Akamas Peninsula

The Akamas Peninsula is the largely undeveloped headland at the northwest tip of Cyprus, reached from Polis and Latchi. It is one of the island's most important wild areas, with cliffs, gorges, juniper scrub and remote sand bays packed into a small space. Most of the peninsula is part of the Natura 2000 network, and it has been proposed as a national park for years, with a management plan and visitor infrastructure rolled out in stages by the Department of Forests.

The headline sights are spread along the coast and the interior. The Blue Lagoon near Latchi is the busiest, reached by boat trip or by 4x4 along rough tracks. Lara Beach on the west coast is one of the Mediterranean's key nesting sites for green and loggerhead turtles, monitored by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research through the summer nesting season (roughly May to September). Inland, Avakas Gorge cuts a narrow ravine through white limestone, with walls that close to a few metres apart. The Baths of Aphrodite grotto marks the start of the long coastal nature trails toward Fontana Amoroza.

Visiting the Akamas

• Two main marked nature trails (Aphrodite and Adonis) start near the Baths of Aphrodite.
• The interior tracks are rough; a 4x4 or an organised boat or jeep tour is the easiest way in.
• Carry plenty of water and sun protection; there is little shade and few services.
• Stay off marked turtle nesting zones at Lara in the nesting season.

The peninsula pairs naturally with the harbour town of Polis and Latchi for food and boats, and with Paphos to the south for archaeology and an airport. Walkers who like the Akamas trails will also find good coastal walking at Cape Greco on the far southeast coast.