Paphos Beaches and Water Sports

(Paphos, Cyprus)

The stunning turquoise waters of the Mediterranean are really quite inviting all around Paphos, as are the beautiful sandy beaches of south-western Cyprus and those of the Akamas peninsula in particular. Paphos beaches are always extremely popular with summer tourists and as a result, they can soon become packed, especially at busy weekends.

Many beaches around Paphos feature their very own wave breakers, designed to calm down the sea, and are therefore usually suitable for swimming and paddling, as well as a variety of water sports, such as windsurfing and jet-skiing.

General Information

To the west of Paphos, the beaches appear a little more natural and rugged, with stronger waves and less cluttered scenery. Many of the region's beaches have earned themselves a prestigious EU Blue Flag award for cleanliness, including all of the following selection:

Alykes Beach
Lying to the south-east of Kato Pafos and just a short drive away, Alykes Beach is nothing special, other than a pleasant alternative to the busier beaches of Paphos. This is a good place for a quiet swim and sunbathe.

Faros Beach
Faros Beach tends to be one of the more quiet options to choose from and its distinct lack of crowds is partly due to its location, being only reachable by car or scooter. Those arriving here from Paphos will discover an exposed expanse of sand, with some large sandstone rocks and a handful of kiosks, serving basic refreshments. The area's acclaimed archaeological site lies just to the south.

Kissonerga Bay Beach
Kissonerga Bay stands around 8 km / 5 miles to the north of Kato Pafos and is a lengthy undeveloped stretch of sand, with very little in the way of actual amenities. The adjoining banana plantations provide a tropical feel to this peaceful destination.

Municipal Beach
Without question the most popular of all the Paphos beaches is the much-favoured Municipal Beach, which is located in central Kato Pafos and alongside the Posidonos (Poseidonos). The swimming here is exceptionally good, the sand is soft and golden, and there are a great selection of amenities just a short stroll away.

Vrysoudia Beach
Vrysoudia Beach may not be the most attractive and appealing stretch of sand in this part of Cyprus, but it does have very clean water and when the surf is calm, is perfect for swimming. The facilities at Vrysoudia are also quite reasonable, with everything from toilets and restaurants, to inexpensive sun lounger and parasol rental.