Cyprus Sights

Cyprus has some fantastic coastal scenery ranging from rocky inlets to long sweeps of sand and secluded coves. Coral Bay is home to a wonderful sandy beach, and the rocky coastline of Paphos offers plenty in the way of beach activities. Polis Beach is a great spot to sunbathe. The east coast of the island offers some of the best beaches. Choose from the swathes of sand at Larnaca, to the golden sands of Fig Tree Bay. Beach lovers will particularly love the idyllic coves, stunning bays and sun-drenched shores of Protaras. Whether you simply want to sit back and relax or enjoy something a little more invigorating, there is something for all ages all along the Cypriot coastline. Ranging from water-skiing to diving and jet-skiing to paragliding there's no shortage of leisure pursuits.

If you fancy a change of scenery and have energy to spare, the Troodos mountains in the centre of Cyprus are great for walking and an invigorating day out. Although they reach nearly 2,000 metres in height at the dramatic Mount Olympus, the lower hills, studded with terraced vineyards and charming villages, are ideal for more leisurely exploration. Higher up, the cool, pine-forested slopes are more suitable for hiking and walkers can follow four woodland trails promoted by the Tourist Office - Artemis, Atalante, Kaledonia and Persephone. It's not just the stunning scenery that brings people here: the Troodos range plays host to numerous of Cyprus' monasteries and ornate churches, including the much-visited Kykkos Monastery.

The Roman ruins at Kourion near Limassol are regarded as the island's most spectacular archeological site. Dating back to the 2nd century, they enjoy a sensational location overlooking the sea and include a vast, restored Roman amphitheatre where gladiatorial and man-against-animal battles were once staged. You can also see the remains of beautiful mosaic-decorated Roman villas and courtyards, as well as a bathhouse, basilica and the aqueduct, which brought water into the settlement. There's a nearby museum at the village of Episkopi where, in the summer, plays and concerts are held at the amphitheatre. Remember, the excavations at Kourion are ongoing, so some parts of the site are closed from time to time.

The island's most celebrated landmark, Aphrodite's Rock, is well worth a visit. Soak up its scenic beauty and discover the mysterious legend that surrounds it. Known by the Cypriots as Petra Tou Romiou, this huge chunk of rock lies just off an idyllic pebble beach on the island's south coast. It is said to have been the place where Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, was born, once emerging from the foaming waters. It's a beautiful sight that has inspired poets and painters through the ages - in fact, the setting and the story were immortalised in Botticelli's legendary masterpiece, The Birth of Aphrodite, which depicts the goddess rising from the waters in a huge seashell.