A look at Cyprus's best beaches

Friday, 8 February 2013 11:00 AM

If your idea of a dream holiday involves doing little more than reclining on golden beaches, Cyprus is likely to be the perfect place for you. With the Mediterranean country home to dozens of pristine sandy stretches (many of which hold Blue Flag status), it's a fantastic destination to work on gaining a glowing tan.

In fact, as the average daily temperature during July and August can get as high as 29 degrees C, you are bound to find taking a break in Cyprus sees you return home with a bronze complexion that will be the envy of all your friends and relatives.

Despite this, it would be a mistake to think that Cyprus is only a good beach holiday destination in the summer months, as it's also well suited to those wanting some winter sun. Even if you come here in the coldest months of the year, you can expect there to be around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day, while the temperatures ought to remain fairly comfortable and stay in double figures.

No matter what time of year you are thinking about booking a break to the stunning island, you ought to lend some careful consideration towards which particular stretches you want to visit in advance. As there are more than 60 beaches to choose from, it is pretty unlikely you will have the time to visit them all. Instead, it is best to pick a couple.

To help make your decision a little easier, here is some information about a few of the island's top coastal areas.

Pantahou Beach

Pantahou Beach is certainly a good option for keen sunbathers, largely due to the fact it consists of a golden expanse of sand that stretches out for a kilometre.

As such, there should be more than enough space to find a spot where you can lay down a towel, relax and take in the sight of the glittering Mediterranean Sea in the distance. If you are gazing out over the water, make sure you keep an eye out for the colourful fishing boats that make their way in and out of the nearby harbour at Ayia Napa.

Don't worry if you're keen to be a touch more active during your getaway, as Pantahou Beach is also a good place to try a range of active pursuits. The moderate-sized waves here lend themselves well to water sports such as sailing and snorkelling, although you may prefer to have a game of football or volleyball on the golden sand.

Pissouri Beach

If you are going to be spending your break in south-west Cyprus, you ought to head to Pissouri Beach. As it is some 1,500 m long, there is bound be to somewhere for you to lie back and work on your tan.

In addition to containing a wealth of beautiful sand, the beach is home to crystal-clear waters that are great for activities such as swimming, waterskiing and windsurfing. Pissouri also holds Blue Flag status, so, if you're taking a family holiday to the island, it will be a suitable place for your children.

No matter what you chose to do while you're here, you can be sure you will be comfortable as there as public changing rooms, showers and toilets.

Santa Barbara Beach

On the island's southern coast is Santa Barbara Beach, a gorgeous stretch that is a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. As this part of the Cypriot coastline can be accessed by car, bus and motorbike, you ought to find it is easy to get to, whether you're travelling by yourself, with your partner or with a large group of friends.

Although the beach largely consists of sand, there are also a few rocky patches that you should look out for.

Feature: Best beach retreats in Cyprus

Wide sandy beaches, clear blue skies, and baking sun. It’s no surprise that this safe and friendly little country brings back hordes of holiday makers each summer. With both British Airways and easyJet flying into Larnaca and Paphos airports, there’s just four hours between you and the gorgeous beaches of Cyprus’ south coast!