Have you ever thought about discovering all Cyprus hidden gems? Cyprus is not just beaches and resorts. If you leave the main coastal strip for even one hour, the island turns wild and mythic: sea caves smashed by turquoise water, canyons you can actually walk inside, cliff-top castles that look like fantasy movies, and tiny stone monasteries hidden in pine forests in the mountains.

This guide is all about that side of Cyprus — the secret places in Cyprus, the places most people never see. Below you’ll find 12 real Cyprus hidden gems, including both the Republic of Cyprus in the south and Northern Cyprus.

We’re talking Avakas Gorge, where the rock walls almost touch above your head. Lara Bay, where turtles hatch on a protected beach. The Blue Lagoon in Akamas, with water so clear it almost looks fake. Cape Greco, with dramatic cliffs, natural arches and secret swim spots. And then there are the human stories: Kykkos Monastery high in the Troodos Mountains, Bellapais Monastery and Saint Hilarion Castle watching the coast from above like medieval guardians, and the ancient ruins of Salamis by the sea.

This is perfect if you’re planning a 3–5 day or even longer Cyprus trip and don’t want to just sit in one resort. You’ll get nature stops, easy viewpoints, short hikes, historical sites, swimming spots, and even a turtle conservation beach and a kid-friendly camel park. Most locations are reachable by rental car; a few (like the Blue Lagoon and parts of Akamas) are best with a 4×4 or by boat. See Cyprus Travelers’ Choice Hotels!

You’ll also get an interactive map with all 12 places pinned, so you can build your own road trip and see how to connect them. Use it to choose your base (Paphos, Troodos, Ayia Napa / Protaras, Kyrenia area, etc.) and then just go explore. This is Cyprus beyond the brochure.

Cyprus Hidden Gems Map

12 Off the Beaten Path in Cyprus

1. Avakas Gorge

The Avakas Gorge is a dramatic canyon in the Akamas Peninsula National Park, known for its towering limestone walls, narrow passages, and rich flora and fauna. The gorge is carved by the Avgas River and is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers.

2. Konnos Bay

Konnos Bay is a stunning, Blue Flag-awarded beach located at the eastern edge of Ayia Napa, on the road between Cape Greco and Protaras in Cyprus. Nestled in a sheltered cove surrounded by pine-covered hills and cliffs, it is celebrated for its fine golden-white sand and calm, crystal-clear, turquoise waters, making it one of the most picturesque beaches on the island.

3. Bellapais Monastery

The Bellapais Abbey is one of secret places in Cyprus. Itìs a stunning 13th-century monastery ruin located in the village of Bellapais in Northern Cyprus. The name, from the French Abbaye de la Paix, means “Abbey of Peace”. Known for its Gothic architecture, picturesque setting, and panoramic views, it also serves as a popular cultural venue.

4. Sea Caves

If you are looking for off the beaten path in Cyprus, sea caves are one of them. Cyprus has sea caves in two main coastal areas: one near the resort town of Ayia Napa and the other in the Peyia region, near Paphos. Both feature unique geological formations carved by the sea, offering opportunities for sightseeing, swimming, and exploring.

5. Saint Hilarion Castle

Saint Hilarion Castle is a medieval ruin built on a high peak of the Pentadaktylos mountain range in Northern Cyprus. Visitors can explore the three-tiered castle and see ancient Byzantine, Gothic, and Crusader architecture while enjoying spectacular views of the Kyrenia coastline.

6. Kykkos Monastery

The Kykkos Monastery is a wealthy and prominent Greek Orthodox monastery located in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus. Founded in the 11th century, it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and houses a highly revered icon of the Virgin, believed to have been painted by the Apostle Luke.

7. Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon in Cyprus is a stunning natural bay renowned for its crystal-clear, turquoise waters, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. There are actually two locations known as “Blue Lagoon” on the island: the primary one in the protected Akamas peninsula blue lagoon inside Peninsula National Park near Paphos and Latchi, and another near Ayia Napa.

8. Agios Neophytos Monastery

The Agios Neophytos Monastery is a historic Orthodox monastery near the village of Tala, about 9 km north of Paphos in Cyprus. It was founded by the recluse Saint Neophytos in the 12th century.

9. Lara Bay Turtles Station

The Lara Bay Turtle Station is a conservation station on the secluded Lara Bay Beach, located on the Akamas Peninsula north of Paphos, Cyprus. The station helps protect the endangered green and loggerhead turtles that lay eggs on the beach between May and August.

10. Salamis

Salamis is an extensive ancient archaeological site located on the east coast of Cyprus, north of modern Famagusta. It was the most important ancient port and a major commercial and cultural hub of the island for centuries, with a history spanning over 1,500 years.

11. Camel Park

Camel Park Mazotos is an animal park with over 100 animals, located 15 minutes from Larnaca Airport in the village of Mazotos. In addition to camels, the park features a variety of other animals, a swimming pool, and activities for families with kids.

12. Cape Greco Sea Caves and National Forest Park

Cape Greco National Forest Park is a protected area on the southeastern coast of Cyprus, between the resorts of Ayia Napa and Protaras. Known for its natural sea caves, dramatic cliffs, and scenic coastal paths, the park offers hiking, swimming, snorkeling, and sightseeing. Entrance to the park is free.

Famagusta – Salamis & Varosha (Ghost Town)

Ancient Salamis (Near Famagusta, Northern Cyprus)

Once the great city of eastern Cyprus, Salamis sprawls over dunes and pines by the sea: a restored Roman theatre, colonnaded gymnasium and baths, basilicas with mosaics, and long avenues of toppled columns. It flourished from the Classical through Roman and early-Byzantine periods, then declined after earthquakes and Arab raids. Today it’s one of the island’s most impressive archaeological parks and easy to pair with nearby Famagusta’s walls.

Varosha (Famagusta) – the “Ghost Town.” Why that name?

Varosha was Cyprus’s glitzy beachfront resort in the 1960s–70s—high-rise hotels and celebrity guests—until the 1974 conflict. Residents fled and the seafront district was fenced off under military control. With buildings sealed and maintenance halted, the quarter decayed for decades, creating the eerie, empty-city feel that earned the name Ghost Town.

It's one of secret places in Cyprus. Since 2020, parts of the seafront/promenade have been reopened for limited civilian access, though redevelopment and access rules remain politically sensitive and can change. Expect shuttered facades, ruined hotels, and a surreal freeze-frame of a resort left to time.

Off the beaten path in Cyprus isn’t only in its beaches—it’s in the wild edges and time-capsule places where nature and history meet. From the turquoise coves of Akamas to the story-book towers above Kyrenia, and from quiet Troodos monasteries to the vast ruins of Salamis, these Cyprus hidden gems are close enough to combine in one memorable route.

Choose a base (Paphos, Troodos, Ayia Napa/Protaras, or the Famagusta/Kyrenia side), follow the map, and build a simple plan: one scenic stop, one historic site, one swim or viewpoint per day.

Travel respectfully — visit Lara Bay turtles, keep cliffs and caves safe, and check current rules if crossing the buffer zone. Then let the island surprise you. This is Cyprus beyond the brochure—raw, beautiful, and easy to fall in love with.