Turtle Museum in Cyprus

Cyprus is known as a place where rare species of turtles lay their eggs on the beaches. However, you can also learn about these marine creatures in a museum.

• Turtle Museum in Ineia
• Exhibition Center
• Educational Center
• Frequently Asked Questions

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Turtle Museum in Ineia

The Turtle Museum opened its doors to the public in June 2023 in the community of Ineia, in the Paphos district. It is the first specialized space in Cyprus dedicated exclusively to sea turtles.

The modern approach, the quantity, quality, and diversity of the museum's exhibits, combined with thematic interactive presentations, collections of various turtle species inhabiting oceans, seas, and lakes worldwide, unique exhibits, photographs, maps, dioramas, and other visual aids make this place attractive to a wide range of visitors.

Museum Exhibition Center

Covering an area of 178 square meters, divided into three halls, visitors to the museum enter the fascinating world of two turtle species that mainly visit Cyprus—the Loggerhead turtle and the Green turtle.

The first room welcomes visitors with an impressive 3D and detailed map of the Akamas Peninsula, showcasing its main attractions in detail. In the same area, there is a large touch display presenting maps showing the distribution of the two turtle species worldwide, in the Mediterranean, and in Cyprus.

In the main hall of the Turtle Center, various exhibits and interactive presentations are displayed. A diorama on the right side of the hall features a 3D display of Lara Beach with its turtles, along with the natural threats they face from crabs, foxes, and other animals.

One of the halls

In the same hall, modern touchscreens show films specially created for the Center, including one about the turtle's life cycle—from birth on Lara-Toxeutra beaches to adulthood and its return to the same beaches where it was born to lay its eggs.

Additionally, interactive programs on the screens tell the story of the turtle's evolution from its first appearance around 200 million years ago to the present day, its adaptation to various climate changes on Earth, anthropogenic threats that directly or indirectly endanger its survival, and its crucial ecological role in protecting marine biodiversity, sustaining life on Earth, and ensuring our planet’s sustainability.

The museum also features impressive showcases with turtle shells collected from different parts of the world and a display showing the two turtle species that visit Lara and Toxeutra beaches. One of the center's innovations is a station for visually impaired visitors with special exhibits designed for them.

Educational Center

This is a very useful and interesting section of the museum for children. In the lecture zone, films about sea turtles are shown, including an animated film created by the community of Ineia, where young visitors can enjoy a journey through time and space, following the two turtle species from their first appearance on Earth to their arrival on Lara-Toxeutra beaches, as well as the natural and human threats they face.

In the same hall, children can test their knowledge through engaging interactive games. At the exit of the Educational Center, there is a gift shop offering a variety of turtle-themed souvenirs, such as postcards, keychains, magnets, books, and more.

This is what the museum looks like from the outside

Frequently Asked Questions About the Turtle Museum in Cyprus

Does the Turtle Museum in Cyprus have an interactive version?

Yes, you can take a virtual tour of the museum and decide whether it’s worth visiting in person. You can do this on the museum's website.

What are the opening hours of the Turtle Museum in Cyprus?

March to April

• Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 16:00
• Saturday: 09:30 – 14:00
• Sunday: Closed

May to October

• Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 14:00 / 15:00 – 17:30
• Saturday: 09:30 – 14:30
• Sunday: Closed

November to February

• Monday – Saturday: 09:00 – 14:00
• Wednesday: 14:00 – 16:00
• Sunday: Closed

How to get to the Turtle Museum in Cyprus?

The museum address: Petrou H’Argyrou and Th. Vlokkou Square, 8704, Ineia, Paphos. The location is shown on the map below, here are the GPS coordinates: 34.95566060916701, 32.39306982086202.

If you don’t have a car, you can rent one using Localrent (from €10 per day) or other rental services.

You can also reach it by public transport. From Paphos, bus No. 641 departs from the Polis Chrysochous stop. However, the bus schedule is not frequent, so we recommend considering car rental, as you can also combine your trip with exploring other beauties of Akamas National Park.

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