Travel to Paphos and the northwest coast of Cyprus

Pathos

Paphos is the gateway to Western Cyprus. The city is becoming an increasingly popular beach destination. The attractions of Paphos include the good harbor and impressive archaeological sites. There are luxury beach hotels along the east coast of Paphos, while in the west you will find the famous beach Coral Bay and the wild expanses of the peninsula Akamaswhere there are practically no roads.

On the northern coast of Paphos, Polis and Latchi, there are many charming and tranquil seaside resorts with beautiful hills. Troodos nearby. It is a calm, quiet city with beautiful views, the most expensive hotels and both wild and well-equipped beaches. The best sandy beach is in the bay Coral Bay, and the most picturesque is on the shores of the Lara Bay.

What to visit for culture, architecture, museums and temples

Paphos is rich in history and unique. Founded by the Greeks, Paphos became the capital of the island during the Roman era - it was then that its port became of great importance. It is here, where the snow-white yachts are now lined up, that the multi-oar triremes were moored.

The Romans built an amphitheater in Paphos - and every year festivals of theatrical groups staging plays by ancient Greek authors are held here. A frequent and welcome guest of the festival is the well-known Taganka Theater. Behind the amphitheater are the ruins of residential buildings, a thermal bath with unique frescoes that, according to experts, are not inferior to those of Pompeii! And most importantly, all this splendor is just a stone's throw from the yacht port. One has only to go to the shore - and you are already among the monuments of antiquity!

The Normans built a church in Paphos - it is still in operation. Low heavy vaults, narrow windows, like loopholes - it seems to you that you are in distant Scandinavia, and not in Cyprus ... The impression is enhanced by the tomb of the King of Denmark in the courtyard of the church.

And the port itself is guarded by an ancient fortress from the era of the Crusaders. According to legend, the action of Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello" takes place in this fortress. Not far from Paphos is the famous "Stone of Aphrodite", in this place, according to legend, Aphrodite came ashore from the foam of the sea. Cypriots believe that the sea is the most beautiful here, and any woman becomes as many years younger as she can swim around the stone of Aphrodite.

Aphrodite's stone in Paphos

Paphos International Yacht Club (also known as PISC) was established in 1999 by sailing enthusiasts living in the city. The goal of the club is to promote all types of sailing and water sports in Cyprus and create an infrastructure where like-minded people can meet, share knowledge, talk about their common interests and have fun.

You do not need to have your own yacht to become a member of the club, although the majority of the participants are British expats living in Cyprus with a huge interest in yachting. The club now has 160 members, half of whom have their own yacht in Cyprus or nearby. The yacht club has a good location: a marina in the village of Geroskipou, just ten minutes drive from the beach in Paphos. In addition to organized social events, club members meet every Friday to have a delicious lunch and possibly meet new friends.

Limanaki Harbor in Paphos - this is one of the most picturesque places in Cyprus. The medieval castle here makes you travel back in time.

In fact, this is not a marina, but the only protected anchorage in Paphos today. If you're lucky, you can find a place for your yacht here.

You will most likely have to anchor in the middle, as the berths are mostly occupied by tour boats and fishing boats. There is no running water or electricity, although you are in the very center of Paphos, right next to the castle and among a huge number of fish taverns, cafes and a short walk from the tourist center with many restaurants, hotels, cafes, nightclubs and shops. Harbor coordinates - 33 '' 45 's. NS. 32 '' 25 'in. e. Highly visible white lighthouse.

Beware:

• Mulia Reef, consisting of surface and underwater rock, located two miles southeast of the harbor.

• The eastern breakwater of the harbor, which is partially submerged.

New project Paphos Marina is under construction in the vicinity of villages Peyia (Coral Bay) and Kissonerga in Paphos. The Marina is located in the area known as Potima.

The most interesting thing is that Potima Marina will be the first in Paphos and one of the largest on the island. The project will make a huge contribution to the development of this region (it will attract more tourists, create hundreds of jobs).

The marina will have 1,000 yacht berths, a lift boathouse and a shipyard. There will also be all sorts of leisure facilities including restaurants, bars and a car park. And to top it all off, this marina will become a true gem of Paphos and the Mediterranean.

Small town in the south of the island, Paphos is the ideal anchorage for an amateur cruiser... Paphos is the place from where you can travel by boat west to Latchi Bay or east to Limassol and Ayia Napa. Paphos welcomes the yachting tourist not with an expensive marina, but with a small port where everyone gets along - fishermen, sailing yachtsmen, large motor yachts. The port was built during the Roman rule, and amphorae and coins are still found at the bottom.

In the port itself, everything is serious - there are private berths (to stay for a while, you can negotiate with the owner), there are guest pontoons and mooring buoys. All this is controlled by the captain of the port (his office is located in a high tower decorated with the flag of Cyprus). Nearby is the naval police office. All "authorities" are housed in two small rooms.

From Paphos to Polis

After visiting Paphos, you can go to see the surroundings - for example, to Coral Bay. Leaving the Paphos port, we do not lose sight of the coastline - and in an hour you are in Coral Bay. Why is the bay convenient? This is the ideal anchorage for swimming, with shallow depths, flat bottom, clear clear water. The coast of the bay is a sandy beach.

And coming out of Coral Bay and moving further west, in half an hour - the second identical bay, only the name is slightly different - Coralia Bay... The same ideal anchorage with swimming.

Outside the island of Kionas - a small yacht parking with a restaurant - there you can stand on a buoy, go ashore and have a snack while enjoying the view of the rock Saint george... After that, you can, a little short of the bay Latchi, stay in famous  Blue lagoons, and after the Blue Lagoons, having rounded the western cape of Cyprus, you can go to Latchi Bay and the village of Latchi itself.

Polis town and Latchi village

The entire northwestern coast of Cyprus is strikingly different from the bustling resort south: antique ruins, untouched nature, deserted coastline with many secluded beaches. Policy a small and very attractive town with a population of only 2500 people, located on the northwest coast of the island, 35 minutes from Paphos. In the center is a beautiful little square, quaint terraces, many taverns, a wonderful shopping street. The city has a rich and very interesting history, fascinating legends.

Polis, surrounded by almond groves and green vineyards, far from the bustling tourist centers and ideal for family holidays: from the city center to the sea - just a few minutes of a leisurely step. The square, where taverns are scattered, turns into a quiet pedestrian street with many craft shops. It maintains ancient crafts, sells many ingenuous souvenirs, and plays traditional Cypriot music on the terraces of numerous cafes in the evenings. A leisurely and measured life, gatherings in local taverns and coffee houses, the absence of crowds of tourists on the streets and beaches distinguish Polis from other resort towns.

Polis is famous primarily for its beaches - endless, clean and calm, they bear little resemblance to the noisy tourist coasts of the south of Cyprus. A walk or short drive along the almost deserted golden beach will take you back to where time seemed to have stood still. Near Polis there is a unique nature reserve Akamas, located on the peninsula of the same name, one of the undeveloped and uninhabited places on the island. A visit to the Akamas Nature Reserve, full of unique flowers, rare birds and breathtaking landscapes, you can see how virgin nature has remained here.

Polis and Latchi - Mecca for gourmets. The renowned fish taverns serve the freshest fish meze and seafood dishes. Polis is well known in Cyprus for its lavish fish fairs and colorful sailing competitions.

What to visit for culture, architecture, museums and temples

In the city and its surroundings, there are the following interesting places to visit: Church of Agios Andronikos, there are magnificent frescoes here. We also recommend visiting an ostrich breeding farm. Bath of Aphrodite it is a charming place, an incredibly pleasant and inviting corner of nature. It was here that the tragic and beautiful love story of Aphrodite and Adonis began.

Numerous Orthodox churches and monasteries, Archaeological Museum and cultural and exhibition center the main attractions of the "Golden City". This is how the full name of Polis is translated from Greek "Politis Chrysochu". According to one version, this name is associated with the copper that was mined here.

Tells about the glorious history of this area Marion-Arsinoe Museumas well as exhibits Archaeological Museum... Excavations continue on the territory of the ancient city. Another historical attraction of the area is the recently discovered ruins of a medieval Georgian Orthodox monastery. Galia.

Restaurants in Latchi

There are many restaurants and taverns on the shores of the village, but the most recommended restaurant is the traditional tavern. Porto latchi, which is rightfully one of the most popular restaurants in the Polis area of Cyprus, because here you can feel the real taste of Cypriot cuisine and experience the famous Cypriot hospitality!

In the restaurant you will find not only helpful staff, ready to fulfill your every whim, but also excellent cuisine. You should pay special attention to the fish and seafood dishes, the freshness of which this restaurant is famous for. The most important recommendation of the restaurant is the fact that guests who have been here once come back here again and again!

Marina in Latchi

A little short of Latchi Bay on a sailing yacht, you will surely pass by the famous Blue lagoons  - it is simply impossible not to notice them! A rare tourist wanders there - it is very difficult to approach the lagoons from land, but for a yachtsman there is paradise! Again, clear clear water, ideal anchorage in a lagoon well protected by mountains and a unique underwater world that can be explored at shallow depths simply with a mask and a snorkel!

Marina in Latchi

After the Blue Lagoons, round the western cape of Cyprus, you can go to Latchi Bay and the village of Latchi itself. In it - either mooring on a small pier, or parking on a mooring buoy. Latchi is a small village that is part of the city of Polis. It is known throughout Cyprus for its picturesque harbor and seafood. In the past, there was a small carob port. Then the old stone vaults were converted into restaurants and fish taverns.

Latchi is a cozy and clean fishing village, stretching for 3 km along the sandy coast, known for its luxurious daily catch and excellent selection of fish taverns, which are loved by the Cypriots who come here from all over the island. Traveling yachtsmen will find it helpful to know that Latchi has a fishing pier, which has recently been expanded to accommodate more yachts and boats. You can moor in front of the many restaurants and cafes, or spend time walking in the picturesque surroundings. From this pier, you can go to the enchanting Akamas peninsula.

The climate, low, compared to the rest of Europe, prices for essential goods and real estate taxes, a high standard of living and an almost complete absence of crime are some of the main factors thanks to which the acquisition of real estate in Cyprus has gained popularity among our compatriots.

Text: Tatiana Lisetskaya 

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07.01.2013