14 beaches in the south of Cyprus to filter by region, sand and mood, from the golden sand of Nissi Beach and Fig Tree Bay to the sheltered snorkelling coves around Coral Bay and the wild, sea-carved shore at Cape Greco. After a ranked shortlist instead? Start with the best beaches in Cyprus guide.
A sheltered turquoise inlet on the northwest Akamas, usually reached by boat from Latchi. Clear, calm water for swimming and snorkelling. No paved road access.
Explore beach →Photo: Michal Klajban via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A sheltered crescent of golden sand between two limestone headlands near Peyia, north of Paphos. Calm, shallow water and full facilities. Blue Flag beach.
Explore beach →Photo: Gerda Arendt via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en)
Protaras's headline beach: a wide arc of pale sand, calm shallow water and a small offshore islet. A long-standing Blue Flag beach, good for families.
Explore beach →Photo: Catauggie via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Larnaca's central beach along the palm-lined Finikoudes promenade, with calm shallow water and cafes, bars and the marina close by. A Blue Flag beach.
Explore beach →Photo: Georgy Papantoniou via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)
A run of small coves below bright white chalk cliffs, with dark grey sand and sheltered pools. On the coast east of Limassol, with tavernas above the shore.
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A small, sheltered cove ringed by limestone cliffs near Cape Greco. Clear, calm water and pale sand make it one of the most photogenic beaches in the south.
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A long, flat stretch of dark sand along the Akrotiri peninsula near Limassol, with very shallow water. Beach tavernas, space to spread out and a nearby salt lake.
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A gently shelving bay of fine sand west of Ayia Napa, between Nissi and Makronissos. Calm shallow water makes it good for families. Blue Flag beach.
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An undeveloped Akamas beach and protected turtle-nesting site, reached by rough track. No facilities, no sunbeds, usually a 4x4 to get there.
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A long Larnaca beach near the airport, with calm shallow water and a strip of bars, cafes and clubs. Planes pass low overhead. A Blue Flag beach.
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Three linked coves of fine golden sand on the Makronissos peninsula, with calm shallow water. Quieter than central Ayia Napa and a Blue Flag beach.
Explore beach →Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)
Ayia Napa's best-known beach: soft white sand, shallow turquoise water and a small islet you can reach on foot across a sandbar. Lively in summer, Blue Flag.
Explore beach →Photo: Dmitry Panov via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)
The pebble beach below Aphrodite's Rock, on the Paphos-Limassol coast road. Striking sea stacks and deep, often lively water. Strong on scenery, less so on swimming.
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A sandy, family-friendly beach on the central Protaras strip, with calm shallow water and full facilities. Sunbeds, watersports and dining close by. A Blue Flag beach.
Explore beach →Photo: dronepicr via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Choose a coast first, then check each beach page for facilities, the calm-water months, and how to get there.