Kato Pyrgos, Nicosia district's seaside

That Nicosia district, home of the inland capital, has a beach surprises nearly everyone, and it’s exactly how the Nicosia Tourism Board opens its piece on Kato Pyrgos. Here’s how to get there, which beaches to choose and what to see, based on the board’s information. The wider area is in Tilliria.

A seaside village in the mountains

Kato Pyrgos sits on the northern foothills of the Troodos, with the sea in front and green slopes behind, 111 km from central Nicosia. It has a fishing shelter and lives off fruit, with peaches, oranges, lemons and mandarins. The 2021 census counted 919 residents, though the board speaks of about 1,500.

The name comes from a tower. On a hill above the beach stands a small stone structure, the «Troulli», used as a lookout in Venetian times, hence Pyrgos, tower.

The beaches

The Tourism Board names three. Apothikes is sandy, named after a 1920s warehouse that stood nearby, and has sunbeds, umbrellas and tavernas close at hand. Krioneri, «cold water», is named after the sea temperature, has a beach bar open all day and a small area where dogs are allowed to swim. Omega takes its name from the shape of the shore, like the Greek letter. Hills with pines and fruit trees surround them.

I have no source I can cite on Blue Flag status for these beaches, so I won’t say anything. If you’re bringing your dog, see also Cyprus with a dog.

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The milk chapel and the oak

In the village, the chapel of Panagia tis Galoktistis keeps paintings of saints from the 12th and 14th centuries. Its name means «built with milk», and the legend goes that it was raised that way after the Virgin answered the villagers’ prayers and healed their sick sheep. On the square stands a 20-metre oak that, according to the board, dates from 1898.

The neighbours along the coast

Kato Pyrgos isn’t alone. Above it on the hillside is Pano Pyrgos, with 17 residents in 2021, and about 9 km west as the crow flies, according to OpenStreetMap, lies Pachyammos, another coastal village in the area with 59 residents and the view in the second photo. About 5 km to the east, the north begins with Limnitis (Yeşilırmak). Some 3 km from that crossing is Vouni Palace, and a little further on, the ancient city of Soli. It’s a short, very thinly populated stretch of coast, which is why the Tourism Board pitches it as an escape for anyone fleeing the noise of the busier summer beach resorts.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Polis and pick one that fits your day.

Getting there and what to bear in mind

By car, via Paphos. The Tourism Board admits it’s the longer route from Nicosia but says the stretch from Argaka to Kato Pyrgos, where blue sea meets green fields, makes up for it. Between the village and Limnitis there is a crossing point, which the Spanish foreign ministry includes among the crossing points and which I cover in crossing to Northern Cyprus. I’d spend a night here, or in Polis if there’s no room. The coast road continues west to Polis Chrysochous, by way of Pomos.

Where the bus does not go, a car does: compare car hire in Polis before you arrive rather than at the desk.

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