The best beaches in Cyprus

It depends, of course, on your personal preferences.

There are white sandy coastal shores; there are pebbly beaches and ones with exotic black volcanic sand. Some people prefer a relaxing beach holiday, while others are looking for exciting entertainment on the water or a DJ and music.

Cyprus is an excellent place where you can choose a beach to suit your needs.

The basic things that everyone is looking for are cleanliness and a convenient means of transport, the rest is personal taste.

All Cypriot beaches are about the same regarding cleanliness and services provided. Most of the beaches in Cyprus have been awarded the Blue Flag, signifying unprecedented purity of water and excellent beaches.

It may also be a surprise to learn that all the beaches in Cyprus, without exception, are free of charge by law.

However, from all the beautiful beaches it is possible to select the best one, and we’ve studied the reviews of the most well known to help you.

Ayia Napa. Nissi and Makronissos Beaches

Two different beaches but as they are close we kept them together in this article.

The main thing that attracts visitors from all over the island are the bays with their white sand and bright turquoise waters. These beaches look like they’re straight out of the brochure. Gently sloping beaches and shallow water that warms up quickly and stays warm throughout the season.

Younger adults prefer Nissi Beach where from the morning until late at night there is music, competitions and parties, and on an island near the coast, you can rent almost any kind of water sports equipment.

Although only two minutes walk from Nissi Beach, Macronissos Beach is famous for its completely different atmosphere – calm and quiet, and ideal for families with small children. The sand here is white, and the water is as clear as on Nissi Beach. Children are happy to build sandcastles and collect beautiful shells.

Which of these beautiful beaches suits you better you can decide for yourself, but why settle for one if you can choose both?

Both these beaches are close to the hotel, which is a significant advantage, and right behind them are the four-star Nissi Beach Resort, the three-star Nissi Park, the five-star Adams Beach Hotel and Vassos Nissi Plage Hotel.

Paphos. Coral Bay Beach

It’s no surprise that Coral Bay is attractive for both visitors and residents of Paphos – here, in a sheltered bay, are all the conditions for a comfortable beach holiday.

The water is clean and warm, the beach is perfectly equipped and covered with soft sand, unlike many in Paphos which tend to be rocky. And for those people who love collecting seashells, you will not leave empty-handed. A very comfortable infrastructure surrounds the beach, with cafes, restaurants and shops.

Near the beach, there are several excellent hotels to suit every taste and wallet: the five-star Coral Bay Hotel and Resort and Sentido Thalassa Coral Bay, as well as four-star Panareti Coral Bay Resort and the comfortable Corallia Beach Hotel Apartments.

Limassol. Lady’s Mile Beach

The length and unique beauty of Lady’s Mile Beach makes it a favourite vacation spot for both locals and visitors.

The entire beach measures exactly seven kilometres, and part is arranged with sun beds and umbrellas and children’s playgrounds. Also, unique for Cyprus, water entertainment, which is free for visitors. There are also toilets, showers and restaurants, and places within walking distance to rent scooters and other sports equipment for water recreation.

The rest of the beach is unoccupied, so you can choose an empty spot and enjoy the solitude and silence. The beach is wide, sandy and full of beautiful shells.

In August and September, the dunes in Lady’s Mile Beach are covered with white sand lilies (also called sea daffodils) – unique flowers with a delicate aroma. An unforgettable sight!

Protaras. Fig Tree Bay

Fig Tree Bay is Protaras’s most famous beach. The sand is light-coloured and fine, the water crystal-clear, and the seabed remains shallow for a long way out, making it a popular spot for families with children.

Opposite the beach, a small islet rises out of the water: it shields the bay from the waves, and in calm weather you can swim out to it. The area around the islet is great for snorkelling.

The beach has sun loungers and parasols, showers, toilets, a café and water sports equipment hire; lifeguards are on duty during the season. In summer, this is one of the busiest beaches in the east of the island, so do arrive early. The resort’s other beaches are covered in What’s interesting in Protaras beaches.

Protaras. Konnos Bay

Konnos Bay lies between Protaras and Cape Greco, within the boundaries of Cape Greco National Forest Park. A small beach with fine golden sand is surrounded by cliffs and pine trees; a path leads down to the water through a pine grove, and from the top the whole bay is clearly visible.

The headlands shield Konnos from the wind, so the water here is usually calm and clear — a good spot for snorkelling. There are sun loungers, parasols, toilets, changing rooms, a beach bar and water sports. The car park fills up quickly during the high season. More about the park itself: National Forest Park “Cape Greco”.

Ayia Napa. Ayia Thekla Beach

Ayia Thekla Beach is situated on the western outskirts of Ayia Napa, next to the small white chapel of Saint Thekla, after whom it is named. The sand here is golden and the water crystal-clear.

This beach is noticeably quieter than those in the centre of the resort: people come here for a peaceful holiday, not for parties. Sun loungers and parasols are available, but even in high season there are fewer people here than at Nissi. The resort’s other beaches are covered in Cyprus: beaches of Ayia Napa.

Limassol. Kourion Beach

Kourion Beach stretches for about a kilometre along Episkopi Bay, to the west of Limassol, beneath the hill where the ruins of ancient Kourion stand. The shore consists of grey sand mixed with pebbles.

It is often windy here and the waves can get quite high, which is why the beach is popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers; on windy days, however, you should take care when swimming. The beach has sun loungers, parasols, showers, toilets and several fish taverns. It’s a good idea to combine a visit here with a tour of the Kourion archaeological site.

Pissouri. Pissouri Bay Beach

The beach at Pissouri Bay lies roughly halfway between Limassol and Paphos, near the village of Pissouri. The bay is framed by the white cliffs of Cape Aspro; the shore consists of sand mixed with small, multicoloured pebbles, and the water is clear and usually calm.

The beach has sun loungers, parasols, showers, toilets, water sports facilities and a beach volleyball court. If you have time, walk up to the village itself; more about it in Pissouri: a village and a bay – choose your holiday experience.

We’ve set out how to choose the right coast for your holiday — east, south or west; sand or pebbles; waves and Blue Flag beaches — in a separate guide, Cyprus beaches: how to choose a coast.