Evretou Dam

Hidden in the gentle hills southwest of Paphos, Evretou Dam sits softly in a landscape of olive groves and open fields—part agricultural lifeline, part serene retreat. Formed by damming the Xeros Valley, it holds back a reflective body of water surrounded by rolling terrain, dramatic ridgelines, and a peaceful hush largely untouched by tourism.

A Reservoir Carved by Purpose and Calm

Built in the late 1980s to support irrigation and supply for nearby villages, Evretou Dam holds millions of cubic meters behind an unassuming rock-fill embankment nestled within woodlands and farmland. Here, water supports communities—and offers a visual retreat from the coastal glare just a few miles west.

It’s not a wide-blue lake surrounded by promenades. Instead, water laps quiet shores in symphony with birdsong and soft breezes through olive trees—a reservoir that belongs as much to nature as to human need.

Walking, Birdwatching, and Quiet Contemplation

A few simple paths lead through orchards overhead or along the shoreline at water level, creating loops of 2–5 km. These are ideal for dawn walks, picnics, and tranquil afternoon breaks. As the sun filters through eucalyptus and cypress, the landscape shifts from ochre farmland to bright green hills, all mirrored across glassy water.

Migratory birds ride thermal currents above the reservoir—herons, bee-eaters, warblers. In cooler hours, carp and bass glide through shadows near the dam’s edge. Though not a humming ecosystem, it’s alive in subtle movement.

A Day at Evretou Dam

Morning: Mist drifts faintly over the water. A few locals practice Tai Chi or jog around the dam’s perimeter as the rising light cuts through tree canopy.

Midday: The reservoir opens to sun-warmed air and # picnicking families or solo sketchers spreading towels beneath a pine. Shade remains cool, the air scented with thyme and citrus.

Evening: The light softens. Trees cast long shadows over still water. Golden rays bring the hills into relief—and the dam becomes an echo of quiet calm

For the Visitor Who Seeks Stillness

Evretou Dam is suited to folks who value:

• Short hikes and day escapes without crowds
• Mood-filled photography of reflections and sunset tones
• Birdwatchers and nature lovers seeking calm shade
• Families needing peaceful, accessible green space
• Travelers combining dam stops with stays in Paphos or countryside walks

It’s not a site for water sports or fanfare—but for quiet presence.

Practical Tips

• Arrive mid-morning or late afternoon for gentle light and cooler temps
• Bring picnic supplies—restaurants are scarce nearby
• Dress comfortably and wear good walking shoes
• Use only marked tracks—the area is partly protected
• Pair your visit with nearby villages like Kathikas, or sunset cafés above the coast

Evretou Dam doesn’t announce its beauty—but unfolds it quietly. It asks little of visitors, yet offers much: soft horizons, shaded walks, restful silence framed by hills, and—if you stay long enough—a stretch of calm reflection.

Not flashy, not grand, but deeply Cypriot: with human purpose, quiet hospitality, and more water than rumor says lies beneath the quiet surface.