If you’re exploring the unspoilt beauty of Cyprus and want to enjoy a more natural side of the island, Lara Beach is the perfect spot. Known for its protected turtle nesting grounds, this remote stretch of coastline offers raw, untouched scenery, turquoise seas, and fascinating conservation efforts. We visited Cyprus in April, outside of turtle season, and it was still one of the most memorable walks of our holiday.

Here’s everything we experienced — from the scenic mountain drive to the bottlecap jellyfish, and why visiting Lara Beach with kids is just as magical even when the turtles aren’t nesting.

A Scenic Drive from Polis through the Mountains

We were staying near Polis, at the lovely Villa Kambos Dio, and decided to head south for the day to discover the Akamas Peninsula’s wild coastline. The drive itself was a highlight, winding through the mountains and offering panoramic views as we climbed.

One of the most picturesque villages we passed through was Inia (also spelt Ineia). Nestled in the hills, it’s a traditional Cypriot village known for its peaceful atmosphere, stone buildings, and surrounding vineyards. Although we didn’t stop this time, it looked like a wonderful place for a slow stroll or coffee with a view. 

We drove through Inia a few times during our family holiday to Cyprus, and it looked like a wonderful place to visit. After the village, the scenery in Cyprus was surprising as at this time of year it was not dissimilar to the UK in the hill areas!

Unexpected Stops: Boulder Climbing and Rusty Viewpoint

As we drove closer to Lara Beach, we made a few spontaneous stops along the way. The first was at a large white boulder near a small parking area. It looked like a spot popular with climbers or bouldering enthusiasts, and we could definitely see the appeal, with its size, texture, and dramatic surroundings.

Not far past the boulder, we noticed something unusual in the landscape: a rusty metal structure nestled into the hillside. Curious, we stopped to explore and discovered it was Rusty Viewpoint, a unique lookout with a rusty sheet-metal tunnel leading to a set of panoramic viewpoints.

A wooden boardwalk led the way to the edges of the cliffs, where we were treated to breathtaking views of the coastline, including Lara Point and nearby beaches. There were even a few benches — ideal for a picnic if you’re passing on a sunny day.

It was such a surprising find and made the journey to Lara Beach even more rewarding. It’s definitely worth pulling over if you see it on your route.

Here’s where you can find Rusty View Point in Cyprus:

Navigating Off-Road to the Beach

As we continued, the road became more of a mountain track — uneven, dusty, and far from tarmac. If you’re hiring a car, be aware that many companies don’t allow driving on unpaved roads. We had an SUV, which was ideal for this terrain, but we often saw mountain buggy and quad bike hire while in this region of Cyprus — clearly a popular choice for reaching these remote spots.

Staying connected can also be tricky in more remote parts of the Akamas Peninsula. If you’re relying on mobile data for navigation or travel updates, consider using Holafly’s esim in Europe, which offers reliable coverage without needing to swap physical SIM cards — perfect for road trips in areas with limited signal.

At one point, we were diverted along the edge of a farmer’s field, driving next to crops until a hand-painted sign guided us back to the “road”. It felt like a proper off-road adventure — just be prepared!

Starting Our Walk: The First Beach and a Picnic Stop

We parked in the small car park closest to Turtles Kiosk Cafe Restaurant, next to the beach to the left of Lara Beach and the headland. This beach is quiet and peaceful, backed by cliffs and rugged hills. We had a picnic in the car to fuel up before the walk and spent some time watching the sea.

Despite the calm look of the water, there were surprisingly large rolling waves close to shore — powerful and mesmerising. We stood for a while just watching them rise and crash. It was such a peaceful moment. We love exploring wilder beaches and soaking in the atmosphere.

Crossing the Headland to Lara Beach

From the beach, we walked across the rocky headland to reach the main part of Lara Beach, also known as Turtle Beach. The walk was stunning — a rugged path filled with jagged white rocks, bursts of coastal flowers, and dramatic cliff edges.

We diverted from the trail at one point to get closer to the crashing waves and spotted some huge breakers, easily twice our height, smashing against the rocks. We stood for ages, trying to film or photograph them, always just missing the biggest one!

Just before reaching Lara Beach, we made a stop at a fascinating natural spot labelled “Shark Cave” on Google Maps. From above, you can see an arch-like rock formation with waves swirling beneath it. It looked like an old sea cave that had partially collapsed, leaving a dramatic open section in the rock, held up by what looked like a stack of smaller rocks! It was one of those unexpected discoveries that added even more wonder to the walk.

Lara Beach: Wild, Quiet and Conservation-Focused

Finally, we arrived at Lara Beach, one of Cyprus’s most important conservation areas. Even though it wasn’t turtle season (they nest from late spring into summer), it was still a wonderful place to explore.

The beach is protected to support loggerhead and green turtle nesting, so there are strict rules in place — no sunbeds, parasols, camping, BBQs, or many other activities allowed. The result is a peaceful, natural stretch of coastline that feels untouched.

There were only a handful of other people there when we visited, making it perfect for a quiet beach walk. We explored the Turtle Station, the only building permitted on the beach, and read the signs explaining how they protect the nests. Wire cages are placed over nesting spots to stop predators from digging them up, and volunteers help ensure hatchlings make it safely to the sea.

Bottlecap Jellyfish and Plastic Pollution

One of the more unusual things we noticed on our walk was the line of small plastic fragments along the shoreline. Unlike the 11 beaches in Newquay, our home, where we haven’t spotted this level of plastic pollution along our shoreline yet, Lara Beach had a noticeable build-up of microplastics along the tide line. It was a stark reminder of how ocean waste reaches even the most protected spots.

However, we also spotted something beautiful — bottlecap jellyfish! At first, I thought they were actual bottle caps glinting in the sun, but my daughter, aged 12 at the time, thought they looked like little jellyfish. She was right!

They turned out to be small, round jellyfish with ridged edges, shining silvery-blue and about the size of a 10p coin. I’d never seen them before, so it was a real highlight to learn about a new marine species right there on the beach.

The Return Walk and Reflections

Rather than retracing our steps around the cliffs, we took a shortcut straight across the headland back to the first beach. It was quicker and easier, and a good way to finish the walk with the kids still energised and chatting about everything we’d seen — from the jellyfish to the huge waves and the turtle cages.

This walk was one of the most varied and memorable parts of our Cyprus trip. Even outside turtle season, Lara Beach offered a mix of raw natural beauty, conservation education, and coastal adventure.

Final Tips for Visiting Lara Beach in Cyprus with Kids

• Best for spring and autumn when it’s not too hot to hike
  
• Wear sturdy shoes for the rocky headland and uneven paths
  
• Pack water and snacks, as there are limited facilities (although the left side beach has a cafe)
  
• Don’t expect beach gear — it’s a protected area with strict rules
  
• Look out for jellyfish and rare rock features
  
• Be cautious driving — off-road vehicles are recommended
  

Here is the area, the two beaches, the headland and cafe:

More things to do in Polis, Cyprus:

11 Free Things to Do in Latchi with Kids

Walking from Baths of Aphrodite to Blue Lagoon

Walking the Avakas Gorge Nature Trail in Cyprus with Kids

Exploring Latchi Harbour

Agios Georgios Harbour on the Cyprus Coast

And check out our family holiday itinerary to see everything we did for one week with kids in Cyprus!