If you are near Limassol and want to experience a unique mixture of natural wonders, cultural treasures, cute cats, and historical landmarks, visit the Akrotiri Cyprus area. Akrotiri is a peninsula on the southern coast of Cyprus. The place is famous mainly for the salt lake, wetlands, and pristine coastline with occasional fishermen’s presence. It belongs to one of the two British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

This article aims to introduce all the highlights of Akrotiri Cyprus. It is even possible to visit them all during one day if you are in a hurry. But you need to start your trip early in the morning and ideally take a car or bicycle.

Salt Lake Birdwatching

Akrotiri Salt Lake is one of the largest salt lakes in Cyprus. It spreads over 2.2 square kilometers. The lake attracts many bird species, especially in winter. You can spot flamingos, herons, avocets, or sandpipers there. The ideal time to visit the lake is between November and March, during the winter and early spring. The birds are usually active during the early morning and late afternoon. The lake is also part of the Natura 2000 network, an initiative of the European Union to protect habitats of high ecological value.

You can visit some viewpoints around the lake, but you can also come closer and step onto it. In such cases, it is better to visit during the summer season when the lake is dry. The only downside is that there are no flamingos during this time of year. There might be some, as the footprints I took in May 2025 suggest. But you’ll need to dig deeper into the unstable, muddy areas to find them.

Timiou Staurou Church

A couple of churches are in Akrotiri, Cyprus, but most are spread around the area. Timiou Staurou is the only one that is directly in the Akrotiri village. The church has a central dome and a single-aisled barrel-vaulted construction made of stone and concrete. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century. On the inside, marble mosaics cover the floor while the black and red corridors contrast with the white base. There are also public toilets that are accessible from outside separately. Right next to the church is a small cemetery.

Akrotiri Environmental Education Centre

The center highlights the Akrotiri Peninsula’s unique environment and allows visitors to learn about its biodiversity, geology, and history.

The center consists of interactive exhibitions, a laboratory, a video and conference room, a library, and an observation area with high-quality telescopes and binoculars. Outside comes with a garden and a playground. The place is open from Monday to Friday from 7.30 AM to 2 PM, and on Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM, but closed during the public holidays. Entrance is free.

Akrotiri Marsh

Akrotiri Marsh is the largest wetland area on the island, lying northwest of Salt Lake. It spreads over 150 hectares and is ideal for nature and animal lovers. Some of its common inhabitants include different varieties of birds like the Little Bittern, Black Francolin, or European Goldfish. Some visitors (on Google Reviews) point out and provide pictures of certain animals, especially donkeys, that are tied up without access to water and shade, and some of them look too skinny.

There is a tower at the start of the marsh. You can see most of the marsh from the road. The terrain includes moors, scattered trees and bushes, and some desert parts. The conditions are flat, hilly, rocky, dry, and dusty with high water. The best time to visit is in spring and autumn. Suppose you are visiting the place via road. In that case, you can also stop at Malcolm Cat Protection Society and hang out with around 250 cats, or if you crave more culture, there is the Panagia Galaktoforousa Greek Orthodox church.

Akrotiri Sand Dunes

Around 3 kilometers away from the village of Akrotiri lie the Akrotiri Sand Dunes, a rare natural feature on the island. Not very high and mostly covered with plants, the dunes still fulfill sandboarders’ desires. The area is home to unique flora, reptiles, birds, and turtles. Surfers or divers often visit the beach with turtle nests. On your way there, you can stop at Saint George, a small Greek Orthodox church.

Achaios Shipwreck

You can see the shipwreck from the Akrotiri Dunes. It is one of the most iconic maritime sights in Cyprus. The shipwreck used to be a ship called Mav Achaios, which was built in 1932. The boat was full of wood and was on its journey from Yugoslavia to Jeddah. Thanks to a strong storm, the vessel ran aground on the Akrotiri Peninsula and has stayed there since then. Luckily, all the passengers were saved. The surrounding waters are relatively shallow, so you will always see part of it in the sky.

Turtles

Not only is the beach at the Akrotiri Sand Dunes home to many turtle nests, but the whole coastline, including the Lady’s Mile beach, is home to some. If you want to spot them, you need to come at suitable times, and for better results, you should check local turtle-spotting tours or any educational programs. Many of them are available mainly during the summer months.

Watersports

I have already mentioned that surfers often visit the Akrotiri Sand Dunes (you can swim inside the waters, but be aware of the currents). You can also use the waves for windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, or sailing. Some of these sports are also doable at Lady’s Miles Beach.

Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas of the Cats

The second-oldest monastery in Cyprus lies around 4 kilometers east of the Akrotiri village. As the name suggests, it is not an ordinary monastery but one where you can play and feed many cats. Its history dates back to the 4th century, and it is associated with the legend of St. Helena. She was supposed to land there in AD 328 and found out the place was full of poisonous snakes. She decided to get rid of them by populating the area with cats.

Some sources say that the monastery used to have two bells, one for prayers and the other for the cats. Since 1983, nuns have come to the monastery. They take care of the cats and get some government help. Visitors can also buy food at the site and feed the cats.

If you check the surroundings, you will find beautiful Despotiki Lake nearby. The lake is artificial, and people created it in 1960 to irrigate the area. The Kouris River Dam serves as its primary water source.

Military Aircraft

Because the area is home to the Royal Air Force, you will also have a chance to spot a lot of different aircraft in the air—for example, Typhoon Jets, Hercules C-130, Voyage Tankers, or helicopters like Chinook. The best spot for this activity is the Salt Lake. The planes are more active during the weekdays. Be aware that you should not photograph anything directly toward the base perimeter.

Akrotiri Cyprus, combines wildlife, history, and unique landscapes in one compact area. After a day of exploring, the village of Akrotiri itself provides a welcoming place to unwind. Visitors will find a handful of traditional tavernas and restaurants serving Cypriot dishes, as well as some accommodation options (Akrotiri Holiday Villa) for those wishing to stay much longer and experience the unparalleled atmosphere.