What to Do in Polis Chrysochous, Cyprus

Polis Chrysochous lies on the north-west coast of Cyprus, in Paphos District. Paphos is about 35 km away, and the nearest airport is Paphos (PFO). Prices are in euros and cars keep to the left.

At a glance

  • Best for: sea swimming, short boat trips and easy walks.
  • Boat base: Latchi (Latsi), a short drive west.
  • Trail base: the Baths of Aphrodite, about 11 km west of Polis.
  • Museum: free, closed Sundays.
  • Advisory: the UK Foreign Office advises no restrictions on travel to Cyprus.

Swimming

Polis has two beaches, and they are different places. The Municipal Beach is wide and golden and made the 2026 Blue Flag list. The Camping Site (Dasoudi) beach is sand mixed with pebbles, and you drive to it. Lifeguards work both from April to October. A nationwide shortage of lifeguards was reported in 2025, so describe cover as seasonal and check for a post before children go in.

Boat trips

Boats for the Blue Lagoon sail from Latchi harbour. Operators on booking sites include Cyprus Mini Cruises (Nafsika II and Koulla), Atlantis Boat Latchi and Paphos Sea Cruises. Plan on 2.5 to 3 hours for a basic trip, with the swim taken from the anchored boat. Booking-site fares for a basic trip run about 25 to 30 US dollars an adult, with all-inclusive days from EUR 65. Midday is the crowded time in summer.

You can also hire a self-drive motorboat. One listing shows a 50 HP boat from about EUR 120 for the boat. Read the hire terms for fuel and licence rules.

Walking

The Baths of Aphrodite mark the start of two trails. The Aphrodite Nature Trail is a 7.5 km loop of 3 to 4 hours that returns to the Baths. The Adonis loop is also 7.5 km and takes 3 to 4 hours. Fountains on the Aphrodite route are not for drinking, so fill bottles before you start. At the Baths, look at the grotto pool and the garden, but stay out of the water.

Cycling

Mountain bikes are the sensible choice on the unpaved track from the Baths toward Fontana Amorosa. Expect potholes, loose stone and steep drops.

Museum

The Marion-Arsinoe museum is at Leoforos Makariou III 26. It is free and open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:00 and Saturday 09:00 to 15:00. It has two rooms of finds from the Neolithic to the Medieval period, including material from the local necropolis.

Closed or unsuitable

  • Avakas Gorge has been closed to visitors since 6 December 2025. It is on the Pegeia side, not at Polis.
  • A standard rental car is not suited to the Akamas track beyond the Baths, and rental contracts usually exclude unpaved roads.

Find boat trips from Latchi on Viator, and see the VisitCyprus beach page and the UK travel advice for Cyprus .

Read more: see the Polis sights guide and the Polis walking guide .