Cyprus in Pictures: 18 Beautiful Places to Photograph

The crystal blue waters are enough of a reason to visit this ancient island, but Cyprus has so much more to offer in the form of historical destinations, pristine nature, and perfect weather year-round. It's almost impossible to avoid taking beautiful pictures.

Some of the oldest civilizations, dating back to the year 1100 BCE, once called Cyprus home – and their presence is still evident in the many ruins around the island.

And if you're here for the beach, Cyprus will offer both rough seas with mysterious caves and shipwrecks, as well as calm waters perfect for capturing unique images.

Here are some of the most beautiful places to photograph in Cyprus.

Nissi Beach

Part of the Ayia Napa resort area, 500-meters-long Nissi Beach is famous for its soft white sands against a background of palm trees. Basking on this beautiful beach is one of the best things to do in Cyprus.

The tiny uninhabited islet of Nissi is just meters away from the coast and can be reached by walking through the shallow waters.

• Read More: Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Cyprus

Larnaca Salt Lake

The network of four salt lakes that make up Larnaca is one of the most important migratory bird passages throughout the country. Over 10,000 flamingos winter here every year, feeding off the lake's brine shrimp. During particularly dry summers, the lake dries up, becoming a layered beauty of caked salt.

• Read More: Top Attractions & Things to Do in Larnaca

Cape Greco

Located between the resort towns of Protaras and Ayia Napa, Cape Greco offers deep blue waters, bright white sands, and a background of stunning sea cliffs. Nature trails leading to the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite crisscross through the rocks. The many sea caves here are also supposed to be the home of the "Ayia Napa sea monster."

Millomeri Waterfalls

The Millomeri waterfalls near the Troodos mountain range are one of the few falls in Cyprus that don't require a trek to reach – you can literally drive up to them. Though only 15 meters tall, the waterfalls are a stunning sight, surrounded by lush greenery and rocky pools you can dip your feet into.

Petra tou Romiou

Petra tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite's Rock, is the supposed birthplace of Aphrodite. A massive rock kissed by the foamy waves, Petra tou Romiou is a UNESCO-listed site and one of the most popular sites on the island to watch the sunset.

Coral Bay

Rocky sea caves dot the limestone cliffs here. The beach itself – a 600-meter stretch of warm golden sands – is a popular tourist destination. So is Maa-Paleokastro nearby, a 13th-century archeological site. It was here that the Mycenaean Greeks first settled as they escaped Greece when their empire fell.

Akamas Peninsula National Park

Blue Lagoon is the most famous spot within the boundaries of the Akamas National Park. Home to 168 bird species, the park is an essential part of the island ecosystem and a stunning mix of flowering valleys, sandy beaches, and trails with stunning water views.

Chantara Waterfall

Accessed via short trails from different nearby villages, the Chantara Waterfall puts on a stunning show as it roars down into the lake pool below. Shaded forests around it offer a cool respite from the heat and chances to explore the trails before jumping into the water.

Love Bridge

Known as the Love Bridge, this natural arch is a very popular spot for wedding photos. The arch is located near Protaras, a resort town that opens over the deep blue waters and a long stretch of soft white sands.

The Edro III Shipwreck

The Norwegian EDRO III ship ended up here after an unfortunate encounter with heavy seas cut its trip to Rhodes short. A magnificent 80 meters long, the Edro sits at an angle among the rocks, with a background of sea caves and waves hitting the coastline.

Sea Caves Cyprus

Hidden caves mark the entrance to the Cape Greco forest. During low tide, it's possible to walk into the caves and make your way underground, where a maze of tunnels possibly served once as a pirate hideaway. When the waters rise up, snorkeling, diving, and cliff jumping into the crystal blue waters are all popular activities.

Curium Amphitheater (Kourion Ancient Amphitheater)

The Roman amphitheater is one of the best-preserved ruins in the ancient site of Curium. Partially destroyed by earthquakes and once the home to gladiator games, the theater was eventually abandoned in the 4^th century CE.

Tzelefos Bridge

A massive medieval stone bridge, Tzelefos was partially built using river stones. Today, it sits right over a peaceful stream of the Xeros River, surrounded by old trees and a nature trail that connects Tzelefos to other Venetian bridges in the region.

Kannaviou Dam

Kannaviou might not be the largest dam in Cyprus but it's certainly the most stunning. Pine-fringed artificial lakes spread over the mountains, offering plenty of spaces to explore and discover. The surrounding trails take visitors to monasteries, tiny forest churches, and shaded corners to sit back and enjoy the scenery.

Mount Olympus

The highest point in Cyprus at 1,952 meters tall, Mount Olympus is one of the few places in Cyprus that gets a blanket of soft snow in winter. A wooden deck with glass railings serves as an observation point over the rolling green mountains and the Bay of Morphou in the distance. Between January and March, it's possible to ski high up on the mountain.

Paphos

This beautiful UNESCO-World-Heritage-listed coastal city set high on a cliff has something for everybody: soft golden beaches, ancient Roman mosaics, archeological and catacomb sites, and a beautiful medieval harbor home to Paphos Castle. Although relatively quiet during most of the year, the city is a major summer destination.

Read More: Top Attractions in Paphos

Omodos

Located about 800 meters above sea level, the tiny village of Omodos actually offers many reasons to visit. It's famous for producing traditional arkatena bread (made with fermented chickpea), its old stone-built houses with red roofs, the monastery of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross), and its icon museum.

Makronissos Beach

Makronissos Beach is actually two beaches lying next to each other. One is larger and opens right over the sea – a vibrant place dotted with blue umbrellas, where kids can build castles and adults can jump into the sea. The second one is smaller, half-hidden behind greenery and rocks, protected from the wind and a lot quieter. The white soft sands and the deep blue waters are just as beautiful on both beaches.