Cyprus nature reserves and national parks. Akamas National Park

The Akamas Nature Reserve was memorable beautiful nature, a pitiful story about the difficult fate of turtles and fragments of the World Rally Championship route. Today I propose to take a trip to this beautiful place.

There are several options for exploring the reserve. Some people rent a mountain bike and explore it on their own. We preferred a more comfortable and faster option.

01. From Paphos in jeeps we went on an excursion organized by TEZ TOUR. We traveled all day: a lot interesting places and stops during which you could capture the landscapes or just enjoy the beauty around you. If you are in those parts, I highly recommend this trip:

02. First stop at a banana grove. Tanya tasted local fruits:

03. Picturesque grottoes, bays and bays. I never tire of repeating, the island is very photogenic. Although, just when everything seemed gray and dull. I was afraid that there would be nothing to film. In part, expectations did not coincide with reality:

04. Tanya is true to herself: no Instagram, enjoys nature and encourages us to do so. From time to time I capture this process, distracting myself from the landscapes:

05. Akamas is a reserved and very protected region. The place, virtually untouched by civilization, has retained its original appearance. The purest springs flow from the crevices. The local population periodically visits these areas for drinking water. And just admire it. If I had more time, I would gladly wander around here longer. Maybe I'll come back here in the future. Getting here is easy; the S7 company flies from Moscow to Paphos three times a week.

06. Ira followed Tanya’s example:

07. Strange thing. After going on excursions, you begin to think that there were about 200 Aphrodites. In Cyprus, in Greece and Turkey, you can see her baths, baths, and pools every now and then. It feels like they were opened as a franchise.

08. Tried to make a panorama. I've loved this since South Africa:

09. Tanya continues to enjoy the breeze and please the eye:

10. We had a very cool driver. He was born near Paphos, along the way he showed the village in which he grew up and told so many things! As a person involved in motorsports, it was very interesting for me. The man turned out to be competent in these matters and promised to guide him along several sections of the road where the World Rally Championship route took place.

We stopped not far from a ship forced to sit aground for life. I talked about it in more detail yesterday. I also took a few photos there for Instagram:

11. There are foreigners in the cafe opposite. A lot of cats gathered near the lady. Moreover, they ignored the other tourists, paying attention only to this woman. Judging by her face, she was no less surprised than anyone else by her status as the mistress of cats:

12. I like to travel in SUVs. Most of the routes ran past colorful villages. You could take a lot of pictures from the open window local residents sitting under the scorching sun in thick clothes, drink a glass - another:

13. We caught up with the truck. The rolled hay caught my attention. I saw a similar picture about 15 years ago during a trip to Europe. This seemed like a real innovation at the time:

14. We arrived at the territory of the reserve, the beach of which is very popular among local turtles. Mediterranean large-headed and green reptiles lay eggs here from early June to mid-August. This place is very protected and not developed. Out of a thousand eggs, a very small part, upon hatching, will crawl to the sea. And only one in five will grow to become an adult turtle. Wildlife, what to do.

In the Paphos area, by the way, there is an incubator where turtles are artificially helped to restore the population by nursing their eggs. Thanks to this, the number of reptiles is slowly returning to normal.

15. I didn't go to the beach. I raised the quadcopter to a height of 300 meters and took pictures in different directions. The title photo of this post was taken from this exact location:

16. Cyprus does not seem at all gray and dull, as it did on the plane:

17. At the bottom of the frame you can see one of our SUVs and a path along which you can go down to the beach. In some places you can see the guys from our group. They tried to find turtles:

18. We set off from the shore deep into the island into the mountains. We climbed for a long time along narrow paths, stepping over stones and numerous ravines. Visible on the sides beautiful scenery and species made unusual by hay bales. True, here they are already rectangular. Filmed from a shaking jeep. Of the whole group, I was the only one who was interested in photography; I didn’t want to be a bore and constantly ask for stops. Adapted to the conditions. The frames are not as sharp as they should be in a landscape, but they convey the atmosphere and nature around:

19. A lone tree in the center of the field caught my attention. I remembered the movie "The Shawshank Redemption". Under a similar plant main character left a note to his prison friend:

20. I liked the view with the bales so much that I even made a small panorama:

21. Having climbed up, I realized that the place for a photo is not the best. Too far from the sea and high. It is more interesting to look with your eyes, and not through the prism of the lens. But I want to draw your attention to a bunch of turns. According to our guide-driver, this is part of one of the special stages of the World Rally Championship:

22. So high that the clouds, located at the same level as us, made it difficult to take photographs. I took just a few shots:

23. This time Tanya didn’t have to persuade Irina to be inspired by nature. She herself moved away from us and began to enjoy the landscape, air and silence:

24. Realized that there was nothing more to photograph. And he began to look closely at the details around him. I remembered how in Montenegro a blogger from Crimea took a lot of pictures of all kinds of vegetation. When I looked at his posts, I liked how all sorts of flowers and leaves looked. I decided to experiment and took a photo with a cool thorn:

After this mountain walk we went to one of Aphrodite's pools and visited wineries where we had a tasting. There will be a separate post about this, stay in touch!

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Troodos is a nature reserve located in the middle of the island. Its most impressive feature is the mountain group in the center, creating a unique contrast with Mediterranean Sea. Most high point These mountains are Mount Khenistra, reaching a height of 1952 meters. A bird's eye view offers a wonderful panorama, and the clean and clear air is saturated with the smell of cedar trees growing nearby. The difference created by nature amazes the human imagination, despite the close location of the coast.

There are many attractions in the mountains. During tourist trip definitely worth a visit Nine Byzantine churches. They are distinguished by their exceptional architecture, icons and frescoes.

Mouflons are protected by law, so they live and breed freely in the Cedar Valley. Today, these cautious and rather fast animals can be seen very often. There are many mountain trails for walks where you can see many different birds belonging to different species, endemic flora, waterfalls and designated picnic areas, as well as villages with a leisurely flow of life. The mountain people of these villages are very friendly and welcoming. Each village has its own special type of activity. Mountain residents are always proud of their rich fruit harvest.

The Troodos region is home to many monasteries of historical value. Considered one of the most outstanding Kykkos Monastery. In the possession of this monastery is the Golden Icon of the Virgin Mary, painted, according to legend, by St. himself. Luka. Chrysoroyatis Monastery has the most enchanting panorama, and the monasteries Macheras And Trooditissa have a unique architectural appearance - a high, distinctive roof. IN eastern region Troodos, at an altitude of 0.87 km there is a monastery Macheras. It is surrounded by the picturesque area of ​​Mount Kionia. The monastery resembles a fortress impregnable to enemies, with very narrow windows. And the covered arcades reach a height of 19 meters.

Slightly below the location of Troodos, at an altitude of 0.7 km is Solea Valley populated by many beautiful and ancient villages, comfortably dozing on the green mountain slopes. In the central part of the valley is the village of Kakopetria, surrounded by rich gardens, poplar groves and pine forests. Residents of the capital Nicosia often visit these places on weekends to wander through the cool, winding streets and forget about the heat and bustle of the city. It has a mild climate and beautiful scenery. Two stormy river streams flow through the village, as if cutting it into three parts. The center of this village, called Old Kakopetria, is under state protection, and all the houses here are being carefully restored. Traces of restoration are visible everywhere: both in small streets and inside cozy courtyards. According to local legends, the village was named precisely because of a huge stone, around which, according to legend, young people who married three times were supposed to walk. But then one day a couple of newlyweds, after performing the ritual, fell dead. Since then, the stone has been considered “bad.” But still, the life of the villagers, contrary to the name, flourishes, preserving the charm, beauty and unique architecture of ancient homes and Byzantine churches. As a result, the “bad” stone became golden for the residents of Kakopetria - today this place attracts thousands of tourists and is a center of eco-tourism.

Walking along the winding streets of Old Kakopetria, your gaze involuntarily stops at the gloomy houses, sandwiched by various shopping shops, with wooden balconies and narrow staircases decorated with flower pots.

In Kakopetria, everything is provided for a good rest: several cozy hotels, restaurants famous for their expertly prepared dishes, and most importantly, magnificent nature that has a good effect on all guests of this colorful corner. The road leading to Kakopetria starts from Nicosia, followed by Troodos, and finally two villages with sonorous names - Trimiklini and Kato Amiantes.

Akamas - peninsula and national park, which is a cape with an area of ​​230 square kilometers, located in the northwestern tip of Cyprus (northern Paphos).

At the southern end of the peninsula is the city of Peyia, and to the northeast is the city of Polis. Due to the mountainous nature of the peninsula, Akamas has no roads running through its heart. In addition, some roads marked in Cypriot road maps this area - are not leveled.

In the heart of Akamas there is no housing (hotels, apartments), cafes, restaurants and other infrastructure, as well as no public transport. The closest places for accommodation are the town of Polis and the village of Latsi.

For the purpose of tourist visits, Akamas can be divided into the southwest and northeast coasts. The most popular is the northern part of the coast, this is where famous landmarks such as:

On foot tourist routes through the reserve, among which are the trails of Aphrodite and Adonis;

As well as other lesser-known, but no less beautiful places, for example, bays and.

In this article we will tell you how to visit the northern coast of Akamas and its main attractions:

1. Bus

The only bus that will take you to the Baths of Aphrodite is route number 622, starting from the bus station in Polis. Drive to the final stop. From the stop it’s a 5 minute walk to the bathhouse.

The bus runs from 06:00 to 18:00, approximately every hour, travel time is about 30 minutes. Drives along the E713 road: past the western end of Polis beach, then past Latchi and goes along the coast of Neo Chorio, Akamas.

Polis bus station can be reached from Paphos (airport and city center) and Coral Bay (Peyia). Read more about how to get from Paphos to Polis.

The fare is 1.50 Euro. Day ticket - 5 Euro. Tickets are available from bus drivers.

Near the baths of Aphrodite, on the sea side, there is an observation deck with stunning views of the bay. Near observation deck There is a view restaurant with a terrace.

You can go down the steps and visit the beach, which is also called the beach of Aphrodite's baths. For those who wish, there are sun loungers and sun umbrellas.

2. On foot

Or you can walk along the coast and, admiring the coastline, reach the Blue Lagoon, Manolis Bay and the open bay of Fontana Amorosa. The distance from the bathhouse to the Blue Lagoon is about 5.2 kilometers.

If you want to commit hiking According to Akamas, we advise you to wear comfortable closed shoes, a hat, closed and, preferably, loose clothing and/or generously apply sunscreen to exposed areas of the body (if visiting during the hot summer months), and take clean drinking water with you ( more water) and something for a snack (if desired). It is better to apply sunscreen in advance, Akamas is very dusty, and applying the product to a body covered with dust is very uncomfortable.

You can also take sunscreen with you and, if you plan to swim in the lagoons, the necessary swimwear. It’s most convenient to put all your things in a backpack.

3. Car, ATV, buggy, motorcycle, bicycle

A car, ATV and buggy are the most convenient means to visit Akamas. Car rental in Cyprus…

Also, from anywhere in Cyprus you can get to the Baths of Aphrodite by taxi. Taxi in Cyprus...

Below the Baths of Aphrodite, near the bus stop, there is a parking lot where you can leave your car. By car we get to Polis, then along the E713 road we go down to the sea, along the same road without turning anywhere, we pass the village of Lachi, we go up a little (the approximate landmark is the Caprice Spa Kosher Resort, coordinates 35.037650, 32.374845) and turn right ( also along the E713 road), then along the same E713 road we go directly to the parking lot near the baths of Aphrodite. The road is normal, paved.

If you drive a car along the Akamas coast, then you should rent a car with a high suspension, like a jeep (SUV), even if it’s old, it’s even better. The fact is that there are no roads on Akamas; along the coast there are areas with potholes, pits and potholes. Many who decide to travel in a regular passenger car turn around without even covering a third of the way.

Quad bikes and buggies go through Akamas with a bang. You can rent it anywhere you find it.

It is also possible to rent these types of transport directly next to the parking lot at the Baths of Aphrodite, there is an agency there, but the prices are higher than in other places on the island.

Here you can also purchase a seat in a shared “truck” that will take you to the Blue Lagoon, Amorosa Fountain and back.

Quad bikes, buggies, motorcycles and bicycles can be rented in Polis. For example, on the E713 road, before reaching the western end of Polis beach, on the right side (by the road) when driving towards the sea, there is a vehicle rental office. Prices here are lower than on Akamas itself, starting from 80 Euros per day.

To travel around the Akamas, you need not an ordinary city bike, but a specialized one (mountain bike). Bicycles can be rented at the same office. Cost from 8 - 25 euros per day.

Here you can leave your car, if you came in one, rent a buggy or other vehicle, drive it to Akamas, and return to your car again. Company website.

Buggies and ATVs can also be rented near the pier in Latchi, prices are more expensive. Website .

4. Excursions by land and sea

You can visit Akamas with one of the excursions.

There are excursions both by land - on SUVs or ATVs (safari tours), and by sea - on boats and yachts.

An abundance of excursions to Akamas is offered in Paphos and Latchi (Latsi), a tourist village near Polis.

A jeep safari along Akamas from Paphos costs about 55 Euros. From Paphos you can also take an excursion by sea, visiting the Blue Lagoon and/or other Akamas lagoons.

From Latsi you can take a group safari to the Akamas

If you don’t want to go with a group or on your own, you can order individual tour with a visit to Akamas + other attractions of Cyprus, for example - excursion “In the footsteps of Aphrodite with a visit to the Akamas Nature Reserve and Aphrodite’s Rocks”

You can rent a boat with a captain or a yacht in Latchi. The set is assumed sea ​​cruises, both individual and group, for example, a mini-cruise along the northern coast of Akamas. Can only be visited Blue Lagoon or other places on the northern Akamas coast, with the opportunity to swim wherever you want if you rent an individual boat.

Cost of a 2.5-hour group mini-cruise: from 20 Euros - adult (from 15 with advance booking) and from 10 Euros - children's tickets.

Cost of a 4-4.5-hour group cruise: from 25 Euros - adult tickets, from 20 Euros - children's tickets.

There are cruises both during the day or morning, and evening (at sunset). Depending on the cruise, drinks and fruits, yoghurts, wine, beer and barbecue, salads, couscous and snacks are offered on board.

Akamas National Park is located on the peninsula of the same name in the northwestern tip of Cyprus, near the cities of Paphos and Polis. The area of ​​the reserve is about 230 square meters. km. The mysterious park is imbued with ancient Greek mythology and the picturesque beauty of nature.

In the reserve you can find endemic plant species (Akamas alyssum, local cyclamens and buttercups): officially - 39 of the 128 rare species in Cyprus. Frequently encountered representatives of the peninsula's fauna are fruit bats, foxes, wild goats, shrews, vultures, Cypriot owls, and sea turtles.

History of the Akamas Nature Reserve

The development of the peninsula began long before our era. The first mention of the reserve is found in the myth of the famous Theseus, who defeated the Minotaur. The peninsula is named after the son of Theseus, Akamas, a hero of the Trojan War, who settled here after being expelled from Athens.

This marked the beginning of the settlement of the park territory. Favorable climate and convenient location near the sea, many people were attracted here, settlements became more and more numerous. According to archaeological finds, there were several cities here from the Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods.

Panorama in Akamas Park with mountain road— Google Maps

Nowadays, the government of the Republic of Cyprus and the inhabitants of the island themselves treat very carefully nature conservation area. Local laws prohibit disturbing the nature of the park in any way. Akamas Park staff are working with sea turtles, whose population was previously on the verge of extinction.

What to see

The territory of the reserve includes places known throughout the world. Each of them is a unique attraction associated with the religion of the ancient Greeks and mythical characters. If you are lucky enough to be here, it is recommended to visit them all. A day is enough for this, and you can end it with a delicious dinner in a fishing village.

Bath of Aphrodite

Aphrodite's Bath is a natural cave filled with water from a natural spring, located in the northeastern part of Akamas. According to myths, the Goddess Aphrodite took baths here and met with an ordinary shepherd - Adonis, who, however, possessed divine beauty.

It is believed that swimming here rejuvenates the body, but this will not be easy to verify. There is a warning at the entrance that swimming is prohibited here, but you can wash your face. Further along the path you can see the Fountain of Love - a good place to visit with your significant other.

Aphrodite's Path

The attraction consists of a 7.5 km long trail. According to legend, the path appeared when the grass and stones began to recede to the sides in front of the Goddess who passed here. On the path she met Adonis, and under a centuries-old oak tree standing on the side of the road, they fell in love.

If you follow the path without turning, you will come to the point from which you started. During the walk you can see goats, descendants of those whom Adonis himself watched over. There are benches along the entire path, from each of which you can enjoy fabulous romantic landscapes; it’s also worth bringing your significant other here.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is perhaps the most famous attraction national reserve Akamas. The bay, framed by rocks, is one of the most beautiful places for swimming in Cyprus. The water is blue and very clean - the bottom is clearly visible, snorkeling and swimming are very popular here.

It is recommended to swim or go here early; tourists love this place; there are thousands of them during the day. Those who like to walk will also not be disappointed: the lagoon is located 4.6 km from the baths of Aphrodite, if you walk along the sea to the northwest.

Lara Beach

Turtle Beach Lara Beach is a protected coastline of the bay of the same name in the southern part of the Akamas Park. Nearby there is a hatchery for rare sea turtles, where you can learn more about them. The reptiles are well guarded, the clutches of turtle eggs are fenced off so that no one will step on them, and during the peak laying season the swimming area is generally closed to visitors.

The coastline of the beach is very convenient for swimming - clear water and sand that is pleasant to the touch, a gentle entrance and a gradual increase in depth. However, it is prohibited to place umbrellas and there is no infrastructure here at all; you will have to forget about the resort service.

Avakas Gorge

The Avakas gorge is located 5-6 km from Lara beach. The place is perfect for lovers of active hiking and challenging routes. The height of the rocks here is about 30 m, the distance between them is small. Here you can see the famous Labyrinth of the Minotaur, but without special equipment and skills you can’t get there alive.

The route through the gorge will be approximately 3 km. It starts with a sign about the danger that awaits you ahead, which, by the way, should be taken into account. It is not recommended to go into the gorge with children and in shoes with soft or poorly secured soles (flip-flops, sandals) - you simply will not be able to move on the rocks.

How to get to Akamas National Reserve

There is a connection between the cities closest to Akamas Park public transport. You can get to the reserve on the Akamas Peninsula from Polis by bus number 622, it stops near the Baths of Aphrodite. There are no direct routes from Paphos, but you can get to Polis by bus number 610.

It won't take long to get there by car from both nearby cities, although an ordinary car won't get through here. You need a four-wheel drive vehicle with high suspension or an ATV. If such transport is not available, then you can rent it; this is a very popular service in Cyprus.

Route by car from Paphos to Akamas National Park in Cyprus - Google Maps

You can also sail from any pier on a rented motor boat or even a yacht. Transfers in Cyprus are also carried out by taxi; both Russian taxi companies operate here - Kiwi Taxi and Cyprus Taxi, as well as the popular international service Gett.

Video “Akamas National Park from above”

Akamas National Park is a delightful, deserted monument of nature and history. This place is included in the UNESCO world list. It is located near the city and attracts a lot of attention.

On an area of ​​230 sq. km. In the reserve you will be able to get acquainted with the most interesting species of plants, wonderful animals, rare species of birds that fly here to spend the winter. No one will bother you here. People come here to enjoy the beautiful natural harmony and be inspired by the wide, amazing panorama. You can take a bike ride through the park or swim in the clear, warm water on the rocky shores.

Many historians cannot give accurate answers to the questions: what happened in the park before our time and how did it appear in the first place? Answers can only be given by mythology, which says that Theseus’s son Akamas was forced to settle in these places after being expelled from Athens. He built here big city and named it after himself. The city began to quickly populate and grow. Aphrodite herself soon became the patroness of this place.

Akamas National Park today

The government of the peninsula, and the population of Cyprus itself, is quite careful about the Akamas National Park. For them, this is a valuable place that no one is allowed to spoil. Even created public organizations who monitor order in the park around the clock. Akamas National Park is of great interest to botanists and scientists, because it contains about 530 rare plant species, 126 of which grow exclusively in Cyprus. That is why scientists are afraid to somehow disturb the park’s landscape. In spring, beautiful jasmine and orchids bloom throughout the park. The stunning aroma of the buds spreads throughout the entire park.

Akamas has sandy beach Lara. Its main inhabitants are sea turtles that nest on the shore. Sea turtles have become an endangered species of animals, so a special authority constantly ensures that nothing can destroy the nests (animals, waves, etc.). If you visit the beach in September, you may see small turtles hatching and running into the sea. This is an amazing sight.

The local fauna on the island is also impressive. Of the “residents”, the griffins of Vulture stand out the most – rarest species predators that have been nesting here recently. The butterflies in the reserve are also impressive; there are more than three thousand of them (25 species, 16 in the Red Book). They are not allowed to catch them, but you can take pictures. In Akamas National Park you will also see wild flocks of goats living in their natural flora. Mostly their flocks graze on the hills. On the peninsula's wild rocky beaches and gorges you may encounter amphibians and mammals. Only brave people go to this part of the peninsula, because there are quite a few poisonous snakes here.

Akamas National Park may not be safe. Why? Firstly, many types of plants (especially Cyprian) can cause allergies, so take the necessary medications with you. Secondly, careless tourists visit the park, who may not notice and step on a snake or a spider’s house. Take with you the antidote and necessary medications for these cases. Thirdly, you can get various injuries (abrasions, scratches, etc.) on rocky coasts; green paint will be enough for these cases.

The peninsula with the Akamas National Park can be reached by bus, which departs from the city and crosses Polis. Route No. 705. You can also use taxi services. The most economical option would be Taxiaeport. It is better to return from the reserve by your own car or taxi, because the bus to this place operates only four times a day.