Jeep safari on the Akamas Peninsula

Another interesting place to visit by jeep is the Akamas Peninsula. It is situated in the north-western part of Cyprus, 48 km from Paphos.

The entire peninsula is designated as a national park. Many of the plants growing there are endemic and listed in the Red Data Book.

Nature lovers and those who enjoy active holidays will certainly be captivated by this corner of the island. When setting off on your trip, don’t forget to pack your swimming gear, otherwise you’ll have to go for a swim in your birthday suits.

So, we’re heading to Akamas with friends in a jeep on a private tour accompanied by a guide.

Visiting the famous bays and gorges

Leaving Limassol at 08:30, 50 minutes later we’ll stop at the bay where the Petra tou Romiou rock juts out of the water.

There are several legends associated with this spot. According to one of them, it was here that Aphrodite, the sea goddess of love, emerged from the foam.

The second explains the origin of the rock’s name. According to tradition, a Byzantine hero and giant named Digenis Akritou once lived in Cyprus — half Greek (in ancient times, Byzantine Greeks were called ‘Romaios’) and half Arab. At that time, the island was constantly under attack from the Saracens, and when they invaded Cyprus yet again, Digenis flew into a rage and, tearing a chunk of rock from the Troodos Mountains, hurled it at the attackers.

And so Petra tou Romiou (‘the Greek’s rock’) and Saracen Rock still stand by the shore today.

After a swim in the bay and silently asking Aphrodite for eternal beauty and youth, we drive on to the mysterious Avakas Gorge. It is situated on the Laona Plateau and stretches for 3 km.

For a long time, little was known about the gorge and its underground labyrinth. Local shepherds, who were aware of the labyrinth’s existence, were afraid to enter it, as the entrance, situated at a depth of 70 metres, was narrow and difficult to access.

Researchers who descended into the gorge using specialised equipment discovered, in addition to a natural gallery featuring enormous stalactites and stalagmites, traces of ancient human habitation, including pottery and an arrowhead. How these objects ended up in such an inaccessible place remains a mystery to this day.

The caves are also home to a large number of bats. Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to enter the labyrinth: both entrances are closed for safety reasons. But the gorge itself is also very impressive.

Our next stop is Lara Bay. Every year, green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles come here to breed.

Green turtles are on the brink of extinction, and the local authorities are currently making serious efforts to protect their habitat. An incubator station has been specially set up in the Paphos area, where zoologists provide the conditions necessary for the artificial breeding of sea turtles.

Through the park to the Baths

Our route then takes us through Akamas National Park to the famous Baths of Aphrodite. The history of the peninsula is so closely intertwined with ancient Greek mythology that it is probably now impossible to determine exactly what is fact and what is fiction.

According to mythology, Akamas was the name of the son of the famous Theseus, who defeated the Cretan Minotaur. After escaping from Crete, Theseus and his beloved Ariadne settled in Cyprus. Ariadne died on the island whilst giving birth, and Theseus married her sister some time later. They then returned to Athens and named their newborn son Akamas. When Akamas had grown up and performed many different feats, he arrived in Cyprus and founded the Akamantida community there.

Unfortunately, no evidence of this has been found. But Akamas is, indeed, a marvellous place. It is home to approximately 170 species of birds, including the griffon vulture (Vultura), which is listed in the Red Book. There are also many rare butterflies and reptiles.

Leaving the car in the car park, we continue along the footpath towards the bathhouse itself. From the guide’s account, we learn that the nature reserve also contains the bathhouse of Adonis, Aphrodite’s beloved, but it is a much longer walk to reach it.

To be honest, after all the romantic tales of Aphrodite and Adonis’s love, you’d expect a bathing spot to be a bit more glamorous. But what could be more beautiful than the splendour of nature itself…

Lunch in a local village

From Aphrodite’s bathing spot to the village where lunch awaits us, we drive along a dirt track, making full use of our jeep’s capabilities. After all, when off-roading is your own choice, it adds a certain thrill and variety to the journey.

Lunch isn’t included in the price of the tour, but for 15–17 euros you can enjoy a well-prepared dish of freshly caught fish or seafood.

Back home with new memories!

Our trip ends at around 5.00 pm. On the way back, we’ll share our impressions. Well, our trip turned out to be a vibrant and eventful one. We’ve been energised by driving through the rugged countryside and swimming in beautiful coves and bathing spots, as well as gaining lots of new experiences and positive emotions.

Tour price:

• adults €75;
• child €45.

To book the tour, you can fill in the online booking form, email us at: orShow email call us on: +357 25 310 692.