Xylofagou: Village History and Coastal Caves

Xylofagou combines a village with a strong rural character in the Kokkinochoria (“Red Soil Villages”) with coastal caves and diving areas. In the village centre stands the restored 15th-century church of Agios Georgios, which preserves frescoes. The chapel of Panagia tou Syrmatou overlooks the sea. The area therefore offers everything from village history to landscapes to explore above and below the water’s surface.

Coast and diving: varying depths at Skopia

The Skopia dive route is a coastal area in Xylofagou. It includes different depth ranges and entry points; the deepest spots are just over 18 metres. Skopia is described as suitable for inexperienced divers and snorkellers. These deepest spots are described as suitable for experienced divers. This contrast is a useful point of reference when planning your day: alongside your interest in the coast, consider which depth ranges are suitable for the divers in your group.

Underwater, the route is shaped by rock walls, crevices of varying lengths and heights, and geomorphological formations. There are Posidonia seagrass meadows in some places. Skopia therefore offers more than a single depth figure: the features described range from rock formations and crevices to seagrass areas. If you are interested in different underwater landscapes, you can take these details into account when planning your stay.

The sea cave Mavrospilios is a distinctive feature in its own right. It has stalactites and stalagmites; its entrance is about three metres below the sea surface and is accessible only to divers. This access restriction makes it a different excursion option from the sea caves mentioned in connection with a harbour or a guided kayak tour.

Coastal caves, discoveries and routes

Near Cape Pyla are the coastal coves and sea caves of Xylofagou. You can reach them from the small fishing harbour or as part of a guided kayak tour. If you are planning such a tour, check in advance whether it is available. This helps you consider the coast as a possible part of your holiday plans without equating it with the diving conditions at Skopia.

The caves are also associated with various discoveries: in 1903, British palaeontologist Dorothy Bate found fossils in the Cave of Eglezou. Fossilised hippopotamus bones were discovered at the Cave of Agioi Saranta. Together with the coastal caves and underwater rock formations, these sites add a geological and palaeontological dimension to the landscape. These discoveries are a distinct aspect, in addition to the activities described along the coast.

For getting around on land, there are two named routes connected with the Xylofagou Watchtower. The 46-kilometre Venetian Watchtowers Route (East Larnaka Region) leads to the tower. The Agia Napa–Pyrgos–Xylofagou cycling route passes the medieval tower and then continues to the outskirts of the village. Before setting out, it is worth checking the current route conditions.

Which location suits your holiday plans

When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to first decide what you are most interested in during your stay: would you like to focus on the village’s history, with its church in the centre, or are you mainly planning time for coastal landscapes, caves and diving? The routes add the medieval watchtower to the mix, but differ in character: one is described as a 46-kilometre route, while the other is a cycling route to the outskirts of the village. This lets you weigh up the experiences you want and the right base for your stay together.

Discover more destinations: Kellia, Zyyi, Agia Anna, Kiti, Livadia, Meneou, Lageia, Kato Lefkara.

For the broader travel overview: Larnaca.