Beauty, Nature and Myth
The sea is calm in this vast, turquoise amphitheatre, but the beach is so close you can still hear the gentle breaking of the waves. The breath-taking views are at their most spectacular come sunrise and sunset, overlooking the majestic Akamas Peninsula, a protected national park of pine and juniper forests, rugged cliffs, winding trails and blue lagoons. The mythical meeting place of Aphrodite and her lover Adonis, the peninsula is home to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna – 600 different plant species and over 100 different types of birds, mammals and reptiles – as well as one of the few remaining breeding grounds for green and loggerhead turtles. Beaches abound, with crystal-clear waters and sheltered coves promising some of the best scuba diving in the Mediterranean, sailing and sea fishing, jet skiing, windsurfing or parasailing.
For golfing enthusiasts, superb courses like the Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort are within easy reach. Elsewhere, the wealth of activities includes hiking, the nature trail to the famous Baths of Aphrodite, cycling, horse-riding and birdwatching. Whether eating in or dining out, a mouth-watering array of local restaurants, markets and stores will satisfy all tastes – from traditional mezes to haute cuisine, fresh fish to locally produced fruit and vegetables. À la carte dining, expert spa treatments, floodlit tennis and yacht cruises are only minutes away at the Anassa Hotel – while those in search of nightlife need look no further than the bustling spontaneity of Pafos.
