Five stretches of coast worth planning a day around — one town beach, one sandbar, one cove, and two bays that photograph better than they read.
Cyprus is known for its beaches, and a handful are worth building a day around rather than stopping at because they were nearest. These five cover the range: a town promenade, a famous bay, a sandbar, a west-coast beach and a cove inside a national park.
Foinikoudes, Larnaca
A town beach in the middle of Larnaca, lined with palms, cafés and restaurants — the easiest swim on the island if you have an afternoon between flights, and a promenade worth walking at dusk.
Fig Tree Bay, Protaras
Named for the fig trees on the hillsides behind it, with shallow water near the shore that makes it a reliable family beach, and enough bars and tavernas along the front that you never need to move the car.
Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa
The sandbar out to the islet is the picture everyone knows; the water stays shallow a long way out, and the beach bars behind it run from morning coffee to sunset sets.
Coral Bay, Paphos
Golden sand between two limestone headlands below Peyia, with walking trails along the coast towards Akamas for anyone who wants more than a lounger.
Konnos Bay
A small cove between two cliffs at the edge of Cape Greco National Park, sheltered enough that the water is usually glass. Small, clean, and busy by noon — arrive early and stay for the snorkelling.
Where this takes you next
Konnos Bay
A sheltered cove between two cliffs on the edge of Cape Greco park — glass water, pines to the sand.
Nissi Beach
The sandbar to the islet, beach bars along the back, and water that stays shallow a long way out.