Akamas Peninsula

At the island’s western edge, the Akamas Peninsula is one of Cyprus’s last remaining wildernesses, attracting walkers, nature lovers and off-road enthusiasts in equal measure – there are no main roads, just dirt tracks and footpaths, but if you don’t fancy hiring a 4×4, a range of excellent jeep safaris can help you explore the area. A number of well-marked walking trails also crisscross the peninsula, including the eight-kilometre Aphrodite Trail, which begins and ends at the Baths of Aphrodite, a spring-fed pool in a natural cave where according to legend the goddess of love met her greatest amor, the handsome young Adonis. Above all, the peninsula is known for its extraordinary range of wildlife, including green and loggerhead turtles that come to nest at Lara Beach, a stunningly unspoiled spot in the far south-west of the peninsula. Also worth a detour is the delightful fishing village of Latchi, near the sensational Anassa hotel.