Where to Go by Buggy in Paphos: The Best Route to Akamas, Lara Beach and Avakas Gorge
ROUTE GUIDE Where to Go by Buggy in Paphos: The Best Buggy Route to Akamas, Lara Beach and Avakas Gorge
A practical guide from the Director of Rentamania LTD, Paphos.
If you are looking for the best places to visit by buggy in Paphos, there is a simple answer: head north toward the coast of Peyia and the Akamas Peninsula.
A normal rental car can take you to the end of the paved road. A buggy is designed for what comes next — gravel tracks, off-road routes and places that are difficult or impossible to reach by an ordinary car.
The Akamas Peninsula is one of the most spectacular areas around Paphos, with sea caves, remote beaches, cliffs, gorges and unusual landscapes. Avakas Gorge, Lara Beach and White River are among the best-known destinations in the area, and local buggy operators also commonly include places such as Edro III Shipwreck, Sea Caves and St George Harbour in their routes.
But there is an important distinction between having a buggy and knowing where you should actually drive it.
At Rentamania LTD, we do not simply give customers a vehicle and tell them to "go wherever they want." We check our recommended route ourselves.
At the beginning of every season, we personally drive the route, check the condition of the tracks and identify sections that may have become dangerous or unsuitable after winter rains and erosion. If we are not confident about a particular section, we do not recommend it to customers.
That is the philosophy behind the route described below.
01 Why Is a Buggy Better Than a Car for Exploring Paphos?
Cyprus effectively has two very different worlds when it comes to transport.
A conventional rental car is intended for normal roads and paved routes. Off-road driving is commonly excluded from standard rental-car conditions and insurance.
A buggy or quad bike, on the other hand, is designed specifically for off-road use. This is particularly important around Akamas, where some of the most interesting landscapes are reached by unpaved tracks.
The official tourism information for the Paphos area also highlights Avakas Gorge, Lara Beach and the Akamas beaches among the major attractions of this region.
So if your objective is to see the more remote side of Paphos rather than simply drive between resorts, a buggy can provide a completely different experience.
ROUTE Our Recommended Full-Day Buggy Route from Paphos
Our preferred route starts in the Paphos/Peyia area and gradually moves from the coastal attractions toward the Akamas Peninsula. Depending on the time available and current road conditions, we recommend visiting the following places.
1. Adonis Baths — 3/5
Adonis Baths is one of the better-known attractions in the Paphos area. However, our personal assessment is more reserved.
The road leading there is certainly suitable for a buggy and can be enjoyable from a driving perspective. But we would not describe the attraction itself as one of the greatest natural wonders of Cyprus.
The site is presented as being associated with Greek mythology, but visitors should understand that this is essentially a commercial tourist attraction rather than an ancient archaeological site. There are pools, statues and landscaped elements, and some visitors enjoy the experience considerably.
Our rating is simply our own opinion: ⭐ 3/5
If you want to visit it, absolutely do so. But if you have only one day and need to choose between destinations, we would prioritise several other places on this route.
2. Mavrokalympos Dam — 3/5
Not far from Adonis Baths is Mavrokalympos Dam. Its appearance can change dramatically depending on the season and water level. When the reservoir is very low, the exposed cracked earth can create an almost desert-like landscape.
It is unusual and interesting for photography, but it is not one of the main highlights of our route.
Important: do not drive into the reservoir basin or onto unstable ground. A dry-looking surface does not necessarily mean that it is safe to drive on.
Our rating: ⭐ 3/5
3. Coral Bay and Coral Beach — 4/5
From here, the route continues toward Coral Bay. Coral Beach is one of the best-known beaches in the Paphos region, with clear turquoise water and a convenient location.
It is a good place for a swimming stop, particularly if you are doing a full-day trip.
Our rating: ⭐ 4/5
4. Edro III Shipwreck — 4/5
The Edro III Shipwreck is one of the most recognisable sights on the Paphos coastline. The cargo ship ran aground near Peyia and remains close to the shoreline, creating an unusual combination of rusty metal, limestone cliffs and blue Mediterranean water.
It is an excellent photography stop and one of the places we would definitely include in a coastal buggy route. Several local buggy operators also include the Edro III, Sea Caves and St George Harbour as standard stops on their Paphos routes.
Our rating: ⭐ 4/5
5. Sea Caves — 4/5
A few minutes further along the coast are the famous Peyia Sea Caves. The coastline here has been shaped by the sea into arches, caves and unusual limestone formations.
It is a particularly good place for photographs and a short walk.
Our rating: ⭐ 4/5
6. Olive Tree Beach — 5/5
This is one of our favourite less-known stops. Olive Tree Beach is located near the Sea Caves and White Cliff area.
Unlike some of the better-known tourist beaches, this is a much more relaxed place, and it is particularly popular with local residents.
One of the pleasant surprises here is the availability of comfortable sun loungers that can be used free of charge.
It is a great place to stop during a buggy trip, swim in the sea and relax for a while. It is also an excellent location for snorkelling, with clear water and an interesting coastline.
Many tourists simply do not know about this place. For us, that is precisely part of its appeal.
Our rating: ⭐ 5/5
7. White Cliff — 5/5
The White Cliff area is one of the most spectacular coastal viewpoints on this part of the route. The combination of bright white limestone, blue Mediterranean water and the open coastline creates an almost unreal landscape.
It is also an excellent place for photographs and swimming or snorkelling when sea conditions are appropriate.
Our rating: ⭐ 5/5
8. Saint George Island and Harbour — 4/5
Continue toward Saint George. At the top of the area is the large church. Lower down, you can explore the harbour and coastline. There are also caves and archaeological remains associated with the area.
One particularly unusual feature is the dark volcanic rock formation near the water. The landscape can look almost extraterrestrial. There is also a small cave containing water which, depending on the sunlight, can create a striking blue colour. We informally call this place the "Blue Hole."
Our rating: ⭐ 4/5
9. White River Beach — 4/5
From Saint George, the route finally moves properly into the off-road environment of the Akamas Peninsula. One of the first major stops is White River Beach.
The beach is characterised by white stones and turquoise water. Visitors often build small stone pyramids along the shore, creating a very distinctive landscape.
We particularly recommend visiting in the morning. The light and position of the sun can make the water appear especially turquoise earlier in the day.
It is a beautiful place for swimming when conditions are calm.
Our rating: ⭐ 4/5
10. Avakas Gorge — 5/5
If you ask us for the single most impressive natural attraction on a Paphos buggy route, Avakas Gorge is very high on the list.
The gorge is a narrow limestone canyon shaped by water, with dramatic rock walls rising on both sides. Inside the gorge, there is considerably more shade than on the exposed coast, which makes it particularly attractive during the hot Cyprus summer. The area is also known for its natural environment and local wildlife.
The official Cyprus tourism route specifically highlights Avakas Gorge as one of the major natural attractions of the Akamas/Paphos area.
The walking route continues for several kilometres, but it becomes progressively more demanding. You do not need to walk the entire trail to appreciate the gorge.
For us, this is a genuine 5/5 destination.
Our rating: ⭐ 5/5
11. Lara Beach — 5/5
Lara Beach is another absolute highlight. It is a large, remote sandy beach on the Akamas Peninsula and is particularly famous as a nesting area for sea turtles. The official Cyprus tourism information identifies Lara Beach as an important turtle nesting site.
If conditions are suitable, swimming and snorkelling can also be rewarding.
There is one practical problem that visitors should know about. Do not blindly follow every sign pointing toward a café. There are signs in the area that can lead visitors toward a nearby establishment rather than directly to the actual Lara Beach. If your objective is Lara Beach, continue along the correct route.
Lara Beach should be your last recommended stop. After Lara, we strongly advise against experimenting with unknown tracks. The condition of the roads can deteriorate considerably. Winter rainfall can create erosion, holes and dangerous sections, and some routes may be restricted or closed. A buggy is an off-road vehicle — but that does not mean every visible track is safe or legal.
Our rating: ⭐ 5/5
TOP Our 5/5 Places
If you have limited time and want to know which places we personally consider the strongest highlights, our top three are:
- ⭐ Olive Tree Beach — 5/5. A quiet local favourite, free sun loungers and excellent swimming/snorkelling.
- ⭐ Avakas Gorge — 5/5. A spectacular natural canyon and one of the most unusual landscapes near Paphos.
- ⭐ Lara Beach — 5/5. A remote turtle beach and one of the iconic destinations of Akamas.
White Cliff is also one of our top-rated coastal stops at 5/5.
Want to ride this exact route? We check it ourselves every season and brief every customer before departure.
INSURANCE Buggy Insurance in Cyprus: An Important Difference from Car Rental
Before renting a buggy, there is something extremely important to understand.
Buggy rental is not the same as ordinary car rental.
At Rentamania LTD, buggy rental includes third-party insurance. The customer must also sign a risk acknowledgement document before accepting the vehicle.
Why? Because a buggy is inherently more exposed to certain risks than an ordinary passenger car. Off-road driving involves uneven terrain, loose stones, steep sections, potential rollover situations and other hazards.
Customers should therefore understand that they are accepting specific risks when they choose a buggy. There is no standard "full insurance" equivalent to the comprehensive cover that customers may associate with ordinary car rental.
In simple terms:
- Third-party insurance is provided.
- The customer must acknowledge the specific risks of buggy driving.
- There is no ordinary car-rental-style "full insurance" that eliminates all responsibility.
- The vehicle must be used responsibly and according to the rental conditions.
- Customers should understand their obligations before accepting the buggy.
This is one reason why we consider a proper safety briefing and a tested route extremely important.
SAFETY How to Drive a Buggy Safely in Paphos and Akamas
A buggy is fun, but it should not be treated like a racing vehicle.
1. Follow the recommended route
This is our number-one rule. At the beginning of each season, we personally check our recommended routes. We look for:
- erosion;
- damaged sections;
- deep holes;
- unstable surfaces;
- changes caused by winter rain;
- restricted or unsuitable roads.
If we are not confident about a section, we do not recommend it to customers. The route we give customers is therefore based on practical experience rather than simply taking a line from an online map.
2. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles
When driving off-road, keep a substantial distance from the buggy or vehicle in front of you.
Dust is unpleasant, but there is a more important reason. Small stones and sharp pieces of gravel can be thrown from the tyres of the vehicle ahead. At close range, one can hit your face, eyes or body.
Therefore:
- keep your distance;
- do not drive directly behind another buggy;
- do not make unnecessary overtaking manoeuvres;
- let the vehicle ahead move away;
- drive at your own comfortable speed.
There is no prize for being the fastest person on the Akamas Peninsula.
3. Do not jump the buggy
A buggy may look like an off-road racing machine, but a rental buggy is not designed for deliberately jumping over obstacles. Hard landings can damage:
- suspension;
- wheels;
- steering;
- chassis;
- underbody components.
More importantly, aggressive driving increases the risk of injury.
4. Do not drive through deep water
Do not deliberately drive through deep puddles, streams or unknown water crossings. Water can cause mechanical or electrical problems and leave the vehicle immobilised.
If a buggy becomes stuck in a remote location, specialised recovery may be required. Recovery resulting from inappropriate use of the vehicle may become the customer's responsibility under the rental agreement.
5. Slow down when you are uncertain
Off-road terrain can change quickly. A track may look easy from a distance but contain:
- deep ruts;
- loose stones;
- steep drops;
- erosion;
- unstable edges;
- holes hidden by dust.
If you are unsure, slow down. The objective is not to finish the route as quickly as possible. The objective is to enjoy it and return safely.
WARNING Why You Should Not Invent Your Own Akamas Route
This is particularly important for visitors who see an interesting track and think: "Let's see where this goes."
We strongly advise against it. There are several reasons.
- Safety. A track that looks accessible may end at an extremely difficult or dangerous section.
- Vehicle damage. You may encounter terrain that the buggy is not intended to cross.
- Recovery. If you become stuck in a remote location, recovering the vehicle can be difficult and expensive.
- Access restrictions. Some routes may be closed or restricted.
The fact that another vehicle has driven somewhere does not automatically mean that you are permitted to do the same.
The Akamas area contains protected natural environments, and official tourism guidance also recommends carrying sufficient water, protecting yourself from the sun and keeping a mobile phone available because parts of the peninsula are isolated.
Our advice is simple: stay on the route that has been checked and recommended to you.
PACKING What Should You Take on a Full-Day Buggy Trip?
For a full-day route around Paphos and Akamas, we recommend taking:
- plenty of drinking water;
- sunscreen;
- sunglasses;
- a hat;
- comfortable clothing;
- swimming clothes;
- a towel;
- snorkelling equipment if you have it;
- a fully charged mobile phone.
Do not underestimate the Cyprus sun. Large parts of the route are completely exposed, and there may be little or no shade. Official Paphos tourism guidance similarly recommends adequate water, sun protection and a phone for excursions into Akamas.
CARS Can You Take a Normal Rental Car to These Places?
This is one of the most common questions we receive. The answer depends on the exact location.
A normal rental car can take you to many attractions in the Paphos region while you remain on paved roads. However, once the asphalt ends, you need to check your rental agreement.
Standard rental-car agreements commonly prohibit off-road driving, and driving a normal rental car onto unsuitable tracks can create both contractual and insurance problems. This is precisely why a buggy exists as a separate type of vehicle.
Car for the road. Buggy for the appropriate off-road route.
Do not assume that having a 4x4-style vehicle automatically means you are allowed to drive anywhere.
FAMILIES Is a Buggy Suitable for Families and Beginners?
It depends on the vehicle, the driver's experience and the specific route.
A buggy is easier to use on some terrain than a quad bike because of its seating position and vehicle design, but it still requires concentration and responsible driving.
Beginners should not attempt difficult terrain simply because they have rented an off-road vehicle.
Our recommended approach is: start slowly, follow the route, maintain distance from other vehicles and do not attempt obstacles that you are not confident about.
RISK Is the Akamas Buggy Route Safe?
No off-road route can honestly be described as completely risk-free. Weather, erosion, road conditions and individual driving behaviour can all change the level of risk.
What we can say about our route is that we check it ourselves at the beginning of the season and remove or avoid sections that we consider unsuitable.
That is very different from simply giving a tourist a buggy and telling them to explore the entire peninsula independently.
TIME How Long Do You Need for a Buggy Trip from Paphos?
For the full route described above, we recommend a full day. There are simply too many interesting places to visit comfortably in only two or three hours.
A shorter trip can focus on the coastal section:
Coral Bay → Edro III Shipwreck → Sea Caves → Olive Tree Beach → White Cliff → Saint George
A full-day trip can continue toward:
White River → Avakas Gorge → Lara Beach
The exact route should always be adjusted according to current conditions and the time available.
SUMMARY What Is the Best Buggy Route in Paphos?
If we had to summarise our preferred route in one line, it would be:
Paphos/Chloraka → Coral Bay → Edro III Shipwreck → Sea Caves → Olive Tree Beach → White Cliff → Saint George → White River → Avakas Gorge → Lara Beach
Not every customer needs to visit every stop. But for a full-day adventure, this gives you an excellent combination of:
- beaches;
- cliffs;
- caves;
- unusual geological formations;
- wildlife;
- swimming;
- snorkelling;
- off-road driving;
- Akamas landscapes.
RATINGS Our Final Ratings
| Destination | Our rating |
|---|---|
| Olive Tree Beach | ⭐ 5/5 |
| White Cliff | ⭐ 5/5 |
| Avakas Gorge | ⭐ 5/5 |
| Lara Beach | ⭐ 5/5 |
| Coral Bay / Coral Beach | ⭐ 4/5 |
| Edro III Shipwreck | ⭐ 4/5 |
| Sea Caves | ⭐ 4/5 |
| Saint George Island & Harbour | ⭐ 4/5 |
| White River Beach | ⭐ 4/5 |
| Adonis Baths | ⭐ 3/5 |
| Mavrokalympos Dam | ⭐ 3/5 |
These ratings are our personal assessment, based on the type of experience we believe customers are looking for. They are not official tourism ratings.
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions About Buggy Rental in Paphos
Where is the best place to go by buggy in Paphos?
For a full-day trip, we recommend heading toward Peyia and the Akamas Peninsula, visiting coastal attractions such as Edro III Shipwreck, Sea Caves, Olive Tree Beach and White Cliff before continuing toward White River, Avakas Gorge and Lara Beach.
Can I visit Akamas by buggy?
Yes, a buggy is particularly suitable for exploring appropriate off-road routes around Akamas. However, you should follow an approved and currently safe route rather than assuming every track is accessible.
Can I drive a normal rental car to Akamas?
You can visit parts of the Akamas area by normal car while remaining on permitted paved roads. You should not assume that an ordinary rental car may be driven off-road. Check your rental agreement first.
Can I drive a buggy to Lara Beach?
Lara Beach is a common destination on buggy and off-road routes in the Paphos/Akamas area. However, the exact route and accessibility can depend on current conditions and restrictions. Lara is the last point we recommend on our route before turning back.
Is Avakas Gorge worth visiting by buggy?
Yes. Avakas Gorge is one of our highest-rated destinations and receives a 5/5 rating from us. The buggy takes you into the Akamas area, after which the gorge itself is explored on foot.
What is the best beach to visit by buggy near Paphos?
Our personal favourite is Olive Tree Beach, which we rate 5/5. It is quieter than many tourist beaches, popular with locals, has free sun loungers and is suitable for swimming and snorkelling.
Is Lara Beach better than White River Beach?
Both are excellent, but for different reasons. We rate both highly: Lara Beach 5/5 and White River Beach 4/5. Lara is particularly impressive because of its remote setting and turtle-nesting environment.
Is buggy rental in Cyprus fully insured?
At Rentamania LTD, buggy rental includes third-party insurance. Customers must also acknowledge the specific risks associated with buggy driving. A standard comprehensive "full insurance" equivalent to ordinary car rental should not be assumed.
Is driving a buggy dangerous?
Buggy driving carries more risk than ordinary road driving because of uneven terrain, loose surfaces, obstacles and the possibility of rollover or impact. Following a tested route, maintaining a safe distance and driving conservatively significantly reduces unnecessary risk.
Can I take a buggy through water?
We strongly recommend not driving through deep or unknown water. Water can immobilise the vehicle and lead to expensive recovery or damage.
Can I jump a rental buggy?
No. A rental buggy should not be deliberately jumped or driven aggressively over obstacles. This can cause injury and mechanical damage.
Can I make my own off-road route around Akamas?
We do not recommend it. Some tracks may be dangerous, unsuitable, restricted or closed. Our recommendation is to follow a route that has been checked for current conditions.
What should I take on a buggy trip in Akamas?
Take plenty of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimming clothes, a towel and a fully charged mobile phone. Akamas contains remote areas with limited shade and services.
Is a buggy suitable for beginners?
Yes, provided the vehicle and route are appropriate and the driver follows the safety briefing. Beginners should drive slowly and should never attempt difficult terrain simply for the sake of adventure.
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FINAL Final Advice from Rentamania LTD
The biggest mistake people make with a buggy is thinking that off-road means without rules. It does not.
The whole point of a buggy is that it allows you to experience parts of Cyprus that an ordinary car cannot reach. But the best experience comes from knowing where to go, where not to go and when to turn around.
Our approach is simple: We test the route ourselves. We recommend only what we consider suitable. We tell customers about the risks. And then we let them enjoy the adventure.
If you have only one day, our priority order would be:
- Avakas Gorge — 5/5
- Lara Beach — 5/5
- Olive Tree Beach — 5/5
- White Cliff — 5/5
- White River Beach — 4/5
And if you are taking a buggy into Akamas for the first time, remember the most important rule:
Don't try to prove that you are an off-road expert. Follow the tested route, take your time and enjoy Cyprus.
Ready for the Akamas adventure? Book a buggy with Rentamania LTD in Chloraka, Paphos — route briefing included.
Author: Director of Rentamania LTD
Location: Chloraka, Paphos, Cyprus
Last Updated: August 2026