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Close to the “Green Line” and the Turkish enclave at Kokkina, Kato Pyrgos is an adequate expanse of sand and pebbles. The hills of Tillyria form a dramatic backdrop and there are a number of places to stay and eat in the nearby village.

Another little-visited beach, with just one small beach bar and an admirable lack of visitors and noisy watersports to disturb its tranquillity.

Pachyammos, or “Thick Sand”, is aptly named. Although it can be too exposed for comfort when a north wind is blowing it is uncrowded and a fine spot for beachcombing.

Low limestone cliffs shelter the sandy coves at Pomos, which remains happily undiscovered by the holiday industry. The water is clean, and with an archipelago of small crags and skerries just offshore it’s a great place for snorkelling.

This tiny fishing haven served as the seaport of nearby Polis in bygone days, but is beginning to be discovered by holidaymakers, with a scattering of small hotels and tavernas on the harbour and along the sand.

Some say this is the best beach in Cyprus, and it is certainly one of the least crowded, despite its majestic sweep of sand from which you can gaze out over the sparkling, calm waters or watch splendid sunsets over Cape Amaoutis and its offshore islets.

Sharing the bay with Asprokremos, Takkas is also overlooked by pine-covered slopes and is the perfect spot for a cooling plunge.

The 6-km (4-mile) walk from the Baths of Aphrodite (see Baths of Aphrodite) winds along rocky slopes to end near a small spring, below which this bay of sand and pebbles is a very welcome sight.

This half-moon stretch to the north of Cape Lara is backed by high dunes and has fine white sand which attracts rare green and loggerhead turtles who lay their eggs here each summer (see Lara Bay).

Wild and empty Toxeftra lies south of Cape Lara. It’s a long, straight expanse of pebbles which slopes gently into the sea. Just inland, the Avakas gorge opens onto the coast, offering pleasant walks.