The small town of Polis, an important kingdom in ancient times known as Marion and later Arsinoe, is located at the north-west end of the island of Cyprus, on the edge of the Akamas peninsula Nature Reserve. The region provides a unique Mediterranean landscape, a combination of narrow green plains surrounded by mountains. It offers long beaches with clean, warm water, a very mild climate and the most hospitable and welcoming people.
The picturesque pedestrian Polis Square with a variety of taverns, bars and open-air cafes is a meeting place for locals and visitors alike. The fishing harbor/marina of Latchi with its fish restaurants is itself another attraction.
Polis is also an ideal base for the exploration of a most interesting surrounding area. Worth mentioning is the Polis Archaeological Museum where you can admire the glorious past of the town. Other smaller museums are southwards the Ethnographic museum at Steni village and the Byzantine museum at Peristerona village or westwards the Basket museum at Ineia village.
Worth visiting are the Byzantine churches of the area such as the beautiful 15th century Panagia Horteni before Pelathousa village, the 16th century Agia Ekaterini not far from Kritou Terra village and of course Agios Andronikos and Agia Kyriaki right in the middle of Polis You will have the opportunity to admire the moufflon, the wild sheep of Cyprus with a trip to the forest area of Stavros tis Psokas only 45 minutes away. The western traditional wine villages of Laona plateau or the eastern Pomos area with its coastal cliffs, the picturesque fishing harbor and the nearby St. Rafael pilgrimage church are recommended for all visitors to Polis.
However, no visit to the area will be complete unless it includes a day out at the famous Baths of Aphrodite and the Akamas peninsula. An unspoiled land, with very rich flora, several walking trails, and an impressive coastline, the Akamas is simply a nature lover’s paradise.
