Akamas: the wildest part of Cyprus.
At the island's north-western tip, roads start to disappear, the coast becomes more rugged and the landscape changes completely. Akamas is not somewhere to work through a list of beaches. It is a place for walking, taking to the sea and choosing carefully how you want to explore it.
Type
Nature · Walking · Coast · Sea
Time
1–2 days
Best for walking
Spring · Autumn
Best for the sea
Late spring · Summer · Early autumn
Car
Useful for getting there. Do not assume every vehicle is suitable for the tracks.
Ideal for
Nature · walking · sea · photography
In Akamas, getting there is not always the most important part. The journey is part of the place too.
First: get to know Akamas
Akamas has two gateways.
01
From the north
Polis → Latchi → Neo Chorio → Baths of Aphrodite → walking trails
The most natural approach for trails such as Aphrodite and Adonis, Latchi Harbour and boat trips to Blue Lagoon.
02
From the west
Pegeia → Agios Georgios → Toxeftra → Lara → Avakas
A slower approach shaped by tracks, conservation rules and access conditions. Always check conditions before setting off.
Tracks across Akamas may be closed, restricted or difficult to drive. Do not plan a circular driving route through Akamas without first checking the official status and your vehicle's suitability.
Choose your pace
How would you like to explore Akamas?
Walking in Akamas
The landscape makes more sense on foot.
Four trails, four different ways to understand the peninsula. Choose by time, difficulty and scenery, rather than how many kilometres you can cover.
Views + half a day
Aphrodite Trail
The longer route for seeing Akamas from above.
It starts beside Baths of Aphrodite and climbs quickly, opening up views towards Cape Arnaoutis, Polis Chrysochous and Paphos Forest. The route passes near Pyrgos tis Rigainas and connects with other trails on the peninsula. Walk it for the scenery, rather than to reach a single destination. Fountains along the route are officially marked as having water that is not safe to drink.
recommends
Pissouromoutti
Two coastlines from a single hill.
One of the best options for a relatively short walk with sweeping views. From the higher ground, you can look towards Lara and the west coast, and in the other direction towards Chrysochou Bay. Part of the route passes through pine woodland.
Something different
Smigies
Woodland, views and former mining facilities.
The short route gives you a first taste of the woodland and views. The longer version passes former mines, magnesium facilities and abandoned kilns before heading back into the forest.
Adonis Trail
Another longer option starting near Baths of Aphrodite.
The route offers views over Polis Chrysochous, Paphos Forest and the peninsula. It passes Pyrgos tis Rigainas and connects with Smigies and Aphrodite Trail. A fountain on the route is officially marked as having water that is not safe to drink, and the return includes a stretch along the road.
North coast
Sometimes the best route is by sea.
Latchi is the gateway. From there, you can explore the coast without making Akamas's tracks an essential part of the trip.
Latchi Harbour
Akamas's gateway from the sea.
A good place to start or finish the day, arrange a boat trip or eat by the harbour. From here, it is easy to see how Polis, the north coast and the peninsula's sea access fit together.
Blue Lagoon
Yes, the water really is that colour.
Track access: check official conditions before attempting to reach it by road.
For most visitors, travelling by sea from Latchi is the easiest option. Blue Lagoon can attract many boats in peak season; for a quieter visit, go early or combine the trip with other experiences on the peninsula.
Sensitive environments
Visiting also means knowing when to leave things undisturbed.
At Lara and Toxeftra, protecting turtles comes first. At Avakas, the trail's official status should determine whether you visit.
Protected area
Seasonal accessLara · Toxeftra
A protected coast where turtles come first.
Protected area: seasonal restrictions and year-round conservation rules apply.
Do not come expecting to see turtles; visit knowing that this is a breeding area. From 1 June to 30 September, restrictions apply to parasols, sun loungers, tents, caravans and overnight stays. All year round: do not drive on the beach, interfere with nests, light fires, collect sand or disturb animals.
- No parasols, sun loungers, tents or caravans from 1 June to 30 September.
- No overnight stays during the protected period.
- Do not drive on the beach or interfere with nests.
- Do not light fires, collect sand or disturb animals.
Avakas Gorge
One of Akamas's best-known geological landscapes.
The trail is currently listed as temporarily closed. Check the official source before planning a visit.
The gorge formed as layers of limestone eroded, creating a much more enclosed, damp landscape than the surrounding area. We do not recommend travelling there to walk the trail while it is officially listed as closed.
Baths of Aphrodite
More interesting as a starting point than as a destination in itself.
As well as the small grotto associated in mythology with Aphrodite and Adonis, there is a botanical garden here. Some of the peninsula's most interesting trails start here too, including Aphrodite and Adonis.
Laona · Akamas
The villages tell the region's story too.
Four small centres connect geology, conservation, rural life, plants and birds. They work well together on an inland route.
Pano Arodes
Geology: a way to understand how the landscape formed before walking through it.
The Akamas Geology & Paleontology Information Centre introduces the rocks, fossils and natural processes that shaped the region.
Innia
Turtles: a more responsible way to understand Lara.
The Innia–Lara Turtle Museum explains turtles' life cycles, nesting beaches and conservation work without searching for nests on the sand.
Droushia
Rural life: the people, trades and ways of life that have also shaped Akamas.
The Akamas Rural Life and Traditions Centre explores the region through its people, their work and the objects of everyday life.
Kathikas
Plants and birds: recognising what would usually go unnoticed.
The Akamas Avifauna & Flora Visitor Centre helps you identify some of the biodiversity found along the peninsula's trails.
An inland route connecting geology, turtle conservation, rural life and biodiversity without crossing the peninsula's tracks.
Keep exploring
Routes, seasons and tips
Three ways to explore Akamas, when to go and practical information for planning your day.
Keep exploring
Routes, seasons and tips
Three ways to explore Akamas, when to go and practical information for planning your day.
Routes
Three ways to experience Akamas.
Do not try to fit the coast, long walks and villages into a single day. Choose an approach and leave time to enjoy the scenery.
Do not try to tick off the whole map.
Akamas seems small until you start exploring it.
Choose one coast.
Or one trail.
Or the sea.
Seasons
When should you visit Akamas?
Winter
A good time to visit, with care.
Mild temperatures, but rain can affect trails and tracks. Check access before setting off.
Spring
recommendsThe best time to visit.
Green landscapes, flowers in bloom and temperatures suited to longer walks.
Summer
Best explored by sea.
Focus on boat trips, swimming and early starts. Avoid exposed trails in the middle of the day.
Autumn
recommendsHighly recommended.
The sea stays warm and the heat eases. A good time to combine the coast with walking trails.
Practical information
Before heading into Akamas.
There are limits to improvising here. A quick check of access and trail conditions can change the whole day.
It is useful for reaching villages, Latchi, Neo Chorio and several trailheads. That does not mean every car is suitable for the inland tracks.
Track access conditions can change. If you want to travel by road, first check the official status and the terms for your hire vehicle.
Many trails are exposed. Take enough water and sun protection, and adapt your route to the conditions.
Some stretches have poor mobile reception, and fountains are marked as having water that is not safe to drink. Do not rely solely on your phone for navigation.
For finding places, yes. For knowing whether a track or trail is open, no. Always check the official source.
Akamas is a protected natural environment, and access conditions can change because of weather, conservation, roadworks or safety. Before starting a walk or using forest tracks, always check the current status through the linked official source. Google Maps shows locations but does not guarantee that a track, trail or access route is passable.
Related areas
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Where do I start?
A quick guide to Cyprus to help you make your first decisions. Request it for free and receive it by email.