Cyprus is an island country located in the Eastern Mediterranean near Turkey. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. Two mountain ranges occupy the majority of the island and created a picturesque landscape for visitors. Mount Olympus is located on the island standing at 6,404 feet (1,952 m).
Cyprus, although an island, is an amazing country filled with wonders of nature that are beautiful. Read below and discover the natural wonders of Cyprus:
Petra tou Romiou
Petra tou Romiou is a rock off the shore near the road from Paphos going to Limassol. Since ancient times, it has been greatly regarded as Aphrodite’s birthplace, the goddess of love and fertility. Ancient tradition states that Aphrodite was actually born from the waves of Cyprus’ coast. Petra tou Romiou’s translation is “the Rock of the Greek” which actually refers to another myth, the myth about a Byzantine hero named Dighenis who used rocks to throw at pirates in order to protect his lady.
Many believe that in the right weather conditions, when the waves rise, it breaks and forms a column of water which dissolves into a foam pillar. With enough imagination, for a moment it will look like an ephemeral or an evanescent human shape. In the Petra tou Romiou‘s location, there is a narrow but long pebbly beach that extends to its side and its satellites.
Nissi Beach
In Ayia Napa Resort, Cyprus, a very popular sandy beach called Nissi beach that stretches for almost 500m, and its waters are very clean. In fact, its’ been awarded a blue flag designation. It runs the full length of its very own cove, and takes the Nissi name from Nissi – Νησί in Greek, a small islet that is located near the coast.
This uninhabited islet is easily reached on foot by walking through its shallow waters, the location provides visitors a good shelter. Nissi beach is a popular clubber destination because the Bay Beach Bar is popular with both locals and tourists, music is played throughout the day. Aside from great parties, water sports like windsurfing, pedal boating, and water-skiing are available.
Lanarka Salt Lake
Larnaka Salt Lake Located at Larnaka town’s south west, it comprises of four lakes, wherein three are interconnected. The main salt lake known as Alyki, Soros, Orphani, and a small airport lake. Its total area is 5 km2, and can be seen on Larnaka International Airport’s road. It is considered as one or the most distinct Larnaka landmarks, and also one of the important wetlands in Cyprus.
It bears significant ecological international importance as it was declared to be a protected area last 1997, as a Natura 2000 Site, Ramsar Site, Special Protected Area, and an Important Bird Area under the Barcelona Convention.
The Larnaka Salt Lake is very unique and is filled with natural beauty and important habitat. The lake offers magical settings, especially during winter months when the lake fills up and welcomes thousands of migratory birds that includes swans, flamingos, and also wild ducks.
Cape Greco National Park
The Cape Greco National Park is very popular with divers because of its warm sea temperatures that ranges from 16ºC during winter, up to 28ºC during summer and also because visibility reaches 30 to 40 meters. Its fauna of surrounding waters hide a good number of very interesting sea creatures.
Aside from diving, cycling paths are also available for riders as a way to explore. The island’s weather is perfect for cycling, especially during the winter season. With the area’s low rainfall rate and also low headwinds. A boat trip tour along Cape Greco’s coast that anchors near caves that will show visitors that nature was able to carve beautiful limestone cliffs that are ten meters high.
Pentadaktylos Mountains
The Pentadaktylos Mountains is located in Cyprus’ northern region that extends to the east to west to about 100 miles or 160 kilometers from Cape Andreas, which is on Karpas Peninsula, towards Cape Kormakiti.
Rising a small distance inland from the coast, its range flanks coastal plain reaches a height measured at 3,360 feet or 1,024 m, in its western region that ends in the low hills at Cape Andreas’ tip on the east. Known commonly as the Pentadaktylos or “Five Fingers”, its fingered peak is one of the mountains’ main features.
Its first area was extensively settled by the Turks from the mainland, and after the intervention of the Turks in 1974 Cyprus, it stretched from Ayios Amvrosios’ eastern part to Karpass Peninsula and also across the mountains of Pentadaktylos. These mountains are mainly composed of narrow folds of limestone with some deposits of marble.