</a></span>"}'/>
Cyprus ( Greek : Κύπρος , Turkish : Kıbrıs ) is an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea , south of Turkey . It is one of the world’s oldest civilisations, with a history of over 11,000 years. Cyprus offers lots of archaeological sites, hiking trails through cedar forests, kilometres and kilometres of gorgeous beaches, and 300 days of sun a year.
The Republic of Cyprus , a member of the European Union, holds international recognition and governs the southern territory. Meanwhile, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (covered in a separate article) functions as a separate country.
Cyprus is divided into 6 provinces, each named after its provincial capital. Since 1974, the whole of Kyrenia province, most of Famagusta province, and the northern portion of Nicosia province have been under Turkish military control. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus administers those areas. The Republic of Cyprus administers the following provinces:
Cypriot cities have a variety of historical spellings and writings, all in fairly common use, and which change according to the context, whether it be Greek Cypriot, Turkish or English. The following list emphasizes traditional English spellings, that will most often be encountered by the traveller.
Cyprus has a complex political history that has left a lasting impact on the island.
After gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, the Cypriot Constitution was created to ensure power-sharing between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority. However, tensions between the two groups escalated in 1974 when Greece and Turkey became involved in the conflict. As a result, Turkey ended up occupying 40% of the island, resulting in the establishment of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) in 1983.
The TRNC is recognised only by Turkey, while all other governments and the United Nations recognise only the government of the Republic of Cyprus over the whole island. In order to maintain peace, the UN operates a peacekeeping force and a narrow buffer zone between the two Cypriot ethnic groups.
Whilst hostilities have been absent for some time, the island remains divided. However, the involvement of the European Union has led to increased efforts towards reunification between the two sides.
Subtropical Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters in the lowlands. Continental with warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters in the mountains.
Central plain with mountains to north and south (often used for skiing); scattered but significant plains along southern coast.
The two major ethnic groups in Cyprus are Greeks and Turks.
The majority of Cypriots are Greek Cypriots, who have long controlled Cyprus's political, economic, and cultural sectors. Greek Cypriot culture is distinguished by a rich culinary legacy as well as a thriving music and dance scene. The majority of Greek Cypriots are Orthodox Christians.
In contrast, Turkish Cypriot culture is heavily influenced by Turkey. Turkish Cypriots make up around one-fifth of the population and have historically been sidelined in Cyprus's political and economic arenas. Virtually all Turkish Cypriots are Muslims.
Armenian Cypriots are a small but significant minority in Cyprus, with a population of approximately 3,500 people. They are descended from Armenian immigrants who settled in Cyprus during the Ottoman period. Despite their small numbers, Armenian Cypriots have played an important role in Cyprus's social and political landscape.
Cyprus is committed to implementing the Schengen Agreement although it hasn't yet done so. For citizens of the European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Area (EFTA) (i.e. Iceland , Liechtenstein , Norway and Switzerland ), an officially approved ID card (or a passport) is sufficient for entry. Other nationalities will generally require a passport for entry.
Travel to/from any other country (Schengen or not) from/to Cyprus will result in the normal immigration checks, although customs checks will be waived when travelling to/from another EU country.
Inquire with your travel agent or with the local embassy or consulate of Cyprus.
Nicosia International Airport ( NIC IATA ) was the previous main international airport. It is SW of Nicosia in the Green Line separating the Greek and Turkish parts of Cyprus; it has been out of use since 1974.
Cyprus is served by a variety of carriers. There are flight connections from most major European cities, e.g. London, Birmingham, Manchester, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Milan) and many Eastern European countries. There are also connections from almost all Middle Eastern capitals. There are no flights from Turkey to the south, although you can fly there with Aegean Air with only a short connection in Athens.
There is a frequent and cheap (€2.40 during the day and €4.00 after 21:00 in Apr 2024, cash is a preferred method of payment) public bus connection from the airport into central Larnaca, but it is poorly signposted. The bus stop is at the departure hall level (upstairs) and shows a sign with a series of three digit bus numbers. You would look for bus number 425. Buses go to "Finikoudes", at the beach in Larnaca where buses to other destinations in Cyprus leave (see "getting around" section). The last bus leaves at 23:55.
There is also a direct Larnaca Airport to Nicosia Bus service provided by Kapnos Airport Shuttle. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes, and a one way ticket costs €8 per person. There are buses throughout the night. More information about the service and the timetable can be found at the bus service website .
Regular passenger ferries from Greece returned in 2022, after a 20-year hiatus. Scandro Holding [ dead link ] operates a ferry between Piraeus and Limassol . Crossings are 1-2 times per week during the summer months and fortnightly off-season.
Cyprus is also a very popular destination for cruises , however only a few companies offers the possibility to disembark mid journey. You may also catch a freighter from Italy, Portugal, Southampton and various other European ports, providing you with the opportunity to bring a vehicle to Cyprus throughout the year.
There are regular ferries between Kyrenia ("Girne") in Northern Cyprus and Taşucu in Turkey all year, and from Alanya and Mersin summer only. It may be illegal to use for you, check below.
Prior to Cyprus's accession to European Union, evidence of entry to Northern Cyprus resulted in denial of entry to the Greek part of Cyprus at the very least. After the accession, and according to EU legislation that considers Cyprus to have been admitted in full, an entry to the Turkish part is formally an entry to whole Cyprus and must therefore not result in any disadvantage to EU citizens. Citizens of non-EU member states (as, for instance, US/UK/Turkish citizens) must enter the island via one of the legal, according to the Republic of Cyprus, entry points (i.e. entry points in the southern part of the island) regardless of whether they want to visit the southern part or not.
Different entities and web pages claim different things. There are examples (from 2012) of people entering Northern Cyprus from Turkey, crossing the border with the south without any problems, although it was noticed when leaving Cyprus. There are legends about other people (not US/UK/AU nationals) getting EU-wide entry ban or having their naturalization requests denied after entering or exiting the island via the north, regardless of whether they visited the south or not. As of 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the following about all airports and ports: "The legal points of entry to the Republic of Cyprus are the intenational airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the ports of Larnaca, Limassol, Latsi and Paphos, which are situated in the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Entry to the territory of the Republic of Cyprus via any other port or airport in the area of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic does not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied area) is illegal."
The main crossings between the south and north are:
In 2012, crossing the green line was very simple. The visa form to be completed is very basic (barely usable as a souvenir!) and requires only the name, the nationality and the passport (or identity card) number to be entered. Then it is stamped, and the whole procedure should take no more than three minutes. Upon return, it is stamped again. As of 2017, passports are not stamped but still required to cross.
Public transportation in Cyprus has been revamped with all new buses in Nicosia. Still, most Cypriots drive. There are no railways in Cyprus.
Addresses in Cyprus are not very precise; locals, Google Maps, utility providers, and delivery services may all disagree and what the exact number of a house is. There may be multiple streets with the same street in the city, kilometers apart. Addresses are used for formalities only, navigation is typically done via either exact pins in Google Maps, or house names, or points of interests nearby.
There is a comprehensive network of bus routes that cover all Cyprus. Use Cyprus By Bus or Pame (newer) to plan your journey using buses in Cyprus. The prices on CyprusByBus in English may not be up to date. As an alternative for public transportation routing you can try Moovit , although it does not have real-time information about buses. Google Maps does not have public transportation information.
Bus stops are best found in the Cyprus By Bus or the newer Pame application. Stops names may refer to long-gone local streets and buildings, sometimes streets with same names reappear in other corners of the city. There may be multiple stops with the same name close to each other, all for different services.
Bus schedule only specifies departure from the initial stop, there are no estimations on when a bus may arrive to your stop, except real-time tracking in the Cyprus By Bus or Pame application (not on the website). Busses tend to cease operation in the early evening for the vast majority of routes.
On the Turkish side, buses are more frequent (and smaller). In Nicosia, they depart from stops at the street north of the northern gate. Prices are similar to prices on the Greek side of Cyprus. Beware that return tickets may not be valid on all buses on the Turkish side.
Buses between major cities go daily at different times, typically hourly/bihourly between 06:00 and 21:00. All buses are sit-only, typically green, and have air conditioning and a luggage compartment below. You're allowed to store a bike there only as long as it fits together with the remaining luggage.
Although Cyprus By Bus may have schedule for InterCity buses, it's better to double-check with printed schedules on stops and the InterCity Buses website .
Services run every half-hour or so from 06:00 or 07:00, but terminate at 17:00 or 18:00 on the dot. You can book a taxi to pick you up anywhere and ask to be dropped off anywhere in city limits; the flip side is that it will often take you longer to get in or out of the city than the journey itself! Figure on £4-6 for a taxi ride on any of these, with an increased price on Sundays and holidays. Also known as a service taxi.
Car hire is the easiest (but the most expensive) way to get around the island. Companies will typically not rent cars for fewer than three days, although some international vendors (Budget) will offer one or two day service for a high fee. Renting in advance can be beneficial as walk-in options are obviously limited to available cars. An alternative to traditional car hire is RideNow, an app-based rental service available to European license holders and a good option for travel within cities. As a former British colony, Cyprus drives on the left side of the road. However, driving standards are poor . Drivers attack their art with an equal mix of aggressiveness and incompetence and view road rules as mere guidelines. Some main roads do not even have road markings and people often sound their horn, especially in Nicosia. Take care when crossing the roads, and even greater care when driving on them. If you are involved in an accident, do not move any of the involved cars, call your rental company and wait for an insurance adjuster to arrive at the scene. Unregistered and uninsured cars on the road are not unusual, and if you are involved in an accident with one of these vehicles the driver may try give you a phone number before fleeing the scene. Instruct them to leave their car where it is and threaten to call the police if they still insist on leaving, otherwise you may be liable for an accident that was not your fault. Highways are generally of excellent condition and quite traversable, but other roads vary greatly in quality. Be sure to keep left unless overtaking on highways, and expect to be aggressively tail-gated in the right lane unless moving 20 or 30 km/h over the 100 km/h signed limit. Fixed speed and red light cameras can be found in the middle of multiple major cities, particularly Nicosia and Limassol. Mobile speed cameras in white vans are sometimes parked along highways, and their locations usually reported by users on the Waze navigation app. Take care to avoid traffic enforcement cameras as authorities are pursuing tourists who accrue fines in rental vehicles more aggressively in recent times. As with surrounding countries, rental cars frequently use diesel fuel and manual transmission rentals are cheaper than automatic transmission, although typically only by a few euro.
The official languages of the island are Greek and Turkish .
Greek is spoken by 80-85% of the population, serves as the mother tongue of Greek Cypriots and is mainly spoken in Southern Cyprus.
Cypriot Greek and the Greek spoken in Greece have many similarities, but there are some distinct differences between the two dialects. The Cypriot dialect includes many loanwords from Turkish, Arabic, and English.
Turkish, spoken by 15-20% of the population, is primarily spoken in Northern Cyprus and is the mother tongue of Turkish Cypriots.
The most generally taught foreign language is English , a remnant of British colonial rule, and as many as 70-80% of Cypriots can speak English - less so in Northern Cyprus. English usually serves as people's second language.
Other commonly spoken languages are Russian (especially in Limassol), as well as French and German .
Cyprus has always been a relatively expensive destination. Except for some agricultural products, practically everything has to be imported. The cost of living in Cyprus is comparable to Central Europe, especially in the tourist areas. Price examples: National Beer cost €3 to €3.50, a pack of cigarettes €4, a hamburger €5-7, squids about €10, a steak around €20. Away from the tourist hotels and beaches the prices are much more moderate.
Cyprus uses the euro , like several other European countries . One euro is divided into 100 cents. The official symbol for the euro is € , and its ISO code is EUR. There is no official symbol for the cent.
All banknotes and coins of this common currency are legal tender within all the countries, except that low-denomination coins (one and two cent) are phased out in some of them. The banknotes look the same across countries, while coins have a standard common design on the reverse, expressing the value, and a national country-specific design on the obverse. The obverse is also used for different designs of commemorative coins. The design of the obverse does not affect the coin's acceptability.
Northern Cyprus uses Turkish lira (TRY). Euros are generally also accepted in the tourist centres, but at the unfavourable rate of €1 buying 10 TRY rather than 14 TRY. There are many ATMs in the north too.
Palouzes is a pudding made with grape juice, flour and different flavorings. Kiofterka are made from any leftover pudding. They cut it into pieces, dehydrate it, and the result is a hard but chewy thing.
There are countless hotels and hotel apartments of varying degrees of luxury within Cyprus. Some of the hotels are: Kefalos Beach Tourist Village, Holiday Inn, Le Meridien, Hilton, Elias Beach Hotel. Alternative self-catering accommodation is offered in restored traditional houses in picturesque villages all over Cyprus through the government Agrotourism initiative.
Cyprus' climate and natural advantages mean that there is always a steady supply of travellers seeking employment and residency on the island. Perhaps the biggest change that has occurred has been the accession of southern Cyprus to the European Union on 1 May 2004, opening up new employment opportunities for European citizens.
The burgeoning Cypriot tourism industry, however, means that there is a huge seasonal demand for temporary workers of most nationalities during the summer months, with a definite preference for English-speaking workers in order to service the very large numbers of British tourists. The Greek Cypriot south remains the best overall bet for jobs, as the South is where the majority of the tourist trade is located. The Turkish North is much harder to get work in as a traveler, as the local economy is in a precarious position and high local unemployment means competition for work is fierce.
Seasonal employment will most probably involve working in one of the countless bars, hotels and resort complexes of the south. Such work is usually poorly paid, but accommodation is often thrown in as some compensation and the Cypriot lifestyle usually makes up for low wages. Many holiday companies employ 'reps' (representatives) and marketing staff to assist their operations on the island - this work is usually more financially rewarding.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is another worthwhile option, well paid though often difficult to find.
Finally, Cyprus' ongoing construction boom in tourism infrastructure results in a demand for skilled builders and tradespeople.
If you are considering an extended stay on the island, there are a number of educational courses that you can take. Popular options include Greek language courses and arts courses . Most will have a tuition fee attached, and EU nationals should not have any visa problems. If you are from outside the EU, you will need to speak to individual colleges/organisations about visa requirements.
Cyprus is a remarkably safe country, with low crime rates. Cars and houses frequently go unlocked. That said however, it is wise to be careful when accepting drinks from strangers, especially in Ayia Napa , since there have been numerous occasions of muggings.
Note also that the numerous Cypriot "cabarets" are not what their name implies but rather brothels associated with organized crime.
The hunting season in Cyprus is from November till February. There are around 59,000 hunters with licences. On Sundays and Wednesdays you have to be careful when going for a walk in the countryside. Note that many hunters don't respect the areas where hunting is forbidden. Cypriot hunters are known to drink alcohol before and during hunting. Keep your dogs and children safe.
Cypriot authorities have a poor track record of informing foreign embassies, consulates and high commissions when foreigners are arrested. Assert your right to have your home country informed of your arrest or detention if necessary.
Tap water in Cyprus is potable, but can have an unpleasant taste and may give you an upset stomach at first because of the minerals content.
Generally speaking, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots have a reputation for being hospitable to foreign visitors.
The various respect tips found in the Greece and Turkey articles may be of help when communicating with Cypriots.
To remain connected while out and about, there are four mobile providers, Cyta-Vodafone, Epic, Primetel, and Cablenet. Cyta-Vodafone is the largest operator and charges the highest rates locally, while other providers are generally cheaper. Be aware before purchasing that all of these providers charge a high per-MB rate to roam in Northern Cyprus; Cyta-Vodafone, Primetel, and Cablenet charge €0.20 per MB while Epic charges €0.25 per MB. If you want one SIM to use across the whole island, look elsewhere. To avoid surprise billing, all providers require you to manually activate roaming in Northern Cyprus to use it.
Cyta-Vodafone sells physical "soeasy" SIM starter kits for €2 with €1 credit pre-loaded at their stores, or data-only eSIM QR codes are available on arrivals at Larnaca and Paphos airports.
The physical SIM comes pre-set to the "soeasy classic" rate, which charges €0.15 per MB. If you send a message with the words "soeasy plus" (no quotes) to 8000, your SIM will be set to the "soeasy plus" rate instead, which automatically purchases the following local, EU, and UK allowances for 30 days and returns €2 of credit to use for any services not included when topping up the designated amount:
Each top-up of €10 or more also extends the validity of the SIM by 1 year from date of top-up. Calls and SMS can only be used locally and in EU or UK roaming, and not for international calls to the EU or UK while in Cyprus.
If you remain on the soeasy classic rate, or if the data in the Plus allowance is insufficient, you can purchase a 7-day unlimited data pack for €4.90 for local use only by making sure you have enough balance in your account, then sending the letters "MI UNL7" (no quotes) to 8000.
The eSIM can only be loaded with 20GB for €10, and reloading does not extend validity (30 days from initial activation). No calls or SMS are allowed. In addition, no roaming is allowed.
Epic sells its SIM starter kits for €2 and includes 50MB of local data as well as €1 credit. Its prepaid SIMs have free bonuses for topping up, the option to purchase top-ups from your balance, as well as dedicated data top-ups that can be purchased.
For topping up, you get the credit you topped up as well as the following bonuses. The bonus is valid for local use for 30 days while the credit itself is valid for 365 days:
If no allowance is purchased, data is charged at a very expensive €1.02 per MB. The following data allowances can be purchased by sending the words in quotes to 6040:
In addition, dedicated "data top-ups" can be purchased directly online (and can not be purchased from credit balance):
Beware that Greek Cyprus celebrates Easter on different dates than Western Europe, in most years. On Easter Sunday, many museums etc. are closed, and buses run reduced services in some places even until Easter Tuesday. In August most places (including stores and pharmacies, excluding big retail stores) go on a week-two week holidays with only a written announcement on the store about the days.
Cyprus operates on a 230 V, 50 Hz electrical system using the BS-1363 3-pin British plugs. Europlug adapters are widely available in local stores.
Cyprus is an island country located underneath Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea. Although it’s technically located in Asia, it’s still part of the European Union (except for the Northern part of the island). The island has strong Greek influences but you can also notice Turkish influences. It’s slightly bigger than Crete. With a rich history and beautiful coastlines, it’s a great island to combine a beach holiday with culture. So who’s ready for some Cyprus travel?
Cyprus is divided into two parts. The southern part is known as the Republic of Cyprus. The northern part is known as the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus but is only officially recognized by Turkey. Normally it’s quite easy to travel between the two, however, rules apply which we will describe later in this blog. Because of the pandemic, it was pretty hard to visit the northern part, so in this blog we will only focus on the southern part of Cyprus.
We traveled to Cyprus at the beginning of September 2021 and traveled all over the island. There is plenty to see and visit and in this Ultimate Cyprus Travel Guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about visiting this country.
Things to know, visa.
The southern part of Cyprus is part of the EU and is a so-called Schengen Country. Residents and citizens from other Schengen countries, EU, or EEA do not need a visa to enter. If you are from another country you have to check this website to see if you need a visa or not.
The northern part is not recognized by Europe and is considered “illegal”. Both parts have airports but if you arrive in Cyprus in the northern part you are not allowed to go to the southern part because they say you illegally entered Cyprus and the EU. However, you can fly out from the northern part towards Turkey without problems.
For Covid related requirements, we would advise checking this website .
Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. During the winter months, there is a lot of rainfall, especially during December and January. Day temperatures vary from 33°C (91°F) midsummer to 17°C (63°F) in the winter months.
The best time to visit Cyprus is from May to October when the weather is warm and there is not much rain expected. If you don’t like the big crowds we could advise you to avoid July and August which are the hottest months as well. If you like warm sea temperatures it’s best to go between July and October.
The currency used in South Cyprus is Euro.
At the time of writing (November 2021) 1 USD is approximately €0,89.
The price for one night in a hotel starts at around €45. A dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs about €20 to €30.
The official languages in Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. Locals however also developed a Cypriot dialect. Most people also speak English.
At most places like hotels and restaurants, there is free wifi. If you have an EU sim-card roaming is at the same cost as your normal abonnement. Be careful around the green zone (the line that separates the northern and the southern part) because your phone might switch to a Turkish provider and that can be expensive.
In the southern part, there is a Cypriot Greek culture that looks a lot like the normal Greek culture. The main religion is Greek Orthodox Christian. The northern part has a Turkish Culture and the main religion is Islam. In the southern part, you can find churches and mosques, however, in the northern part are not many churches left. The vibes in the southern part feel like Greek with Turkish influences.
Cyprus is an island quite far away from the mainland and you can only travel to Cyprus by plane. There are 2 international airports in the southern part: Larnaca and Paphos. Larnaca is the biggest of the two. Then there is a third airport in the northern part, Ercan Airport, but as described above, entering through this airport is considered illegal by the southern part of Cyprus and the EU. If you are going to visit Turkey afterward you can fly out from this airport without a problem, since it offers the cheapest flights into Turkey.
Find cheap flights to Cyprus here!
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and it offers several ways to travel around. Our preferred way of traveling around in Cyprus is renting a car so you can explore the whole island easily. If you drive from Ayia Napa in the east to Polis in the west it is over 200 km. The roads are really good and there is a highway along the southern coast. Please take note that Cyprus is a former colony of Great Britain and they drive on the left side of the road. You can also rent a motorbike or quad bike, but as mentioned above it’s a large island and you might get a sore bum.
When renting a car in South Cyprus, you can easily cross the border over to North Cyprus. There are 8 border crossings in total. Firstly check if your rental car has an insurance to drive in North Cyprus though. As told before, the other way around (going from north to south) is not possible by rental car.
Another option to go around is by public transport. There is a good public bus system running from Monday to Saturday. Furthermore, you can also book tours to get from one point to another. The third option is to take a taxi.
Larnaca is the biggest city on the east side of the island. Some of the things we would recommend to visit here are:
Ayia Napa is located in the most eastern part of Cyprus. It is famous for its many resorts and hotels but besides that, there are many incredible places to visit here like:
Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, located in the north of the southern side. The city is divided in two because the green line runs straight through it for almost 60 years already. The green line is the UN-forced buffer zone, a kind of no man’s land between the north and the south side. The places we recommend visiting in Nicosia are:
Lefkara is a small town with real cute streets filled with Greek vibes and shouldn’t be missed during your Cyprus travel. It’s also the birthplace of the Cypriotic lace called Lefkaritiko. We would advise visiting this town as a little detour when you make your way from Larnaca to Limassol or the other way around. It’s the perfect place to wander around in the cute streets, have a chat with the friendly locals, and get some souvenirs.
Limassol is a city where you can find many ancient sights which are worth visiting.
In the center you can find:
West of the city you can find more amazing places:
If you drive further towards Paphos we would recommend you to visit Aphrodite’s Rock, one of the most famous places in Cyprus.
Paphos is the biggest city on the west side of Cyprus and a great base to explore everything in this area. Some of the places you should not miss in the center of Paphos:
And the things close to Paphos we don’t want you to miss:
Do you want to use this itinerary? Click the button to make it your own!
If you don’t plan on renting a car or want to know more about the history of Cyprus, then its worth to book some organised trips . This way you’ll still see plenty of the island!
Cyprus is quite a big island, and if you want to travel all around Cyprus we would recommend to staying in a couple of places spread out over the country. We listed a few options per city. Some are budget, some more luxurious.
Located in the center of Larnaca and only a 5 minute walk from the beach this is a affordable place to stay.
Studio from €48 per night
This luxurious adults-only hotel with a rooftop pool is located in the center of Larnaca, close to the beach.
Double room from €173 per night
Find all hotels in Larnaca here!
These apartments are located in the center of Ayia Napa, approximately 1km from the beach.
Apartment from €58 per night
Lovely hotel with a large pool right at the beach. You can read more about this hotel below.
Double room from €154 per night
Pavlo Napa Beach Hotel was a great place to stay. We ended our Cyprus travel trip here to relax and explore the beautiful surroundings of Ayia Napa. The hotel was located perfectly, right on the beach of a small bay and close to the most popular Nissi Beach. The large pool with many sunbeds was great for relaxing. It offers stays with breakfast only, but also half board or all-inclusive options. We had a great stay and love to come back here someday!
Find all hotels in Ayia Napa here!
Nice rooms located in the old center of Nicosia, close to the Green Line and the shops and restaurants.
Double room from €44 per night
This luxury hotel is located on the edge of the old city center and offers great service.
Double room from €175 per night
Find all hotels in Nicosia here!
Nice hotel with parking place in the big city of Limassol.
Double room from €62 per night
Beautiful hotel with a large pool right at the beach.
Double room from €261 per night
Find all hotels in Limassol here!
Located a bit out of the center but with a lovely pool and close to the beach.
Studio from €49 per night
Beautiful resort with multiple pools and beachfront location.
Double room from €250 per night
Find all hotels in Paphos here!
Read all our other blogs about Cyprus here!
We hope you will enjoy your Cyprus travel trip as much as we did! The mixture of Mediterranean and Turkish vibes are pretty nice to experience. If you have other suggestions, which people should not miss, you can leave them behind in the comments below.
Check out all our other travel guides here!
A mini guide to nyc – by nomadic matt, you may also like, a mini guide to nyc – by nomadic..., ultimate ios island travel guide: more than a..., ultimate mykonos travel guide: idyllically greek, ultimate santorini travel guide: popular for a reason, ultimate procida travel guide: a real italian island, ultimate koh kood travel guide: tranquil thai island, ultimate koh rong travel guide: a piece of..., ultimate koh rong samloem travel guide: tranquil island..., ultimate bagan, myanmar travel guide: experience magical temples, the ultimate tongariro national park, new zealand travel....
This was very interesting and informational read, thank you! My holiday is in Paphos this July, so I am doing some more research right now. This is so nicely written and detailed that I kind of feel like I have visited it already :)
Thank you so much for the compliments Niklas! We are happy to hear that you loved our article and we are wishing you a great holiday to Paphos! Have fun!
Just quick heads up, Cyprus while in the EU is currently not in Schengen yet (similar to Ireland, Romania, and Bulgaria).
Thanks for this info Harry! We didn’t know about this and will edit this in our article!
What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Cyprus again – we’ve been there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to a year with loads of travel plans and new experiences!
– Veronika // RejsRejsRejs
If you want even more tips for your trip to Cyprus, you’re welcome to read our article on Cyprus
Ahh that is great to hear Veronika! We really loved the island as well :) Enjoy your future holidays there!
Hello Bram and Manon, your article helped me a lot in planning my holiday in Cyprus. Blue Lagoon and Shipwreck was amazing. I was surprised how warm the sea was in Cyprus.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Sign me up for the Flip Flop Wanderers newsletter!
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More
National Geographic’s latest travel stories about Cyprus
Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved
Nov 17, 2021 • 7 min read
Cyprus is a small island with a huge amount of fabulous things to do. From history and beaches to feasting and wine-tasting, here are the top things to do.
Nov 17, 2021 • 6 min read
Exploring Cyprus with your own wheels will give you time to savor attractions that you’d struggle to visit by bus. Here are the island's top road trips.
Cyprus is famed for its beaches, but the island's serene national parks beg for inclusion in your itinerary. Here are the best national parks in Cyprus.
Nov 11, 2021 • 6 min read
Whether you rent a car, use the bus system or take a taxi, getting where you want to go in Cyprus is rarely a challenge. Here's what you need to know.
Nov 5, 2021 • 6 min read
Cyprus offers an incredible blend of archeological sites, icon-filled monasteries and ancient houses of worship. Here are the 12 best places to visit.
Nov 5, 2021 • 5 min read
Cyprus is best known for beautiful beaches and magnificent monasteries, but the rugged hills call out to hikers. Here's a guide to the island's best hikes.
Nov 4, 2021 • 4 min read
Whether you're in search of a family beach vacation or a party by the sea, here are some Cyprus beaches you won't want to miss.
Apr 27, 2021 • 6 min read
In a number of countries, proving that you have received the vaccine will allow travelers to skip a quarantine period.
Jul 13, 2018 • 5 min read
‘Do you get many tourists in the north?’, I quiz the local guide Houssem Belloum as our minivan approaches the efficient UN Buffer Zone (aka Green Line)…
Apr 27, 2015 • 5 min read
North Cyprus is a sun-dappled home to medieval castle ruins, vast archaeological sites of once mighty classical cities, and snoozy villages where old men…
COMMENTS
Discover the Mediterranean charm of Cyprus, a year-round destination with more than 300 days of sunshine, stunning beaches, ancient history, and delicious cuisine.
The vast majority of tourists travel to Cyprus in the summer, so plan for heat. In some areas on the coast and by the mountains however, the sun is moderated by some breeze. If you visit in the autumn or spring, be prepared for heat as well. Though rest assured - the temperatures always drop after dark.
Explore Cyprus holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Lonely Planet. Destinations. Planning. Inspiration. Shop ... Europe. Strike out beyond the sun-soaked stretches of sand to discover an island of compelling culture and landscapes steeped in myth and riddled with ancient riches. Best Time to Visit. Best Places to Visit ...
By Olga P. Cyprus. The legendary birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, Cyprus has been coveted and fought over by a succession of admirers: Mycenaeans, Egyptians, Assyrians and Persians, to name a few. The former British colony was most recently fought over by the Turks and the Greeks. A result of this turbulent past is an impressive range of ...
Here are the best things to do in Cyprus. Cross the line. The UN-administered Green Line has split Cyprus in two since 1974. Most people head for the Republic in the south, ignoring the comparatively less-visited Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with its natural beauty, ancient ruins, rich culture and Turkish accent.
In the eastern reaches of the balmy Mediterranean, the island of Cyprus offers an incredible blend of ancient archeological sites, icon-filled monasteries and historic houses of worship, all set against a backdrop of black pine forest and beach-fringed turquoise seas.. Whether you're a beach basker, a scenery seeker, a fan of Greek mythology or just someone who loves learning about how ...
Day 6 - Larnaca. The final stop on this 7-day Cyprus itinerary is in the third-largest city of Larnaca. This is a logical last stop on your route as Larnaca is home to the largest airport on the island. Larnaca is a pretty small city and most of the sites and attractions can be seen in one day, however, we recommend spending one of the two ...
However, expect average temperatures in March to be around 18-21°C (64-70°F) on the coast and inland respectively and rising to about 24-30°C (75-86°) by May. Autumn is also a wonderful time to visit Cyprus, with warm summer temperatures hanging in the air well into November and the Mediterranean temperature also being warmer than spring ...
The easternmost island in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus has a 403-mile coastline and is approximately 60 miles west of Syria, 47 miles south of Turkey, and 200 miles north of Egypt. The island has ...
My Cyprus Travel offers a local's insight to the island's top attractions, hidden treasures, off-the-beaten track gems, fun-filled events and more, in order to help you get the most out of your travels. With five distinct categories, our website helps you create and plan your ideal travel experience. Our Things to Do section lists an array ...
• Cyprus, with a land area of 9251 square kilometres, is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. Its nearest neighbours are Turkey (75km) and Syria (105km) respectively. The capital, once Nicosia, now Lefkosia and Lefkoşa, is over 900km from Athens and only 250km from Beirut. The island's highest point, at 1952m, is Mount Olympos.
Protaras Beaches. 16. Nicosia Old City. 1. Ancient Kourion. Ancient Kourion. There's no shortage of ancient sites in Cyprus, but Kourion is the pick of the bunch. Exploring the grand monuments and mosaics here is one of the best things to do in Cyprus.
Trans-border trips and tours of the island can be organised with the likes of Explore Worldwide and Responsible Travel. Explore has an eight-day Walking in Northern Cyprus tour taking in the ...
In the Paphos area: Blue Lagoon Beach on the Akamas Peninsula is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in the Paphos area but also one of the most popular attractions in Cyprus. It can be reached by boat from Latsi or by 4×4 or buggy. Coral Bay Beach also has a picture-perfect setting. cypruspassion. Fig Tree Bay.
Secret Travel Guide on Unsplash. Next stop on our 5-day Cyprus itinerary: Kyrenia. Cyprus' northernmost hotspot, Kyrenia, is one of the smallest and prettiest of the island's districts. It covers a large portion of Cyprus' northern coast, with a great range of beaches, mountainous towns and historical wonders to explore.
6. Cyprus Villages: A Delightful Getaway to Gorgeous Calm. Given that Cyprus is a very appealing travel destination with perfect year-round weather, you probably won't be surprised that this small island can get quite crowded. So I recommend day trips to charming villages with stone houses, cobbled streets, wineries and a laid-back vibe.
Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, to the south of Turkey and west of Lebanon. Since July 1974, Cyprus has been politically separated into two separate territories divided by the "Green Line"; travel between the two parts is much easier than it used to be. Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the European Union that sits in the ...
Cyprus (Greek: Κύπρος, Turkish: Kıbrıs) is an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey.It is one of the world's oldest civilisations, with a history of over 11,000 years. Cyprus offers lots of archaeological sites, hiking trails through cedar forests, kilometres and kilometres of gorgeous beaches, and 300 days of sun a year.
Visit Cape Greco and the beautiful sea caves. One of the must visit sights in Cyprus is to visit the beautiful Cape Greco national park east of Larnaca. Located just 30 minutes by car from Larnaca, this is a beautiful half day trip. The main sights you want to visit here are the following: Bridge of Lovers.
August 8, 2022 3.8K views. Cyprus is an island country located underneath Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea. Although it's technically located in Asia, it's still part of the European Union (except for the Northern part of the island). The island has strong Greek influences but you can also notice Turkish influences. It's slightly bigger ...
National Geographic's latest travel stories about Cyprus Photograph by Günter Standl,Laif, Redux An island divided—what you need to know about travel to Cyprus
Discover amazing travel experiences in Cyprus with Lonely Planet's insider tips, inspirational traveler stories and expert guidance from around the world. ... Cyprus is a small island with a huge amount of fabulous things to do. From history and beaches to feasting and wine-tasting, here are the top things to do. beaches. The 5 most sensational ...
Cyprus (Greek Κύπρος, Turkish Kıbrıs, ) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea.After Sicily and Sardinia, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.Although the island is geographically in Asia it is politically and culturally a European country and is a member of the European Union.. Understand []. Cyprus was first under Ottoman control then gained its independence ...