Athalassa Park is located in the south-east of Nicosia with a total area of 840 hectares. It has been declared a National Forest Park since 1990 and offers various activities such as outdoor recreation, mental and physical exercise, environmental education and training. The Athalassa Park is the result of long-term efforts to reforest an area that was barren and poor in vegetation that began in 1904 and continues to this day.
In the forest you can find shrubs and herbaceous plants such as sunflower, periwinkle, thyme, pallium, toadflax, etc. Most of the tree plants are not native to the area but have been planted. The tree vegetation consists mainly of pine trees, acacias, eucalyptus, carob trees, wild olive trees, etc. On the other hand, the fauna of the National Forest Park includes a wide variety of birds, mainly aquatic migratory birds, mainly due to the existence of two water barriers and the climatic conditions. A total of 173 species of birds, 7 species of mammals, 6 species of reptiles, 2 species of amphibians, several species of butterflies and a large number of insects have been recorded.
The park functions as an excursion area, a walking area, a bicycle path, a sports area, a play area for young children, a bird watching area, a fishing area, a beekeeping area and many other activities that give the city’s residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a day in nature.
Visitors have the opportunity to tour the Agios Georgios Park, which has been created as part of the development of the Athalassa National Forest Park and covers an area of 10.5 hectares. Also, in the 10-hectare Excursion Area, visitors can find picnic tables, fountains, a large playground, sports fields, nature trails, special facilities for the disabled. In the 2 Forest Botanical Gardens located in the park, researchers and visitors can be educated on flora issues. Finally, in the Environmental Information Centre, which functions as an exhibition and information area, one can visit the model room, a small laboratory and the geology, flora and fauna room.
The EduTourism project is implemented in the framework of the INTERREG V-A Cooperation Programme “Greece – Cyprus 2014-2020” and is co-financed by the European Union (E.T.P.A.) and the National Funds of Greece and Cyprus.