Paphos & Akamas Nature Reserve Park
The town of Pafos is the playground of the Gods. The legacy from its remarkable
history adds up to nothing less than an open museum, so much so that UNESCO simply
added the whole town to its world Cultural Heritage List. Among the treasures unearthed,
are the remarkable mosaics in the Houses of Dionysus, Theseus and Aion, the mysterious
vaults and caves, the Tombs of the Kings, the ancient Odeon Theatre and other places
of interest, including the Byzantine Museum.
Akamas is situated at the westernmost point of Cyprus. The Peninsula is a rugged
thumb-shaped strip of land crisscrossed by rocky hiking trails. It is the easternmost
point of the three major flora zones of Europe, and the number of plant species
found here runs up to 600, of which 35 are endemic. The variety of fauna is also
impressive: 168 bird species, 12 mammals, 20 reptiles and butterfly species of which
the endemic Glaucopsyche Pafos butterfly is said to be the symbol of the area. From
the various Trails hikers have spectacular views of rock formations, limestone outcroppings,
cliffs and boulders sculpted into odd shapes suspended in the sea. According to
one version, the area took its name from the Greek mythological hero Akamas, son
of Theseus who came to Cyprus after the Trojan War and founded Akamantis. Akamas
was also the place where Aphrodite and Adonis had their love trysts. It is an area
of incomparable natural beauty. Almost all the geological formations found on the
island are present in the area. Akamas is ideal for walking, running, cycling, swimming,
diving, fishing, exploring, cruising on small craft, and bird watching.
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