In May, when the beach season on the island is about to start, coastal cities, towns, and villages are filling up with tourists. In this review, we collected relevant information about the best Cypriot beaches: noisy and isolated, sandy and gravelly, easy to get to and remote, and located throughout the coast from Paphos to Ayia Napa.

May in Cyprus is warm (but not hot), and the sea temperature is perfect for swimming. June and July are the hottest months when the water warms up to 30 °C. In August tourists can enjoy the 12 hours long light day (which, however, does not give a break from the heat). So-called mellow season (September and beginning of October) is a period of nice and mild weather when swimming and sunbathing still feels very good.

In summer it gets really hot, and we highly recommend vacationers to use sun-protections creams and cover the head. If your goal is a beautiful suntan and not a sunburn, the best time to go to the beach is before 12 in the morning and after 16 in the afternoon.

Red flag waving on a beach means swimming in unsafe due to stormy weather conditions. Yellow flag signals that one should pay close attention to the weather and the green allows swimming and notifies conditions are safe. The Blue Flag a lot of Cyprus beaches are marked with is an international sign of high water and service quality.

Paphos

Coral Bay is one the most popular beaches on the western coast. It offers everything one may need: soft golden sand, cozy hidden bays, shallow waters, sunbeds and sunshades (an additional fee applies), showers and a sports equipment rental. Turtles nest not far from the beach, and tourists like watching them in breaks between swimming sessions.

One can get to the Coral Bay beach by bus, and get food in one of the restaurants located within short walking distance from the sea: for example, the Andria restaurant serves fresh local calamaries, and Indian and Chinese cuisine is offered at Spice Hut. The Coral King restaurant holds traditional events and parties, while in the Paragka bar you can listen to modern music. There is also a pizza house and a Mediterranean tavern not far from the beach.

Diving is another advantage of the Coral Bay beach. Here you can dive into a 7 meters deep pool under the supervision of an experienced instructor and have the opportunity to see thousands of fish and other sea creatures that live underwater.

Lara Beach is a more isolated beach located on the Akamas peninsula. Large green sea turtles live here (in August they come to the beach to lay eggs). Scuba diving lessons are also available. There is a picturesque hiking trail next to the beach. Being a wild beach, Lara Beach is not marked with a Blue Flag but is has clean water and really comfortable swimming spots.

It is only possible to drive to the beach, which is not reachable by public transport. Do not forget to bring water, food and everything else you might need.

There are several equipped beaches on the territory of the Kato Paphos, which are conveniently located within walking distance from most historical landmarks in the city. For example, Alykes and Vrysoudia are situated next to the bus stop in a very fancy neighborhood with lots of hotels, restaurants, and cafes. Beaches are marked with the Blue Flag and fully equipped.

The Cydive scuba diving center offers diving and snorkeling lessons for adults and children of 8 years old and older in Kato Paphos and more remote spots where one can get by car or by boat.

Suite 48 restaurant located in Kato Paphos, right on the beach, serves Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and refreshing non-alcoholic beverages.

The Moorings cafe is located on the embankment in Kato Paphos. Here you can order meze, moussaka, and other traditional Greek dishes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails are also on the menu. There is a children’s playground on the territory of the cafe.

Mar Bianco bar is a nice place to visit going to or from the beach. Here you can drink a cocktail or a cup of coffee overlooking tourists promenading along the seashore. Breakfasts are also served here.

Ouzeri is a traditional Greek tavern which serves meals made from fresh local fish and seafood.

Limassol

The Kourion beach is one of the cleanest in the Limassol area. After swimming and sunbathing one can take a trail to the ruins of the ancient city of Kourion, located on the rock right above the beach.

The beach is easily accessible by car (there is a parking lot next to it). Rental service is also available. Surfers and sailing sports fans often choose the beach as a wonderful spot for their training.

There are three restaurants on the territory of the beach: The Chris Blue Beach, known for its carrot cake and seafood dishes, the Sunshine tavern which serves meat and fish meze sets and local wine, and the Kourion Beach (Greek cuisine).

Akti Olympion Beach located in Limassol is 2 kilometers long and 40 meters wide. One can drive, take a bus or even walk to it from the city center. The quality of water on the beach is marked with a Blue Flag. There is a lifeboat station on the beach, and a lot of hotels, cafes, and restaurants are located nearby.

The Baraki Enaerios restaurant offers huge mussel plates, and various Mediterranean dishes (here you can also refresh with a glass of fruit juice). Coffee lovers are welcome at the To Theatraki cafe (cappuccino, espresso and Greek coffee are on the menu).

Benzai sushi bar, Starbuck's, Como Osteria Italian restaurant (kid’s menu is available), Lido cafe, Croissanterie (a confectionery where famous croissants are offered) and La Mer — one of the best fish restaurants in the city — are also located in the walking distance from the beach.

Where to find a scuba diving instructor in Limassol? The Dive In company has courses for adults and a special offer for kids (who are older than 8): it is called Bubble Makers and includes practice in the swimming pool. Experienced divers can explore the sunken Zenobia ship and underwater caves and go to the Aphrodite's Rock (all the trips start from Limassol).

The Governor's Beach is located between Limassol and Larnaca. Beautiful white rocks with small underwater grottos make this place attractive for fishermen, tourists, and snorkellers. There is a hiking trail next to the beach, too. Clean and shallow waters will be appreciated by those who travel with children.

There are taverns, restaurants and a camping area next to the beach.

Larnaca

The McKenzie beach is easily accessible from any place in Larnaca by car or public transportation. Vacationers enjoy watching airplanes taking off and landing at Larnaca International Airport located nearby. Watersport lovers can rent a catamaran and practice windsurfing here (the WindSurfCityCyprus center has an equipment rental and experiences instructors). In the evenings the beach is filled with music and dancing.

Several cafes and restaurants are located on the beach: for example, the Mare cafe, where one can try Greek seafood dishes, or Zakos (known for both fish and meat meals), or the Ammos bar — one of the Larnaca night life centers, where concerts and theme parties are held.

Meze sets are served at the Adonis family restaurant (which also features an impressive collection of photographs made by its customers). If you like Japanese cuisine, visit Lush Beach Bar Resto or the Rebuke Lounge.

The CTO (or Pyla) beach is located almost in the city center and is popular among families with kids. There is a children’s playground, volleyball and handball courts, and the Watersports center on the beach. Here you can not only swim and sunbathe but also try windsurfing, parasailing, water skiing, canoeing and other water sports.

There are many traditional restaurants next to the beach. The Golden Tulip hotel hosts 4 restaurants that focus on Greek and international cuisine (one of them, the Ouzeri tavern, is open only during the summer season) and three bars with lots of drinks and sports translations.

The Phinikoudes is the most well-known beach in Larnaca which is spread along the promenade full of cafes, restaurants, and shops. Visitors can take a boat trip from a small pier, and even go jogging alongshore.

The Phinikoudes promenade offers lots of wonderful opportunities for hungry holidaymakers. The Maqam Al Sultan restaurant serves Lebanese cuisine, while the Sushi La cafe is known for its sushi sets. Fish appetizers, salads, soups, and meals are served at the Ocean Basket fish restaurant. The Savino rock bar (which can surprise its visitors with the broad selection of beer) holds live music concerts, while at The Meeting Pub visitors can play billiard or watch a soccer game. The Brewery bar is welcoming even in the mornings: it offers not only beer and filling lunch meals but also breakfasts with freshly brewed coffee. TGI Friday's, Mc Donalds, Pizza Hut and other fast food restaurants are also located within the walking distance from the beach.

Ayia-Napa and Protaras

The Konnos Bay beach is located at the foot of Cape Greco. The serpentinous road down does not take a lot of time, but the way up can be tiring, especially in the middle of summer. This small and clean beach is hidden in the bay, which keeps waves away from it. If you happen to have diving or snorkelling equipment with you, it is a great spot to explore the underwater life of fringing reefs.

The Cape Greco coastline is famous because of beautiful transparent water, and the Konnos Bay beach is not an exception.

Be sure to take a walk in the Cape Greco national park and hike to the Aphrodite’s Temple.

The Nissi beach located in Ayia-Napa is popular among young people. Its certain advantages are length, soft white sand, and emerald green water, but be prepared to spend some time looking for a place for your sunbed, especially in a high season.

There is a watersports rental at the beach. Instructors of the Lucky Divers center are willing to share their knowledge of scuba diving techniques.

If you are looking for a place to eat not far from the beach, you can try one of the restaurants and bars located on the territory of the Nissi Beach Resort hotel. For example, the Symposion restaurant focuses on the international cuisine, the Kalimera restaurant serves breakfasts that can fit every taste, and the Pool restaurant specializes in traditional Cypriot cuisine. Cocktails and short drinks are offered at the Amethystos bar.

The Fig Tree Bay beach is located in Protaras. The beach was named after a fig tree that had grown nearby. Those who rent a sunbed at the beach automatically get unlimited Wi-Fi access. There is a small (and easily reachable by swimming) island next to the beach and a cozy promenade with benches and lanterns.

Watersports equipment rental can be found at the far end of the beach. Two scuba diving centers — the Dragon Divers and the Poisedon offer their services for professionals and beginners.