With the beauty of nature’s best palette on display, the scenery of Cyprus unfolds across glittering coasts, rolling mountains, fragrant forests and rugged headlands
From the warm shores of the mainland to the unspoilt and cool oasis of the Troodos mountain range, nature lovers, artists, photographers and explorers will all delight in encountering shy creatures and discovering rare plants that peek out from behind waterfalls, coves, woodlands, winding trails and secluded sandy beaches in the Akamas Nature Park.
As the island is on the migratory path of birds travelling between Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus is a birdwatchers’ paradise, with flocks of flamingos frequenting the salt lakes and many other significant species passing through or nesting here. And deep in the forests, the national animal – the Mouflon – roams freely, and catching a glimpse of this timid, wild sheep is a real treat for locals and visitors alike.
With a favourable climate year-round, the great outdoors of this island are easily accessible and offer myriad opportunities to take a journey through nature, history and culture, thanks to the numerous signposted paths and nature trails. The rural trails highlight the beautiful landscapes and strong Mediterranean character of the island and when hiking them you will encounter a treasure trove of varied fauna and flora, as well as the remnants of the island’s mining heritage and other interesting monuments.
Just waiting to be discovered here are timeless villages, tiny and remote UNESCO-protected painted churches, stunning scenery, forested mountain trails and a way of life that has hardly changed over the centuries
Cyprus has all the elements of a great location for hiking, but also mountain-biking, climbing and orienteering, thanks to its stunning rugged backdrops, complex rock formations and the quality, variety and diversity of its climbing routes (both traditional and sport). Wineries, farms open to visitors, local producers and markets, the workshops of craftsmen and artists are found along the Thematic Routes that run through the countryside, leading to a world of authentic experiences. This is a world apart from the tourist hotspots. Just waiting to be discovered here are timeless villages, tiny and remote UNESCO-protected painted churches, stunning scenery, forested mountain trails and a way of life that has hardly changed over the centuries.
The island of Cyprus may be relatively small, yet it has literally hundreds of villages, many of which are no more than a handful of houses clustered around a church, and a coffee-shop that also serves as the village grocery shop, post office and general meeting place. In the more remote parts of the island, these villages have remained virtually unchanged, although motorised transport has made them more accessible. Nonetheless, their older inhabitants still cling to the traditional lifestyle that basically revolves around the planting and harvesting seasons.
The Cyprus hinterland is a great place for botanists, artists, bird watchers, hikers, ramblers, anglers, cyclists, photographers and geologists. The greatest wealth of any country is its people, and whatever your interest or wherever you travel to Cyprus, you can always be sure that you will receive the warmest of welcomes.
