Kourion beach
Located on the southern coast of Cyprus, nineteen kilometers west of Limassol. The beach is located on the shore of Episkopi Bay in a conservation area taken under state protection. Next to it there is the Kourion Archaeological Park, one of the most valuable historical monuments in Cyprus. Because of this, public transport does not go to the beach, and it is forbidden to build hotels in its vicinity. You can get to Kourion by car, following the highway towards Paphos (turn left at the intersection of highways B6 and M1).
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Beach description
The coastline is quite long (about a kilometer) and is covered with grayish sand mixed with pebbles of medium size. The sea is clean, transparent, of amazing turquoise shade, which seems even brighter against the background of the surrounding light hills, almost devoid of vegetation.
Since it is quite shallow near the shore, it is comfortable on the beach with small children. For them, there is a special town with inflatable slides and trampolines, there is the opportunity to eat and wait out the heat in one of the coastal cafes.
Kourion has little resemblance to the other beaches of the southern coast due to the constantly blowing wind, sometimes catching up quite high, almost ocean waves. Therefore, there are always many fans of kite and windsurfing, as well as other extreme sportsmen. As a rule, they gather closer to the edge of the beach, away from the equipped area, so as not to disturb other visitors.
The beach is also extremely popular with divers. They are attracted here by the Zernobia ferry that sank in 1979, which lies at the bottom a few kilometers from the coast. However, it is worth considering that there is no rental of sports equipment on the beach, so you should take care of the necessary equipment yourself.
In all other respects, Kourion is not inferior to the popular resorts of the island and is marked with the honorable EU Blue Flag for its cleanliness and comfort. The beach is equipped with showers, toilets and changing cabins, it is possible to rent umbrellas and sun loungers. Rescuers are watching over the order, a first aid station has been organized.
There are usually few people on the beach, mainly locals from Limassol and the surrounding villages. There are two restaurants and a fish tavern on the beach, which offer visitors a wide range of varied dishes and drinks. The food is of excellent quality, the portions are huge, so you can safely spend the whole day on Kourion - no one will remain hungry. Moreover, in these places amazing sunsets, some of the best in Cyprus, would be an unacceptable mistake to miss such a sight.
When it is better to go?
The holiday season begins in Cyprus at the end of April, when the water in the sea warms up enough to feel comfortable for swimming. June – is the most comfortable month for relaxation: the temperature is pleasant, up to 26 to 30 degrees, the sea breeze freshes and tones up. In July-August, the island becomes too thick and glowing, but in September-October, comfortable conditions turn back again.
Video: Beach Kourion
Infrastructure
As mentioned above, it is forbidden to build multi-storey buildings and large infrastructure facilities on the shore. The nearest hotels, shops and catering facilities are located in the village of Episkopi, one and a half kilometers from the beach. One of the most popular accommodation options is the three-star Episkopiana Hotel & Sport Resort . It offers comfortable, modern rooms with spacious balconies, a large outdoor pool with a minibar and lounge area, a shady well-kept garden and a buffet restaurant. You can get to the beach on foot in no more than fifteen minutes, you can also use the shuttle service. There is free internet throughout and free parking.
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The village itself is very quiet and calm, there are no night clubs and discos. There are such entertainments as several restaurants with live music, a small shopping center and a horse farm. But the main value of these places is a unique archaeological open-air museum, which is located on a hill directly above the beach. Its most famous exhibit is an ancient amphitheater, built in the second century BC. A few years ago, it was thoroughly restored, and now theater shows and music concerts are held in unique historical scenery. Also in the park you can see Roman baths, the ruins of ancient temples and basilicas, the remains of arches and columns, fragments of unique mosaics. Needless to say, from the top of the hill offers stunning views of the sea and the surroundings, and against the backdrop of ancient ruins, incomparable photographs are obtained.
Entrance to the territory is free, payment is taken only from vehicles. To visit it is better to choose morning or evening hours, so as not to overheat in the scorching southern sun.