Cyprus is famed for many attractions, yet one of the most prevalent ones is the flamingo. We can encounter in a few places on this island, but it is not possible all year long. So, where can we see the flamingos? Should we aim for summer or winter?
We have already touched upon the flamingos in Sicily and Spain in general. This time, we shall focus on the place most closely associated with flamingos, ergo Cyprus. You should certainly equip yourself with a camera with a strong zoom, since there is no chance of getting near one of these animals. Let’s not invade their comfort zone, that’s the least that we can do to comfort them in such an uncomfortable position. It is estimated, that there are around 10 000 – 15 000 flamingos on the island.
When can we see flamingos on Cyprus? 2021
The most important question – when can we see them? The best period for birdwatching is between November and March. Most of these birds roam from Europe to Near East, but some of them can actually stay the full year on the island. We were lucky enough to spot them at the beginning of November, in two different spots on the island.
Where to see Flamingos on Cyprus?
There are two very popular spots on Cyprus, where you have a pretty high chance of seeing Flamingos. First one is the salt lake next to the centre of Larnaca. You have to keep in mind though, they are incredibly easy to startle. Usually, they travel in herds, and try to keep away from the pesky tourists as well as they can, which means you can spot them in the middle of the lake. The Patticheio park is a pretty good place, you can also approach from Hala Sultan Tekke, as it also offers a decent view of the lake.
In our opinion, the second best location for flamingo-watching is the Limassol salt lake, located on the southwestern side of the city. The parking lots are situated by the F628 road, which is very close to the lake, which consequently means that it’s very close to flamingos. Be wary of where and how you take photos, since there is a RAF military base nearby.
The last, least popular place is the Oroklini lake, to the north of Larnaca, near the A3 highway. There flamingo herds there are a bit smaller than usual, but there will also be less tourists.
A bit of trivia surrounding flamingos
Maybe you can impress your friends with it 🙂
- Flamingos aren’t born pink! They earn the colour through their diet. You can read about the pink nature of the lakes in Spain here.
- Flamingos on Cyprus can reach upwards of 150 cm, it’s the tallest of its kind.
- The name ‘Flamingo’ comes from Spanish – ‘a fiery bird’
- Flamingos can detect rain and storms from over 500 km away
- Flamingos live off of consuming plankton, small fish, larvae and crustaceans – hence why they are pink
Cyprus map – where to find Flamingos
- Salt lake next to Larnaca
- Limassol salt lake
- Oroklini lake
