Self-Launched: Walking the Akamas Peninsula, Cyprus

Fly into Paphos International Airport (PFO), the closest airport to the Akamas Peninsula, around 45 minutes away. Rent a car at the airport (highly recommended for flexibility, ~£25–35/day) or arrange a pre-booked taxi transfer to Droushia (~£35–45 one-way). Check into a local guesthouse or small hotel in Droushia — options include Droushia Heights Hotel or Chrysa's Guesthouse. Spend the evening exploring the stone-built village, grabbing dinner at the village taverna, and downloading GPX trail files from the Cyprus Walking Trails website (free).

🚌Fly into Paphos Airport (PFO). Hire car from airport ~£25–35/day or pre-booked taxi to Droushia ~£40

🛏Droushia Heights Hotel or comparable guesthouse in Droushia — B&B basis, ~£35–55/night for a double room

• →Arrive at Paphos Airport (PFO) and collect hire car or take taxi to Droushia (~45 mins)
• →Check in to guesthouse/small hotel in Droushia on B&B basis
• →Download free GPX trail files from the Cyprus Trails website (cypruswalks.com) and the Akamas National Park trail maps
• →Evening stroll around Droushia village and dinner at a local taverna

Set off on today's circular walk (19km / ~11.8 miles) directly from Droushia, following the GPX route you downloaded yesterday. The route passes through the charming stone villages of Kritou Terra and Kato Arodes, skirting orchards and vineyards with sweeping views. Highlights include the Kremiotis Waterfall — a lovely seasonal cascade — and the medieval Agia Paraskevi chapel, a beautifully preserved Byzantine gem. The trail is well-marked; carry water, a hat, and snacks. Return to Droushia on foot (it's a circular route). Dinner at the village taverna or self-cater from the local shop.

🚌Walk from guesthouse — no transport needed (circular route)

🛏Droushia guesthouse (as Day 1)

• →Circular walk from Droushia: 19km through Kritou Terra and Kato Arodes villages
• →Visit Kremiotis Waterfall (free, seasonal — best in spring but still scenic in autumn)
• →Explore the medieval Agia Paraskevi chapel (free entry)
• →Admire panoramic views of the Paphos countryside and vineyards

Another circular day walk (20.5km / ~12.4 miles) from Droushia, this time heading out across the Laona Plateau. This UNESCO-recognised area of outstanding natural and cultural heritage is dotted with picturesque stone-built villages including Ineia, Droushia and Fasli. Look out for abandoned donkey troughs, traditional bread ovens, and wildflower meadows. There's also the option to visit a local winery — Vasilikon Winery or Kritou Terra small producers welcome drop-ins; call ahead to confirm. A shorter 10km option is also perfectly feasible using the GPX file. Pack a picnic lunch from Droushia.

🚌Walk from guesthouse — no transport needed (circular route)

🛏Droushia guesthouse (as Day 1)

• →Circular plateau walk (20.5km) from Droushia across the Laona Plateau
• →Walk through stone villages of Ineia, Fasli and surroundings
• →Optional visit to a local winery — Vasilikon Winery or small Kritou Terra producer (~£5–10 tasting)
• →Shorter 10km loop option available via GPX file

Today's 21km route descends from the Laona plateau to the coast — one of the most dramatic days of the trip. The trail passes through the impressive Avakas Gorge (a narrow limestone canyon, free entry) before reaching the pristine beaches of South Lara and Toxeftra — important loggerhead turtle nesting sites protected by the Akamas National Park. The walk ends at Agios Georgios tis Pegeias, where there's a medieval church, ancient ruins, and a good fish taverna for a well-earned lunch or late afternoon meal. To return to Droushia, arrange a pre-booked local taxi (~£20–30) or use your hire car parked at the trail start — the Exodus itinerary includes a transfer here, so budget for this. This is your last night in Droushia.

🚌Walk to coast (point-to-point). Pre-book local taxi return to Droushia ~£20–30. Alternatively, leave hire car at walk start and taxi back to collect it.

🛏Droushia guesthouse (as Day 1 — final night)

• →Descend from Laona plateau through Avakas Gorge (free, dramatic limestone canyon)
• →Walk past South Lara and Toxeftra beaches — turtle nesting beaches within Akamas National Park
• →Reach Agios Georgios tis Pegeias: medieval church, church ruins, small fishing harbour
• →Lunch or dinner at the fish taverna at Agios Georgios (~£12–18)
• →Arrange taxi return to Droushia (~£20–30) or shuttle hire car back

The epic 21km traverse from Droushia to the Baths of Aphrodite cave is the highlight of the week. The route strings together sections of three of Cyprus's most celebrated trails — the Smigies, Adonis, and Aphrodite Trails — with jaw-dropping views of Chrysochous Bay from Cape Arnaoutis in the northwest to Pomos in the northeast. The summit of Moutti tis Sotiras offers 360-degree panoramas. The western descent on the Aphrodite Trail is widely considered the finest walk on the island. End at the Baths of Aphrodite cave (free entry), a cool grotto in the trees on the north coast. If doing the shorter option, take a local taxi or bus to Neo Chorio and join the Aphrodite Trail there (~£10–15 taxi). Check into your new base in Polis Chrysochous for three nights — a lovely small town on the bay.

🚌Point-to-point walk. Drive/taxi luggage from Droushia to Polis (~£20–30 taxi for bags, or self-drive hire car repositioned). Shorter-option: taxi to Neo Chorio ~£12.

🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Polis Chrysochous — e.g. Baths of Aphrodite Hotel area or Polis town centre, B&B basis ~£35–50/night

• →Epic point-to-point traverse: Smigies → Adonis → Aphrodite Trails (21km, or shorter version starting at Neo Chorio)
• →Summit Moutti tis Sotiras for panoramic views of Chrysochous Bay
• →Walk the celebrated western descent of the Aphrodite Trail
• →Visit the Baths of Aphrodite cave — mythological grotto, free entry
• →Check into guesthouse or small hotel in Polis Chrysochous for 3 nights

Today's 18km circular walk is a coastal feast. Following the eastern section of the Adonis Trail, the route passes the most spectacular beaches and coves on Cyprus's north coast: Fontana Amoroza (Lover's Spring), the world-famous Blue Lagoon (turquoise waters, often accessible by boat trips from Latchi), the natural rock Amphitheatre, Manolis Beach, and Koufotrypis Beach. The trail also takes in the rugged coastline near the Baths of Aphrodite cave. Carry plenty of water — shade is limited. The Blue Lagoon can also be reached by a short boat trip from Latchi Harbour (~£10–15 return) if you prefer a half-day option. All trails are free and waymarked.

🚌Walk from guesthouse or drive/taxi to the Baths of Aphrodite trailhead (~5 mins by car, ~£5 taxi)

🛏Polis Chrysochous guesthouse (as Day 5)

• →Circular coastal walk (18km) on the eastern Adonis Trail from the Baths of Aphrodite trailhead
• →Walk to Fontana Amoroza, the Blue Lagoon, Manolis Beach, and Koufotrypis Beach (all free)
• →Swim at the Blue Lagoon — bring snorkel gear for crystal clear waters
• →Optional: boat trip to the Blue Lagoon from Latchi Harbour (~£10–15) for non-walkers
• →Walk the dramatic coastline near the Baths of Aphrodite cave

A well-earned rest day. Options abound: head back to the Blue Lagoon by boat from Latchi Harbour (a popular local boat trip, ~£10–15), explore the charming town of Polis Chrysochous with its archaeological museum (free entry) and excellent local tavernas, or hire a kayak at Latchi Beach (~£15/hour). The Latchi waterfront has great seafood restaurants — worth a splurge for a proper Cypriot meze lunch (~£18–25). Alternatively, drive to the nearby Baths of Aphrodite car park for an easy short walk in the morning and spend the afternoon by the pool or beach.

🚌Local: on foot, hire car, or short taxi rides within the Polis/Latchi area (~£5–10)

🛏Polis Chrysochous guesthouse (as Day 5 — final night)

• →Option 1: Boat trip from Latchi Harbour to the Blue Lagoon (~£10–15 return)
• →Option 2: Explore Polis Chrysochous — Archaeological Museum (free), town centre, local cafes
• →Option 3: Kayak hire at Latchi Beach (~£15/hour) and swim
• →Cypriot meze lunch at a Latchi waterfront taverna (~£18–25)
• →Relax at the beach or by the hotel pool

After a final B&B breakfast, check out and make your way back to Paphos Airport (PFO) for your onward flight. The drive from Polis Chrysochous to Paphos Airport takes approximately 1 hour via the B7/E709 road — straightforward if you have a hire car. Return the car at the airport. If using taxis, pre-book a transfer the night before (~£40–50). Alternatively, catch the intercity bus from Polis to Paphos bus station (operated by OSYPA, ~£3–5, roughly 1–1.5 hrs), then a local taxi or airport bus to the terminal.

🚌Hire car return to Paphos Airport (~1 hr, £0 extra if already rented) or intercity bus Polis → Paphos ~£4 + taxi to airport ~£10, or pre-booked taxi ~£45

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final B&B breakfast at guesthouse
• →Check out and transfer to Paphos Airport (PFO)
• →Option A: Return hire car at airport (~1 hr drive from Polis)
• →Option B: OSYPA intercity bus Polis → Paphos bus station (~£3–5), then taxi to airport (~£8–12)
• →Option C: Pre-booked private transfer ~£40–50