Explore Cyprus with Our Interactive Map

Featured Articles

Explore our top stories and discover ideas worth your time.

View all articles
Cape Greco Viewpoints, Cyprus

Cape Greco Viewpoints, Cyprus

Cape Greco, also known as Cavo Greco, features several distinct viewpoints scattered along its southeastern coastline between Ayia Napa and Protaras. The main viewing platform sits at the highest point of the 385-hectare national forest park, providing 360-degree panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding coastline. Additional viewpoints appear along the clifftops at various locations, each offering unique perspectives of limestone formations, sea caves, and the famous Blue Lagoon below. These elevated positions range from easily accessible roadside pullouts to platforms requiring short walks along nature trails. The viewpoints attract photographers, nature enthusiasts, and visitors who want to experience Cyprus's dramatic coastal geology without the crowds found at the resort beaches just minutes away. Geological Origins and Historical Development Cape Greco's geological history dates back millions of years. The limestone cliffs and formations seen today were created through a combination of tectonic activity and the erosive forces of the sea and wind. The limestone rock belongs to the Nicosia Formation, deposited during the Pliocene period approximately 5 to 3 million years ago, when this area was part of a shallow tropical sea. As the African and European tectonic plates collided, the seafloor gradually rose to form the island of Cyprus. Wave action and weathering have carved the coastline into its current dramatic form. Thirty foot high limestone cliffs have caves…

Read more
Northern Coast Beaches of Cyprus

Northern Coast Beaches of Cyprus

The northern coastline of Cyprus stretches from Morphou Bay in the west to the Karpasia Peninsula in the east, offering over 100 beaches of varied character. Unlike the southern coast dominated by golden sands, the northern shores feature more pebble beaches interspersed with sandy coves and dramatic cliffs. The Kyrenia mountain range, also called the Pentadaktylos or Five Finger Mountains, rises directly behind the coast, creating spectacular backdrops where pine covered peaks descend to turquoise waters.  The northern beaches remain less developed than their southern counterparts, with many small coves hidden behind rock formations requiring exploration to find. This area falls within Turkish controlled Cyprus, accessible through checkpoints from the Republic of Cyprus. The coastline varies dramatically from long stretches of sand at Famagusta Bay and the Karpasia Peninsula to rocky shorelines west of Kyrenia. Alagadi Turtle Beach protects endangered species Alagadi Beach, located approximately 16 kilometers east of Kyrenia near the village of Ayios Amvrosios, ranks among the most important nesting sites in the Mediterranean for loggerhead and green turtles. The beach extends just over 600 meters along the coast with soft golden sand perfect for turtle nesting. From June through September, female turtles come ashore to lay eggs in the dunes, with each nest containing 80 to 120 eggs.  The Alagadi Turtle Beach Project operates a conservation initiative…

Read more
Ancient Terraces and Orchards in Cyprus Mountains

Ancient Terraces and Orchards in Cyprus Mountains

The mountains of Cyprus hold secrets carved into their slopes. For thousands of years, people built stone terraces across steep hillsides, creating agricultural systems that still influence the landscape today. These terraces supported orchards and crops in places where farming seemed impossible, showing the remarkable skill of ancient communities in managing their environment. Recent archaeological work reveals that terrace farming on Cyprus dates back at least 3,000 years. The Bronze Age settlement of Politiko-Troullia, occupied between 2050 and 1850 BCE, provides clear evidence of this practice. Located in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, this village sat at the interface between the fertile Mesaoria Plain and the copper-rich mountains, making it an ideal location for both agriculture and metal production. Historical Background The terraces at Politiko-Troullia were not simple structures. Archaeological surveys identified 168 ancient terrace walls in the study area, constructed with local stone and designed to serve multiple purposes. Longer terrace walls created level plots for agriculture, while shorter walls focused on erosion control and supporting fruit trees. These ancient farmers understood their environment well. They built terraces on slopes with specific geological features, particularly near pillow lavas and limestone deposits where sediment availability and water drainage were optimal. Surface geology played a crucial role in determining where to construct terraces, as the walls needed both stable foundations…

Read more