Swim
Blue Lagoon
A sheltered cove of electric-turquoise water at the tip of the Akamas. Reach it by boat from Latchi, a rugged 4×4 track, or a two-hour coastal hike — then swim straight off the rocks.
Jun–Sep · midday lightDirections
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West Cyprus
Things to do in Akamas & Paphos
The west is the untamed end of the island. The Akamas peninsula has no coast road — you reach the Blue Lagoon by boat from Latchi, Lara’s turtle beach down a rough track, and Avakas Gorge on foot between 30-metre walls. Paphos anchors it all with its harbour, its mosaics and the best fine dining outside Limassol, and Aphrodite’s Rock marks the region’s southern gate.
Free to visit
Free spots in Akamas & Paphos.
Genuinely free — no tickets, no gates. Tap any spot for directions and the best time to go.
Beach
Lara Bay
A wide crescent of untouched golden sand and a protected loggerhead & green-turtle nesting site. No facilities, no umbrellas — just dunes, sea and the conservation hatchery.
May–Aug · early morningDirections
Hike
Avakas Gorge
A dramatic slot canyon where 30-metre limestone walls close to arm’s width overhead. Follow the stream bed past a famous wedged boulder; mouflon and griffon vultures live above.
Apr–Jun · avoid rainDirections
Nature
Baths of Aphrodite
A fern-shaded natural grotto and pool where myth says the goddess bathed. The trailhead opens onto the Aphrodite & Adonis coastal nature trails with sweeping bay views.
Year-roundDirections
Viewpoint
Edro III Shipwreck & Sea Caves
A rusting cargo ship run aground beneath white cliffs, dramatic at sunset. Minutes away, the Peyia sea caves cut into the rock — locals leap from the ledges into deep blue water.
Golden hourDirections
Landmark
Petra tou Romiou — Aphrodite’s Rock
The mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, where sea stacks rise from a pebble beach. Swim a loop around the rock at dusk, when the whole bay turns molten gold.
SunsetDirections
Beach
Coral Bay
A sheltered Blue-Flag crescent of soft pale sand between two limestone headlands, with calm shallow water that makes it the most family-friendly swim on the west coast.
May–OctDirections
Viewpoint
Agios Georgios Pegeia
A clifftop chapel above a tiny fishing harbour facing Geronisos island, with early-Christian basilica mosaics and one of the finest sunset terraces in Paphos.
SunsetDirections
Hike
Smigies Nature Trail
A pine-scented loop through the Akamas forest with a picnic site and twin viewpoints over Chrysochous Bay and the wild west coast — a gentler way to taste the peninsula.
Mar–Jun · OctDirections
Nature
Cedar Valley
A remote forested valley deep in the Paphos Forest, carpeted with thousands of endemic Cyprus cedars (Cedrus brevifolia) that grow wild nowhere else on earth. The unpaved forest road in is slow and dusty, but it rewards you with deep quiet, birdsong and a real chance of spotting mouflon. There are no facilities, so bring water and a full tank.
Apr–Jun · sturdy carDirections
Nature
Stavros tis Psokas
A historic forest station in the heart of the Paphos Forest, shaded by giant plane trees, with a picnic ground, a small café and a campsite. Its main draw is the fenced enclosure where you can reliably see Cyprus mouflon — the island's shy wild sheep. The approach is a long drive on winding gravel roads, so set out early and fuel up first.
Year-round · daylightDirections
Hike
Aphrodite Trail
A roughly 7.5 km circular mountain trail that climbs from the Baths of Aphrodite up into the Akamas, passing the stone ruins of Pyrgos tis Rigainas and a huge ancient oak before opening onto sweeping views over Chrysochou Bay. It is steep in places and shadeless up top, so go early with water and proper shoes. Free, and one of the peninsula's great walks.
Oct–May · morningDirections
Where to eat & drink
Best hotspots in Akamas & Paphos.
Only the genuine local favourites — sorted by rating.
Boat hire & charters
Latchi Watersports Centre
The Akamas hub for self-drive boat hire, skippered charters and trips to the real Blue Lagoon.
Known for Self-drive boats & charters
Latchi Harbour (Polis)Directions
Farm-to-table Cypriot
7 St. Georges Tavern
A famed organic, farm-to-table taverna serving a daily-changing meze of foraged greens and garden veg.
Known for Daily organic meze
GeroskipouDirections
Traditional Cypriot
Laona Restaurant
A tiny lunch-only spot serving honest, daily-changing home-cooked Cypriot dishes — locals queue for it.
Known for Lunchtime home cooking
Old town (Kato Paphos)Directions
Italian
Cavallini
A long-loved Italian on the Kato Paphos hotel strip for fresh pasta and pizza.
Known for Handmade pasta & pizza
Kato Paphos hotel stripDirections
Indian
Koh-i-Noor
Widely rated the island’s best Indian — freshly ground spice blends and warm hospitality.
Known for Lamb rogan josh
Kato PaphosDirections
Mediterranean
Muse Kitchen Bar
A clifftop terrace with castle-and-harbour views and one of the most photogenic sunset settings in town.
Known for Sea-view set menu
Above Paphos CastleDirections
Harbour cruises
Paphos Sea Cruises
Easy day cruises from Paphos harbour up the coast to Coral Bay and the sea caves.
Known for Coral Bay coastline
Paphos HarbourDirections
Cypriot taverna
Pithari Tavern
A village taverna on Aphrodite Avenue in Kouklia, the village by the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, a short drive east of Paphos. Around €20–25 a head.
Kouklia village, Aphrodite AvenueDirections
Car hire
Astra Car Rentals
A Cypriot car hire firm (ASTRA Self Drive Cars) with desks at Paphos and Larnaca airports and offices in Nicosia, Limassol and Ayia Napa.
Paphos & Larnaca airports + 3 town officesDirections
Cypriot
Hondros Restaurant
A Paphos classic since 1979 with vine-shaded tables and dependable traditional Cypriot cooking.
Known for Afelia & village wine
Kato PaphosDirections
Speedboat cruises
Ocean Flyer Cruises
Fast RIB cruises from Paphos harbour up the coast to the sea caves and Blue Lagoon swim stops.
Known for Blue Lagoon speed trips
Paphos HarbourDirections
Mediterranean & Asian
Notios
Polished hotel fine dining by the sea blending Mediterranean and Asian flavours with style.
Known for Med-Asian tasting
Almyra HotelDirections
Seafood
Theo’s Seafood
A harbourside institution for fresh fish and seafood meze while the boats come in.
Known for Fresh-catch seafood meze
Harbour frontDirections
Ranked shortlists
Best of Akamas & Paphos
Curated, rating-ranked picks by category and town.
What’s on
Every event Coming up in Akamas & Paphos
26Nov26–29 Nov
SportEntry fee for runners
Cyprus International 4-Day Challenge
Paphos · Around Paphos and the Akamas (base: Arena Sports, Coral Bay)
A staged running event over four days around Paphos and the Akamas: a 6 km time trial, an 11 km mountain trail run, a multi-terrain half marathon and a 10 km city run — a little more than a marathon in total, mostly through the Akamas nature reserve.
November 2026Details
Explore other regions
Centre Cyprus
Troodos Mountains
Pine forests, waterfalls and stone villages.
Things to do South CyprusLimassol Coast
Chalk cliffs, long bays and quiet coves.
Things to do East CyprusAyia Napa & Protaras
Cape Greco caves and impossibly clear water.
Things to do East CyprusLarnaca & the Plains
Salt-lake flamingos and lace-making hills.
Things to do