Cyprus

Walking holidays in Cyprus

As a strategically placed Mediterranean gem, control of Cyprus has ping ponged between competing kingdoms for centuries – and it’s still contested today. Consequently, this island has a history that’s as dark as it is fascinating and holds the dubious distinction of having the world’s only divided capital city, Nicosia.

While Cypriot politics may be complex, the island’s good looks are plain to see; think sun-kissed countryside, classy coastal resorts, and grand Venetian architecture all backed by a UNESCO-listed mountain range.

Legendary walks

Cyprus is steeped in Greek mythology – and walking the Akamas Peninsula is the stuff of legend. With the UNESCO-listed peaks of the Troödos Mountains as a backdrop, walks here take you through epic landscapes worthy of a Homeric poem. Tree-covered cliffs give way to wide, sandy beaches where both green and loggerhead turtles return year after year to lay their eggs during the summer months. And when it’s time to take a break, there’s nothing like a mid-walk dip in the Med to soothe muscles and get you moving again.

A study in ancient history

From adventures in the great outdoors to urban exploration littered with the hallmarks of history’s greatest civilisations, the birthplace of Aphrodite really does have it all. Our Cyprus walking holidays put you in the heart of Paphos – the harbourside resort on the south-west coast that’s adored for its sparkling selection of beaches and ancient ruins.

Visit the UNESCO-listed Tomb of the Kings to see Egyptian catacombs carved out of solid rock or tour the House of Dionysus for showstopping Greco-Roman mosaics. And in nearby Kourion there are remarkably well-preserved Roman baths and Doric columns to explore, all framed by a huge ancient amphitheatre overlooking the sea.