The Aphrodite Baths and the Aphrodite Trail in Cyprus. Trekking in Akamas Peninsula

• Aphrodite's Baths are charming springs in a rock grotto in a botanical garden in northern Cyprus
• The Aphrodite Trail and the Adonis Trail begin in Łaźnie, offering scenic trekking
• Entrance to the baths and the trail is free, parking is also free
• You can get here by car from Paphos in less than an hour
• Our route along the Aphrodite trail can be found marked on the map below

Aphrodite's Baths is one of several interesting places in Cyprus associated with this goddess of love and beauty. The baths themselves are small. It is a charming spring hidden in a rock grotto on the wild Akamas peninsula, in the shade of lush vegetation and old fig tree. It is said that the water from this source adds beauty, preserves youth, and additionally served Aphrodite as a renewal of virginity. Today, it is unfortunately forbidden to enter the bathhouse. On the other hand, there is a beautiful area around for a wonderful, scenic trekking along the AphroditeTrail or the Adonis Trail, which I highly recommend to you!

Location, parking and access to the Baths of Aphrodite

Aphrodite's Baths are located near the fishing village of Latsi (Latchi). You will find them in the botanical garden, by the sea, behind the fishing port of Latsi, towards the end of the Akamas peninsula. It is about 40 km from Paphos. It is best to get here by rented car, by road no. B7 to Polis and then E713. This takes less than 1 hour. If you do not have a car, you can take the bus line 645 to Polis within an hour, and from there 4 km by bus to Łaźnia. 
There is a large free car park at the Baths, from where signs lead, so it is difficult to get lost. Baths of Aphrodite restaurant is located in the car park.

The Baths of Aphrodite (Loutra tis Aphroditis) - legend and mythology

According to Greek mythology, it was here that Aphrodite took a bath every day. The water from the spring was to add to her beauty and preserve her youth. Interestingly, after each bath, she came out of the spring as a virgin. That's why she met her lovers here. It was here that she met Adonis. During the hunt, he stopped at the spring for a drink of water. Then he saw naked Aphrodite and fell in love with her at first sight. Perhaps because a sip of water from the spring is supposed to act like a love spell.

Well, today the water is unfit for drinking, and it is also forbidden to enter it, because it is fenced. The place has also lost a bit of romance, but you can still imagine it. I must admit that I was a bit disappointed with this place. I expected something more spectacular, but the trail turned out to be more beautiful than I thought.

Aphrodite Nature Trail and Adonis Trail

It is definitely worth going further, because the famous Aphrodite's Trail begins here, which further climbs up and offers breathtaking views of the azure waters of Chrysochou Bay and almost the entire peninsula.

Routes

The Aphrodite Nature Trail is a circular route with a length of about 7.5 km. It takes about 3 hours to pass. The Adonis Trail also runs here. They have a common beginning and in a large fragment the two trails go together, but under the old oak tree, which is 500 years old, they divide in two different directions. It was here, in the shade of a magnificent oak, under the tower, that Aphrodite was to rest after a bath and cuddle with Adonis to say goodbye. This tower is called the Queen's Tower, and today it has been preserved only as ruins. The Aphrodite Trail route leads through very picturesque areas of the national park, both near the sea and by a steep path almost to the top of the Moutti tis Sotiras mountain.

Spectacular views

The highest point on the route of the Trail is at an altitude of 333 m above sea level. There are benches and a magnificent view of the northern end of the island. Although it is not very high, walking from sea level, you can get tired. The very top of the trail bypasses, but it is worth taking a moment off the trail to the highest hill in the area, 370 m above sea level, to admire even more spectacular landscapes. The views from the top are breathtaking, because the sea spills over as far as the eye can see and you can see the jagged ends of the wild Akamas peninsula. It is drenched in the navy and turquoise waters of the bay. The effect is all the more powerful because the mountain offers almost vertical walls and standing on top of them gives the impression of a huge power of nature. From here, along a winding and steep trail, we descended to the seashore to return to the parking lot on a wide path.

The Aphrodite Trail is an ideal proposition for lovers of hiking, beautiful landscapes and mythological stories. Trekking on the Akamas Peninsula, thanks to its unique and unspoiled nature, as well as its rich history and legendary past, provides unforgettable memories and great impressions.

Our loop on the map

We went through a loop of about 8 kilometers. From the bathhouse, we went up the Aphrodite trail. The trail is very nice, sometimes rocky. There was a lot of soggy clay during our climb. This is because 2 days earlier, Cyprus was hit by the bora wind and brought powerful rainfall. We climbed to the very top, and from there, along a winding and steep trail, we descended to the seashore to return to the parking lot on a wide path.

Legend and Aphrodite and Adonis

And why do the trails of Aphrodite and Adonis connect? Because they were connected by a special feeling. Aphrodite was the wife of Hephaestus, but this one was crude and callous, so she had numerous lovers. The most important lover was Adonis. In addition, she had the affection of Ares, who was very jealous. So he released an odynec, which torn Adonis' crotch with a fang. Yes, the young man died, but from his blood that dripped to the ground grew flowers called Adonis. Today, they can be found on the route of the Trail.

Other things to do in Cyprus

• Paphos - a tourist city with a promenade, ancient ruins and ancient tombs
• Cape Greco - a wild and scenic cape on the south-east coast of Cyprus
• Ayia Napa with the Rock Bridge of Love, a popular attraction in Cyprus
• Aphrodite's Rock- the most beautiful corner of Cyprus, where the goddess of love was born
• Troodos Mountains - a mountain range with the highest peak of Cyprus, Olimbos, also known as Olympus
• Avakas Gorge and Lara Beach - an incredibly beautiful limestone canyon with an interesting trekking trail and a beach where large turtles lay their eggs
• Edro III wreck - on the west coast, tourists are attracted by the wreck of a ship that sank in 2011

Accommodation in Cyprus

When we were in Cyprus, we slept in Paphos, at the Nereus Hotel. It looks very nice, it is large and very decent for its reasonable price. It provides a tasty breakfast. The room includes everything you need, a bed, a wardrobe, a desk, a chair and armchair, as well as a kettle with a set of coffees and teas. And, of course, a private bathroom. There is also air conditioning. We ordered the hotel in advance by booking, it cost about PLN 250 per night per room. We had to pay only a few days before leaving for Cyprus.

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

Rent a car

Exploring becomes much easier when you have your own means of transport. You don’t have to worry about buses or taxis, and you can plan each day your way. The search box below will help you find the right car – right where your journey begins.

What's worth seeing in the area?

If you have already visited this attraction, it is also worth visiting several other interesting ones places nearby. Within a radius of 100 kilometers you will find many interesting places places that can diversify your stay in this part of Poland.

• Avakas Gorge in Cyprus, distance: 15.1  km
• Cypriot cuisine, distance: 19  km
• Wreck of the Edro III ship in Cyprus, distance: 20.4  km
• Paphos Cyprus, distance: 34.1  km
• Cyprus, distance: 34.1  km
• Troodos Mountains Cyprus, distance: 49.4  km
• Aphrodite's Rock in Cyprus, distance: 50.7  km