great cafés and restaurants that overlook the picturesque ocean and golden beach. Take the opportunity to relax with a coffee and enjoy the view.
The best way to escape the crowds is to visit somewhere that they can’t get to! How about the small beach at Blue Lagoon for starters? It is only accessible by boat or some nifty off road driving. This means that it is much quieter than some of the other beaches in the area. The water here is perfect so make sure you take a snorkel as there is lots of fascinating marine life to observe.
Hunting Aphrodite
Less than a 10 minute drive to the west of Latchi are the Baths of Aphrodite. This historic area is where the Goddess of Love used to bathe and is beautifully covered with fig trees. You will only need a short time here. If you are in the area, it is well worth the visit to witness the magical atmosphere of the site.
Just outside of Latchi is the starting point for arguably the best walking route in Cyprus, the Aphrodite Trail. It starts in the car park at the Baths of Aphrodite and will initially take you along wide paved paths and towards the coastal section of the walk. The nature trail follows the coast and then traverses the 370m high Moutti tis Sotiras. From here you will enjoy fantastic views over the sea and the rest of the peninsula. This is the highlight of the route and it is the perfect reward for the challenging climb. Make sure you take good walking shoes, as there are areas of unstable ground, and protection from the sun as there is little shade.
The Akamas Peninsula
There is plenty to explore on the rest of the peninsula as there is lots of natural beauty and wildlife to appreciate. The landscape is littered with wild flowers and there are lots of excellent opportunities for bird watching. If you’re not into your ornithology then you can explore the peninsula by bike. There are plenty of places to hire mountain bikes and it is possibly the best way to explore the area.
As it’s in the west, the Akamas Peninsula is one of the best spots on the island to watch the sun go down. Make sure you are in a quiet spot to enjoy the sunset over the glistening sea.
Any More Advice?
If you enjoy doing less popular things whilst you are on holiday make sure you check out our other recommended hidden gems in different countries around the world. You may also like to read more about Cyprus and the other things to see and do whilst on the island.
