Polis Day Trip Ideas: Akamas, Pomos, Paphos

Four trips work well from Polis Chrysochous in north-west Cyprus. Each is listed below with what to see, how to get there and what to watch for. Prices are in euros and traffic keeps left.

1. Akamas and the Baths of Aphrodite

  • What: a grotto pool and botanical garden under a fig tree, then trails or the coast beyond.
  • Distance: about 11 km west of Polis, past Latchi.
  • Rules: no swimming in the pool. Entry is free.
  • Onward: tarmac ends near the Baths. The track to Fontana Amorosa is rough, and a normal rental car should stay off it. Take a 4x4 your contract allows, a guided tour, a bike or a boat from Latchi.
  • Note: the road was shut for roadworks from 14 to 25 October 2024, so check before you drive.

2. Pomos

  • What: a village with a fishing harbour and the Dragon Cave, reached by boat or by steps from a small car park.
  • Beach: Kanalli is a pebble beach below steep cliffs.
  • Distance: roughly 20 to 25 km from Polis.

3. Lara Bay

  • What: a protected beach where green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and loggerheads (Caretta caretta) nest.
  • Season: nesting about June to August, hatching about August to late September. Sightings are never guaranteed.
  • Beach rules: from early June to late September no umbrellas, sunbeds, tents or caravans, and no staying on the beach from one hour before sunset. Shore fishing only. No lights, drones, driving on sand or touching turtles.
  • Getting there: a rough track, usually from the Pegeia side. Use a 4x4 or a tour. Most tours leave from Paphos.

4. Paphos

  • What: Kato Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings.
  • Distance: about 35 km.
  • By bus: route 645 links Paphos Karavella and Polis in about an hour, roughly hourly, for about EUR 2. The first departure from Polis moved to 06:25 from 8 December 2025.
  • Phone: +357 8000 5588 for current times.

5. Blue Lagoon by boat

  • What: a swim stop in the lagoon on a cruise from Latchi harbour.
  • Time: about 2.5 to 3 hours, with the swim taken from the anchored boat.
  • Boats: Nafsika II and Koulla, Atlantis Boat Latchi, Paphos Sea Cruises and the Latchi Queen sunset trip.
  • Cost: booking sites show a basic cruise at about 25 to 30 US dollars an adult.
  • Tip: the lagoon is crowded from 11:00 to 14:00 in summer.

Planning notes

Akamas guided jeep and buggy tours mostly start from Paphos and Coral Bay, not Polis, so ask about pick-up. Quad-bike accidents on the Akamas roads are frequent. UK government travel advice does not warn against travel to Cyprus.

Skip

The Avakas Gorge trail is closed to visitors, and has been since 6 December 2025. Ask the Forestry Department before any visit.

Browse Paphos area day trips for guided choices, and read the Cyprus Mail Lara Bay report and the Akamas roads report .

Read more: see the Polis activities guide and the long weekend plan .