The 16 best hikes in Cyprus – for your Cyprus hiking Bucket List!

Last updated on May 19th, 2026 at 12:49 am

You want to know the best hikes in Cyprus? The ones not to miss? Great!

Okay, so Cyprus is no Canada / New Zealand / Switzerland when it comes to hiking, but it still has plenty to offer the hiker in you. A myriad of trails criss-cross the country giving you masses of options, some pretty fine views, amazing crystal clear sea to cool off in, heavenly wildflowers, as well as incredible history along the way!

After three months stomping up and down hills in Cyprus I have done the research for you – many hikes are not on this list because they just didn’t make the grade. And the best part? Well, these are all easy hikes for anyone – you don’t need to be a mountain climber or anything like that!!

Some of these are simply short walks, others are half day walks. Some are beachside and others mountainside. I have tried to make a list that covers different aspects of the island as well as good scenery on the way. I have listed them in rough geographical order not a rating order!

Please note I am also not covering hiking in Northern Cyprus here – but I have covered the best hikes in my Northern Cyprus guide!

First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!

Plan for your trip

Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!

Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!

Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.

Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.

Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains

Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site

Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!

Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith.

Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!

These are what I think are the best hikes in the country. I have grouped them into general areas and I give you places to stay in each area near the end of the post to make it easier to plan your trip.

Okay – lets go hiking! Starting in the east…..

1. Ayia Napa to the Green Line via Cape Greco & Cape Greco loops

This is a longer hike along the coast with plenty to offer on the way so you should allow extra time. But you can break it up into separate walks and below are the two sections I recommend, plus a loop option. They effectively stop your walk before Protaras. If you want to continue to the Green Line – add another 3-4 hours from Konnos Beach (making it 7-8 hours one way)

Note that it is very easy to use the local bus 101 and 102 (depending which way you are going) to jump on or off this path at almost any point)

Ayia Napa to the Sea Caves

Where: Ayia Napa Marina or anywhere along the coast toward the Sculpture Park. Just follow the coast trail. This AllTrails map shows most of the hike and the sea caves are just past it.

How long? 1 hour one way to the sea caves. You can then keep going to Konnos Beach or Turtle Bay, walk back, or take the bus from the road above the sea caves.

Sea caves to Konnos Beach / Turtle Bay

Where: Start at the Sea caves or at Turtle Bay, follow the trail and take the bus back, or return the way you came.

How long? 2-3 hours one way

Or do a shorter loop in the Cape area

There are a lot of options but this is a good loop from above Konnos Bay and this is a stunning short loop taking in the view from the hill and Peace memorial.

Where: Konnos Bay or anywhere on the loop for the longer one, Cape Greco for the shorter one.

How long? 2.5 hours / 30 mins

2. Ayia Napa Marina to Musan Underwater Sculpture Museum

Its in the list for the best hikes in Cyprus because it takes in some of the best beaches in the country, and some history as well!

Start at the 4th century Ayia Thekla tomb and Chapel underneath the Ayia Thekla Chapel – just beyond the Ayia Napa Marina (get the 102 bus from Ayia Napa). Make your way past the marina along the coast to the Makronissos tombs and then keep going along the coast.

You will pass (and probably swim at) Landa beach and the famous Nissi beach before getting to Musan beach – where you will probably want to go for a snorkel in the Underwater Sculpture Park.

That’s what I call a great mix of history and swim spots en route!

Where: Ayia Thekla Chapel near the Ayia Napa Marina

How long? 1.5-2 hours one way

3. Agii Saranta Cave Church – Agios Ioannis Chapel Circuit

This is a 10km (6 mile) return walk (although you can shorten it by starting at the top of Protaras. Walk through Protaras and stop to see the Agios Ioannis Chapel as you get going. You then walk through farmland and into the Agioi Saranta Forest until you reach the pretty little Agii Saranta Cave Church. You will see a lot of different plants on the way and some are signed with their names which is interesting too. Views over the countryside back to the sea all the way. I was pleasantly surprised by this walk!

Where: Protaras – check the AllTrails map for your start point.

How long? 2-3 hours depending where you start and how often you stop!

4. Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekkesi mosque

In the summer it is a salt flat – white and stunning, when it rains it becomes a lake. In the winter there are hundreds of flamingos on the lake. Either way its beautiful. this is a 9-10km walk if you go right around but you can do any part of it – or even walk from the city. I recommend starting part way round off the road to the airport. As you walk you will see the Hala Sultan Tekkesi mosque which makes great reflections on the lake! You can visit it one the way if that interests you.

Unfortunately the lake is near the airport and its traffic, and the city encroaches around some of it – but its still a good walk! Although AllTrails hasn’t marked the route yet, you can see the track on the app anyway.

Note: This is also a good cycling route

Where: Larnaca Salt Lake – take the airport bus 425 from the city and get off at the stop before the airport. Jump over to the lake and start walking around the edge.

How long? 2-3 hours depending how far you go and how often you stop!

5. Kourteli trail – a flamingo walk and the shortest of the best hikes in Cyprus

Okay this is hardly a hike – its the shortest of these best hikes in Cyprus. But its here for two reasons. First, in the season (approximately Nov to Feb), the thousands of flamingos! Second for the Akrotiri salt lake and marshland environment itself which is beautiful and has rare orchids and coastal rush and sea flax. Sadly the flamingos left unusually early this year so I missed the grand display and saw only a couple of hundred stragglers and many other wetland birds – and that was still great!

As a bonus, this little hike is right opposite the Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the cats! And if that’s not enough its very close to the Kolossi Castle, and all the Kourion archeological sites – which are some of the best, if not the best, in the country! Read more in my xxx things to do in Cyprus)

Where: Limassol Salt Lake – just opposite the Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the cats

How long? 20 mins but you might want to wander and look at the plants and birds etc!

6, 7 and 8. The Artemis, Atalante & Olympus Trails – three of the best hikes in Cyprus

These three are arguably the best mountain view hikes in Cyprus. I’ve put them together because they really give you the same thing. Artemis is a circular loop around Mt Olympus. Atalante is also a circular trail around the mountain, but a bit lower down, and the Olympus trail is a loop on one side of the mountain, taking you to as close as you can get to the top.

I highly recommend the Artemis trail of the three. (Of course if you have time, then do them all. But if you don’t….) Firstly, because its higher than Atalante so you get better views. Secondly because its a loop and you get the views all the way around – unlike the Olympus trail.

Note that you cannot go to the actual peak of Olympus as its a NATO / military base!! Sad but true!

Where: Mt Olympus

How long? 2 hours / 3-3.5 hours / 3 hours respectively

9. Kakopetria nature trail

I’ve added this one for the best old town hiking in Cyprus.

Its a pretty little trail up the river which goes through the town, but the main reason to do it is to get to see the old town and how it is built around the river. With its cobbled narrow lanes and houses nearly touching each other above, its gorgeous!

Note – as the reviews say, don’t bother going to the top loop – the bottom loop starting in the town is all you need!

Where: Kakopetra town

How long? 30 mins or more – depending on how much you want to explore the old town

10. Kalidonia Falls and the Pouziaris track loop

For a riverside and waterfall walk as well as great scenery from the hill tops you cant go wrong with this very varied loop. You can just walk to the Kalidonia Falls, but I recommend combining the two trails and doing both as a loop if you have time.

If you don’t have time to do the full loop, then at least walk out from the waterfall track via the Escape Route (its the escape path if there is a sudden rise in the water levels) because you get some pretty nice views from it too.
The nearby Millomeris waterfall (bonus walk) is in my mind a prettier waterfall. The Kalidonia falls were unimpressive, but the rest of the walk is lovely – especially once you go above the waterfall! The falls might be good if there has been a lot of rain!

Where: Pano Platres

How long? 3 hours

11. Genesis Aphrodite trail – the most unknown of the best hikes in Cyprus

A real favorite for me because it is the the best wildflower hike in Cyprus! Aside from that, there are wonderful coastal views. So especially if you are here in spring (well in winter too as these shots were taken in January) then don’t miss it!

Note: The nearby Cape Aspro trail is popular but not nearly as stunning in my opinion – plus no good if you don’t like walking on a narrow path on the side of a cliff!

Where: near Pissouri – between Limassol and Paphos.

How long? 1.5-2 hours (you need time for photos and taking in the scenery!)

12. Aphrodites Shore beach walk

This is a beautiful coastline hike taking you to what is said to be Aphrodite’s birth place – Aphrodite’s Rock. The coastline is mostly untrammeled and so its really pleasant walking.

Note that AllTrails doesn’t show the walk all the way to the rock but you can easily keep going along the coast to get there. I recommend starting about halfway along the path and walking to the rock rather than following the exact AllTrails route.

Where: on the coast about halfway between Limassol and Paphos

How long? varies depending on what you do but allow 2 hours

13. Edro III Shipwreck to the Peyia sea caves and the Cap St Georges Resort

There are so many coastal paths and people will often tell you that from Coral Bay to the shipwreck is the best. But I have walked all that route and by far the most dramatic and scenic is this part of the coastal trail starting at the shipwreck. Stunning white rock cliffs, the shipwreck, plus some bigger sea caves. What’s not to like? You can make it shorter or longer by extending it in either direction.

Where: West of Paphos / Coral Bay

How long? 1.5 – 2 hours return

14. Avakas Gorge – a popular one, but still one of the best hikes in Cyprus

This is the best gorge hike in Cyprus! It makes a nice change from the other hikes and in the gorge itself it is quite pretty. You can take a short route in and out of the gorge, or take a longer loop walk.

I was there in winter and there was virtually nobody there so under those circumstances I recommend the short route so you can see the gorge from both angles – its always different walking in the opposite direction! But if you want to do a loop and longer walk – go for it.

Where: Near Peyia, Paphos

How long? approx 2 hours return

15. Adonis and Aphrodites loop – best views of the best hikes in Cyprus!

This loop hike is a favorite for me for a reason – it gives you probably the most sudden and dramatic view on a hike in Cyprus (especially if you hike anticlockwise which I recommend)! And it has wildflowers. You can even combine it with an extra walk to see the Blue Lagoon up close (but yo cant get down to swim)

On the way see Aphrodites bath where the Goddess of Love and Beauty is said to have taken her baths. The ruins of Pyrgos tis Rigainas (Queen’s Tower), is also on the loop and thought to have been part of a Medieval monastery. There is a beautiful 500­ year­ old oak tree near the ruins. The views from the top point of the walk are fab!

Where: Akama National Forest

How long? 2.5-3 hours

16. Smigies Nature Trail – with great views too!

Another hike with great views in the Akama Forest close to 14, but this time the views are to the other coast!

You can take the short or long route here. If you have plenty of time then you might as well take the long hike which takes in some old magnesite mines. But if you are short on time, the stunning views are on the short version and in my mind that is by far the best part of the walk.

Where: Akama National Forest

How long? 1.5-2 hours

Frequently asked questions about Cyprus and hiking in Cyprus:

Q: When Is the Best Time for Hiking in Cyprus?
A: October to April. There can be rain and snow in the mountains, particularly in Jan and Feb, to watch out for, but pick your day and its a great time to hike. Summer can be scorching hot so only hike early in the morning and with plenty of water, sunnies and a hat!

Q: Is Cyprus and hiking safe for tourists?
A: Yes, it is generally very safe for tourists. Tourist crime rates are low, violent crime is uncommon. I felt no danger from other people when hiking in Cyprus – watch out for dehydration though! Also make sure you have AllTrails maps downloaded and your phone charged so you dont get lost.

Q: Can I hike in Northern Cyprus and can I travel to it from Southern / Greek Cyprus?
A: Northern Cyprus is not officially a country – it is only recognised by Turkey. You can cross the border into Northern Cyprus and back again, but do not try and enter one side and leave from the other – it becomes very messy. There are some stunning castles to visit, which can involve a hike as well as some hiking trails. See my post 15 irresistible reasons to go to Northern Cyprus.

Q: Are Hiking Trails in Cyprus Well Marked?
A: Its a mix – sometimes is the answer. I always had my AllTrails map downloaded with me!

Q: Can You Hike Cyprus Without Renting a Car?
A: Not easily. Some places you can get to on public transport – Cape Greco and any urban trails. But for the Troodos Mountains and Akamas areas it becomes difficult, as well as coastal walks away from the main towns.

Travel Tips for Cyprus:

• Placenames and signage is often written in Greek, English and Turkish – Nicosia is Lefkosa. There are sometimes various spellings of the same placename just to add to the confusion!
• Many nationalities do not need a visa to enter Cyprus e.g. NZ, Australia, UK, Canada, USA, Singapore, Malaysia – you get a visa on arrival at the border. You can check for your nationality here. Cyprus is part of the EU but not part of the Schengen Area as of 2026. They do follow the Schengen 90 days in 180 tourist visa rule though.
• Wherever you stay in Cyprus it is great to rent a car for a few days to explore more of the country. You can easily take buses between the main cities, but to get into the mountains and to some of the lovely beaches, a car is the way to go. Note: taking a car to Northern Cyprus is a little more difficult – you need a special insurance and most rental agencies will not help you if you break down or need assistance across the border. If you want to do this, check with your rental agency first.
• Watch what you say! The people are great all over the country. But passions can get high re the war and the division of the land. In the south do not refer to the north as “Turkish” Cyprus. As far as most there are concerned, it is “illegally occupied Cyprus.” Just stick to saying Northern Cyprus.

Where to stay when you are walking

As the walks are across the country there are quite a few options for where to stay, and of course you can hire a car and drive from your base.
Book a hotel with booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. These recommendations are a good place to start based on high review ratings and where I stayed!

Ayia Napa and Protaras

For hikes 1,2,3 Ayia Napa and Protaras are really convenient – not to mention the beaches around here!

Higher End – NissiBlu Beach Resort or Amanti, MadeForTwo Hotels in Ayia Napa
or Sunrise Pearl Hotel & Spa or At Herbal Boutique Hotel & Spa in Protaras

Mid Range – Nissi Park Hotel or Mon Repos Hotel in Ayia Napa
or Crystal Springs Beach Hotel or Cavo Zoe Seaside Hotel in Protaras

Good Value – Joy Hotel Apts or Bellagio Napa Suites in Ayia Napa
or Flouressia Gardens or Maricosta Apartments in Protaras

Budget – House of Nissus

Troodos Mountains

For hikes 5-9 it is great to stay up in the mountains and get to do a few hikes as well as see some of the villages and monasteries in the hills!

I can highly recommend staying in the old town of Kakopetria small and quaint but plenty of options for eating and the nature walk in the town! However there are other nice places too.

High End – try Casa Oliva in Tris Elies or the Thymises Boutique Hotel in Kakopetria

Mid Range – Evmelia Kakopetria Suites in Kakopetria or Semiramis Boutique Hotel & Spa in Kato Platres.

Good value – I stayed at the Maritsa Lodge in the Kakopetria old town – which was perfect! Nearby are the Enipnion Apartments – also rated highly and good value.

Great value for a group or family – try the River House in Trimiklini, Tina’s Country Home in Askas, or, Anastou’s Traditional House in Kalopanayiotis

Limassol

Great for walks 4, 10 and 11, and you can also do daytrips to the mountains for the hikes 5-9. (Note: Prices and luxury levels are higher here than the previous two areas.)

High end – the Four Season hotel, or the Amara

Mid – high range – the Royal Apollonia by Louis Hotels, or, the ONLY Boutique Suites & Residences

Good value – mid range – best value are probably private hosts a bit out of town (but in a great spot) like this Peaceful Beach Location

Budget – Lemongrass or Lima Sol House

Paphos, or Poli or somewhere in-between

These locations are great for walks 12-15, plus of course some nice beaches! If you are mainly looking for beach you will want to be outside Paphos city a little – probably close to Coral Bay and the nearby beaches.

High end – definitely look at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort, and in Polis – especially if you like golf and have a car, try the Tavros Hotel Apartments

Mid range – try the Aphrodite Beach Hotel in Polis, or, the Cali Resort & Spa (adults only) near Paphos

Good Value – the Anna Hotel Apartments (good for small families) or the Regency Boutique Hotel Holiday Suites in Paphos

Budget – I stayed in-between at the Arodes AsteriA Volunteer & Youth ECO-hostel which was a good one!

Exceptional value for families or groups – try Kiriaki House

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