The ancient Greek Mycenaeans knew a thing or two when they landed in Cyprus in the Bronze Age and built the settlement of Paleokastro on the northwest headland of Coral Bay.
Thousands of years on it’s still waiting to be discovered by many tourists heading for the larger and better-known resorts on the south and west Cypriot coastline. But with one of the island’s best beaches, and situated just 30 minutes from Paphos airport, Coral Bay is as accessible as it is attractive.
In 2009, a new airport link bus was launched, making it cheaper for visitors without transfers to reach Coral Bay. The eight-mile drive north of bustling Paphos on the south-western coastline takes visitors through banana plantations and vineyards, setting the scene for Coral Bay’s laid-back charms.
With its safe bathing and nightlife more suited to mature types than party animals, it’s a good choice for families. The flagship Coral Beach Hotel & Resort is the first and only five-star property on the island to offer a family plan. There are a selection of rooms, some inter-connecting, to accommodate two adults and up to three youngsters on an all-inclusive basis, plus a children’s restaurant with optional early meals and daytime entertainment programme.
While it doesn’t have the historic interest of nearby Paphos, Coral Bay is an ideal base to explore the rest of Cyprus and there are plenty of attractions and activities nearby served by a regular bus service.
For clients needing some rest and relaxation the beach is an obvious draw and there are some excellent spa hotels. Coral Bay also has a good selection of restaurants and local shops making it an attractive option for self-caterers who want to go it alone in a villa.
Families
The classic horseshoe-shaped beach is set in the natural bay protected by two headlands and is widely considered to be the finest on the island. Perfect for swimming and sunbathing, the soft golden sand leads to the shallow sea edge, making it very safe for children.
The beach has earned a European Blue Flag for its facilities, water quality and cleanliness and there are lifeguards on duty during the main season. Pedaloes, banana boats, water skis, jet skis and windsurfing provide fun for all age groups.
A popular family attraction close to Coral Bay is the Pafos Bird and Animal Park, the only one of its kind on the island. Open year-round, it’s home to a large collection of birds and there are daily parrot and owl shows in the 350-seat air-conditioned amphitheatre.
The Coral Beach Hotel & Resort (pictured) operates a crèche and children’s club for hotel guests and the facilities are also open to non-residents on a chargeable basis.
Active
One of the major attractions of Coral Bay is its diving. There are several dive companies in the area and everyone from beginners to seasoned divers are catered for.
First-timers can take the plunge with a dive around the Coral Bay harbour wall and Manijin Island, with its spectacular cave, which is just a 10-minute boat ride away. The entrance to Akamas National Park offers fantastic underwater scenery and experienced divers can go on a day trip to the wreck of Zenobia, one of the world’s largest wreck dive sites.
Back on dry land the Akamas peninsula is a beautiful part of the island to swim, cycle and walk. For clients who want to move up a gear, Coral Bay Karting has adult and kiddy karts and horse riding is available near Coral Bay.
Spa
For couples and spa enthusiasts the area has some notable boutique properties. Anagenisis, the spa at the Thalassa Boutique Hotel & Spa, was the first holistic spa in Cyprus. Overlooking Coral Bay, and with rooms and suites named after Greek gods and goddesses, spa treatments are geared to soothe the mind, body and soul.
On the road to Coral Bay is the Azia Resort and Spa, a three-in-one boutique hotel featuring three properties with distinctive characteristics on the same site. One is the Club and Spa, which is perfect for privacy and pampering.
This hotel also boasts another first for the island, a butler allocated to every suite from a superior suite upwards. And at Esthisis, the spa at Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, there’s a new romantic candlelit body massage for two in the outdoor Roman tent.
Excursions
Just outside Coral Bay are the Adonis Baths, a natural pool beside a waterfall and restored watermill. According to Greek mythology, this is where the goddess of love Aphrodite frolicked in the waters with Adonis. It’s worth the climb to reach the baths and many visitors go for a dip as legend has it that swimming in the baths makes women beautiful and men stronger.
A top attraction is the Unesco-listed Kato-Paphos Archaeological Park at Paphos, famous for its Roman mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings burial site. Coral Bay is also a good base for exploring the northern coastline, with its coves and isolated beaches, and protected turtle nesting ground at Cape Lara.
Other day trips can take in the mountain monasteries of Ayios Neophytos and Chrysoroyiatissa and hillside villages of Peyia and Yeroskipou with their traditional tavernas and panoramic views.
Sample product
Cyplon is offering seven nights on the new all-inclusive family plan at the Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, from £3,800, representing a £500 saving on the regular all-inclusive option, for two adults and two children in a Studio Sea View for travel in April, including easyJet flights from Gatwick and transfers. 0800 074 8888, cyplon.co.uk
Classic Collection Holidays has seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Thalassa Boutique Hotel & Spa (below) from £984 for travel in May, including easyJet flights from Gatwick and private transfers. classic-collection.co.uk, 0800 008 7288
