Paralímni

Day Trips

Arrive in Paralimni just as the sun rises over the Mediterranean and feel the golden light warm your skin. Check into your beachfront hotel and indulge in freshly baked halloumi pastries at a seaside café. Listen to the gentle lapping of waves as you plan your first exploration.

Drive a few minutes to Coral Bay and sink your toes into soft, pale sand framed by turquoise waters. Rent a paddleboard to glide over hidden coves and watch schools of tiny fish dart beneath you. Pause at a beach bar for a chilled frappe and local meze tapas while basking in the sunshine.

Return to town for an al fresco dinner of mixed grills and fresh salads at a tavern with live bouzouki music. Wander Paralimni’s lantern-lit streets and stop for sweet loukoumades drizzled with honey. Feel the warm Cypriot hospitality as locals greet you with friendly smiles.

Start with a stroll through Paralimni’s old quarter, where narrow lanes wind past whitewashed houses dripping with bougainvillea. Visit the Evagora Pallikaridi Museum to discover traditional costumes and folklore. Sip on a strong Greek coffee at a corner café and watch artisans shaping pottery by hand.

Explore the local market filled with stalls of seasonal fruits, aromatic herbs, and handwoven textiles. Try freshly picked figs and olives while chatting with growers about their harvest traditions. Venture into the 18th-century church of Archangel Michael to admire its stunning frescoes and wood-carved iconostasis.

Experience a farm-to-table dinner at a rustic tavern just outside the town centre, where dishes are cooked over an open fire. Sample village koupepia wrapped in vine leaves alongside fresh goat cheese. Enjoy the peaceful ambiance as the stars emerge over the rolling hills.

Board a traditional wooden caique at Protaras harbour and glide across the mirror-like sea towards the legendary Blue Lagoon. Feel the gentle spray of salt air as you pass sheer limestone cliffs and hidden sea caves. Sip a fresh citrus-infused drink on deck while learning about local marine folklore from your captain.

Drop anchor in the vibrant turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon and dive in for a snorkelling adventure among colorful fish and velvety seagrass. Float on your back and gaze at the clear sky above, feeling completely weightless. Share a mezze picnic on deck featuring halloumi, tzatziki, and fresh tomatoes.

Cruise back to shore at sunset, watching fiery hues dance across the horizon. Disembark in Protaras for a seaside dinner at a rustic taverna serving grilled octopus and local white wine. End the night with a leisurely walk along the moonlit promenade.

Head to Ayia Napa’s historic monastery courtyard and admire its fortified stone walls dating back to the 16th century. Explore the peaceful cloister gardens and inspect the medieval icons preserved in the on-site museum. Enjoy a refreshing yogurt drizzled with thyme honey at a nearby café.

Spend the afternoon wandering the Sculpture Park, where modern art installations are set against the backdrop of turquoise sea. Snap photos of whimsical bronze figures framed by pine-clad headlands. Cool off with a scoop of artisanal gelato while watching surfers catch waves at Nissi Beach.

Return to Ayia Napa for a sunset cocktail at a rooftop bar overlooking the harbour. Sample meaty souvlaki wraps and crispy fries from a street-side grill. Join the locals for an impromptu dance under string lights as the night comes alive.

Set off early to Cape Greco National Forest Park and follow winding paths through fragrant pine and olive groves. Pause at the Sea Caves lookout to marvel at jagged limestone cliffs plunging into aquamarine waters. Capture the mist rising off hidden grottoes in the soft morning light.

Continue along the cliff-edge trails to Konnos Bay, where you can rent a kayak and paddle into secluded coves. Spot tiny crabs scuttling among rocks and rare sea birds nesting on the crags above. Refuel with a seaside picnic of fresh watermelon slices and olives.

Unwind at a rustic beachside taverna, sampling grilled prawns and a chilled bottle of local blanc. Watch as the sun dips below the horizon, turning the waves to molten gold. Feel the serene hush of nature broken only by distant night birds.

Spend a leisurely morning at Fig Tree Bay, named for the ancient fig tree shading its golden sands. Lounge on a sunbed with a good book, pausing only to take a cooling dip in the crystalline water. Indulge in a freshly squeezed orange juice from a beach kiosk.

Try gentle water sports like paddleboarding or pedal-boating to explore the bay’s small offshore islet. Watch colorful umbrellas dot the shore as families splash and play in the shallows. Snack on crispy calamari rings and tzatziki while enjoying panoramic sea views.

Treat yourself to a spa session at a luxury resort, starting with a rejuvenating massage scented with local citrus oils. Follow with a sauna and plunge pool under the stars. Cap the day with a glass of rosé on a terrace overlooking the bay, listening to distant music.

Take a short drive to the village of Sotira, known for its 19th-century churches adorned with ornate icons. Step inside Agia Paraskevi Church to admire its hand-painted murals and gilded altarpiece. Savor a plate of fresh pita bread dipped in rich olive oil at a family-run bakery.

Visit a local pottery studio and try your hand at the wheel under the guidance of a master artisan. Shop for handmade ceramics painted in vibrant Cypriot motifs. Enjoy a simple lunch of grilled halloumi and salad in the courtyard, surrounded by olive trees.

Return to Paralimni for dinner at a hidden courtyard restaurant, sampling traditional lamb plaki cooked with tomatoes and onions. Toast to new friendships with a sip of zivania, the local grape brandy. Take a leisurely post-meal stroll under a canopy of twinkling lights.

Gear up for a scuba diving session at the world’s first underwater sculpture park off Ayia Napa’s western shoreline. Descend among haunting art installations teeming with marine life and feel the thrill of exploring an artistic reef. Surface to sip water on deck and share stories with your dive buddies.

Explore a second dive site where vibrant coral has colonized submerged statues, transforming them into living sculptures. Observe schools of damselfish flitting around towering figures and spot hidden octopuses in crevices. Warm up with a hearty bowl of traditional lentil soup back on shore.

Unwind at a beachfront grill, sampling tender souvlaki alongside crisp Greek salad. Enjoy the cool sea breeze as lanterns are lit along the palm-lined promenade. Join in a casual jam session with local musicians playing folk tunes.

Spend your morning leisurely packing a light picnic of grapes, cheese, and crusty bread for a day at sea. Stroll the artisan shops of Paralimni one last time, picking up souvenirs like hand-painted ceramics. Board a comfortable yacht for an afternoon cruise.

Sail along the rugged coastline, stopping at quaint fishing villages for a taste of village life. Swim in sheltered bays and explore hidden coves accessible only by boat. Share your picnic on deck while dolphins play in the ship’s wake.

As the sun begins its descent, sip a glass of local rosé on the yacht’s deck and watch the sky ignite in pink and orange hues. Return to shore for a celebratory seafood feast at a harbour-side taverna. Toast to the memories you’ve made under the Cypriot sunset.

Dedicate your final morning to a Cypriot cooking class in a traditional home, learning how to prepare dishes like kleftiko and kolokasi. Knead dough for fresh flatbread and grind herbs for aromatic sauces. Taste each creation alongside new friends in a sunlit courtyard.

Spend a leisurely stroll through Paralimni’s artisanal quarter, selecting gifts of handmade olive oil soap and embroidered linens. Stop for a final gyro at a bustling street stall and watch the town’s rhythm of life unfold. Relax with an iced cappuccino under a shaded terrace.

Climb to the hilltop chapel of Panagia and settle in for a panoramic sunset over the sea and nearby villages. Share a farewell meal of mixed mezze at a cliff-top restaurant, pairing each bite with local wine. As twilight falls, reflect on ten days filled with culture, nature, and warm Cypriot hospitality.