Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, with a coastline of 670 kilometers. On the coast, turquoise lagoons and bays, rugged cliffs, and paradisiacal beaches await. It is said that in the past the gods came to bathe and relax on the beautiful beaches and bays of Cyprus. Adonis and Aphrodite are said to have fallen in love at the Fontana Amorosa. This beach is located on the Akamas Peninsula in the northwest of the country. The Akamas nature reserve is popular with both active and beach vacationers, because it attracts with a unique nature and dreamlike beaches. Therefore, I do not want to deprive you of this sight. In this blog post I present you my personal hike on the Akamas Peninsula, which leads to the most beautiful bays of Cyprus. For me, this coastal hike was an absolute highlight on my trip through Cyprus. I hope you enjoy reading and I’m glad that you came across my travel blog.
My hike on the Akamas Peninsula in brief
If you click on a link below, you will go directly to the corresponding section of the route. It starts from the parking lot at the Baths of Aphrodite. The first section of the route runs along a cliff and offers great views of the coast of Cyprus. The trail then approaches the sea level and passes a small cave and the worth seeing Amphitheater Bay. This is followed by the quiet Manolis Bay, which invites you for a swim. Shortly behind it is the most famous bay of Akamas: the turquoise Blue Lagoon. At the end of the coastal walk, you will reach the beach Fontana Amorosa, which also offers optimal conditions for swimming.
The entire hike is 12 kilometers long and I needed about 5 hours. However, I often took a break at the bays, swam, and lay on the rocks. In general, the coastal hike on the Akamas Peninsula is very easy to manage. There is hardly any incline and you follow a gravel road. There are no refreshment stops or drinking water on the hike, so enough provisions should be taken. Sun protection is important as there is no shade to be found anywhere. I have marked the route and all important destinations on the map.
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12 km (outward and return)
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↑↓ 222 m
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Easy
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Baths of Aphrodite
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Offroad
Alternative hike on Akamas
At the Baths of Aphrodite another signposted hiking trail starts. The Aphrodite Trail leads to the Moutti Tis Sotiras. This mountain promises incredible views of the Akamas coast. You can find these and other hikes in this travel guide worth reading*
If you’re looking for more information and tips on hiking in Cyprus, check out this blog article.
How to get to Akamas Peninsula
Travel by car
There is a large free parking lot at the starting point of the hike (see map). You can reach it by the road E713, which you follow along the coast until the end. At the parking lot there are the Baths of Aphrodite and a restaurant. Parking is free of charge. From Polis the drive to the Baths of Aphrodite takes about 15 minutes.
By bus to Akamas
Directly at the starting point of the hike there is a bus stop, which is served by buses of line 622. The buses start in Polis and take about 35 minutes to the final stop “Bath of Aphrodites”. I have marked the bus stop on the map. You can find more information on the website of Cyprus by Bus.
If you want to learn more about traveling by car or public transportation in Cyprus, check out my travel blog about Cyprus.
My hike on the coast of Akamas
Coastal hike to the most beautiful bays in Cyprus
I park my rental car in the free parking lot in front of the entrance to the Baths of Aphrodite. I quickly reach a sandy gravel road, on which I soon reach a campsite and the starting point of the Aphrodite Nature Trail. The Aphrodite Nature Trail leads uphill and promises breathtaking views of the Akamas coast. However, I follow the gravel road towards the beautiful bays.
Short Facts for your Trip
For hiking on the coast of Akamas I recommend you to travel between March and May or between September and November. In summer it is usually too hot for that. There is no shade on the route, only the water promises to cool you down. I did the hike in November and could hardly stand the heat and sun. Another advantage is that in the off-season there are few tourists. I encountered virtually no people on my route.
For the coastal walk you can plan about 4 to 5 hours, depending on how long you stay on the beaches. However, it is worth to stay longer in this area of Cyprus, because there are some sights waiting for you. For example, the Avakas Gorge in the south of the island. Above all, the Akamas Peninsula offers great hiking opportunities.
Along the coastal road from Polis to the Baths of Aphrodite there are lots of hotels. But also, in Polis directly there is a wide range of accommodation* I myself stayed at the Aphrodite Beach Hotel* The hotel is huge, but family-run, clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Also, the hotel is right on the beautiful Yiannakis beach and very close to the start of the hike.
The easiest way to get around Cyprus is with your own car. Parking lots are available at the Baths of Aphrodite. For the journey by bus, you need a lot of time. The bus network is poor, but the starting point of the hike is well connected to Polis. You can find more information on the website Cyprus by Bus.
No special hiking equipment is needed for the hike on the Akamas Peninsula. But be sure to take enough food and drink with you, because there is nowhere to buy anything or fill up your water on the way. There is no shade anywhere, so remember to bring headgear and sunscreen. I also recommend bathing suits for the beach. My selection of recommended hiking gear for Cyprus can be found on this page.
During the hike there are endless possibilities to use your camera. Especially landscape photography from the vastness of the coast or the mountains of Cyprus. Therefore, think of telephoto or wide-angle lens and a lightweight travel tripod.
Magnificent views of the bays of Cyprus.
The rising sun shines warm soft light on the mountain slopes that plunge into the Cypriot coast. On the horizon, the warm tones of the sun blend with the deep blue colors of the sea. The hiking trail runs along a cliff, sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill. My constant companion is the dreamlike view of the Akamas coast, where birds fly and waves crash. A fishing boat sails in the distance.
A hidden cave and the Amphitheater Bay
The trail approaches the sea level. After a good 3.5 kilometers from the starting point of the hike, I reach a rock where there is a small hidden cave. This leads directly into the sea. Shortly after, the Amphitheater Bay awaits me. On the coast there is a rock formation that resembles an amphitheater. The bay is definitely worth a stop.
The Manolis Bay on the coast of Akamas
My next stop is Manolis Bay. This small bay is not approached by tours and is therefore very quiet. But that doesn’t mean that this bay of the Akamas Peninsula is not worth the visit. The view is magnificent and the rocks conjure up a great landscape. The water is turquoise blue and invites you to swim. At Manolis Bay there is also a small sea cave on the rocks. Be careful, because there are also holes on the rocks!
If you are looking for hikes in Cyprus, check out this book. I personally like this hiking guide series very much. The book is small and handy, offers useful information about hiking and detailed descriptions of the hikes. It has allowed me to discover great hikes in Cyprus that I would not have found without these books.
The Blue Lagoon – The turquoise paradise of the Akamas Peninsula
Only 300 meters away is the most famous bay of the Akamas Peninsula. The Blue Lagoon attracts vacationers with incredibly beautiful water. It shines in turquoise colors and offers the best conditions for swimming. The beach is sandy and the bay is shallow. Many tour operators head for the Blue Lagoon. So be here as early as possible, otherwise it gets crowded. I had the bay all to myself and could go swimming in peace.
If you prefer to travel in a group, there is a possibility to join a guided tour. You don’t have to worry about transportation, excursion planning, or food, but you can completely focus on the beauty of Akamas Peninsula. I recommend booking a tour through Viator portal, where countless activities around the world can be booked easily and safely.
Fontana Amorosa – The Bay of Adonis and Aphrodite
Right behind the Blue Lagoon hides the bay Fontana Amorosa. This is the beach where Adonis and Aphrodite are said to have met and fallen in love for the first time. Here, too, there is a pebble beach and the water is inviting for a swim. If it is too crowded at the Blue Lagoon, just come to Fontana Amorosa. I turned around at this bay and hiked the same way back to the Baths of Aphrodite.
If you are looking for a travel guide to Cyprus, check out this book. I personally like this travel guide series very much. The authors give travel tips especially for individual and low budget travelers. Moreover, not only the well-known sights are described, but also more unknown places are mentioned.
Conclusion about the hike on the coast of Akamas Peninsula
I really liked the coast of Akamas overall. Those who appreciate nature and the sea will love this hike. The views of the sea are a highlight in themselves. No hiking experience is needed to complete the route, as it is more like a long walk. Be sure to take sunscreen and swimwear. The coastal walk is 12 kilometers long and takes about 4 to 5 hours. I was on the Akamas Peninsula in November, in the off season. It was sunny and still around 20 degrees. I only encountered a few fishermen and anglers on my hike, but I also started early in the morning. I can highly recommend this attraction, although the hiking trail is rather monotonous and not that nice. There is no shade and from midday you have to expect traffic on the gravel road. The views and bays make up for it. For me, the Akamas Peninsula was an absolute highlight on my Cyprus trip.
Hotels and accommodation in Akamas Peninsula
The best starting point for the hike and place for accommodation is the region at Chrysochou Bay. Especially in the town of Polis there are numerous accommodation options* In the town there are bus connections, supermarkets, restaurants, and everything else you need. I myself stayed at the Aphrodite Beach Hotel* The hotel is huge, but family run, clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Also, the hotel is right on the beautiful Yiannakis beach and very close to the start of the hike.
Of course, there are countless other places in the region that provide accommodations. Below you will find a selection for the entire Akamas region.
I hope you enjoyed my travelogue about Akamas Peninsula. On my Cyprus Blog I show you other beautiful travel destinations in Cyprus and share valuable tips and experiences for your trip to Cyprus. Did you like my blog post? Was I able to help you? Then I would be happy if you recommend my travel blog, leave a comment, or follow me on Instagram. Thanks for reading and have fun on your vacation in Cyprus.
The references marked with an asterisk (*) are so-called commission links. If you click on such a referral link and buy something, I get a small commission from the provider. For you, the price does not change! I see it as a small thank you for my work and look forward to any support.
