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Carry on Camping!

By Vasiliki Michaelas

Mention the word camping and you may be forgiven for having flashbacks of a well known carry on film full of disastrous goings on and mishaps. This definitely isn’t what camping is like. It’s a great way to relax and get away from it all and enjoy some truly beautiful nature. Although not famously known for its camping, Cyprus does have quite a few camping sites by the beach and in the mountains which are well maintained and offer a great, cheap alternative for weekend breaks or holidays. All you have to do is pack your sleeping bag and choose one of the great places below!

Governor’s Kalymnos Beach - Limassol

Located on the beach 20km east of Limassol this camp site has a capacity of 247 plots for tents and 230 for caravans. Set in a forest area ensuring plenty of shade, it has 60 toilets (male and female which are cleaned twice a day, everyday) and a mini market which operates during the summer months. There is a children’s play area with swings and a restaurant open from 8am until late serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks such as crisps and ice cream.
Price: €3.40 per tent plus €2.55 per person per night.
Pets allowed: No
Open: All year round
Extra tip: There are a number of beautiful coves in the area and well tended miniature gardens are in bloom all year round.
Telephone: 25 632300

Yeroskipos Zenon Gardens - Paphos

Set in a forest area near the sea, 2 miles east of Paphos, this camp site has shower and toilet facilities (male and female) and a beach bar open 11pm until 3:30am. There’s a cafeteria located 200 metres from the site where you can order food, snacks and drinks and a bus service nearby with routes into Paphos.
Price: €5 per person or €8 for a couple including tents.
Pets allowed: Yes but they have to be tied up and looked after.
Open: May-October
Extra tip: Younger campers will love this site as there is a trendy bar very nearby.
Telephone: 99 632229

Feggari Camping at Pegeia – Paphos

Set in a cypress forest three minutes from Coral bay beach, the Feggari camping site has space for tents and caravans. There are three shower/bathroom blocks (male and female) and a restaurant on site open from morning until 3:00pm and 6:00pm until 11:00pm. There are lots of facilities nearby for essential items all within walking distance.
Price: €4.27 per person per night plus €2.56 per tent/van.
Pets allowed: No
Open: April-October
Extra tip: The Coral Bay beach is great for swimming and Paphos town is very near where you can visit the medieval castle and ancient Tombs of the Kings.
Telephone: 26 621534

Polis – Paphos

This campsite is set in a eucalyptus grove on the beach and is about 500 metres from Polis town centre. There are a number of shower/bathroom blocks (male and female) as well as a washroom where you can wash your dishes. The restaurant/bar which is located on the beach from is open from morning until late and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a variety of snacks and ice creams. There are children’s play areas and launderette facilities in Polis and the beach is very clean with a lifeguard on duty.
Price: €2.56 per person per night plus €3.42 per tent.
Pets allowed: No
Open: March-October
Extra tip: Polis town has a number of quaint and lovely taverns and coffee shops as is the Paradise Place bar in nearby Pomo village.
Telephone: 26 815080

Troodos

For a truly relaxing experience this campsite in the Troodos forest is the place to go. Located five minutes from Troodos square there are six toilet/shower blocks with hot water which are cleaned on a daily basis. There are designated barbecue areas should you want to cook your own meals as well as a supermarket and restaurant located just outside the camp. The site also has areas for caravans with provision for electricity which is charged on a pay as you consume basis. Caravan spaces should be pre booked in advance to ensure availability.
Price: €5 per day for 2-3 people, €31 for a week, or €77 for the month. For caravans it’s €7 per day, €34 for a week, or €94 for the month.
Pets allowed: No
Open: June – end of September
Extra tip: The local nature trails are beautiful and relaxing and definitely worth taking.
Telephone: 25 470903

Stavros tis Psokas

One of three campsite run by the Forestry department this is a small camp site near the Stavros tis Psokas forest station with one toilet/shower block and kitchen facilities. There is a children’s play area within the site and kiosk facilities not too far away.
Price: €1 for 1 tent, €2 for 2 people.
Pets allowed: No
Open: Open all year
Extra tip: The famous cedar valley is about 19km away but definitely worth a visit.
Telephone: 26 991860

Kampi tou Kalogirou

This campsite run by the Forestry department has six toilet blocks but unfortunately no showers. It is located about 4km from Trooditissa and 3km from the village of Prodromo for amenities and there is a children’s play area.
Price: €2 per person
Pets allowed: No
Open: Open all year
Extra tip: There is a ‘secret’ mountain cave and monastery with beautiful icons in the nearby Trooditissa village.
Telephone: 25 422625

Platania

Set in a mixed tree forest and run by the Forestry department this campsite has 18 toilet/shower blocks with kitchen facilities as well as disabled facilities such as picnic tables. There are two children’s play areas and near the campsite there is a canteen selling most kiosk products. It’s about 5km from the village of Kakopetria which is famous for its trout farms, and near the Platania forest station.
Price: €5 per night for two people
Pets allowed: No
Open: June – September. Camping is welcome throughout the year however the facilities will not be available.
Extra tip: The famous Cyprus moufflon reserve is very nearby where you can see the special animals found only in Cyprus.
Telephone: 22 924225

Essential tips for camping

Here are ten essential tips to make your camping experience that little bit easier – whether you’re a seasoned professional or first timer.

Air bed/pillows. This may seem like cheating, but after a couple of nights sleeping on hard ground you’ll be glad to have brought them along.
Gas stove. A small gas stove is perfect for heating food and water. Most campsites will have basic amenities close by but you never know when you might need to heat up some baked beans!
Torches. An absolute must especially for those midnight trips to the toilet where you don’t want to trip up on a tent peg or rock.
Insect repellent. Essential to keep the critters away.
Hats and gloves. If you’re a winter camper then you’ll need to keep your head warm as that’s where body heat escapes from first.
Ear plugs. If you’re camping at one of the busier campsites then these will definitely come in handy as some people may not be so considerate when bed time comes.
Drinking water. This may sound a bit basic but you should definitely have a bottle nearby in case of emergencies.
Chairs. Perfect for sitting outside your tent in the evenings.
Washing up liquid/sponge. You’ll need these if you’ll be cooking during your camping trip. Most sites have kitchen facilities or taps.
First aid kit. Just in case.

Camping stores

Nicosia

Outdoor Enthusiasm

4A Meg. Alexandrou, Strovolos Municipality, 2063, Nicosia. Phone: 22441366

Survival Sports Center

Vizantiou & Lefkonos 24 Strovolos, Nicosia. Phone: 22-680230/32

Get Out Outdoor Store

18A Arsinois, 2006 Strovolos, Nicosia. Phone: 22 311012

Super Action Sports and Toys

180BC Strovolou Avenue, 2048 Strovolos. Phone: 22 446241

Larnaca and Famagusta area

Avgoritis Ioannis and Sons

Pipinou, 6013 Larnaca. Phone: 24 636077

Super Action Sports and Toys

197 Protaras Avenue, Sardalou Building, 5291 Paralimni. Phone: 23 825180

Kyriakou Costas and Sons

342 1 Apriliou, 5280 Paralimni. Phone: 23 744146

Limassol and Paphos

Mavros Shop

89A Georgiou Griva Digeni, Lemesos City, 3101, Limassol. Phone: 25583165

P. ZAVROS SPORTING CO.

36 Vasileos Pavlou A, 3052, Limassol. Phone: 25 660055

SUPER HOME CENTER

2 Dimokratias, 8028, Paphos. Phone: 26 220999

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