Akrotiri Salt Lake

Akrotiri Salt Lake covers about ten square kilometres at the centre of the peninsula, a shallow basin that fills with winter rain and dries to a salt crust by late summer. It is the most important wetland on the island and a major stop on the migration route between Europe and Africa: greater flamingos winter here in the thousands, along with ducks, waders and occasionally rarer visitors. A ring of reedbed, marsh and juniper woodland surrounds it, and an environmental centre at Akrotiri village explains the system.

The landscape

• The flamingos - thousands wintering on the lake between November and March.
• The migration - waders and wildfowl passing through in spring and autumn.
• The dry lake - a white salt crust across the basin by late summer.
• The environmental centre - displays on the wetland and its birds at Akrotiri.

When to go

November to March is the flamingo season and the reason to come. By June the lake is drying and by August it is a salt pan with no birds. Early morning gives the best light and the most activity.

Good to know

In summer there is simply nothing to see; visitors arriving in July find a dry white flat. Parts of the peninsula are within a military area and access is restricted in places. Viewing is at distance and binoculars matter.

Nearby

St Nicholas of the Cats is on the same peninsula, and Limassol is north.

Key facts