Akamas Peninsula is the natural jewel of Paphos
Greetings to all travel enthusiasts! Every year thousands of tourists choose the coastal resort region of Paphos for their carefree holidays in the sun. It is home to some wonderful resorts, amazing beaches, great restaurants and lively nightlife. Not to mention that Paphos is the current cultural capital of Europe for the year 2017 and throughout the year reputable events, concerts and festivals will take place all over the city. What more could a person ask for? Well, there is plenty more and I am referring to the Akamas peninsula, the natural jewel of Paphos and the whole of Cyprus. Once in Cyprus do not miss the rare opportunity to spend a day or two in this amazing area.
The Akamas Peninsula is a declared national park and it covers 230 square kilometres of unspoilt natural beauty. It remains intact of the tourist developments that are growing all over the island and it is true heaven for nature lovers as well as the visiting tourists. The natural beauty of gorges, valleys, beaches is priceless and there is an abundance of diverse wildlife, fauna and flora. According to the official records, there are over 150 types of birds, 20 plus varieties of reptiles, 10 kinds of mammals, 16 different types of butterflies that coexist and reside harmoniously in Akamas. There is a large variety of trees and plants to please the eye and some of them will really open up your nose with their vibrant, pleasant smells.
Within the Akamas National Park, you have the option of exploring the three nature trails that are available for your pleasure and whichever you choose they are all equally amazing. These are the Smigies trail, the Adonis trail while the most popular is Aphrodite’s trail. Avakas Gorge is on the western tip of the peninsula and it requires a small hike of 2 kilometres long with steep rocks that reach 300 feet. During your walk, you will come across the rare species and plants and be captivated by the mesmerising views.
The Baths of Aphrodite are the main attraction of Akamas as tourists flock to see the place where the mythological Goddess bathed. It is a caved shallow pool that is provided with water by the flowing water springs located just above. According to mythology, this is where Adonis first caught a glimpse of Aphrodite and the pure sight of her bathing in the pool was definitely more than enough to fall in love. In addition, there is a lovely botanical garden on site with lots of interesting flora. The view from the top of the hill is breathtaking and some much needed ‘selfies’ are required.
The crystal clear waters of the nearby Blue Lagoon Bay are extremely bright and ideal for snorkelling. It probably has the clearest waters in the island, everything is so vibrant underwater and you can spend lots of time checking out the many corals and small fish on the seabed. It is pleasantly different than the crowded beaches and here you can appreciate pure nature whilst relaxing and swimming in the refreshing waters of the Blue Lagoon.
This is all, for now, my dear fellow adventurers. In conclusion please remember that life is short and beautiful and it is strictly up to you to enjoy it and live it to the fullest.