Showing 1-13 of 13 results
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Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area
Cyprus' past is full of stories of colonisers, raiders and armies generally coveting the small island's strategic position. So when Cyprus finally and belatedly received independence from colonial administration in 1960, Britain negotiated terms that saw the new Republic of Cyprus ceding 158 sq km (99 sq miles) of its territory to its former colonial master.
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Ancient Amathous
This archaeological site, 11km east of Lemesos, belies its original importance. Ancient Amathous was one of Cyprus' original four kingdoms (the others were Salamis, Pafos and Soloi). Legend has it that the city was founded by Kinyras, the son of Pafos. It is also said that Kinyras introduced the cult of Aphrodite to Cyprus.
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Ancient Kourion
Defiantly perched on the hillside overlooking the sea, Ancient Kourion is a spectacular site whether you're an archaeology lover or not. It attracts lots of visitors every day, so if you want to view it with a modicum of peace and quiet, come early in the morning or late in the afternoon, although buses with groups often arrive in the afternoons, when the really hot part of the day is done. If you wish to photograph the place, mornings and afternoons are better anyway.
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Avdimou Beach
The closest thing to a deserted beach in this part of the island is Avdimou. As you park your car (which is the only means of getting here), a massive sign warns those inclined to nudism that there will be a heavy punishment if they even think of stripping here. As things go, this is a good indication that hardly anyone comes to this place, and that the beach is a peaceful and quiet one. Like most other beaches in Cyprus, it has no shade, and is a combination of small pebbles and sand.
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Governor's Beach
Lemesos' tourist appeal starts 30km east of the city, at Governor's Beach. With a private bus serving the area from Lemesos, many decide to spend their day chilling out (or, more appropriately, baking) on the several coves of dark sand, contrasted by the white chalk cliffs behind them. There are a couple of restaurants here and at least one place to stay, though the overall ambience is slightly marred by the sight of the large Vasilikos power station looming 3km to the west.
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Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats
A wonderful and bizarre story lies behind the name of this place. The monastery and its original little church were founded in AD 327 by the first Byzantine governor of Cyprus, Kalokeros, and patronised by St Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. At the time, the Akrotiri Peninsula and indeed the whole of Cyprus was in the grip of a severe drought and was overrun with poisonous snakes, so building a monastery was fraught with practical difficulties.
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Kolossi Castle
Less of a castle and more a fortified tower house, Kolossi Castle perches incongruously between the vineyards and houses of the village of the same name. It is an interesting reminder of the rule of the Knights of St John in the 13th century, who started producing wine and processing sugar cane at a commandery that stood on this land. The famous Cypriot wine, Commandaria, took its name from here.
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Kourion Beach
This is a lovely beach of grey sand and small pebbles, with waves soaking the sand. The area is windy and attracts windsurfers and other wind-dependent sportspeople, as well as the general public, who come here for the stunning lack of visual clutter or buildings. Kourion Beach is around 17km west of Lemesos, within the British Sovereign Base Area (SBA), which is partly responsible for the lack of development in this pocket of the island.
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Kourion Museum
One of the main reasons for visiting Episkopi, 14km west of Lemesos, is the Kourion Museum. The collection mainly comprises terracotta objects from Ancient Kourion and the Sanctuary of Apollon Ylatis, and is housed in what used to be the private residence of archaeologist George McFadden. The museum is signposted off the Lemesos-Kourion road, as well as in Episkopi itself.
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Lady's Mile Beach
This shadeless 7km stretch of hard-packed sand and pebble is the town's closest beach. Named after a horse owned by a former colonial governor who exercised his mare on the beach, it runs south beyond Lemesos' New Port along the eastern side of the British-controlled Akrotiri Peninsula. There is a rather awful power station at its eastern end; the beach (and the view) get better the further south you go.
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Melanda Beach
This small, narrow sand and pebble beach is close to Avdimou, but accessible only by turning inland and looking for the signposted turn-off. Due to its exposed position, there is often a fair amount of seaweed. There are windsurfers, banana rides and even jet skis here. Like Avdimou Beach, it is favoured by RAF personnel.
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Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock & Beach)
Possibly the most famous and mythical beach in Cyprus, Aphrodite's Beach is most certainly one of the island's most beautiful. Driving along the old B6 road from Lemesos to Pafos (a highly recommended journey), you'll stop in awe as you see the vast indigo expanse of the Mediterranean beneath the intense blue of the cloudless summer sky, the white rock and the beach that curls around it. The view from the road is stunning. The two upright rocks look as if they might just walk out of the water.
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Sanctuary of Apollon Ylatis
About 2km west of the main Kourion entrance and prominently signposted off the highway is the Sanctuary of Apollon Ylatis, which is part of the larger site of Kourion. The precinct was established in the 8th century BC in honour of Apollo, who was considered god of the woods ( ylatis means 'of the woods' in Greek). The once woody site now has far less vegetation, but retains a good scattering of remains that give a reasonable idea of the layout of the original sanctuary.
Showing 1-13 of 13 results
