There really is coral in the sands at Coral Bay, glistening like tiny diamonds in the Cyprus sunshine. Just a few minutes' from any of our holiday villas in the Coral Bay resort, this golden-sanded Cyprus beach stretches for half a kilometre, inviting you to relax on a sunlounger, build sandcastles, watch the kids paddle in the warm shallow waters, or release your inner adrenaline junkie in a range of water sports from paragliding to banana boat rides.

Of course, you might prefer to splash around in your Coral Bay villa swimming pool, and or simply admire the view from your terrace, with a glass of chilled local wine in hand!

Coral Bay's elegant holiday villas are mostly set above the bay, rising up through olive groves and banana plantations to the vineyards on the hilltops. Here too is the pretty village of Pegeia (otherwise known as Peyia), with its pretty traditional square surrounded by excellent tavernas, perfect for a traditional Cypriot meal out if you don't want to cook in your rental villa kitchen.

Coral Bay itself lies on a coastal road, with shops, supermarkets, cafés and restaurants, so you can simply stroll down to the village for all your holiday villa supplies. You'll find a bank and a pharmacy, plus a range of bars and cafés. Enjoy good seafood at the Andria, Italian specialties at Trattoria La Vigna, modern Mediterranean fare at the oddly named Goosefat and Garlic, or try and finish Coral King's generous 20-dish meze dinner! For a more 'rustic' experience, head towards Seacaves to the Yialos restaurant for great value meals right by the sea.

If a quiet night in at your Coral Bay rental villa, just watching the sun set with a glass of wine, is just not your thing, never fear! Coral Bay has several lively bars, including Blazing Saddles for cocktails and the Millenium Pub for karaoke evenings and a 'we stay open until you go home' policy.

Even in your well-appointed Coral Bay villa for hire, history is never far away. Even on the beach's northern headland you can see remains of a Bronze Age settlement, or discover the 6th century basilica and ancient rock tombs at Cape Drepano. The fascinating Tombs of the Kings, and the 'must see' Roman mosaics at Kato Pafos are just a short bus ride away, or hop off early to explore Lempa with its eccentrically decorated art college and reconstruction prehistoric settlement.

And there's more! Take your Cyprus hire car into the hills to explore the Byzantine frescoes at nearby Agios Neofytos or at the charmingly-named monastery of Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate, famous for its great views and excellent Monte Royia wines.

A Coral Bay holiday villa is the perfect base for exploring the wild side of Cyprus, as you are right on the edge of the last protected wilderness in Cyprus, the Akamas peninsula. Watch newly-hatched baby loggerhead turtles struggle to the sea at Lara Bay, or discover the rare Cyprus grass snake at Snake George's Reptile Park, on the Agios Georgios road. Scuba diving schools offer diving trips off Coral Bay to discover the cliffs, caves and swim-throughs of Maninji Island. Older kids will love a spin around the track at Coral Bay go-karting, which also has a games centre and children's playground.

Sun, sand and super restaurants make Coral Bay the perfect choice for your Cyprus family holiday, so book your villa and car hire at Amy Villas today!