Fontana Amorosa, a secluded bay known for its pristine water, is a popular destination for cyclists on the Akamas peninsula. Since the 14-kilometre round-trip route includes unpaved roads, a mountain bike is recommended. At Anassa, we offer Revox 3.3 mountain bikes and Dolce 4.3 racing bikes for daily rental; helmets and locks are included. From the hotel, take the tarmac road northwest up the Mediterranean coast. The paved road ends at the Baths of Aphrodite, the freshwater grotto fabled as the goddess’s favourite place for bathing. Take a moment to view the baths and the adjoining botanical garden, which introduces you to the native flora of the Akamas. From here, the coastal road is joined for a while by the Aphrodite Trail for hikers. This portion of the route is unpaved, with some inclines and rocks to negotiate. As you ride, you can enjoy panoramic views from the cliffside across Chrysochou Bay. The landscape is rugged, with rock outcroppings surrounded by scrubby bushes, evergreens, and wildflowers (in season). Keep an eye out for sheep, hedgehogs, foxes, and the abundant bird life of the area. You may also encounter the ruins of ancient churches. Fontana Amorosa means source of love, and it was a harbour built by the Romans in the Hellenistic era. Bring a mask and snorkel and look for fragments of ancient amphorae on the sea’s bed. If you’d like, a fitness trainer can guide you on this and other trails throughout the Akamas nature preserve.

The calm waters of Chrysochou Bay are perfect for a leisurely sail and a view of its rugged coastline. At Anassa, we offer a weekly three-hour cruise along the coast in a luxury sailing yacht from Latchi Watersports Centre. Your yacht launches from Anassa’s beach. The captain will sail northwest along the coast, passing by organised beaches before reaching the extensive nature preserve on the Akamas peninsula. There, you can see the uninhabited islets of Agios Georgios and Chamili and take in the dramatic cliff faces of the promontory. The crystal-clear water and the white sand beneath produce a shimmering turquoise colouring on the waves. The aptly-named Blue Lagoon is a popular place for swimming—and snorkelling is recommended there due to the exceptional visibility. Your captain knows some other, secluded coves for a quiet swim—just fold down the stern’s swimming platform for easy access to the sea. The yacht features an ample cockpit with seating area on deck along with a well-appointed interior cabin. As you make your way back to the hotel, look for fishing trawlers and dive excursions—there are several reefs and dive sites teeming with marine life. Anassa provides complimentary towels and bottled water for your journey. (Place an advance order for a picnic basket of food and beverages.) There’s a minimum of six participants for the weekly tour; private tours can also be arranged. Let the bay breezes propel you on an unforgettable journey along the Cyprus coast.

The Akamas Peninsula is traversed by nature trails where hikers can immerse themselves in the pristine wilderness—and see birds and butterflies, foxes and hares. The Smigies Picnic Site, a mountainside dale shaded by pine trees, sits at the trailheads for three of them. On its south side begins the Pissouromoutti Trail, a circular route (3 km) that takes you to the top of Pissouromoutti Hill and back. The hilltop offers a bench for enjoying the breath-taking 360° view encompassing Lara Bay to the southwest and Chrysochous Bay to the northeast. The Smigies Trails, formed in a figure eight, provide both a short (2.5 km) and a long (7.5 km) route. Start on the northwest side of the picnic site, passing the fire look-out station as you take in spectacular views of the peninsula’s west coast. Soon you will come to a fork in the road—to the right is the short route through the woods, while straight ahead is the long trail. If you take the long route, you will encounter ancient lava formations and an abandoned magnesium mine. On both routes, you pass through scrub and forest and have a panoramic view of the north-eastern coast. Markers identify plant specimens, including lentisk, rock rose, juniper, wild thyme, and carob trees. These trails are of average difficulty. The site is a 5 km drive from Anassa—just head up the mountain past the 300-year-old village of Neo Chorio and the Agios Minas stone chapel.