Seitan Limania

Seitan Limania, the devil's harbours, is a slot of sea cutting into the Akrotiri cliffs, where the water sits an extraordinary blue-green against pale limestone and a small strip of pebble beach lies at the head of the inlet. The name comes from the dangerous currents at the mouth, which local fishermen respected. Access is the whole story: from the car park on the cliff edge a rough path drops steeply to the beach in ten to fifteen minutes, over loose rock with no railing, and the climb back in the heat is harder than the descent. The cove has no shade, no facilities and very limited space, so it fills quickly. Goats pick their way along the cliffs and often walk into the crowd.

What you actually see

• The narrow inlet - a slot of turquoise water between vertical cliffs.
• The clifftop viewpoint - the classic overhead view from the car park.
• The pebble strip - the small beach at the head of the cove.
• The goats - the local herd on the cliffs and often on the sand.

When to go

Late spring and September for water and space; the beach is unbearably crowded in July and August and the climb is brutal at midday. Early morning is far better in every respect.

Honest expectations

The descent is genuinely steep and loose, unsuitable for anyone unsteady, small children or flip-flops. There is no shade, no water and no lifeguard, and the currents at the inlet mouth deserve respect. Parking is tight and the road narrow.

Nearby

Stavros beach lies west on the same peninsula; Agia Triada monastery is on the road back.