The pretty fishing harbour of Ayios Georgios on the edge of the Akamas nature reserve
Apart from the beaches there is off course plenty to see and experience either a short drive away or further afield. Just a short drive down the coast is the fishing harbour of Ayios Georgios, which sits in a breakwater in front of a small island, and was formerly the important settlement of 'Drepanum' in Roman times. It is now primarily known locally for its three or four good fish restaurants: the best of these is probably the 'West End', situated somewhat unappealingly on the roadside, but worth a visit despite its location – particularly on a Sunday lunchtime when it is at its busiest. Even if you just come for a quick visit, its worth stopping for a drink just before sundown at the restaurant on the cliff overlooking the harbour – the sunset here must be one of the best in Cyprus. Below the restaurant are some natural rock caves which you can clamber through if sufficiently agile and energetic and, to the north, you can see the start of the totally unspoilt nature reserve of the Akamas peninsula.
You will find a lot of information about the turtle beach at Lara in the Akamas. It is well worth the visit either as part of a 'Safari' or in your own 4 wheel drive. There is however a very good and usually very quiet beach called 'Toxieafera' only about 10 minutes drive from Ayios Georgios which can be reached (bumpily) in a normal car. It too is a turtle hatching beach so you shouldn't visit it in season (usually June), but at other times it's a very good secluded beach.
The rugged landscape views from above Peyia
Heading north and up from Coral Bay you soon come to the village of Peyia. It has an attractive square and there are some decent restaurants but not much else to detain you here. What really excites is driving further on up out of Peyia where the road rises steeply and the views down the valley towards Coral Bay are simply stunning. As you continue the road cuts inland through impressive vine-covered cliffs and then further on to extensive vineyards around the village of Kathikas and the Akamas ridge.
The vineyards of the Akamas ridge make some of the best wine in Cyprus – try it in Kathikas village just 15-20 minutes' drive from the villas
Kathikas is a short detour from the main road and, though just a small village, has two wonderful restaurants 'Arouzos' and 'Imogens Inn'. (It's well worth trying the local wine in these restaurants so remember to draw straws first to determine who does the driving!) Arouzos is probably one of the most untouristic you will find in the area and you won't find a menu or waiter(ess) speaking the standard of English you will come to expect. However, don't let this put you off - the welcome is equally, if not more, warm. Just sit down, let them bring you wine and food of the day and enjoy! Whatever it is, meal plus wine is unlikely to set you back more than £8 per head.
Continuing along the main road with its mountainous scenery you pass what are known as the Laona villages, which are basically small villages badly depopulated and somewhat delapidated either due to earthquake, being previously Turkish, or just population drift to the cities. Laona has now renovated a lot of properties sensitively in the traditional style and rent these as part of an Agrotourism initiative. For the visitor, they are worth looking into for their 'old world charm' without the tourist tat. The road then continues downhill to the North Coast and the small town of Polis.
Polis and Latchi harbour are worth a visit for charm and welcome sea breezes
Want to have a look at:
Polis is worth a stop for a bit of a wander. It has a few restuarants and cafes and there is a nice square to sit in with a cool drink. Further on to the east there is a road that runs along a barren and dramatic coast finishing eventually at the border with the occupied North just past Pomos. The other way (only a couple of kms) takes you to Latchi, a small fishing port renowned for its fish restuarants and small pretty harbour. Incidentally, Latchi is a good place to visit when tempertures are at their highest as the area has wonderfully cooling breezes in summer (quite chilling in winter). Two or three kilometres further along this road are 'The baths of Aphrodite' – if you've a car, make the trip just because you can, but don't expect much when you get there!
