British Military Bases

Cyprus hosts two sovereign British military bases — Akrotiri (near Limassol) and Dhekelia (near Larnaca). These 254 km² areas are formally British territory — not part of the Republic of Cyprus and not part of the EU.

For tourists, the bases are largely irrelevant: You pass through them on the road without noticing. The beaches on the base grounds (e.g., Lady's Mile Beach on Akrotiri) are publicly accessible. Occasionally, you see British soldiers in nearby restaurants.