Some of Larnaka region’s best kept secrets can be found in Xylofagou community, and we don’t mean the big potato that is a popular selfie attraction!

Located past Pyla towards the red-soil villages, Xylofagou is not typically on the radar of visitors to Larnaka, but the hidden treasures of its turquoise waters are already enjoyed by nature lovers, kayakers and divers in the know.

As Larnaka Tourism Board’s latest member, Xylofagou offers much to visitors who like to explore off the beaten track and to experience authentic and more low-key areas. Discovering it’s rugged and wild coastline of small swimmable coves and diving sea caves is only accessible by fishing boat (from the fishing shelter), or via a guided kayaking tour, but the reward is worth the adventure to find them.

Of particular note are:

• The 'Cave of Agioi Saranta' (Forty Saints): located where the cliff drops steeply into the sea. Fossilized hippopotamus bones have been found here.
• The 'Cave of Eglezou' (Cave of the English Person): where fossils were found by British paleontologist Dorothy Bate in 1903, hence its name.
• Mavrospilios (Black Cave): with rare, dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. As the entrance is located approximately three metres below the sea surface, this impressive natural phenomenon is only accessible to divers.

Aside from its beautiful coastline, Xylofagou’s landscape is also dotted with potato plantations of copper-rich red soil that grow the famous ‘Cyprus potato’; inspiration for the 'big potato'. This local crop is also celebrated annually with a festival in September (on September 11 this year).

One of the Venetian Watch Towers that is part of a network of towers across the region is found in Xylofagou. An interesting way to visit this - and the rest of the watchtowers - is to take the self-guided Larnaka Thematic Cycling Routes - Venetian Watchtower Route East.

Xylofagou also has two significant churches: the restored, 15th-century Agios Georgios Church with preserved frescos, and the chapel of Panagia tou Sirmatou; set against a beautiful backdrop of acacia trees overlooking the sea with a cave nearby, and perfect for a summer picnic at the designated picnic site!