Beaches of Cyprus

Cyprus Beaches

Cyprus is renowned for its fine beaches. They are the #1 reason why tourists visit the island, and so are vital to the tourist economy of Cyprus. As of 2005, forty-eight beaches on the island fly the EU Blue Flag - a demonstration of just how special the beaches on Cyprus really are.

Paphos District
There are 11 blue flag beaches in the district of Paphos. These are Alykes, Polis Camping Site, Coral Bay, Faros, Geroskipou, Laourou, Municipal Baths, Municipal Beach, Pachyammos, Vrysoudia A and Vrysoudia B. All beaches offer clean and beautiful sands on which to play and sunbathe. Coral Bay in the Peyia municipality is a great beach for kids as the sands slope into the sea at a very shallow angle.

Limassol District
The Limassol district to the east of Paphos also has 11 blue flag beaches. These are Akti Olympion, Aoratoi, Aphrodite, Armonia, Castella, Kalymnos, Loures, Onisilos, Pissouri, Santa Barbara and Vouppa. The beaches of Santa Barbara and Loures are the most popular of the 11 beaches. Aphrodite beach is well worth a visit too, if only to view Aphrodite's Rock - a place from where legend tells that the Goddess of Love herself rose out of the sea.

Larnaca District
Larnaca district has only 4 blue flag beaches. These are Castella, McKenzie, Phinikoudes and Yanathes. Phinikoudes beach is the main beach that fronts the promenade. It is a long beach and is often quite busy being so close to the town. McKenzie beach on the outskirts of Larnaca town is a much quieter beach and can be reached by public transport or hire car.

Ayia Napa District
The district of Ayia Napa contains the remaining blue flag beaches. These are Ammos tou kampouri, Ayia Thekla, Gliki Nero, Katsarga, Kermia, Konnos Bay, Landa, Louko tou Mandi, Louma, Macronissos, Nissi, Nissi Bay, Nissia Loumbardi, Pantahou, Pernera P, Pernera A, Potami, Protaras, Vathia Gonia, Vrisi A, Vrisi B and Vrisi C. Nissi Beach and Macronissos Beach are both popular with the partying crowds of Ayia Napa. At the opposite end of the spectrum Konnos Bay offers peace and tranquillity in abundance.

Tourist Info

You can get to Cyprus by either plane or boat. There are frequent scheduled and charter flights out of England and other European countries to Cyprus. Due to the fact that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is not recognized as a valid state, it is necessary to make a stopover in Turkey when flying to your holiday destination airport of Ercan. How to visit Cyprus is explained in more detail.

Cyprus has a typical Mediterranean climate, warm and dry with little rainfall, which makes Cyprus very popular as tourist destination.

The official languages are Greek and Turkish although English is widely spoken and understood on both sides.

There are many things to know before visiting Cyprus, such as visa requirements.

Cyprus offers a wide range of accommodation in all areas of the island. There is accommodation to suit all budgets ranging from luxury hotels to camping. There are hotels, holiday villages and villas and apartments to rent.

When visiting Cyprus car hire is recommended, especially if you want to explore a lot of Cyprus. There are many rent - a car companies. All offer a range of vehicles to rent at competitive prices.

Cyprus has lots to offer for interest tourism. There are various recreation and sports activities available such as diving, carting and golfing. There are many casinos, and for those of you who prefer the out doors there's bird watching, turtle watching and hiking.

Cyprus Visa Requirements

After political changes in Europe for the past couple of years now, and accession of the Republic of Cyprus (South Cyprus) into the European Union dating 1 May 2004, regulations for entry to the Cyprus Island are becoming less strict. However, for some countries limited options still exist. Turkey residents can visit North Cyprus, but South Cyprus is for them literally inaccessible (unless they marry a Turkish Cypriot).

Visa Requirements for North Cyprus

The citizens of European Union nations, Turkey, USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, Israel, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Australia and New Zealand do not require visa to enter the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. All other nationals should check their position with regard to passports and visa with the nearest Embassy or Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus . Foreign country visitors have their passports stamped at the arrival checkpoints of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which are only legal ports - Ercan airport (or military airports for military purposes), Famagusta and Kyrenia seaport and when entering North Cyprus via South Cyprus your passport is stamped at border checkpoints. If you travel from North Cyprus to South Cyprus , visa form needs to be completed and stamped at the border checkpoints. This paper visa form is loosely inserted into the passport and stamped either you depart or arrive in North Cyprus.

North Cyprus Residency and Work Permit

After arriving in the TRNC (the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus ) you can stay for up to 3 months which is provided by your tourist visa. If you consider prolonging your stay, you need to apply for a residency permit at local Immigration Office which allows you to reside in Northern Cyprus . Your work permit should be issued prior to arrival in North Cyprus.

For further information about North Cyprus and regarding visa requirements, please contact the nearest North Cyprus Embassy or Representative Office abroad.

Visa Requirements for South Cyprus

The legal ports of entry into the Republic of Cyprus are the airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the seaports of Larnaca, Limassol, Latsi and Paphos. If you travel to South Cyprus via North Cyprus then you have to cross the border checkpoints and have your visa paper form stamped upon departure from Northern Cyprus . Turkish mainland citizens are not allowed to enter South Cyprus . For those intending to be employed in the Republic of Cyprus the issue of an employment permit by the Migration officer and all the necessary documents are required prior to departure for South Cyprus . Visa requirements for entry to the Republic of Cyprus vary, but as of latest they remain as follows.

Sanya, China

Called the Hawaii of Asia, Sanya is a popular tourist destination located in the southern tip of the Chinese tropical island of Hainan. Located in Sanya, the Yalong Bay and the neighbouring Sanya Bay and Da Dong Hai Resort are regarded as the best beach in China. Enjoying the same latitude and similar weather conditions as Hawaii, the Sanya Beach in recent years has been the main attraction.
The water is clear, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds in it. Playing in the water with the tropical fish swimming around, swimmers can fully relax themselves. In order to protect the marine resource and environment, commercial fishing is forbidden here. With a long coastline and a tropical temperature throughout the year, this is a perfect resort to relax - and enjoy the sun, sea, sand, coconut trees, diving etc.

Sanya City is located at the southernmost tip of Hainan Island and to the east of Vietnam. Sanya City is the second largest city on Hainan Island covering an area of 1.919 sq. m with a population of 481,200 and having 19 bays and over 40 islets lying along a 209 kilometers coast line.
Hainan is often called the “the Hawaii of the East". In the distant past, the Chinese considered Hainan to be the place where the civilized world officially ended and a place fit only for convicts. Today Hainan is visited by many foreign and Chinese tourists. It is China's idyllic island paradise!

Sanya has many airlines & Sea routes based at the Phoenix Airport and Sanya Port respectively. It is only one hour flight from Hong Kong and Guangzhou, 2.5 hours flight from Shanghai, 3.5 hours flights from Beijing and 5 hours flight from Japan and Korea. Most tourists who come to Hainan China skip the commercialized capital of Haikou and make a beeline straight for Sanya China, the seaside city where all the good things about Hainan come together. Sanya is well known for its wonderful sunshine, white sandy beaches, fresh air and clear water all year round. It is the largest diving destination in the world as well as the most important destination for golf and meetings in China.
Sanya boasts the best air quality in China and ranks second in the world, next to Hawaii. Sanya Hainan has endless summer with an average temperature of 26°C. It is considered to be the most suitable city for people to live in.
As South China Sea laps the island's sandy shores, in Sanya Hainan, travelers will find three distinct bays: Yalong Bay, Dadonghai Bay and Sanya Bay. Yalong Bay offers the world-class hotels and resorts; Dadonghai beach area is brimming with local life. Sanya Bay is a relatively undiscovered tropical destination.
Through it's enticing to spend all your Sanya time sunbathing on the beach, the vicinity offers several interesting places. Sanya is noted for its mountains and hot spring and multi-ethnic culture. Sanya has blue sky, nice beachs, azure sea, and beautiful scenery to offer in the world.
Yalong Bay Sea Shell Museum, covering an area of over 3,000 square metres,
is located at Central Square of Yalong Bay National Resort. It is the first comprehensive sea shell museum in China, merging the shellfish and shell product display into an integral whole.

Yalong Bay Central Square is located at the center of the Yalong Bay National Resort. It covers an area of 7,100 square metres. The intensively landscaped Yalong Bay Central Square is the focal point of the resort along with reception area, restaurants, shopping arcade and public beach facilities.

Butterfly Park is located behind the Longtan Lakes of Yalong Bay, covers a total area of 1.5 hectares. It is a natural garden style tourist and scenic spot merging the popular science, butterfies admiring and shopping amenities. The large-scale exhibition hall occupying a floor space of over 3000 sq.m. with more than 500 kinds of specimens of butterflies on show, displays to visitors the wonderful insect world.