Agios Spiridon Beach
10. September 2022
Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park
25. October 2024
Nisia Loumbardi : paradise not only in Cyprus
Nisia Loumbardi Beach and Παραλία Βυζακιά (Vyzakia Beach) are for us the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus. They are located only 2 kilometres from Protaras and yet offer a completely different experience. You’ll find everything that the most famous beaches in Protaras or Ayia Napa have to offer, but on top of that you get a more beautiful scenery without a lot of hotels and high-rise buildings, and the icing on the cake is the significantly lower number of visitors.
In this area, you will find three beaches connected by a walkway, only three minutes apart. Nisia Loumbardi Beach is in the middle. To the left is Vyzakia Beach and to the right is Green Bay. Each of them will give you a different experience.
Vyzakia Beach / Παραλία Βυζακιά
Nestled among nature and cliffs, Vyzakia Beach is a beautiful sandy escape. From the sea you can enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding cliffs and greenery.
Waters are crystal clear with a gradual entry into the sea. Next to the beach you can enter the water over the rocks and the sea here is reminiscent of the one in Croatia, but warmer.
There are no bars or water sports on this beach. Sunbeds are available, but there are only a few, and even so, they were not all occupied. Especially, if you are travelling with children, you will appreciate Vyzakia Beach. Few people, a gradual entrance, calm water and no currents make for ideal conditions.
Nisia Loumbardi Beach
Nisia Loumbardi Beach is located in the middle. Right next to the beach, you can refresh yourself in the bar or restaurant. And this is also where you will find the car park, which is shared with Vyzakia Beach. On the beach, you will find fine sand, but as you enter the water the sand is replaced by gravel and only at about waist deep you will find sand again.
Turtles are often found here, but even without them, there is a wealth of underwater life to explore. Most people don’t swim here, they snorkel.
Because the water is clear, you can see everything below you clearly. Right in the middle of the bay, there is a sandy strip leading to the open sea, around which there are rocks and small corals where you can find various fish. At the end of the bay we even came across large black sea urchins.
At Nisia Loumbardi Beach, you can also rent a pedalo and explore the depths. Sun loungers and parasols are also available and plentiful.
Green Bay
The third beach is Green Bay. Between Nisia Loumbardi Beach and Green Bay is another car park, from where it is less than a three-minute walk.
Green Bay features fine golden sand, a beautiful sea, and limestone rocks with several caves. In many ways, it is reminiscent of Vyzakia Beach, though narrower in size. While it may not be ideal for snorkeling, it offers a perfect place to unwind and soak in the natural beauty. Furthermore, the calm, turquoise waters invite visitors to relax, float on an inflatable, or simply lounge around. With minimal stones in the water and a sandy bottom, it’s an inviting spot to play and enjoy a tranquil day.
Sun umbrellas, bar and pedalo rental can also be found here.
Additionally, Green Bay is home to underwater sculptures that form part of an intriguing underwater park. This park hosts a captivating collection of sculptures arranged on the seabed, designed to boost interest in diving while preserving the local ecosystem. These statues rest at accessible depths for divers and experienced snorkelers. Unfortunately, we only discovered them at the end of the day, leaving us without the opportunity to return and explore them further.
How to get here?
Most convenient and easy way is by car, which is very cheap in Cyprus – it cost us €20 per day with automatic transmission. If you don’t dare to drive, you can use the 101 or 102 bus lines that run between Ayia Napa and Protaras. Just tell the driver you want to get off at Nisia Loumbardi Beach, where the bus has a stop.
If you drive, there is free parking between Green Bay and Nisia Loumbardi Beach. On the other side of Nisia Loumbardi Beach there is a paid parking for €4 per day.
