Quiet beaches on the east coast

Illustration of a small sandy cove between pale cliffs — Small coves between the limestone headlands are where the calm water hides.

BaseAyia Napa or Protaras
From Larnaca airportabout 45 minutes by car
Best monthsMay–June, September–October
Bringwater shoes, shade, cash for parking

The stretch of coast between Ayia Napa and Protaras is short, maybe twenty kilometres as the road runs, but it packs in a surprising number of beaches. The famous ones — Nissi, Makronissos, Fig Tree Bay — are lovely and crowded from late morning in season. The good news is that quieter water is rarely more than a ten-minute drive away.

Ayia Thekla, west of Ayia Napa

Follow the coast road west from Ayia Napa towards Sotira and look for the turning to the small white chapel of Ayia Thekla. The beach below it is a series of shallow sandy bays separated by low rocks, with an islet a short swim offshore. There are no large hotels right on the sand, so even in July it feels relaxed before noon. Park on the gravel near the chapel; it fills up on weekends, so arrive before ten.

Kermia and the Cape Greco coast

East of Ayia Napa the road climbs towards Cape Greco. Kermia beach sits just before the headland: a modest strip of sand with a small taverna and clear, quickly deepening water. Beyond it the national forest park takes over. There is no sand at the sea caves and the Kamara tou Koraka rock arch, only flat limestone ledges, but early in the morning they are wonderfully quiet places to swim if you are a confident swimmer and the sea is calm.

A marked coastal path runs along the cape. Walking a section of it from the picnic area is the best way to see the cliffs; in summer, do it before nine or after five. Parking at the cape is mostly on unpaved lay-bys, free and dusty.

Wind check. The east coast is exposed to easterly winds that bring waves and jellyfish into the bays. If one side of the cape is choppy, the other is often calm — it is worth a quick look at a wind forecast before choosing.

Konnos Bay, early

Konnos is not a secret. The small horseshoe bay between Cape Greco and Protaras is photographed constantly, and by midday it is full. Arrive at eight, though, and you may share it with a handful of swimmers. The paid car park sits at the top of a steep, narrow road; walking down is fine, driving down in a large car is not much fun.

North of Protaras

Most visitors stop at Fig Tree Bay. Keep going north past Pernera and the coastline turns into a run of smaller beaches — Louma, Kalamies, Agia Triada — with fewer bars and more local families. The water is just as clear, and parking is usually easy along the road behind the beach.

Practical notes

Sunbeds and umbrellas are rented by the day on most organised beaches; the price is usually posted on a sign at the beach entrance.
The intercity bus links Larnaca and Ayia Napa, and local buses run along the coast to Protaras, but reaching the smaller coves is far easier by car or bicycle.
The rocky coves have no shade at all. A beach umbrella or a late-afternoon visit is not optional in August.
Water shoes help on the limestone shelves around Cape Greco and on the rocky edges of Ayia Thekla.

If you only have one day, try this: Ayia Thekla for an early swim, lunch in Ayia Napa away from the main square, the Cape Greco path in the late afternoon, and sunset from the cliffs near the sea caves.

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