Lambousa Fish Ponds

Cyprus

LoginSave

Right on the shoreline on Lapta's eastern edge, you can see three large square pools hewn out of the rock, and interconnected with water channels. The largest pond measures 27m by 14m. These curious features were the ingenious invention of the fishermen of the ancient town of Lambousa, as a holding tank for their daily catch to keep the fish as fresh as possible.

Founded by the Mycenian Greeks in the 12th century BC, Lambousa flourished during the Roman era when it was a busy harbour town. Not much of the ancient town itself remains but just inland, behind the fish ponds, the cliff is riddled with rock tombs and just to the west are the remnants of the ancient harbour wall.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • St. Hilarion Castle in Kyrenia, North Cyprus.

    St Hilarion Castle

    5.64 MILES

    The full fairy-tale outline of St Hilarion Castle only becomes apparent once you’re directly beneath it. The stone walls and half-ruined buildings blend…

  • North Cyprus, Kyrenia, Kyrenia Castle and Harbour

    Kyrenia Castle

    7.73 MILES

    If the grand fortifications of Kyrenia Castle could talk, they could sure tell some tales. The castle was first built by the Byzantines – possibly over…

  • Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia, Northern Cyprus.

    Selimiye Mosque

    15.76 MILES

    North Nicosia’s most prominent landmark (also clearly visible from the southern half of the city), the Selimiye Mosque is a beautiful mongrel of a…

  • 16th century Venetian walls of Nicosia, Cyprus; Shutterstock ID 132634124; Your name (First / Last): Brana V; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Nicosia destination page

    Venetian Walls

    16.17 MILES

    The Venetian walls form a border around the Old City and are so unusual that, once seen on a map, you’ll never forget the odd snowflake-like shape.

  • Buyuk Han (The Great Inn) Nicosia, North Cyprus; Shutterstock ID 54096925; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Büyük Han

    15.72 MILES

    The Büyük Han is Cyprus' best-preserved example of Ottoman caravanserai architecture. Built in 1572 by the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus, Lala Mustafa…

  • Interior view of Panagia Forviotissa (Asinou), a Christian church of the beginning of the 12th century.

    Panagia Forviotissa

    24.31 MILES

    This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of …

  • Cyprus Museum

    Cyprus Museum

    15.71 MILES

    Just outside the Old City walls, this excellent museum houses the island's most important collection of archaeological finds. Highlights include Hall 11's…

  • Bridge and Pond at the Troodos Botanical Gardens in the summer.

    Troödos Botanical Gardens

    29.38 MILES

    Part of the excellent Troödos Geopark, this is a small but well-laid-out botanical garden with a lily pond and other water features, including a tumbling…

View more attractions

Nearby Cyprus attractions

1. Escape Beach

2.74 MILES

This is one of Kyrenia’s best swimming beaches. It’s hugely popular and during summer you should get here early to find space. Swimmers should be mindful…

2. Karmi

4.6 MILES

The quaint village of Karmi (officially called Karaman, but still known as Karmi by everyone) is all traditional stone villas, whitewashed cottages,…

3. St Hilarion Castle

5.64 MILES

The full fairy-tale outline of St Hilarion Castle only becomes apparent once you’re directly beneath it. The stone walls and half-ruined buildings blend…

4. Agios Panteleimon Monastery

6.74 MILES

This monastery, dedicated to the healer Saint Panteleimon, was originally built in the 15th century, but completely renovated in 1770. Its wealth came…

5. Mavi Köşk

7.18 MILES

Probably the most eccentric sight in Northern Cyprus, Mavi Köşk (Blue House) was supposedly built by Paulo Paolides, lawyer to Archbishop Makarios III…

6. Horseshoe Beach

7.22 MILES

Horseshoe Beach has a lonely position at the eastern edge of the Koruçam Peninsula and the clear water here makes it great for swimming and snorkelling.

7. Greco-Roman Tombs

7.5 MILES

These ancient tombs, carved into the rock face, and usually partially obscured by parked vehicles, are thought to have been used in the Hellenistic and…

8. Archangelos Michael Icon Museum

7.51 MILES

The 19th-century Archangelos Michael Church, with its white bell tower rising up above the surrounding harbourside buildings, displays icons dating from…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "cyprus/lapta-lapithos/attractions/lambousa-fish-ponds/a/poi-sig/1568221/1330832",
  "destination": "Cyprus",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Cyprus",
  "position": "superzone"
}