Athalassa National Forest Park Loop
Nicosia’s green lung, where a lake, shaded pine paths and a visitor centre sit minutes from the city.
Athalassa is an 840-hectare forest park on the southeastern edge of Nicosia, laced with around 20 km of walking and cycling trails plus a dedicated paved bike route. Its centrepiece is a small dam-lake ringed by planted pine and eucalyptus, making it the capital’s favourite spot for an easy stroll, a jog or a family outing. An environmental information centre adds an educational stop.
What you’ll see
- Central lake with waterbirds and lakeside benches
- Flat, well-signed paths ideal for families and runners
- Athalassa environmental information centre and botanical garden
- Endemic and indigenous trees, shrubs and herbs
- Bird observation point and picnic areas
The walk
Pick up the perimeter path near one of the car parks and follow it around the lake, choosing shorter or longer loops from the dense network as you go. The going is flat and shaded in parts, passing picnic clearings, sports grounds and quiet stands of pine where you may spot small mammals and plenty of birds. Detour to the visitor centre for the dioramas and botanical garden, then complete the circuit back to your start. Because everything interconnects, you can easily stretch a gentle 5 km loop into a longer wander.
Getting there
Enter from Aglantzia or Strovolos on Nicosia’s southeastern side; there is free parking at several points, and the visitor centre sits off Athalassas avenue. Get directions →
Good to know before you go
The park is busy at weekends and around sunset; summer middays are hot with limited deep shade, so go early or late.