Sports & Training Tourism Cyprus

Training hard doesn’t mean having to train in harsh conditions, and there is no better motivator than practising and preparing for the sport you love on an island where the pleasant climate combines with beautiful Mediterranean surroundings – and first-rate amenities – to inspire success for the coming season. A host of sportspersons and teams from all over the world, including European football squads, Olympic hopefuls, seasoned medallists and endurance athletes, all give themselves a competitive advantage by opting to train towards their goals in Cyprus, thanks to a winning formula of services.One of the most attractive reasons for choosing the island is indeed its almost-guaranteed daily sunshine, mild winter temperatures and minimal rainfall, and this is further enhanced and complemented by a host of other benefits.

State-of-the-art training facilities, sports medicine, accommodation for all budgets, professional support, easy access from most European countries, a reliable communications and telecommunications network, low levels of crime, and an enviable standard of living, all make training efficient and rewarding.

From floodlit, grass pitches and modern arenas; heated swimming pools and fully-equipped sports centres; high-tech ranges and trails or tracks; progressive gyms and challenging natural terrain… you will find collectives of cyclists, swimmers, runners, gymnasts, multi-discipline athletes, footballers, and tennis and volleyball players working hard…

…then enjoying the reward of all that the island offers.

Eléa Estate Golf Club
Located in the Pafos (Paphos) region of Gesroskipou – 8 km from Pafos and its airport – the Eléa Golf Club is part of the prestigious, award-winning Eléa Estate, and is a challenging 18-hole golf course, designed by the legendary British golfer Sir Nick Faldo.

Commanding breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, the par 71 course of 6775 yards (from the black tees) incorporates numerous rugged features of the natural landscape, including endless, rolling countryside, mature carob and olive trees and weathered outcrops of limestone that strikingly contrast with the dark green paspalum grass fairways and semi-rough. A number of holes are fringed by Mediterranean grasses and an abundance of wild herbs and native flora that allow local wildlife to thrive.

Open since 2010, Sir Nick carefully designed the course of the Eléa for each hole to pose a ‘strategic riddle’ for ‘thoughtful’ golf. The course is further supported by the Elea Golf Academy and its PGA Professionals, and features a full-length driving range – complete with target greens and bunkers, a short game practice area, and a stunning putting green that boasts an impressive location overlooking the whole course. The course is walkable, with buggies available to hire.

Inspired by the traditional architecture of the island, the stylish clubhouse incorporates bars and restaurants, a library area and cosy fireplaces. Spectacular vistas unfold across the course and out towards the sea from its several terraces and balconies.

The premium estate also features luxurious villas and apartments, a boutique hotel, spa facilities and a variety of high-end dining and leisure options.

Amathus Mountain Biking Basic
The route starts from Ancient Amathous and heads towards Moni, passes under the bridge and continues straight to the road leading to Agios Georgios Alamanos. Continue down the dirt road to reach the Governor’s Beach. Take the coastal dirt road to Moni Power Station, turn left and reach the starting point.

Green Bay Diving Site
Location: Protaras
Type of dive site: Rock
Depth: 10 metres
Visibility: 25 metres
Access: By land from a walk-in shore
Qualification Required: Open Water (OW)

Features: There are fragments of ancient amphorae on the seabed, along with a variety of different fish at the famous ‘fish rock’ feeding station, which includes bream, cuttlefish, parrotfish and starfish, as well as octopus.

Interesting Facts: The popular site of Green Bay is considered to be one of the easiest dives on the island and is perfect for beginner divers and snorkelers as a first introduction to the island’s marine life. It has been approved by PADI and other dive associations as a confined water training area for its courses.

Secret Valley Golf Course
Nestled in a scenic valley in Pafos (Paphos), by Petra tou Romiou – the place where legend says Aphrodite, the Ancient Greek Goddess of Love was born – Secret Valley Golf Course offers a stunning setting with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and sheer playability.

Hans-Georg Erhardt and Snorri Vilhjalmsson of Golf & Land Design are the course architects, with Tony Jacklin – four times Ryder Cup Captain and Winner of the British Open and US open – providing his signature for the golf course’s new visage.

With the course carefully laid out in the natural landscape, and with mature vegetation in the lower part of the valley, the setting is distinctly a Cyprus one with a unique Mediterranean feel. Utilising the steep hillside terrain, the course offers spectacular tee locations and long views towards valley and ocean.

Recently rebuilt and opened in 2013, the par 71 course of 5.700 metres unfolds through rolling Bermuda fairways and bentgrass greens. It is further supported by an academy that offers tuition from a PGA Professional. The modern practise area boasts 22 covered bays; large putting, chipping, and pitching greens, plus indoor solutions. A floodlight 3-hole loop for evening play is conveniently located at the lowest end of the golf courses, where the beach development links with the golf course.

The elegant clubhouse is decked out in wood and stone with cosy seating areas and fireplace, as well as valley vistas from two balconies and a menu of fine international cuisine at its restaurant. The golf club also boasts a luxury development of villas and apartments – Venus Rock Resort.

Lady Thetis Vessel (Artificial Reef) Diving Site
Location: Lemesos (Limassol)
Type of dive site: Wreck
Depth: 18 metres
Visibility: 15-20 metres
Access: By boat
Qualification Required: Open Water (OW)

Features: The reef attracts large numbers of damselfish and parrotfish as well as local sea bream and groupers. jacks can also be spotted seasonally.

Interesting Facts: The recreational cruise ship Lady Thetis was built in Germany, and was sunk in 2014 as part of the Lemesos Marine Park along with the fishing vessel Costandis.

Akrotiri Peninsula Diving Site
Location: Akrotiri, Lemesos (Limassol) region
Type of dive site: Rock
Depth: 9-20 metres
Visibility: 15-30 metres
Access: By boat
Qualification Required: Open Water (OW)

Features: The area features the Akrotiri Fish Reserve and the dive sites of Shark Coves and Twin Rocks. Collectively, they are home to groupers, moray eels, bream and bass, as well as octopus. You can occasionally spot Green and Loggerhead turtles at Sharks Coves and Twin Rocks, along with the occasional Mediterranean Seal.

Interesting Facts: The visibility of the area’s waters is always excellent, and there are often good currents for drift diving.

Fishing Vessel Costandis (Artificial Reef) Diving Site
Location: Lemesos (Limassol)
Type of dive site: Wreck
Depth: 25 metres
Visibility: 15-20 metres
Access: By boat
Qualification Required: Advanced Open Water

Features: Amongst the varied sea life that can be seen, large numbers of damselfish and parrotfish are most prevalent, along with seasonal jacks and local sea bream and groupers.

Interesting Facts: The bottom trawler Costandis was built in the USSR in 1989 and brought to Cyprus in 1997. It was sunk in 2014 to create an artificial reef with the aim of encouraging the increase of marine life to the area.

Amphitheatre Diving Site
Location: Coral Bay, Pafos (Paphos)
Type of dive site: Shore
Depth: 4-12 metres
Visibility: 20 metres
Access: From the shore just past the headland at Coral Bay, a short walk down the rocks
Qualification Required: Open Water (OW)

Features: There are interesting rock formations, holes, arches and overhangs to explore, and an abundance of marine life that includes groupers, eels, trumpet fish and cuttlefish.

Interesting Facts: The dive takes its name from the natural formation that was cut out of the rock by sea currents, and resembles an amphitheatre in its shape.