Golf in Cyprus Guide

With a warm Mediterranean climate, impressive coastal scenery and four excellent championship courses close to Paphos, Cyprus has everything required for a memorable golf holiday.

The main golf courses in Cyprus each offer a distinctly different test. You can take on the dramatic ravines of Aphrodite Hills, plot your way around Sir Nick Faldo’s strategic design at Elea, enjoy the mountain setting and island green at Minthis, or tackle the contrasting front and back nines at Secret Valley.

Better still, the courses are located within a manageable travelling distance of one another, making it easy to experience all four during a single golf holiday in Cyprus.

Away from the fairways, the island offers sandy beaches, historic sites, traditional villages, excellent restaurants and a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Whether you are travelling as a group, a couple or with a non-golfing partner, Cyprus delivers much more than a few rounds in the sunshine.

Why choose Cyprus for a golf holiday?

Cyprus has steadily developed into one of the Mediterranean’s most appealing golf destinations. It may not have the sheer number of courses found in Spain or Portugal, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in variety, scenery and convenience.

The four principal golf courses in Cyprus are situated around Paphos and the island’s south-western coastline. This makes it possible to combine several different courses without spending hours travelling between rounds.

Golfers can also expect:

• A mild climate and long golfing season
• Four contrasting championship golf courses near Paphos
• High-quality resorts, hotels and self-catering accommodation
• Impressive mountain, valley and Mediterranean Sea views
• Plenty to enjoy away from the course
• Direct flights from the UK to Paphos and Larnaca

Spring and autumn are particularly popular times to play golf in Cyprus, when temperatures are warm without becoming too intense. Winter is also an attractive option for UK golfers looking to swap cold, wet conditions for brighter days and more dependable playing weather.

During the hotter summer months, an early tee time is a smart move. You will enjoy cooler conditions and still have the rest of the day available for the pool, beach or sightseeing.

The four best golf courses in Cyprus

The four main golf courses in Cyprus are:

1. Aphrodite Hills – PGA National Cyprus
2. Elea Golf Club
3. Secret Valley Golf Club
4. Minthis Golf Club

Each course has its own personality, so the best choice will depend on the style of golf you enjoy, your handicap and the type of holiday you are planning.

1. Aphrodite Hills – PGA National Cyprus

Aphrodite Hills is one of the most recognisable golf courses in Cyprus and an essential inclusion on many Paphos golf itineraries.

Opened in 2002 and designed by Cabell Robinson, the par-71 championship course forms part of the extensive Aphrodite Hills Resort. The resort includes hotel accommodation, apartments, villas, restaurants, practice facilities and a range of leisure options, making it one of the island’s most convenient stay-and-play choices.

The course is built across two plateaux separated by a dramatic ravine. As you make your way around the layout, you will encounter lush Bermuda-grass fairways, tiered greens, deep pot bunkers and indigenous olive and carob trees. The elevated position also provides frequent views towards the Mediterranean Sea.

Aphrodite Hills has been awarded PGA National status, reflecting the quality of both the course and its associated facilities. It currently plays to a par of 71 and measures approximately 6,302 yards.

The standout hole at Aphrodite Hills

The par-three 7th is the hole most golfers remember.

The tee and green are separated by an enormous ravine, creating a spectacular carry that demands both commitment and accurate club selection. Wind and elevation can complicate matters further, while bunkers surrounding the green are ready to gather anything slightly offline.

It is a brilliant golf hole—and not the moment for a last-second swing thought.

Who is Aphrodite Hills best for?

Aphrodite Hills is particularly well suited to golfers who want championship golf and premium accommodation in one place. It works well for couples, small groups and golfers travelling with non-playing partners, as the wider resort offers restaurants, spa facilities, swimming pools and other activities.

It is a challenging course, but the different tee positions allow golfers to select a suitable test rather than turning the round into four hours of damage limitation.

Caddie note: The elevated setting and ravine holes make correct club selection important. Take the wind seriously, especially on the par threes.

Elea Golf Club

Designed by Sir Nick Faldo, Elea Golf Club is one of the most strategic golf courses in Cyprus. The emphasis is less on overpowering the course and more on choosing the correct angles, avoiding the numerous bunkers and knowing when to resist the heroic shot.

The par-71 course occupies a dramatic landscape above the Mediterranean Sea, with weathered limestone outcrops, native vegetation and generous fairways bordered by rugged areas of wasteland.

Although generally classified as a parkland course, several holes have a links-like character. The fairways may look inviting from the tee, but careless positioning can leave an awkward approach or bring Elea’s extensive bunkering firmly into play.

This is a golf course that rewards a plan.

Strategy is everything at Elea

The course tests every part of your game, but its bunkering is particularly memorable. Many holes ask golfers to decide how much risk to take from the tee and which section of the fairway offers the best route into the green.

The par-four 4th is a good example. Large, irregularly shaped bunkers influence the tee shot before further sand protects a difficult, sloping green.

The par-four 17th is considered Elea’s signature hole. After avoiding the dramatic fairway bunkering, golfers face a demanding approach over native vegetation towards a large, undulating green.

Who is Elea Golf Club best for?

Elea GC is an excellent choice for thoughtful golfers who enjoy course management and strategic design. Lower-handicap players will appreciate the subtle angles and risk-reward decisions, while higher-handicap golfers can still enjoy the course by playing from an appropriate tee and avoiding unnecessary heroics.

Caddie note: Distance alone will not unlock Elea. Focus on positioning from the tee and play towards the safest part of each green.

Secret Valley Golf Club

Secret Valley Golf Club enjoys one of the most distinctive natural settings of the golf courses in Cyprus.

The par-71, 18-hole championship course sits within a long valley stretching towards the Mediterranean Sea. Mature trees, native shrubs and colourful rock formations frame the layout, while the upper sections provide impressive views across the surrounding landscape.

The course measures approximately 6,249 yards and offers several teeing options, making it accessible to golfers of different abilities. Practice facilities, equipment hire and a fully stocked halfway house are also available.

Two contrasting nines

One of Secret Valley’s most interesting characteristics is the contrast between its front and back nines.

The opening nine is comparatively forgiving, giving golfers an opportunity to settle into the round and build a score. The back nine is more demanding, with steeper terrain, elevated tee positions and more pronounced changes in the shape and character of the holes.

Water, bunkers and the natural contours of the valley all play their part, but the course generally feels fair when approached with sensible course management.

Secret Valley has twice been named the Best Golf Course in Cyprus, and its combination of scenery, variety and playability continues to make it a popular part of a multi-course Paphos itinerary.

Who is Secret Valley best for?

Secret Valley is a strong option for mixed-handicap groups. The front nine offers a relatively welcoming start, while the more demanding back nine provides enough challenge to keep experienced players interested.

It is also ideal for golfers who prefer a scenic, natural layout rather than a heavily developed resort course.

Caddie note: Make your score on the front nine. The back nine asks tougher questions, so keeping a few shots in reserve is never a bad strategy.

Minthis Golf Club

Set approximately 550 metres above sea level, Minthis Golf Club offers a very different experience from the coastal courses around Paphos.

The course is located within the tranquil grounds of a 12th-century monastery and blends naturally into a landscape of fruit trees, grapevines, rolling hills and mountain views. Its elevated setting generally provides cooler conditions than the coast, which can be particularly welcome during the warmer months.

Originally designed by Donald Steel, Minthis has since benefited from a significant redesign by Mackenzie & Ebert. The greens project was completed in 2021, introducing USGA-standard putting surfaces and several changes to the layout.

The par-72 course measures approximately 6,515 yards and offers a variety of tee positions, allowing golfers of different standards to enjoy the layout.

The best holes at Minthis

The par threes are among the strongest features at Minthis.

The signature 15th plays to an island green surrounded by water and is one of the most photographed golf holes in Cyprus. It may be short enough to look inviting, but there is very little room for indecision once you are standing over the ball.

The newer par-five 10th is another highlight. The hole doglegs to the right and begins with a dramatic drive across the valley to reach the fairway. The elevated views are exceptional, although golfers may briefly forget they are supposed to be concentrating on the tee shot.

Who is Minthis Golf Club best for?

Minthis is a very good holiday course for mixed groups, couples and golfers who appreciate scenery as much as scorecards. The multiple tees make it accessible, while the elevation changes, wind and strategic features ensure it never feels straightforward.

The opening of Minthis Resort has also created a high-quality stay-and-play option, with luxury suites, restaurants, wellness facilities and the course immediately accessible from the resort.

Caddie note: Conditions can be cooler and breezier than they are beside the coast. Carry an extra layer outside summer and check the wind carefully before attacking the elevated greens.

Which golf course in Cyprus is best for you?

There is no single answer, because the four main golf courses in Cyprus provide different experiences.

Best for a luxury stay-and-play holiday

Aphrodite Hills – PGA National Cyprus

Choose Aphrodite Hills when you want championship golf, premium resort accommodation and plenty of facilities without needing to leave the resort each day.

Best for strategic golfers

Elea Golf Club

Elea is ideal for golfers who enjoy thinking their way around a course. Good positioning and sensible shot selection are more valuable here than simply reaching for the driver.

Best for mixed-handicap groups

Secret Valley Golf Club

Its manageable opening holes and more demanding back nine create a balanced round for groups containing a range of golfing abilities.

Best for scenery and cooler conditions

Minthis Golf Club

The mountain setting, monastery surroundings and elevated views make Minthis one of the island’s most scenic golf experiences.

Where to stay for the golf courses in Cyprus

Paphos is the most convenient base for golfers wanting to play several courses during one trip.

Staying in or around Paphos gives you access to restaurants, bars, beaches and the harbour while keeping the main golf courses within comfortable travelling distance. It is an excellent choice for groups who want some atmosphere away from the course and couples looking to combine golf with a more traditional holiday.

Aphrodite Hills Resort is the obvious choice for golfers who want to stay directly beside a championship course. Its hotel, apartments and villas provide options for couples, families and larger groups.

Minthis Resort offers a quieter, more contemporary alternative in the hills above Paphos. It is particularly appealing to couples and golfers seeking a peaceful setting, high-quality accommodation and golf on the doorstep.

Beachfront hotels around Paphos can also work extremely well. These allow golfers to combine rounds at all four courses with easy access to the coast, restaurants and other local attractions.

What else can you do in Cyprus?

A golf holiday in Cyprus does not need to revolve entirely around tee times.

Paphos is known for its attractive harbour, archaeological sites, waterfront restaurants and lively but relaxed evening atmosphere. Elsewhere on the island, visitors can discover mountain villages, monasteries, wineries, traditional tavernas and scenic coastal areas.

Popular additions to a Cyprus golf holiday include:

• Visiting the archaeological sites around Paphos
• Walking around Paphos Harbour
• Exploring villages in the Troodos Mountains
• Enjoying local wine and Cypriot cuisine
• Spending a rest day beside the pool or on the beach
• Booking spa treatments at one of the island’s resorts

This variety makes Cyprus particularly attractive for couples and mixed groups where not everybody wants to play golf every day.

When is the best time to play golf in Cyprus?

Cyprus can be visited throughout the year, but the best period will depend on the type of weather you prefer.

Spring

March to May is an excellent time for a Cyprus golf holiday. Conditions are generally warm and pleasant, while the landscape is often greener than it is later in the year.

Summer

June to August brings the hottest weather. Golf is still possible, but early tee times are strongly recommended to avoid the highest temperatures.

Autumn

September to November is another popular golfing period, combining warm weather with comfortable playing conditions.

Winter

December to February can provide an appealing escape from the UK winter. Temperatures are cooler and some rain is possible, but there are still plenty of suitable golfing days.

Planning a golf holiday in Cyprus

The concentration of courses around Paphos makes Cyprus relatively straightforward to plan, but tee times, transfers and hotel location still need to work together properly.

A typical itinerary might include four or five nights with three rounds, or seven nights with all four of the leading golf courses in Cyprus. Golfers staying at Aphrodite Hills or Minthis may choose to play their resort course more than once while adding rounds at Elea and Secret Valley.

When planning your trip, consider:

• The handicap range within your group
• Whether you want resort-based or town-based accommodation
• Preferred tee-time windows
• Travelling distances between the hotel and each course
• Rest days and non-golf activities
• Whether buggies or equipment hire need to be arranged
• The time of year and expected temperatures

Golf Escapes can combine accommodation, tee times, transfers and other travel arrangements into a tailored Cyprus golf holiday. With the details handled properly, you can focus on the important decisions—such as whether the island green at Minthis is really worth attacking.

Discover the best golf courses in Cyprus

The golf courses in Cyprus may be limited in number, but each provides a distinctive and rewarding round.

Aphrodite Hills delivers dramatic championship golf and a complete resort experience. Elea rewards strategy and accurate positioning. Secret Valley winds through an impressive natural landscape, while Minthis combines mountain scenery with an enjoyable, modernised layout.

Together, they make Cyprus an excellent choice for golfers looking for warm weather, varied golf and an easy-going Mediterranean holiday.

Whether you are organising an annual group trip, planning a couples’ escape or simply searching for somewhere different to play, Cyprus is well worth placing near the top of the shortlist.