8 Handpicked Beaches Across the Island
Summer is quickly approaching, calling us to make our way to the island’s shores to cool down and savour the outdoors next to the Mediterranean Sea.
We, at MyCyprusTravel.com, have handpicked eight beaches, two of which are adjacent to the prime coastal cities of the island, that are easily accessible and worth spending time on, while soaking up the summer sun.
1. Malindi Beach (Limassol)
Malindi Beach
Located next to the Limassol Marina on the eastern part of Limassol’s coastal strip, Malindi Beach is a favourite with both tourists and locals: the water tends to be calm and sheltered, there are no strong undertows and lifeguards keep watch during high season.
There are a good number of sunbeds available, which can be rented by the day (not by the hour), though in high season (June to September) Malindi fills up quickly with both locals and tourists.
2. Lady’s Mile Beach (Limassol)
Lady’s Mile
Lady’s Mile, at the western end of the Limassol coastline, is one of the island’s most unspoilt beaches, and a real favourite with locals. Miles of dunes and wind-blown seagrass characterise this area, which is accessible by car from a dirt track.
The beach boasts relatively few beach beds, and is well known as a venue for kitesurf and windsurf enthusiasts. The constant wind and shallow waters also make for good family swimming, and though undertows and rips are known (some are signposted). Lifeguards operate on the beach from April to October.
A number of restaurants and bars are spread out along the beach and offer a variety of local cuisine in which fish features heavily; these eateries are often packed during the summer and booking is advisable.
The beach is also close to the Akrotiri Salt Lake and marsh (1.5km), which fills with migratory aquatic birds and bird-watchers in the cooler months.
3. Finikoudes Beach (Larnaca)
Finikoudes Beach
The palm tree-lined beach right on the Larnaca seafront is great location to sunbathe and swim. Sunbeds and umbrellas are on offer during the high season and the beach is monitored by lifeguards from June to October. Water sport venues are also available, with certified operators offering banana boat rides, jet skis, cruising, and all the usual water sports activities.
The beach front is also great for families: the waters are calm and shallow, and lots of shops right across the main street offer food and beverages, as well as all the necessities to enjoy a day out in the sun.
4. Mackenzie Beach (Larnaca)
Mackenzie Beach
Located right next to the Larnaca International Airport, this is a great spot for younger visitors looking to experience some of the island’s best beach parties: the restaurants and beach bars lining the strip offer cocktails, pumping beats (day and night!), and both local and foreign DJs during the summer months.
Mackenzie is a favourite for both locals and visitors, as it is one of the island’s blue-flagged beaches, and offers shallow waters (you can walk out 50 metres without any significant change in depth). Lifeguards are on duty from June to October, and water sports, including jet skis, speed boats, and water skiing are available. Visitors can also go scuba diving off Mackenzie beach, via a boat to the Zenobia shipwreck located in the bay.
5. Coral Bay Beach
Coral Bay Beach
Coral Bay is one of Cyprus’ many blue-flagged beaches, just a short drive or bus ride from the centre of Paphos. Located below a bustling hotel resort, the beach is lined with sunbeds and umbrellas, and while the sands are often piping hot, the water (which is relatively shallow and safe to swim in) remains cool throughout the summer months.
The area also features a number of souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and water sports (including scuba diving). The beach is accessible for people with disabilities and has lifeguards stationed from April to October from 11am-5:30pm.
6. Vrisoudia Beach (Paphos)
Vrisoudia Beach
Visitors near the city centre in Paphos will enjoy Vrisoudia Beach, another of the island’s blue-flagged beaches, which runs along the main resort strip of the coast. Vrisoudia is easily accessible: local transport passes by frequently, and there is a car park in the area for visitors who prefer to drive.
The beach may not offer the bustling nightlife sought by younger travellers, but it’s easily accessible and relatively peaceful, with sunbeds, umbrellas and a variety of water sports and activities. Lifeguards are on duty from June to October from 11am-5:30pm.
Centrally located, the beach is close to a number of restaurants and shops, ideal for a day out in town and on the water.
7. Nissi Beach
Nissi Beach
Perhaps the most famous – and preferred – of Cyprus’ beaches, frequented by locals and visitors alike, the blue-flagged Nissi Beach is the island’s poster child: golden sand, shallow aquamarine waters, and – in summer – more baking bodies than the eye can see!
Located right off Ayia Napa‘s eponymous Nissi Avenue, the beach is easily accessible by regional public transport, and is also served by various bus and taxi routes from other cities on the island. Once there, there’s no shortage of things to do: the 600-metre coastline boasts excellent swimming, a variety of water sports from certified specialists, shops (offering everything from plastic lilos to sunhats), and several bars and restaurants.
Sun beds and umbrellas are hotly-contested throughout summer (many people plump for a towel at the water’s edge!), and lifeguards are on duty from April, May, September and October, from 9am to 5pm, and in June, July and August, from 10am to 6pm.
Younger crowds will be attracted to Nissi’s all-day party atmosphere: at night, the waterfront becomes a dance party, and hosts a variety of events throughout the summer. In the winter months, however, it’s a bit of a ghost town, with only the bravest of souls venturing into the sea.
8. Konnos Beach
Konnos Bay
Right between Ayia Napa and Protaras, Konnos Bay (blue-flagged) is a little off the beaten track but nevertheless one of Cyprus’ best beaches. Amazing shallow blue waters in a typically Mediterranean cove, Konnos is the perfect mix of a sandy and rocky beach, with the shore blending fine white sand, with large rocks in and out of the water.
Offering a small restaurant, sunbeds, and umbrellas, the beach is served by lifeguards from April, May, September and October from 9am to 5pm, and in June, July and August from 10am to 6pm.
Although relatively small, Konnos also hosts water sports, and is part of the Konnoi – Cyclops Cave Nature Trail which offers great views of the beach front and a number of small seaside caves in the area.
The beach is catered to by public transport, an option which may well be preferable to driving oneself: the twisting road down to the beach is difficult to navigate and parking is extremely limited.
