PALACES

One of the most intriguing landmarks of Agia Napa is known as the Palaces. Situated between Kermia Beach and Cape Greco, the Palaces are actually an original rock formation which, over the time, has been miraculously sculpted by the waves of the sea. It is not an architectural work, as may, on initial sight be perceived. A spectacular sight where swimmers dive off the rocks into the crystal clear waters, the Palaces can only be reached by boat.


CAPE GRECO


Take a day away from the beach and get some healthy exercise walking in the fresh air and exploring the countryside where a whole "other" world exists beyond the discos and pubs of lively Agia Napa.

Be well prepared. Dress comfortably wearing a sunhat, a comfortable trainers and sunscreen. Take plenty of water and a snack of two and do not forget the camera. Begin bright and early before it gets too warm and follow the track along the coastline leading from the end of Kryou Nerou Avenue into the easternmost boundary of Agia Napa. A famous area for collecting snails and limpets, Cape Greco is also a popular place to hike and discover nature's glorious flora and fauna. People cycle and walk along the nature paths where juniper is in season throughout the year and miniature pine trees line the trails.

The magnificent beauty of che mountain sea cliffs combined with the indigenous flora of Cape Greco is impressive. Annuals and perennials, bulbs and tuberous, assure almost year round flowers and lovely aromas.

Varieties of Colchicum, Narcissus, and others also enrich the beauty of the area. Also unique are the seashore plant communities with mainly summer flowering species doing very well despite the salinity of the soil, the aridity and the high temperatures of the summer. Some of these species are Limonious sinuatum and Limonioum deifolium, Crithmum maritimum and the rare endemic Taraxacum aphrogenes, growing exclusively in Cyprus.

Cut away into ten-metre sea - cliffs are caves which nature has adorned with palatial trimmings. Benches allow the opportunity to rest and gaze down into crystal clear waters. For those more ambitious, there's a further 100 metre climb that leads to the central depression. Excavations in 1992 revealed evidence that this site was one of the earliest Neolithic settlements on the island.

FLORA CAPE GREKO


Equally interesting are the natural surroundings of the Agia Napa area and especially its flora. The flora of this area is interesting not only for the amateur observer but for the scientist as well.

The undisturbed, natural Cape Greco habitat is notable both for its structure and its diversity. Many of the 36 different orchid species growing on the island find this area a safe land, while Crocusses, Colchicuns and Irises add vibrant colour and a magic fragrance. In addition to its surprising wide variety of species the Agia Napa landscape is also the area where the botanical elements of the neighbouring, Asian, Europe and African continents come together to create the special flora of Cyprus. Also unique are the seashore plant communities of the Agia Napa area, with a few special features. The flowering spikes of Urginea maritime, or Sea Squill as it is commonly known, emerge from the sunbaked sandy soil in mid-August before the appearance of any leaves, while Medicago marine covers the sand with golden-yellow carpet. Crethmum manlimum or Rock Saphire is here a common plant and Mathiola tricuspitaia with its fragrant rosy-pink flowers decorate the eroded maritime sands.

Among the many wild flowers of the Agia Napa area, none has greater appeal than the famous Pancratium maritimum, or Sand Lily. Also known as the Famagusta Lily, with its large bulbs-up to 25cm in diameter, deeply buried in the coastal sands of the area on which the plant grows, the lovely Sand Lily flowers during August and September. Its attractive funnel-shaped snow-white flower is noticed even in the evening by its unmistakable sweet smell. Respected and well appreciated, the Sand Lily is now an integral feature of the Agia Napa landscape.

UNDERWATER KINGDOMS

The Paralimni seabed is a wondrous world in and of itself especially in the area of Cape Greco. The sea temperatures, which range from about I6C in winter to about 28C in summer, forms a thermocline at a depth of 20-30 metres.

The presence of a thermocline has significant effects on the vertical distribution of marine life. The richest areas in terms of quality and variety of life are below the depth of the thermocline during the summer. To the underwater visitor the bottom fauna in the shallow waters of Cape Greco may initially seem somewhat disappointing but one quickly discovers the many hidden sea creatures, which are indigenous to the area. Many bury themselves in the sand like several species of sand urchin and starfish, the Souries and the occasional spectacular Flying Gurnard. In the shallow rocky areas the common fish are Peacock and Rainbow Wrasses. Two-banded Bream (Haradjida), blennies, gobbies and small parrotfish. Near rocks small groups of bearded Red Mullets (barpouni) stir up the sand for tiny shrimp.

Deeper down the Pasidonia meadows provide a characteristic Mediterranean seascape. In these sometimes extensive meadows, fish fife is rich and varied including small wrasses, bream, sea perches, groupers and the odd Bullnose Ray.

Some might argue that the most interesting terrain is that of the deep-water outcrops starting at Cape Pyla, and ending north of Cape Greco.

The delicate filac incrustations of Lithothamnia contrast sharply with huge dark sponges. Sponges are everywhere, bright and almost luminous. Axinellas (finger sponges), in all shapes and sizes defy gravity. Feathery, pink Aeolid sea slugs are delicately balanced against the current. From crevices and caves, even in shallow waters, Red Soldier fish and the ????-eyed, red bodied Anihias peep at you, almost too shy to come out and be photographed.