The Department of Forests is moving ahead with a revised plan for visitor and recreation infrastructure in the Akamas National Forest Park, aiming to better manage visitor numbers, reduce uncontrolled use of the area and improve safety.
The updated design seeks to address long-standing shortcomings in visitor management while significantly reducing the environmental footprint of planned works.
A tender for the project remains open until 25 September, with tender documents outlining strict parameters for the redesign to be undertaken by the successful team of consultants and engineers.
Facilities including cafés, kiosks, sanitary facilities, information points, car parks and shaded areas will be subject to clear restrictions following years of controversy over earlier proposals and concerns about excessive development.
A central principle of the revised approach, which also applies to other Akamas projects such as roadworks and hydraulic infrastructure, is the substantial reduction of human intervention and environmental impacts. The approach follows decisions by the Council of Ministers and the Environmental Authority's Compliance Report issued in August 2025.
From 14 hubs to six
The original 2021 plan envisaged 14 visitor and recreation hubs with extensive infrastructure, drawing criticism from environmental groups and other stakeholders.
Under the revised plan, the number has been reduced to six, which must be modular, prefabricated and low-impact.
Tender documents specify that facilities should be capable of being constructed off-site and equipped with all required services, including:
- Sewerage systems.
- Plumbing installations.
- Electrical systems.
- Standalone photovoltaic systems where no EAC connection exists.
- Grid-connected photovoltaic systems where electricity supply is available.
The facilities must also be transportable, quickly assembled on site, require minimal disturbance to the natural terrain and, where practicable, be capable of relocation or removal.
The six hubs will be located at:
- Aspros Potamos.
- Avakas.
- South Lara Bay.
- Smigies.
- Baths of Aphrodite.
- Fontana Amorosa.
Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research has already proceeded with the construction of a Marine Turtle Information Centre in the North Lara Bay area.
As for proposed entrance gateways to the park, the Department of Forests told Politis that these will not proceed at this stage and will be reconsidered after the park becomes operational.
Facilities by location
The Department of Forests proposes different services and facilities at each of the six locations.
Notably, Avakas is expected to have a mobile kiosk rather than a permanent café, while neither cafés nor kiosks are planned for Smigies or Fontana Amorosa. No sanitary facilities are planned at those two sites either.
Aspros Potamos
- New car park.
- Sanitary facilities.
- Information centre.
- Bicycle parking (10 private and 10 rental bicycles).
- Café with souvenir shop.
- Viewing point.
- Sun shelter.
- Rain shelter.
- Shuttle-bus stop.
- Existing public bus stop.
- Offices to be installed nearby.
Avakas
- Existing car park to be upgraded.
- Existing sanitary facilities.
- Information point.
- Bicycle parking (10 private bicycles).
- Mobile kiosk.
- Sun shelter.
- Rain shelter.
- Shuttle-bus stop.
South Lara Bay
- Existing car park.
- Sanitary facilities.
- Information point.
- Bicycle parking (10 private bicycles).
- Café with souvenir shop.
- Viewing point.
- Sun shelter.
- Rain shelter.
- Shuttle-bus stop.
Baths of Aphrodite
- Existing car park to be upgraded.
- Existing sanitary facilities.
- Information point.
- Bicycle parking (10 private and 10 rental bicycles).
- Existing café and souvenir shop.
- Sun shelter.
- Shuttle-bus stop.
- Public transport stop.
Smigies
- Existing car park to be upgraded.
- Information point.
- Bicycle parking (10 private bicycles).
- Shuttle-bus stop.
Fontana Amorosa
- New car park with up to five spaces.
- Information point.
- Bicycle parking (10 private bicycles).
- Rain shelter.
- Shuttle-bus stop.
Mandatory design principles
The Department of Forests stresses that all facilities must primarily serve management and conservation purposes and be justified as tools for organising visitor flows, protecting the area, reducing environmental pressure and improving safety.
Their design must emphasise:
- Discretion.
- Functionality.
- Compatibility with the landscape.
Documents state that facilities should avoid excessive architectural prominence and be limited to what is strictly necessary in terms of number, size, form and location.
Delivery timeline
The project is expected to take 160 weeks from preliminary design to construction and handover, excluding summer breaks.
As a result, completion is anticipated in around three years.
The estimated value of the redesign is €180,000 excluding VAT, while construction costs are estimated at €3 million excluding VAT.
The project is being funded through the THALIA 2021-2027 Programme, with co-financing from the European Union.
Road network works by 2028
Road improvement works covering Phases A, B and C are expected to be completed by 2028.
Tender documents for Phase A have already been prepared, and the Department of Forests says a procurement process will begin once all required approvals have been secured.
At present, however, no precise starting date can be confirmed.
Avakas hydraulic works
The assessment of proposed hydraulic works in the Avakas area is also progressing.
A preliminary study has already been submitted and is currently being reviewed by the Department of Forests in cooperation with the Water Development Department.
Authorities expect the assessment process to be completed before the end of September.
Nature reserve designation pending
The formal designation of a nature reserve and micro-reserves also remains pending.
The process is being handled separately under forestry legislation.
In both cases, the Forestry Advisory Body will be asked to review the proposals and submit recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment before final texts are presented to the Council of Ministers.
The Department of Forests expects the advisory body to convene during November.
Park rangers recruited
Meanwhile, 16 park rangers have been recruited to patrol and protect the Akamas National Forest Park.
According to the Department of Forests, the recruits are currently undergoing training and are expected to begin field duties as soon as possible.
