Polis
Polis is one of the most beautiful areas in Cyprus as it combines the beauty of mountain, sea and plain. Polis town is situated at Chrysochou bay, with the rugged Akamas peninsula to the west, an area of natural wilderness with dramatic coastlines and sandy coves, and the pine clad Troodos Mountains as its backdrop.
Despite being a town, Polis has retained the relaxed feel of a village, with an interesting mix of old and new, and a wide variety of shops and restaurants including client favourites Arsinoe for fish, lively Moustakallis and serene In Town.
With its quaint sandstone buildings around a pedestrianised town centre with its restaurants, bars and souvenir shops, it is an atmospheric place to mix with the locals on a summer\’s evening. Twilight is one of my favourite times here around the Square, with the changing colours of the old stone buildings housing the Cafes and restaurants. Waiters are busy dressing the outside tables, lighting tea lights, plumping up the cushions, offering happy hour drinks etc. A wonderful spot to enjoy the slow Cypriot pace of life, sit back and people watch. Life in Polis still rolls along at a quiet pace without too many crowds or noise, and there is only one disco.
Papantoniou supermarket is here, sells almost everything.
If you decide to stay near or visit Polis, you can explore the picturesque villages, walk along the many scenic nature trails or take a highly recommended boat trip (ask your Rep for discounts) along the dramatic coastline to the Blue Lagoon. You stop for swimming at the turquoise blue lagoon. Take a swimsuit, mask and snorkel if you have one to appreciate the clear clean water, as you stop for swimming. Or hire a small boat with a cool box. Discounts on both for our clients’ c/o your Rep. Other water sports offered at Latchi are scuba diving, water skiing, sea-kayaking and paragliding.
A small eucalyptus wood (you recognise the trees as soon as you see them and they are a useful landmark), lies between the town and the sea, providing shade for a camping site by the Polis Camping beach, which has a sea-trac chair for disabled access into the sea, available in high season. You can walk along the promenade next to the sea from here to Latchi. Excellent waterfront fish tavernas can be sampled at Latchi Marina, including our clients favourite Y&P.
The Baths of Aphrodite and start of the Akamas National Park is 2.3km further. The Akamas Peninsula is an area of outstanding natural beauty with deep gorges, a wild landscape, wide sandy bays and some of the clearest turquoise sea on the island at Fontana Amorosa/Blue Lagoon.
It is untouched by development and is a haven for wildlife including turtles, and it is home to 530 plant species, a third of the total for Cyprus, 126 of which are endemic to Cyprus.
You can visit by jeep safari, quad bike, mountain bike or walk the trails. The most popular activity in Polis according to Tripadvisor is the steep and rugged Adonis Nature Trail which takes about 2 hours to complete.
If you bring a fishing rod you can fish at Chrysochou Bay without a licence, and the new jetty at Limni near Argaka is perfect for this
The Polis countryside is waiting to be explored, and picturesque villages like Droushia with its tapestry museum, Inia with its basketry museum, and museum of village life at Steni are all worth a visit and small enough to be interesting to children.
Beaches
Chrysochou bay offers mile after mile of undeveloped coastline where you can always find a stretch for yourself. Turning right at Polis onto the E704 takes you towards Pomos, and then Pyrgos at the border. If you have time this is an interesting bendy pine scented scenic drive.
There is a pretty harbour and tiny stone beach with 2 fish taverns and beautiful views en route at Pomos.
Prior to 1974 the small hotels in Pyrgos were a weekend beach escape for people living in sweltering Nicosia. Then, with the Turkish invasion, the road to Pyrgos was inaccessible. Gradually people started re visiting using the coast road, and Pyrgos is a favourite with Cypriot families. Many of the taverns sell dishes “that Grandma used to make” including maxallepi, a favourite of Sundance Villas Manager Neoptolemos. There is an enormous ancient tree by the coffee shops, worth stopping to admire. Locals used to back their charcoal laden lorries up against it to ensure it was all packed tight before setting off on the coast road, but it is now protected. Pyrgos has a heart shaped sandy beach and few tourists. Another off the beaten track gem is Mylos Tavern nearby at Gialia village. Prior to 1974 it was a Turkish Cypriot school. What views and peace! Mrs Chrysoula makes all the food and also sells essential oils.
More beach information:
Beaches within the Akamas National Park, protected from development, no facilities. 4 x 4, jeep safari or boat accessible:
Between Lara and Baths of Aphrodite, there are small secluded rocky and sandy beaches 50m – 100m long, usually with rocks in front. The most famous here is the Fontana Amorosa sandy beach, also known as the Blue Lagoon, white sand and turquoise clear sea.
Baths of Aphrodite small beach below the tavern of same name run by Dinos, has a handful of sun loungers, umbrellas, showers and WCs. Wonderful far reaching views towards Polis/Pomos.
There are hidden bays along this next stretch of coastline coming towards Polis, often unmarked. Be prepared for a scramble down a track.
Asprokremmos beach of sand and tiny shingle is located at the east end of Akamas Peninsula and is characterised by its magnificent greenish rocks and emerald coloured crystal clear sea. LINK TO 2 Bedroom Villa Aphrodite and 4 bedroom Amorosa
Latchi Beach (Blue Flag) is a long sandy beach next to Latchi Marina with a walkway next to the sea passing the sand and shingle Polis Municipal Beach (Blue Flag) and play area for children, to Polis Camping Beach.
Polis Camping Beach is sandy, and shaded (and recognised) by huge eucalyptus trees. Sea trac chair in high season. (Blue Flag).
Argaka Beach is undeveloped, a mix of sand and pebble, and you can always find a stretch to yourself. A few taverns and shops run along the coast road, in case you need anything.
Polis is a 45 minute drive from Paphos airport.
LOCAL AREA from Amorosa
This area of coastline is where people come to sample a fish meze, find the hidden undeveloped beaches, view the Baths of Aphrodite or visit the beautiful wild Akamas National Park with its crystal clear Blue Lagoon and variety of walking trails. The Baths of Aphrodite is the start of the Akamas National Park, (5 minutes’ drive), and there is free parking, and if you are lucky you will see the resident donkey. The small beach here was improved in 2015, and is situated below the Baths of Aphrodite fish tavern run by Dinos. The far reaching coastal views are magnificent, the sea clear enough for snorkelling, and there are sun loungers, showers and WC. The Baths of Aphrodite tavern is a romantic location in the evening too, being off the beaten track and the only building here. The nightlife consists of night birds swooping around catching insects that are attracted to the spotlights, and you may be lucky enough to see the headlights of scuba divers below too, as they practise night dives here due to the clear water
Yiannakis beach tavern is 600m and Takkas beach tavern is 1km from the villa, and they serve a variety of seafood and Greek specialities including kleftiko (slow cooked lamb). You can also just stop for a drink and enjoy the wonderful sea views or for a swim at the small beaches.
5 minutes’ drive towards Polis brings you to the Latchi Marina, with its selection of shops and supermarkets, and renowned for the excellent water’s edge fish tavernas (including clients favourite Y&P next to the pretty harbourmaster’s house) where you may select your fish from the ice display. You can hire a small boat with cool box from Latchi, or take a relaxing mini cruise at our discounted prices to the beautiful turquoise clear waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Despite being a town, Polis (5km) has retained the relaxed feel of a village, and there are many locals as well as tourists. It offers an interesting mix of old and new, and a wide variety of shops including Papantoniou supermarket, restaurants (including clients’ favourites Arsinoe Fish Tavern, lively Moustakallis Tavern and serene In Town Restaurant) and ATM machines. You can find lots of easy parking and it is also a lovely place for a wander and shopping in the pedestrianised area.
Twilight is one of my favourite times here around the Square, with the changing colours of the old stone buildings housing the cafes and restaurants. Waiters are busy dressing the outside tables, lighting tea lights, plumping up the cushions, offering happy hour drinks etc. A wonderful spot to enjoy the slow Cypriot pace of life, sit back and people watch.
I will send you lots more information on Cyprus before you go.