But sometimes, the pressure of finding the most secluded and unspoiled beach is overwhelming and the search defeats the purpose of a vacation in the sun, especially if you have a limited amount of time.

So, here is a step-by-step guide to exploring a few of the island’s magical shores—from popular areas like Paphos to lesser-known areas—for the ultimate Cypriot beach hopping guide. If this is your first time to the island, here’s where you start:

Protaras
Yes, it’s popular with visitors but to get acquainted with the island, make a requisite first stop at one of the island’s most famous beaches, the resort town of Protaras. (Its neighbouring party town, Ayia Napa is also worth checking out if only to witness the all-night dancing and debauchery.)
Protaras is a series of communities and former fishing villages and like most resort towns it’s touristy and expensive. But despite the cost and the tourists, shimmering blue waters and more than 20 kilometres of white sand can’t even keep the locals away. Here, you’ll find a mix of visitor buzz and local flair so it’s an ideal first stop on your Cypriot beach adventure.

Kourion Beach
Kourion is a colossal archeological find that sits atop a cliff overlooking a long, sandy beach with an ancient amphitheater at its center. Here, theater troupes perform modern operas and Greek dramas in the summer months so after a long day indulging in sand, surf and sea, add a little culture to the mix by catching a performance. Or, if you’re both a sun worshiper and history buff, this beach is for you. From the ruins, it’s a 15-minute walk down to the beach where you’ll discover a serene shore with few tourists. The beach is also a great nighttime spot where you can enjoy a picnic post-show.

Petra Tou Romiou
According to Cypriot legend, Petra Tou Romiou is the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite so it’s a must-see on your beach-hopping itinerary. It also happens to be the area where the sunset is one of the most breathtaking sights on the island. If you’re set on setting up for the day at Petra Tou Romiou, don’t settle on the pebbly beach but instead, wade out to one of the large rocks in the sea and set up camp there.

Pachyammos
Pachyammos beach is a favourite among Greek Cypriots living on the west side of the island for Saturday afternoon.

The post The Top 4 Best Beaches in Cyprus appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

It’s no surprise that Cyprus weddings are so popular; not only is the island, which lies in that glorious stretch of Mediterranean Sea between Greece, Turkey, and Syria, touted by holiday brochures as ‘Aphrodite’s Island’ and the ‘Island of Love’, but it enjoys 340 days of sunshine a year and boasts a wealth of picture-perfect white, sandy beaches, ideal settings for saying ‘I do’. And was I going to be one of those lucky brides making her vows on a sun-kissed seashore or in one of the many quaint, rustic, Cypriot chapels? Erm…nope. Sadly, I was lacking a groom (which I’m told is a pretty important part of the whole wedding process). But on my recent trip to Cyprus, I’d resolved not to let my status as a singleton put a damper on my holidays; in fact, I was determined to prove that Cyprus offers much more than just a romantic setting for getting hitched.

Well equipped with cheap travel tips from guidebooks and websites like mydestinaion.com/cyprus, I began my solo jaunt across the island. To escape the midsummer heat – and the tourists – I travelled inland to the Troobos Mountains, a world away from resorts like Ayia Napa and Protaras, with their busy beaches, bustling bars, and raucous nightclubs. Here I found traditional villages, untouched by the tourist industry, still lying nestled in valleys, clinging to the slopes of Cyprus’ largest mountains. It was the largest of these mountains – Mt. Olympus – that I’d set my sights on climbing. And so, having strapped on my hiking boots and slapped on the sunblock, I began the 1,952 metre ascent. There’s a road that winds its way up to the peak, but anyone speeding past in a car misses out on the experience of meandering through the pine and juniper woods, spotting the wildlife, and enjoying that ‘Yes! I did it!’ feeling of reaching the peak on your own two feet. Cresting the summit, I may not have stumbled across the abode of the gods – as the mountain’s name would suggest – but I did find the ruins of a 16^th century Venetian fortress, as well as some splendid views of the sea and plains below.

Close to Mt. Olympus was another port of call: Kykkos monastery. One of the wealthiest monasteries in Cyprus, Kykkos houses a plethora of ornate mosaics and colourful frescoes, but the atmosphere is far from ostentatious; its location, high up in the Troodos Mountains, ensures a serene and peaceful mood. Entrance is free – which is a big plus for anyone travelling on a budget as tight as mine – but be warned: women must cover their legs if they want to enter the monastery. Unfortunately for me, I’d not been aware of this fact. Other female sightseers had wisely brought sarongs with them but I’d not had the same foresight, so a helpful family were kind enough to lend me their son’s Spiderman beach towel. I may not have been the height of fashion with a Marvel comic-book hero wrapped around my legs as I wandered through the monastery, trying desperately to look dignified, but at least my family and friends got a good laugh looking through my holiday photos!

Heading to the mountain village of Pano Platres for the night, I decided to sample some of the local hospitality and native cuisine. The friendly host of a small, family-run restaurant I’d stumbled across recommended the meze, and so – not really knowing what I was ordering – I asked for the whole lot. Twenty minutes later, I was sitting before a mountain of food: olives, tahini, tsatziki, fresh bread, salad, snails in a tomato sauce, pickled cauliflower, grilled halloumi cheese, and loukanika sausages. Glad that I was wearing shorts with an elastic waist band, I dove right in, washing the food down with a few too many glasses of the local spirit, Zivania – I wouldn’t be hiking up any other mountains the morning after, I assure you.

Cyprus proved to be so rich in culture, history, stunning natural beauty, and friendly locals that I never once felt a moment of loneliness on my travels around the island; every sun-kissed second was packed full of amazing sights, sounds, and tastes. And you know what? Cyprus’ reputation as ‘Aphrodite’s Island’ proved quite accurate, for while I was out there I did actually fall in love…with Cyprus itself!

Author Bio: Ceri Houlbrook

Ceri Houlbrook is from Manchester, England – no, she doesn’t support United – and her passions include reading, writing, hiking and travelling the globe in search of some adventure!

Have you visited Cyprus? What are your fondest memories of this beautiful island in the Mediterranean? How popular do you think it is as a travel destination? Share your thoughts below and this post too if you  liked it!

The post Falling in Love on Aphrodite’s Island of Cyprus appeared first on MaiTravelSite.