Viklari Restaurant in Akamas, Paphos: Authentic Cyprus Food with Breathtaking Views

Viklari Restaurant, also known as The Last Castle, is a hillside restaurant on the Akamas Peninsula in Paphos, overlooking the Mediterranean. It offers a rustic setting, panoramic views and a simple, hearty menu. Diners eat at stone tables in the open air under vine-shaded pergolas, close to Akamas National Park, which can be reached by road from Paphos or on foot. Reviews are available on TripAdvisor.

What is souvla, the national dish of Cyprus?

What is the tradition behind souvla?

• Souvla is the national dish of Cyprus: large chunks of pork or chicken slow-cooked on a spit over charcoal.
• Viklari's menu offers pork souvla, chicken souvla or a mix of both.
• Grilled chicken is available on request instead of spit-roasted, and is more tender and juicy.
• Accompaniments are a Cypriot salad with feta, wedge-cut chips and fresh bread.
• The only wine is house wine, served in carafes.
• Souvla is traditionally served on Sundays, at family gatherings, name-day parties, baptisms and Easter picnics.
• Cooking is a social event, and the spit is usually tended by a father or grandfather.
• Seasoning is simply salt, oregano and lemon.
• The bread is toasted on the coals and the salad is chopped fresh at the table.
• Meals are shared, with wine poured freely.

What is the Viklari experience like?

What are the views like?

The restaurant sits high above the coast, overlooking Akamas National Park and the sea. The style is rustic, with stone tables and no fine silverware or china.

How do you get to Viklari?

• By car: expect bumpy dirt roads.
• On foot: hike up via the Akamas trails. Wear good shoes, as the paths are rocky.
• Walk-ins are usually accepted, but reservations are advised in high season.

What are the service and menu like?

The staff are friendly and unpretentious, recommend mixed plates and can offer grilled chicken on request. There is no printed menu, and items are explained verbally. The meal ends with confit (candied fruit) served with the last of the wine.

What is the cultural background of Cypriot food?

Cypriot cuisine blends Greek, Middle Eastern and Italian influences. It relies on olive oil, grains, herbs and fresh produce, and meals are shared and unhurried.

• Meze: small plates served in succession.
• Halloumi: a semi-hard cheese made from sheep and goat's milk, grilled, fried or fresh.
• Kleftiko: slow-roasted lamb wrapped in parchment and baked for hours.
• Loukoumades: sweet fried dough balls with honey or syrup, served at festivals and feasts.
• Herbs and citrus: oregano, mint, thyme and lemons are used in dressings, marinades and desserts.

Why do Cypriots and visitors love Viklari?

• It celebrates the national dish with pride.
• The atmosphere encourages slow dining.
• Prices are fair, portions are generous and the setting is postcard-perfect.

What is on the Viklari menu?

• Pork souvla: chargrilled and smoky.
• Chicken souvla or grilled chicken: grilled on request for extra juiciness.
• Village salad: tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and feta.
• Wedge-cut chips: thick and crispy.
• Bread: fresh, for mopping up the juices.
• Confit fruits: a sweet end to the meal.
• House wine by the carafe: simple and rustic.

How do you get the most from a visit?

• Book ahead at weekends, especially in tourist season.
• Ask for grilled chicken for the juiciest cut.
• Wear comfortable shoes if you walk up, as it is a trek.
• Bring a camera for the views.

What can you hike and explore in Akamas National Park?

Akamas is one of the last unspoilt coastal regions of Cyprus, with rugged terrain, quiet beaches and rich biodiversity.

• Smigies Nature Trail: a well-marked loop with panoramic views of Chrysochou Bay and the Akamas coast.
• Aphrodite and Adonis trails: moderate hikes past historic ruins, secluded bays, rare orchids and juniper forests.
• Lara Beach: a nesting ground for endangered green and loggerhead turtles.
• Baths of Aphrodite: a site tied to the local legend of the goddess bathing there.

Pack water, sturdy shoes and a sun hat. Trails range from easy walks to steep climbs.

What is Avakas Gorge and what else is nearby?

Avakas Gorge is a limestone gorge carved by water over millennia, reachable by a short drive or a scenic hike from Viklari.

• It has a lush entrance with oleanders and tall reeds, and the gorge narrows further in.
• Cliffs reach up to 30 metres high, with shaded paths.
• The terrain includes rock-hopping, minor climbs and seasonal stream crossings.
• Birdwatchers may see endemic plants, rare butterflies and falcons.
• Nearby are the Agios Georgios Pegeia chapel overlooking the sea and sea caves near Coral Bay.

A suggested day is a morning gorge hike, lunch at Viklari and an afternoon on a cliff top.

Is Viklari worth the trip?

Viklari is a no-nonsense restaurant with big flavours, strong scenery and a rustic atmosphere. Take the road less travelled to Paphos's Akamas coast and order the souvla.