CyclingA cheap and effective way of seeing the island. Facilities for renting bicycles are available in all towns and resorts, although the quality of the bicycles can vary considerably. The terrain offers many opportunities for mountain biking. Cyclilsts are advised to avoid cycling along the main roads at weekends, especially in the summer when traffic is heavy. The
Cyprus Cycling Federation organizes various non-racing activities and events; PO Box 24572, CY 1301, Nicosia (tel: (22) 663 344; website:
www.geocities.com/cyclingcy). The
Cyprus Tourism Organization
can also provide free maps (see
Tourist Information).
Hiking and trekkingThe many unspoilt areas in Cyprus make the land ideal for hiking. Recommended Nature Trails include
Atalante,
Kaledonia and
Persephone in the Troodos area and
Aphrodite and
Adonis in the Akamas area, with other trails in the forests of Machairas and Limassol.
WatersportsOpportunities abound for windsurfing, paragliding and swimming. Recommended beaches include
Geroskipou,
Dasoudi and
Larnaca (all of which are public beaches). Some or all offer full facilities to swimmers and include bars, restaurants and changing rooms. Sailing, diving, water-skiing and scuba-diving are also available at specific locations. The
Cyprus Federation of Underwater Activities, PO Box 21503, 1510 Nicosia (tel: (22) 754 647) and
Cydive (tel: (26) 934 271; website:
www.cydive.com) can provide information on diving facilities, for instance at
Protaras,
Larnaca,
Limassol and
Polis (near Pafos). Fishing can be practiced on Cyprus, although a license needs to obtained from the
Department of Fisheries, Aiolou 13, CY, Nicosia (tel: (22) 807 861). Licenses cost C£3 for each reservoir or C£10 for all reservoirs.
Skiing and snowboardingCyprus is also becoming established as a destination for winter sports with some hoteliers and tour operators, offering off-peak incentives. Both Platres and Kakopetria are conveniently placed for the skiing season on
Mount Olympus, which usually lasts from January to mid-March, but Troodos is actually the nearest resort to the skiing area; it has hotels and cafes. Although Cyprus is not well known for its skiing, the Troodos Mountains offer excellent winter sports facilities and there are four ski-lifts on Mount Olympus. The
Ski-Club, which is based in Troodos, has its own shelter and accepts tourists as temporary members. Ski equipment can be hired there, PO Box 22185, CY 1518, Lefkosia (tel: (22) 675 340, website: www.cyprusski.com).
OtherGolf can be played on three courses on the island: the
Tsada Golf Club, an 18-hole course, situated near Tsada village, 15 minutes' drive north of Pafos town;
The Secret Valley Golf Club, also 18-hole, situated 18km (11 miles) east of Pafos and 49km (30 miles) from Limassol; and the
Aphrodite Hills 18-hole course in Limassol. A number of hotels also offer limited golfing facilities. Tennis courts are available in most towns and in the grounds of many hotels; the
Cyprus Tennis Federation can provide further information at PO Box 23931, CY 1687, Nicosia (tel: (22) 666 822, mornings; website:
www.cyprustennis.com). One-day Cruises are organized from a number of ports on the Mediterranean from May to October, weather permitting.
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