For sandy, family-friendly beaches, head east to Nissi, Fig Tree Bay and Makronissos. For wild coastline and turtles, go west to Lara Bay and the Akamas. For snorkelling, try Konnos Bay and the Cape Greco coves. Larnaca's Finikoudes is the convenient town option.
Cyprus beaches differ more by region than by name. The east (Ayia Napa, Protaras) has the reliably sandy, shallow, family-friendly beaches. The south has dramatic scenery with pebbles. The west is wilder, with fewer facilities. Choose the region first, then the beach.
| You want… | Try |
|---|---|
| Family sand and shallow water | Nissi, Fig Tree Bay, Coral Bay |
| Snorkelling and clear water | Konnos Bay, Cape Greco rocky coves |
| Quiet | Sirina Bay, Fontana Amorosa, Latchi, Polis |
| Wild coastline | Lara Bay, Fontana Amorosa, Cape Greco |
| Sunset | Coral Bay, Petra tou Romiou |
| Wind sports | Lady's Mile |
| A town beach with dinner nearby | Finikoudes, Landa, Latchi |
A well-known sandy beach, with calm shallow water and a small islet you can reach by wading. It is busy and developed, with sunbeds and music in season.
Worth it?A sensible choice for families and for anyone who wants sand and a party atmosphere, given the calm, shallow water. It is busy in season, so it is a poor pick if you want quiet in July or August.
Skip ifYou want a quiet beach in July or August.
A sandy bay a little way from the centre of Ayia Napa, with rock tombs from the ancient necropolis nearby.
Worth it?A good alternative when Nissi is too busy, since it is a sandy bay set a little way from the centre of town.
A sandy town-side beach with straightforward access, convenient if you are staying in Ayia Napa.
Worth it?Chosen for convenience, not character: it is a sandy beach close to the town centre.
A small sheltered cove beside the Cape Greco park, with clear water that suits swimming and snorkelling.
Worth it?A strong pick for swimming and snorkelling, with clear water in a sheltered cove. Go early, because the cove is small and fills up.
Skip ifYou dislike crowds on a summer weekend.
Rocky entry points along the headland's coastal path give clear water for swimming and snorkelling, away from sunbeds.
Worth it?Best for confident swimmers with water shoes: the entry is over rock, with no sand or sunbeds.
Skip ifYou need sand and lifeguards.
Protaras's signature beach: a sandy crescent with calm water, a small islet and a family-friendly setting.
Worth it?Suits families who prefer Protaras's calmer pace to Ayia Napa's, given the calm water and the family-friendly setting.
A quieter bay in the Protaras area than Fig Tree Bay. Conditions vary, so check the sea state before you go.
Worth it?Optional: worth trying if Fig Tree Bay is crowded. Check the sea state first, because conditions vary.
A palm-lined town beach and promenade right in Larnaca's centre. Easy to combine with a meal and a stroll.
Worth it?Chosen for convenience: it is in the centre of Larnaca, so it combines easily with a meal and a stroll. It is not a secluded beach.
A sandy beach beside the airport flight path, well known for the low aircraft overhead.
Worth it?Fun if you like watching aircraft land overhead; noisy if you do not.
Skip ifYou dislike aircraft noise.
A beach backed by pale chalk cliffs, with darker sand than the east coast beaches. It is photogenic and can be windy.
Worth it?Worth a stop for the setting: the pale cliffs behind the beach are the draw, and it can be windy.
A long, wide beach on the Akrotiri peninsula, popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing when it is breezy.
Worth it?Good if you want space or wind sports; it is a poor choice if you want facilities, shade or a lively beach scene.
Skip ifYou want facilities, shade and a lively beach scene.
A coastline beneath the ancient city that lets you pair a swim with the ruins above.
Worth it?Best as part of a Kourion visit, because the swim is the add-on to the ruins above, not a reason to come on its own.
A bay with a relaxed village behind it, on the road between Limassol and Paphos. Expect pebbles rather than fine sand.
Worth it?A practical lunch-and-swim stop on the road west. Expect pebbles, not fine sand.
The famous sea stack and pebble beach associated with the birth of Aphrodite. Swimming conditions can be rough, and it is more of a view than a beach day.
Worth it?A stop, not a destination: the legend and the view are the point, and swimming conditions can be rough. It suits the end of the day.
A sandy bay with calm water, facing west so evenings are good. It is one of the more developed beaches near Paphos.
Worth it?Suits families based around Paphos, with calm water and sand, and the west-facing bay gives good evenings.
A wide, undeveloped bay reached by dirt tracks, important for nesting sea turtles in summer. Facilities are minimal.
Worth it?Worth it for a wilder day if you are comfortable on dirt tracks and will follow site guidance, since facilities are minimal and nesting areas may be restricted.
Skip ifYou are not comfortable on unsurfaced roads or need facilities.
A rocky coast in the Akamas known for its quietness and walking access.
Worth it?Best for walkers who want to swim after a hike, given the rocky coast and walking access.
A turquoise bay on the Akamas coast reached mainly on boat trips from Latchi. Operators and seasons vary.
Worth it?Worth it on a calm day if you enjoy boat trips; it is reached mainly by boat from Latchi, so operators and seasons decide whether you can go.
Skip ifYou dislike crowds on boat trips.
A small harbour village with seafront restaurants and sea access, a gentler alternative to the busier resorts.
Worth it?A calm base or lunch stop: a small harbour village with seafront restaurants, gentler than the busier resorts.
A town beach with a relaxed, local feel, in the northwest of the island.
Worth it?Fine for quiet days with a local feel; it is not a dramatic beach.
Beaches are only part of the island. Pair them with things to do in Cyprus, or decide where to stay using best places to visit in Cyprus.
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