Cape Greco, located in south-eastern Cyprus, is a picturesque headland that offers stunning natural beauty and breath-taking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Characterized by its rugged cliffs, turquoise waters, and abundant flora and fauna, Cape Greco is a haven for nature lovers, hikers, and divers alike. Its crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving, allowing visitors to discover the vibrant underwater world and intriguing rock formations. Cape Greco is not only a natural gem, but also a protected area, designated as a national forest park and included in the prestigious Natura 2000 program, spanning 384.9 hectares. There are 10 nature walks in Cape Greco that offer stunning views and unspoiled natural beauty, perfect for hikers and nature enthusiasts. One of its unique features is the interconnectedness between the trails, enabling visitors to easily explore other nature trails or combine multiple routes. It's a must-visit destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Cyprus.
Trail Aphrodite
Length: 2km - Circular
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty rate: 1
Starting point: Cape Greco Visitor’s Center parking lot
The Aphrodite nature trail, a 2km stretch along the North-East coast of Cape Greco, is not only a scenic hiking path, but also a Cultural Route due to its association with the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. The trail begins by passing the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to Aphrodite, and continues towards the beach, passing natural caves surrounded by dry stone walls that were once used by shepherds to corral animals. Along the way, there are numerous viewpoints to enjoy the stunning scenery. Look out for the Cypria Aphrodite logo, which indicates the believed location of an ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite.
Trail Agioi Anargyroi
Length: 2.3km – Circular
Estimated duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty rate: 1
Starting point: Church of Agioi Anargyroi (Map)
The Agioi Anargyroi hiking trail presents a unique opportunity to witness the flourishing Phoenician wild juniper. The Agioi Anargyroi church, dating back to the 1950s, is situated above a sea cave where the Saints Anargyroi are believed to have led an ascetic life. Additionally, the trail takes visitors past the stunning geological formation of Kamara tou Koraka, a beautiful bridge. The interconnected network of trails in the area allows hikers to explore other nearby nature trails, such as Konnos-Agioi Anargyroi and Agioi Anargyroi - Thalassines Spilies (Sea Caves).
Trail Agioi Anargyroi - Sea Caves (Thalassines Spilies)
Length: 4km – Linear
Estimated duration: 1.5 hours
Difficulty rate: 1
Starting point: Church of Agioi Anargyroi (Map)
The Agioi Anargyroi - Thalassines Spilies (Sea Caves) nature trail unveils the captivating beauty of the sea caves of Cape Greco, which is must-visit attraction in Cyprus. The trail is considered easy and suitable for hikers of all levels, covering a distance of 4 kilometers and typically taking less than 2 hours to complete. Starting from the chapel of Agioi Anargyroi and passing by the Kamara tou Koraka bridge, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the sea as they explore this popular trail. For those looking to extend their hiking experience, this trail can be combined with other nearby nature trails such as Konnos-Agioi Anargyroi or Kavos.
Trail Konnos – Agioi Anargyroi
Length: 1.4km - Linear
Duration: 30 minutes
Difficulty rate: 1
Starting point: Konnos Beach or Agioi Anargyroi church (Map)
The trail takes hikers along the coast, offering stunning vistas of the sea and the lush vegetation that blankets the area in vibrant greens and blues. Moreover, this trail connects with other nearby trails, such as Konnos - Cyclopas Cave, Agioi Anargyroi – Thalassines Spilies (Sea Caves), and Profitis Elias - Konnos, providing options for further exploration and adventure.
Konnos – Cyclopas Cave Trail
Length: 2.4km - Circular
Duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty rate: 1
Starting point: Konnos beach (Map)
The nature trail starts at the parking area of Konnos beach, and though relatively short in length, takes hikers through lush bushy vegetation until it reaches the rocky cave of the Cyclops, a fascinating morphological formation. Along the way, hikers can enjoy breath-taking views of Konnos beach with its turquoise waters.
Trail Kavos
Length: 2.5km - Circular
Duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty rate: 2
Starting point: Old quarry, parking area. Access from Agia Napa-Cape Greco main road (Map)
The trail initially winds through a picturesque landscape of pine trees, before transitioning into areas of low shrubby vegetation. Along the way, there are numerous points that offer exceptional views of the surrounding area, with the highlight being the hilltop where hikers can marvel at panoramic vistas of the surrounding nature, stretching to all points of the horizon without any obstructions. The Kavos trail connects to the Agioi Anargyroi - Sea Caves trail.
Sea Caves Trail (Thalassines Spilies)
Length: 3.6 km - Circular
Duration: 1.5 hours
Difficulty rate: 2
Starting point: Sea Caves, Agia Napa - Cape Greco road, 6kms east of Agia Napa. (Map)
The Sea Caves is a breath-taking destination and once you discover this hidden gem, you'll be captivated by its charm, tranquillity, and natural beauty. The caves, carved out of limestone over hundreds of thousands of years, along with the clarity of the water is unparalleled, making it a haven for swimmers. Remember to bring your swimwear, as you can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters, indulge in some diving, or leisurely snorkel through the caves. The trail is also connected to Kavos Trail.
Trail Panagia – Agioi Saranta Trail
Length: 2.5 km - Linear
Duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty rate: 1
Starting point: Church of Panagia. Sideway in a distance of 300m on the left of the Cape Greco – Protaras street (b) Agioi Saranta church, access from Protaras through a dirt road (Map)
The Panagia – Agioi Saranta nature trail is an easy hiking trail, suitable for everyone and it connects with the Profitis Elias – Konnos and Panagia – Agios Ioannis trails.
The Agioi Saranta cave church is a unique place to visit. It is hidden in a cave near the Profitis Elias Church. The name "Agioi Saranta" comes from the Greek words "Agioi," meaning Saints, and "Saranta," meaning forty, referring to the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste. The church's door is always open, allowing visitors to easily enter and pray. The door was designed to protect the interior of the cave and preserve the church. Unlike typical churches with iconostasis, icons, and lit candles, the interior of Agioi Saranta church is actually a cave that has been whitewashed in some areas to create icons and a makeshift iconostasis. The only man-made elements in the church are the painted floor and the dome on top, while everything else is formed by natural rock formations.
Panagia – Agios Ioannis Trail
Length: 2.8 km - Linear
Duration: 45 minutes
Difficulty rate: 1
Starting point (a) Church of Panagia, 300m on the left of the Protaras – Cape Greco road (b) Agios Ioannis church (Map)
A second nature trail on the same spot as Panagia- Agioi Saranta is the equally short and connected to it Panagia -Agios Ioannis trail. The trail connects with the Profitis Elias – Konnos and Panagia – Agioi Saranta paths.
The chapel of Panagia, also known as Panagiotissa among the locals, holds significant historical and traditional significance in Paralimni. Its origins can be traced back to a time when the town was comprised of several small settlements. The last residents of the Panagiotissa settlement were compelled to vacate their homes during the Ottoman Empire era. In the early 20th century, the chapel of Panagia was constructed on the remains of the old church that once stood on this site.
The Agios Ioannis chapel, constructed at the start of the 20th century, is nestled in a picturesque valley and was built using mud, mud bricks, and stones. The original chapel was a small rectangular room, but over time it fell into disrepair. As a result, a new chapel was erected in its place, retaining its simple design and serving as a place of pilgrimage dedicated to Saint John the Hermit, just like its predecessor.
Trail Profitis Elias – Konnos
Length: 8.5 km - Linear
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty rate: 1
Starting point: (a) Profitis Elias church in Protaras (b) Konnos beach (Map)
The trail, which spans 8.5 kilometers and takes around 3 hours to complete, passes by the chapels of Agioi Saranta and Agios Ioannis. It also links up with other scenic nature trails like Panagia-Agioi Saranta, Panagia - Agios Ioannis, Konnos-Agioi Anargyroi and Konnos-Cyclopas Cave. The Profitis Elias Chapel, a Byzantine-style church dedicated to Prophet Elias, was constructed in 1984 on a granite hill that stands 100 meters tall. This striking chapel, which is impossible to overlook, is built using local stones, seamlessly blending with its natural surroundings, and is particularly breath-taking when illuminated in the evenings.