Scenic Driving Routes

Cyprus might be a small island, but don’t be fooled, it offers a fantastic variety of driving experiences that are both stunning and exhilarating. Whether you prefer a scenic costal route, or the motorway, everywhere is very well connected, so if you want to visit Paphos, Larnaca or even Nicosia, nowhere is too far to drive to.

Driving is a great way to explore the island. Car hire is the best way to do this and Cyprus Car Rental in association with Petsas Rent a Car have plenty vehicle options. To help you find your way when it comes to exploring the island, here are just a few of the great driving routes that you can enjoy.

Limassol to Paphos

This is a stunning costal drive that covers approximately 80km and should take you around 1 hour, depending on the traffic.
Heading west along the B6 out of Limassol, this drive will at times take you very close to the coast before meandering inland a little way and then returning to the costal roads. This route takes you through the British Akrotiri base before journeying on the castle at Kolissi – this 15th century castle is well worth stopping to visit along the way. Continuing along the coast you will reach the ancient site of Kurion with its acropolis, this is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Paphos and no trip to the area is truly complete with out a stop to take in the stunning views and architecture.
Further along the route you will find yourself at Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodites rock) where once again you will be greeted with breath-taking views across the water. The journey ends in Paphos where there are plenty of wonderful sites to take in including the Tombs of the Kings and the Archaeological park.

Ayia Napa to Protaras

Don’t be fooled by the short length of the drive. While it might only be 13km, taking around 20 minutes, it will certainly offer you plenty of majestic scenery. The coastal road between Ayia Napa and Protaras is a splendid drive that takes in the Cape Greco – the south eastern most tip of Europe, the National Park here makes a great place to stop. At the south end of the National park you will find the stunning Konnos Bay and just a little further up the coast picturesque Fig Tree Bay.

In Ayia Napa itself you will find the Medieval Monastery, which is of significant historical interest to the area. In Protares, it is well worth visiting the excavated Hellenistic tombs above the bay and to the northwest the limestone Church of Profitis Ilias, perched atop a rock.

Paphos to Pano Panagia

This 38 km drive will offer you something a little different. The climb out of Paphos is steep but worth it. This route will bring you to the rolling upland vineyards, plenty of very pretty villages and several monasteries – Panagia itself was the birth place of Archbishop Makarios III, who was the Republic of Cyprus’s first president. Just beyond Panagia you will find yourself at the outskirts of Paphos forest. Here the scenery is very different to the coast but no less beautiful and there is plenty to see.

Whichever option for car rental in Cyprus you choose, these driving routes will make the drive an experience to remember.