A guide to Cyprus with detailed descriptions of attractions. Useful information about Cyprus for tourists. Useful information about Cyprus for tourists
Going on an independent trip to Cyprus is not such a difficult task if you know all the intricacies of organizing a trip to the island. This article will become a complete guide for travelers to Cyprus, both experienced and those going on an independent trip for the first time. Here you will learn about the important features of the Republic of Cyprus for every tourist: currency, language, time, transport, accommodation, popular resorts and attractions, climate in the country different time year and about many other pressing topics based only on personal experience, obtained from multiple visits to the island.
The Republic of Cyprus is an island state, and the island of Cyprus itself is the third largest in the entire Mediterranean Sea. In principle, its territory is small, from west to east Cyprus occupies just over 200 km, and from north to south - less than 100 km. Active travelers who do not like to lie on the beach near the hotel from morning to evening can travel around the hotel in 2-3 weeks.
General information about Cyprus
Currency in the Republic of Cyprus
Since January 2008, the official currency in the Republic is the Euro (EUR, €). Both paper banknotes (in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 €) and coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1, 2 €) are accepted everywhere.
You can exchange money in Cyprus in banks (they operate everywhere), at the airport and even in hotels. For security reasons, of course, it is recommended to exchange foreign currency at a bank. Based on our own experience, we advise you to either come directly with euros or make the exchange at exchange banks. At the airport there is a large percentage of deductions for exchange ( commission about 10%), so doing it there is not profitable. The same situation with currency occurs in hotels. If you really need to exchange currency upon arrival, it is better to exchange only a small amount at the airport, which will be enough for the trip to your hotel, and then find a more profitable place to exchange money there.
Current exchange rates for different currencies can be viewed on the website of the main bank of the republic - the Central Bank of Cyprus (https://www.centralbank.cy/el//home). Banks are open on weekdays from Monday to Friday from 7:30-8:30 am to 15-16 pm. Please check locally for specific opening times. To exchange money you must have your passport with you.
You should know that many places accept more than just euros. In most hotels, restaurants, and large stores, you can pay using a credit card, as well as banknotes of the world's main currencies, Euro checks, and traveler's checks. The most commonly accepted credit cards are Visa and MasterCard. Not many places, but they can still accept you international cards American Express, Diners Club, Maestro, Carte Blanche. By contacting the bank, you can withdraw cash from these cards. Remember that with this payment method you will be charged not only the cost of the product or service, but also an additional amount (commission, usually 3%). If you prefer to use credit cards, it still won’t hurt to always have a certain amount of cash with you, because after all, credit cards are not accepted everywhere, and no one is insured against loss.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of currency, however, when transporting large amounts (from 10 thousand euros), they must be declared.
In the northern part of Cyprus, the currency used is the Turkish lira.
Language in Cyprus
The official languages here are Greek and Turkish. You will hear Greek speech in the southern part of Cyprus; Turkish dialect will surround you more when traveling to the northern territory of Cyprus. But in any case, tourists should not worry about language barrier, since English, sometimes French and German, are used everywhere.
In many hotels and holiday destinations, and sometimes even in shops, you can find staff who understand and speak Russian. In a pinch, sign language can always help you out, although we personally didn’t have to resort to it much.
Difference in time
Greenwich time here goes two hours ahead in winter and three hours in summer. The time difference between Cyprus and Russia, Belarus and Ukraine is insignificant, and sometimes completely absent. Therefore, it will be easy for a tourist to adapt to local time intervals.
More details about the time difference are in the table:
| Difference in time | In summer | in winter |
| Cyprus — Moscow | 1 hour | 2 hours |
| Cyprus — Minsk | absent | 1 hour |
| Cyprus — Kyiv | absent | absent |
Regarding the timing, all travelers should be aware of the operation of the establishments. Their work is strictly regulated. State and even private institutions (banks, museums, etc.) are open only on weekdays. Shops are still open on Saturday. IN summer season shops are additionally closed during the day for siesta, from 13 to 16 or from 14 to 17 hours.
Southern Cyprus and TRNC
You can see on political map how Cyprus is divided into zones by color. It so happened historically that the Republic of Cyprus does not occupy all of its lands. Formally – 98%, but in reality – 51%. And another 2% of the territory is occupied by British military bases. Since 1974, the island of Cyprus has been practically divided into two states: Southern Cyprus and TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). Therefore, having visited different parts Cyprus (South and North), you can plunge into two completely different cultures - Greek and Turkish.
Is it worth going to Cyprus at all?
If you are still wondering whether you should go to Cyprus at all, we will tell you about some of the advantages of a Cypriot holiday.
Where else can you find such a concentration of diverse vacation destinations?!
Great beach holiday. Of course, a beach holiday can be adequately organized in another place. But it is precisely many Cyprus beaches that have “ Blue Flag", which speaks strongly in their favor. And the climate of Cyprus is unique in itself. The warm sun caresses the Cypriot territories almost whole year, and the sea is gentle throughout the beach season. Cyprus is one of the best places to holiday with children, the water here is quite warm from June to November.
Camping. The nature of Cyprus is unique and rich in flora and fauna. Taking care of travelers, many natural parks with neat hiking trails, where you can go for a walk or bike ride, stop for a picnic, and commune with nature. Gorgeous landscapes will delight the eyes of every traveler. And in winter, you can even see majestic pink flamingos on the salt lake near Larnaca! Best time For nature walks here, of course, April! The area becomes incredibly picturesque, because April is the period of wild flowering in Cyprus.
The nature of Cyprus - a combination of greenery and rocky stones
Active recreation, sports. In Cyprus, you can have an active holiday in both summer and winter. In winter, for example, there are things to do in the Troodos Mountains skiing. At other times of the year you can get involved in cycling, golf, aquatic species sports (diving, sailing, surfing, etc.). Divers come here from all over the world, because the underwater world here is unique, and there are also many historical sites hidden under the water.
Spectacular holiday. Going to Cyprus in February-March, you can plunge into the carnival extravaganza. It is at this time, on the eve of Lent, that many colorful carnivals are held here. But at other times there is a lot of entertainment. For example, festivals: Flower Festival in Limassol in May, Wine Festival there in early September, Zivania Festival, Flood Festival in June, etc.
Aesthetic and educational recreation. Cyprus has a rich historical and cultural heritage. And here you can visit many beautiful and interesting objects (architectural, historical, mythological) either on your own or by booking an excursion.
Medical tourism. Many people come here for the purpose of prevention and health improvement. There are many medical and health institutions here that provide quality services in various areas to both Cypriots and visiting guests from all over the world.
And no matter what purpose you go to Cyprus, no matter what region you stay in, you will find good attitude and excellent service everywhere!
You can choose a standard beach holiday using tourist packages, but we strongly recommend going to Cyprus on your own, which will allow you to visit different parts of the Republic and see many cool places.
Where to relax - popular cities and resorts
Tourism in the Republic of Cyprus is the basis of the economy, so Cyprus has a wide variety of resort towns. And each resort here is special in its own way. We invite you to get acquainted with the main resort cities of Cyprus and find out why exactly they have gained enormous popularity among tourists from all over the world.
Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa is considered a youth resort. There is a vibrant nightlife here, many discos, bars, restaurants, cafes. We would recommend going to this resort not only for fans of youth parties, but also for families traveling with children. The only thing for family vacation you will need to carefully choose housing - away from the noisy life of young people, or go on vacation not at the height of the season, but at the very beginning (April-May).
Ayia Napa has gorgeous beaches, which are considered the best in Cyprus. The following beaches are especially popular: Nissi Beach, Pantahou, Landa (Golden Beach), Makronissos. The beaches are wide, with a safe, gentle entrance to the sea. The sand is fine and pleasant. The sea here is always calm, there is no strong wind. This resort is good for families with children.
Overview of all the beaches of Ayia Napa →
Here you will find many places for a variety of entertainment.
If you are traveling with children, then it is simply unthinkable not to go with them:
- To the local Amusement Park. By the way, there are many cool attractions for adults here too. Just look at the Sling Shot catapult! The Ferris Wheel in the Park is very good - we recommend it.
- To the Water Amusement Center.
- Take a walk in national park Cavo Greco, where everything is organized and for hiking, and for the beautiful quiet rest, both for contact with nature and for getting acquainted with legends.
You can visit museums (Museum of the Sea, Museum of Marine Life). And visit the Ayia Napa monastery.
The best hotels in Ayia Napa: 5* Grecian Bay, 4* Olympic Laggon, 4* Limanaki Beach, 3* Nissiana.
Hotels Ayia Napa →
Pathos
The name of the resort very well reflects its essence - elite, expensive, “pretentious”. When traveling around Cyprus by car, you will not feel the hit on your pocket as much as if you come specifically to this place for your entire vacation. There are many hotels, shops, bars and clubs concentrated here. The hotels in this resort are quite expensive, but the service here is excellent.
Some beaches are no less luxurious than those in Ayia Napa. For example, the beach in Coral Bay. At Lara Bay you will also find a wonderful beach. In the resort of Paphos you will find not only sandy beaches, but also rocky ones, even with rocky shores.
The best and most popular beach in Paphos is Coral Bay
So what makes this resort especially attractive? This is not just a vacation spot, but also an ancient city, which is full of objects of cultural and historical significance, and therefore it is very interesting for excursions.
If you are here, do not miss the opportunity to look at such ancient historical monuments, like the Royal Tombs, the ancient amphitheater of Oreon, the fortress in the harbor of Kato Paphos, the Church of Chrysopolitissa, the column of St. Paul, and visit the Christian shrine - the catacombs of St. Solomonia. There are so many attractions in Paphos that it is worth staying longer to see everything.
By the way, it was here, next to the resort, according to legend, that the Greek goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite was born from the foam of the sea! You can visit that very place (Aphrodite's Bay) and touch Aphrodite's Rock.
Yes, this resort is not very suitable for family holidays, but if you happen to be here with children, you can walk “on the seabed” at the Paphos Aquarium and have a lot of fun at the Aphrodite water park.
Among the hotels in this resort, we recommend 5* Annabelle Hotel and 4* Amphora Hotel & Suites. We stayed at the inexpensive 2* Pyramos Hotel and were satisfied both in terms of cost and service.
Paphos hotels →
Protaras
The resort is located very close to Ayia Napa, at a distance of only 6 km. And here are also the best Cypriot beaches. The most favorite of the beaches here is at Fig Tree Bay (Fig Tree Bay). The water here is completely transparent, there is no wind or strong waves and the entrance to the sea is very gentle. If you are choosing a resort for a family holiday, then Protaras deserves to be first on the list.
Overview of all Protaras beaches →
Thanks to the close location of Ayia Napa, young people are also happy to choose this resort, because they can “hang out” in the neighborhood and at the same time relax in a quiet, peaceful place.
For entertainment, visit the local Oceanarium (Protaras Aquarium). I have never seen so many species of fish, corals and other marine life anywhere else! This is a very beautiful, I would even say, magical sight.
Since the Protaras resort is focused on family vacations, hotel complexes also try to make family vacations comfortable. Here you can easily find an apartment or even a villa for housing.
Here are some popular hotels near Fig Tree Bay: 5* Capo Bay Hotel, 4* Sunrise Gardens Aparthotel , 4* Vrissiana Beach Hotel.
Hotels Protaras →
Limassol
It is difficult to predict who may not like this resort. Completely different categories of tourists come here: couples in love, cheerful youth, families with children, and lovers active rest, and pensioners. You can call the resort universal. Limassol is also considered a business tourism center in Cyprus.
There are more than a hundred hotels open here, many in tourist area speak Russian. The beaches are decent. From local beaches I recommend western Curium Beach and Lady’s Mile Beach (not in Limassol itself, but for those traveling by car this will not be a problem). If you are traveling to Limassol on a permanent vacation without a car, Lady’s Mile Beach can be reached by local traffic (by bus).
As throughout Cyprus, there are many historical and architectural attractions that are worth seeing. These are castles, fortresses, mosques, churches, and museums. Limassol also has a very good zoo (located in the City Park).
And what you definitely can’t miss here is a special event – the Wine Festival in honor of the god of wine Dionysus and the beautiful goddess Aphrodite. Having visited the festival, I realized that Limassol is rightly called the “wine capital of Cyprus”. The wine festival is held every year, in 2018 it is planned to be held from August 30 to September 9. I’m glad that you only have to pay the entrance fee, and all the wine on site is available for free.
By the way, for those who are planning to travel all over Cyprus, Limassol will be best choice base place, since it is practically the center between all the attractions of the island.
Hotels Limassol →
Larnaca
About an hour and a half drive from Protaras is the historical resort of Larnaca. I would call it a place for economical and have a relaxing holiday. You can also go here with children. The beaches are not as golden as in Protaras and Ayia Napa, but also pleasant: the sea is shallow, quiet, the sand is gray-yellow, sometimes with pebbles or shell rock.
The resort is interesting for excursions. Moreover, here you will see not only the sights of antiquity, but also Christian churches(Byzantine Church of Panayia Angeloktisti, Church of St. Lazarus of the 9th century) and monasteries (Stavrovouni Monastery), as well as Islamic luxurious mosques (Al Kebir Mosque, Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque).
You can plunge into the atmosphere of local life in the settlement of Khirokitiya. When you visit the villages of Lefkara and Kornos, you will not only get acquainted with the identity of the people, but also see the secrets of lace-making and pottery. And in the village of Perivola you can see very beautiful architecturally houses.
By the way, many people come to Larnaca for diving. It's very interesting place and for such active recreation. They even organize entire diving excursions to several sunken ships.
Larnaca hotels →
Weather in Cyprus and when is the season
The weather in Cyprus is very favorable for tourists, especially in summer and September (October is also quite good, but many establishments are already closing the season by this time). In October the temperature begins to decline, and from May it rises again. The hottest months are July and August.
And the truth lies in the words someone said that Cyprus is bathed in the sun 300 days a year.
| Month of the year | Air temperature | Water temperature |
| January | +14 | +17 |
| February | +15 | +17 |
| March | +18 | +17 |
| April | +23 | +17 |
| May | +28 | +18 |
| June | +32 | +21 |
| July | +36 | +24 |
| August | +36 | +27 |
| September | +30 | +28 |
| October | +27 | +27 |
| November | +21 | +25 |
| December | +17 | +19 |
There are a lot of people during the high season. It is calmer in May, late August - October.
Visa issues
To travel to Cyprus you will need a tourist visa. You can visit the Republic of Cyprus not only with a national Cyprus visa. A Schengen visa is also suitable for this.
You can apply for a Cyprus visa yourself at the embassy in Moscow (Russia) or Kyiv (Ukraine). You can also contact specialized visa agencies to open one. If you buy a tour from a travel agency, it usually handles the visa issuance itself.
The consular fee for a single-entry visa to Cyprus is 20 euros. On average, it takes 3-4 days to open a visa from the moment of application (it may take longer).
Given the peculiarity of the division of Cyprus into two republics, a trip to the beaches of the TRNC (Famagusta, Kyrenia) is possible without a visa. When entering the territory of Northern Cyprus, instead of a visa, an entry stamp with a 30-day period will be placed in your passport (then it can be extended to 90 days). But know that upon arrival you will immediately need to present your return ticket indicating the date of return on it, so that the pass does not raise doubts about the tourist purposes of the trip.
You should understand that you will not be able to travel throughout the general territory of the entire country with a TRNC visa stamp - you will be limited to Turkish territories.
All about the Cyprus visa →
Flights to Cyprus
People fly to Cyprus by plane, and naturally the question arises about air tickets and their cost. First of all, we want to once again emphasize what travelers need to have with them not only a plane ticket there, but also back.
Buying flight tickets in a hurry is expensive. It is best to take care of tickets at the stage of planning your trip. Early booking plane tickets will allow you to save significantly. Tickets that are booked for flights with transfers rather than direct ones are also cheaper. In principle, there are a lot of offers to Cyprus, both budget ones with and without transfers, as well as direct flights to the island.
The travel time depends on the tickets and the length of wait for the second plane. The transfer can take up to 8 hours or even more. As a rule, tickets with long wait connecting flights will be cheaper than fast flights.
How to fly to Cyprus cheaply →
There are many services with which you can select and book air tickets for yourself. You may have already chosen your best service. We have been using the aggregator services skyskanner.ru and aviasales.ru for quite a long time. We recommend these sites for you to use. Offers from many airlines are displayed here, you can sort, compare flight options and really choose the best option and the most economical option.
There are several airports in Cyprus: Larnaca, Paphos, Ercan. If you fly to Larnaca or Paphos, you will be able to travel throughout the territory of Cyprus, but arriving via Ercan will limit you to the territory of the TRNC, and travel to the territory of Southern Cyprus will be considered illegal.
For us, Larnaca Airport is the best arrival point (including the cost of tickets), so we look for tickets here. The average round-trip airfare per person is about $300.
Here approximate prices for air tickets to Cyprus from different cities. Choose yours and see the suitable dates.
There is another option for visiting the Republic of Cyprus. If you are going on holiday to Greece, you can go from there to Cyprus on a regular sea flight or by ferry.
How to book accommodation
It is not enough to choose a vacation spot and fly there. We still need to live somewhere. And here we are faced with the question of choosing housing. As we said earlier, Cyprus is firmly tied to tourism, so there will be no problems with the availability of housing. But looking for housing upon arrival is a thankless task. In the name of savings and personal comfort, it is better to approach your search for housing wisely.
Hotels in Cyprus →
Like air tickets, we search for and book accommodation in advance using special aggregator services, which we advise you to do too.
You can not only book a hotel room, but also find an apartment or rent a house on the seashore at a favorable price.
- Booking (booking.com) - hotels, apartments and villas in Cyprus, no prepayment!
- Roomguru is a search engine for booking systems, including the most popular ones (Booking, Agoda and others). It compares hotel offers and shows which one has the best profitable price. Since booking does not always show the most good price, we always additionally check hotel prices through Rumguru before booking.
Let's say a little about the housing itself in Cyprus. All hotels are very clearly marked with stars, they take this seriously, i.e. all hotels must correspond to their status.
Apartments or apartments for rent are offered at different prices; for a two-room apartment the average cost is from 40 to 160 euros per day, the rental price depends not only on the living conditions, but also on the distance from the seashore.
Medical travel insurance
Travelers to Cyprus need to take out medical travel insurance. And not even because it is mandatory! But this is an additional guarantee that your vacation is protected just in case. Believe me, medical care for foreigners abroad does not cost a penny. It’s better to be “safe.”
All about insurance in Cyprus →
There is nothing complicated about getting insurance. When you contact a travel agency, everything will be done for you. When you take out insurance yourself, you will first need to choose an insurance company. And it is advisable not to miscalculate the price of the insurance itself, as well as the integrity of the company.
View insurance prices →
I recommend using our favorite online service cherehapa.ru to select insurance, which will give you all the insurance options for your request, and you can compare and choose the best option for yourself.
For those who want to get better and more expensive insurance, we can recommend Tripinsurance insurance with the most reliable assistance. Using the promotional code BLOGTRAVEL you get a 10% discount.
Get a 10% discount on insurance
Traveling around the island
Even if you are going to go to Cyprus to a sedentary resort, you cannot do without moving around the island. First of all, you will need to somehow get to your accommodation from the airport. Well, in the future, we are simply sure that you will still want to visit somewhere, go somewhere and see something. So we pay attention to this moment.
How to get from the airport to the city
So, we arrived at the airport. Where to go next? To your hotel (house, apartment).
There are several ways to get to your future home. This includes public transport (bus), the ubiquitous taxi, and personal transfer (required in advance), as well as a rented car. Of course, public transport is inferior to motor transport, because who would want to carry their luggage manually.
Transfer cost in Cyprus →
The transfer price directly depends on the distance from the airport to your destination. Below in the table we have provided you with data on the distance between the airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the main cities of Cyprus to help you.
Public transport
Main public transport in Cyprus there are buses and minibuses. Travel by bus is half the price of a minibus, but, of course, minibuses are more convenient. City buses and minibuses run from 6 am to 6-7 pm with an interval of 20-30 minutes. During the summer season, some transport runs longer.
As for moving between cities. Bus service This plan is rare, sometimes only once a day. Minibuses travel a little more often and in many directions. In terms of cost between two nearby cities, the picture is approximately as follows:
- travel by bus – about 2 euros;
- travel by minibus – about 4 euros.
About the taxi. This transport can be ordered by phone or stopped on the street. The cost of a taxi ride looks something like this:
- Landing – about 3 euros;
- Travel – for 1 km about 60 euro cents;
- Waiting by a taxi driver - almost 14 euros per hour;
- If you have luggage weighing more than 12 kg - almost 1 euro for 1 piece;
- Night rate from 20:30 to 6 am – 15% is added to the regular rate.
- Taxi fares increase not only at night, but also on weekends and holidays.
By the way, it’s better to pay taxi drivers the exact amount + tips, otherwise they have a policy, you see, not to give change.
Car rent
In the case when the country is small, and there are many attractions scattered across its territory, we vote with all our hands for renting a car. After all, this is truly the best way to move around the country, to visit absolutely different places and at the same time not have any embarrassment.
You can rent a car in Cyprus on the spot (for example, many hotels offer this option). However, it will be expensive and much more profitable to search for and order a rental car in advance. And to help with this, we recommend an international online car rental service. A very clear service even for beginners, just indicate the location, rental dates - and choose the best offer (you can add additional filters for selection). average price to rent a small car for a day will be about 20-45 euros. Moreover, the more days of rental, the cheaper the final cost of the car.
These are the prices from local rental companies:
The driver's age for renting a car is limited to 25 to 70 years. Some companies add a car rental cost if the driver is under 30 or over 65 years old.
You should know that the traffic on the roads of Cyprus is not the same as ours, but in the English manner - on the left. The rules of the road are normal, but your way of thinking on the road will have to change, for example, in which direction to turn on the turn signal. The speed on the highway is 100 km/h, but within the city it is 50 km/h. It is mandatory to wear a seat belt, in the rear seats too.
All about car rental in Cyprus →
What to try and see in Cyprus
Without these recommendations, a guide to Cyprus would not be complete. We have already talked about some of the attractions when considering the main resort destinations, but this is not enough. Let’s add to the list of “interesting things” and delicacies of Cyprus right now!
Food in Cyprus
We fell in love with Cypriot food. It is very similar to Greek cuisine, but with traces of Turkish and Arabic cuisine. Unlike native Greek cuisine, more meat and seafood are used here.
There is one culinary “attraction” in Cyprus that is worth telling about right away. This is a set lunch called Meze (or Mezedes). This lunch is a whole feast, but it will give you a complete understanding of the entire Cypriot cuisine at once. Meza includes 20 to 30 cold and hot dishes with various sauces and drinks. In one sitting you will try spicy octopus, Cypriot ham, salad with Feta cheese, pickled cauliflower, Ophelia pork in wine, lamb Kleftiko, Moussaka beef and many other local traditional dishes.
Among the sweets, we mention baklava, Turkish delight, halva made from nuts and semolina, and also sweet rice porridge with the addition of cinnamon (Rizogalo). We are sure that the local Tiropita cheese pie will also delight you with its taste.
You can’t ignore the cheeses themselves – Feta and Halloumi.
About drinks. Wine paradise - this is what is said about Cyprus. You can try a lot of delicious wines here. Let's repeat again about the wine festival in Limassol - this is a great way not only to have fun, but also to experience many tastes without breaking the bank. We liked the sweet wine Commandaria.
Beer: Keo, Carlsberg. You will also enjoy other local drinks. The Cypriot grape 80% moonshine “Zivania” was very memorable. By the way, in November you can also go to the Zivania festival, which is held every year in the mountain villages of Cyprus.
Food prices in Cyprus →
What to see in Cyprus
Historical, architectural, natural attractions - there is a lot to see in Cyprus. We have compiled for you a small list of places that are very popular among tourists and are really worth visiting.
- The Byzantine Church of St. Lazarus in Larnaca and next to it the Byzantine Museum.
- Kykkos Monastery in the Marathasa Valley. This is the richest and most luxurious monastery throughout Cyprus.
- The city of Kourion, which has existed since ancient times and has retained its ancient appeal.
- Troodos. mountain range itself is impressively beautiful, but in the vicinity of Troodos you can see a dozen wonderful painted Christian churches.
- Villa of Dionysus in Paphos. Here you will see such luxurious mosaics of antiquity that you probably won’t immediately believe that such a highly artistic miracle was created many centuries ago.
- The sculpture park in Ayia Napa is very a nice place for walks, pleasing to the eye.
There are many interesting places and attractions in Cyprus. You can get acquainted with almost all of them on our map below; it also shows hotels with a rating of at least 8 points out of 10.
Excursions around Cyprus: individual and group
Those who cannot travel to the sights of Cyprus on their own should not be upset, because you can take advantage of the offer of organizing thematic trips, such as individual and group excursions around Cyprus. This option for getting to know the country is also suitable for those who prefer to visit cultural and historical places accompanied by a guide.
You can be offered a tour of Cyprus on site, for example, at your hotel, but this is usually very expensive. We recommend that you address this issue in advance and book a tour online. This turns out to be much more profitable than ordering on the spot.
Individual excursions
Individual excursions are trips and walks with a personal guide, organized individually for you (your company), without the presence of strangers. Usually the excursion takes place in a guide's car in Russian.
Here are some popular private tours.
Group excursions.
As for group excursions in Cyprus, they usually tie you to a group of other tourists and are carried out strictly on schedule, but such an excursion is cheaper than an individual one.
Here are also some interesting options.
Cultural, historical, religious excursions around Cyprus related to myths, traditions and the way of life of the Cypriot population will definitely not leave you indifferent.
How much does a holiday in Cyprus cost?
When organizing a holiday in Cyprus, it is imperative to plan the budget for the upcoming trip. Of course, we cannot advise you on any specific amount for the trip, because everyone has a vacation according to their own pocket. Some people like to relax on a grand scale, others are ascetic. Some people will buy one souvenir, while others need to buy everything that catches their eye as a souvenir. In general, everything is individual.
For example, we suggest comparing the cost of a tour package and independent rest In Cyprus.
Tours to Cyprus
As a rule, the cost of a tour at an agency is higher than the cost independent trip, however, if you eliminate the intermediary in the form of a travel agency and select a tour in advance on large travel Internet sites, you can significantly save on the purchase of a tour.
For example, here are several options for tours to Cyprus to popular resort hotels.
| Tour | Nutrition | Price |
| Tour to Crown Resorts Elamaris 3*, Protaras | Breakfast + dinner | 540-670 euros |
| Tour to Panareti Coral Bay Resort 3*, Paphos | Breakfast + dinner | 565-700 euros |
| Tour to Smartline Cleopatra Hotel 3*, Ayia Napa | Breakfast + dinner | 610-730 euros |
| Tour to Corfu Hotel 3*, Ayia Napa | Breakfast + dinner | 680-800 euros |
| Tour to Golden Star Beach Hotel 3*, Protaras | Breakfast + dinner | 710-900 euros |
| Petrosana Apartments Tour, Ayia Napa | Breakfast + dinner | 620-840 euros |
| Tour to Chrystalla Hotel 3*, Protaras | All inclusive | 790-960 euros |
Here are a few more online resources where you can look for tours to Cyprus:
- Onlinetours - a popular online service for selling tours from leading tour operators to more than 80 countries.
- Travelata - This is a search for the most profitable tours.Travelata.ru partners are only the largest and most reliable tour operators, so you can be confident in the quality of the tours offered.
- Level.travel — This is an automated system for searching for tours from all reliable tour operators and purchasing them online, without the participation of a travel agent.
Independent holiday in Cyprus
The budget for an independent trip usually consists of the cost of air tickets, accommodation and food, as well as additional expenses in the form of excursions, car rentals, souvenirs and entertainment. Below we give approximate prices for popular tourist expenses on the island.
- The cost of an air ticket is 200-400 euros per person.
- The cost of housing is 300-500 euros for 2 weeks.
- Medical travel insurance for 2 weeks - 10-15 euros per person.
- Car rental - 200-300 euros for 2 weeks.
- Meals in the cafe: breakfast - 4-6 euros, lunch - 10-14 euros, dinner (with wine) - 15-20 euros. This is all per person.
- You can easily take 400-500 euros for entertainment, souvenirs and shopping.
- And of course, we advise you to have some emergency reserve with you, some amount that you are not going to spend, but it can be useful in emergency, unplanned cases.
On average, two weeks of active holidays on the island of Cyprus with a car rental will cost you 1400-1600 euros for two people.
When you look at a supermarket for groceries, you will see the following prices:
- 1 liter of milk – 1.50 euros
- Bread – from 1.50 to 2 euros
- Water – from 0.50 to 1.50 euros (you must buy water for drinking!)
- Halloumi cheese – about 15 euros per 1 kg
- Meat (chicken, pork) – from 4 to 6-7 euros per 1 kg
- Tomatoes – 1 euro per 1 kg
- Apples – 2-4 euros per 1 kg
Prices in Cyprus 2018 →
Well, in conclusion, we really hope that this guide will be useful in planning and organizing an independent trip to Cyprus. If you have any questions or have anything to add, we will be glad to hear about it in the comments. Have a nice holiday In Cyprus!
Do you want your holiday in Cyprus to turn into unforgettable event? I will really help you do this: I will take you to rare and even places unknown to most guides, I will show the island as few people see it and few people can show it to you. As the author of the first guide to this country in Russian in the history of Cyprus (see my blog via the link in the left menu), I am familiar with the most hidden corners of this island.
Also pay attention to multi-day tours with accommodation - together with excursions it is incredibly cheap!
If suddenly I don’t pick up the phone, then perhaps I have an excursion, in this case, please send an SMS and I will call you back as soon as I can, well, well in the best possible way Contact me is email.
Important: when traveling in Cyprus, a country with left-hand traffic, especially mountain roads, you must choose a professional driver with safe and emergency driving skills who is responsible for ensuring the health of you and your children. As an experienced driver who has driven over a million kilometers without an accident, I can guarantee that you and your children will be completely safe on Cypriot roads.
Excursions around Cyprus are possible from any city where you live: Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca, Ayia Napa, Protaras, Paralimni, Nicosia, Polis, Kyrenia and Famagusta.
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If you live in Ayia Napa, you can arrange an excursion to Capo Greco for 2 euros :) Take the regular bus 101 pay 1 euro and tell the driver - Capo Greco. 10 minutes of travel and you are there :) The driver will loudly announce Capo Greco and repeat it several times if you have not found your bearings and have not approached the exit of the bus. At the stop there is a sign for Capo Greco, so it’s impossible to get lost there. The place itself is amazing!!! Definitely a must see :) Just don’t forget water and hats, it’s hot there, and of course your cameras should be ready) On the way back, take bus 102, pay 1 euro and go to Napa :)
Prices in Ayia Napa are quite high, almost everything is the same, but you can buy cheaper in the city of Paralimni. Take regular bus 101, pay 1 euro and go to the final stop. In Paralimna, you can buy groceries at the Kokkinos market and clothing shops near the bus stop. Back the bus is coming from exactly the same place where you were dropped off the first time, don’t be alarmed, at stop 102 you won’t find the bus number, only 101 appears there. In fact, 101 arrives at final stop, changes the number to 102 and goes back :)
In Cyprus, namely in Ayia Napa, I do not advise making friends with our compatriots who permanently reside there. I mean young girls or guys who work in bars or discos. Unfortunately, very often they want to cheat or rob or drag them into something; girls are especially careful!
I am often asked which city to choose for a holiday in Cyprus? I'll tell you the basics of choice. Larnaca is the airport where most flights land and often offers the most cheap holiday, good small beaches right within the city limits, but in itself it is of practically no interest - there are a minimum of attractions. But there are a lot of shops, again a minute’s walk from the beach, and a lot of restaurants and bars. Night life the city is pleasant and eventful. The city is convenient for families with small children (500 meters from the shore will be shallow - even a child is waist-deep, but you are knee-deep), for shopping, for evening gatherings in bars, as well as the proximity of the airport (7 km from the center, 12 euros for Taxi). Larnaca is also convenient for traveling around the island due to its geographically central position. Paphos is a special place. The proximity of the second airport, a lot of attractions, both man-made and natural, good beaches around, a zoo, a water park - all this makes the city universal and probably the most interesting for inquisitive tourists aimed at active recreation. You won't be bored! By the way, Paphos is the future cultural capital Europe in 2017. Ayia Napa is synonymous with the word “party”. Nightclubs, bars, restaurants, discos, shopping, amusement park and water park - all a lot of fun! Beautiful and cozy beaches complement the sunny picture. City of good mood and fun! Nearby there are beautiful natural landscapes and the old fortified city of Famagusta on the northern part of the island - for those who do not want to be left without interesting historical sites, most of which are located at the far end of the island. Protaras, Paralimni - created for a quiet holiday with children. Apart from the beaches, there is nothing interesting, but for those who want “life” - Ayia Napa is very close! Limassol is the business capital of Cyprus. Shopping. A minimum of historical attractions. Not bad and sometimes luxurious hotels, but not the best clean beaches and an unfailing view of cargo ships
You should definitely bring national Cypriot drinks from Cyprus - Zivania and Commandaria, as well as Cypriot sweets, halloumi cheese, olives and olive oil. Quite an interesting “thing” is writing. It's something reminiscent of cotton candy, but not as sticky. A very interesting gift for lovers of “sweets”. This curiosity is sold in supermarkets for a very high price. reasonable price- 5–7 liras per box. Another interesting gastronomic souvenir will be Pekmez. Syrup made from carob, which grows widely in Northern Cyprus. There are many legends about this “elixir”, the main one of which is that it is an excellent substitute for Viagra. Lovers of beauty will certainly appreciate table napkins or sundresses embroidered with unique hand embroidery - lefkaritika. You will find a wide selection of similar products in the village of Lefkare. Limassol has the largest souvenir shop. There you can buy “sea souvenirs” - items made from shells obtained from the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea by Cypriots, stuffed exotic fish and natural bath sponges made from natural sponge. Ladies should definitely go to special cosmetic departments in pharmacies. These departments have a large assortment of natural cosmetics: moisturizing creams, masks, scrubs, gels and other products of the highest quality.
When and why is it WORTH going to Cyprus?
All the chic of a classic Mediterranean resort will be revealed to you as soon as you step off the plane. In the vast majority of cases you will be greeted by the sun, because cloudy and rainy days in Cyprus there are only 20-30 per year. Emerald mountain slopes or peaks sparkling with snow, depending on the season, descend to a bizarre coastline that twists and turns, forming either long beaches or small coves. The unusual gray-blue sand of volcanic origin gives way to rocky rocks, and in the Ayia Napa area it acquires a golden color. The eye rejoices either in palm trees of all stripes or in majestic evidence ancient civilization, then beautiful grottoes and caves. And how many flowers there are here!
Flowering begins in January, and by mid-March the entire island seems to be covered with a multi-colored blanket of flowering plants, shrubs and trees. This is a great time to visit Cyprus. True, the water in the sea is still cool and only those who are not afraid of freshness should count on sea swimming. But this time is ideal for excursions to both legendary historical places and corners of amazingly beautiful nature. You can also swim in the indoor pools on site. Moreover, living in them will cost you less than during the season.
A season starts in Cyprus from the end of April. In May, you will definitely not exhale when entering the sea - the water will already warm up enough. The last spring months and June– one of the best periods of the year to visit Cyprus to soak up the beach and the sea waves. July and August can be quite hot, sometimes above 40 and below 50 in the plus. And although all rooms are equipped with air conditioning, those who do not like or cannot tolerate heat will not be very comfortable relaxing at this time.
But in September Another pleasant season begins - in Ukraine it is called velvet. The sea, warmed by the summer sun, remains warm for a long time; it can only be relatively cool outside in the evenings, and during the day +20 +30 degrees. The grape harvest has just ripened, and guests of the island are greeted with young, invigorating wine. Such beauty in Cyprus can continue until November, so the swimming and beach season here is almost the last to close in the region. Turkey has already removed the sun loungers from the beaches and folded up the umbrellas, and in Cyprus, it seems, winter is not going to come.
But she will definitely come, soft and pleasant, to give nature a little rest before the next season of a riot of colors and harvest. Snow falls in the mountains, over which skiers race with pleasure. Throughout the winter there is a great opportunity to combine a seaside holiday with winter sports. And the bravest ones, having descended from the snowy slopes, can climb into the sea, because the water temperature rarely drops below +18 degrees. It falls in January and February most of precipitation per year, but the sun does not leave this land for long. You can exchange the dull winter landscapes of your hometowns for a few days of warm winter in the Mediterranean, pamper yourself in spa and thalassotherapy salons (prices for these services fall several times in winter), stroll along the seemingly toy-like streets of cities, and sit in taverns.
O Cypriot taverns! It is well known that the Greeks love and know how to eat delicious food. They also happily treat their guests to the richness of their cuisine and the gifts of nature. To experience Cypriot cuisine, order the meze first. This is the name of not one dish, but a whole series of small plates and gravy boats with various snacks, spices, meat or fish dishes. Don't miss the cheese, feta and halloumi, try the local wines, liqueurs and beer. Those with a sweet tooth will also enjoy a wide variety of desserts, cakes, jams and oriental sweets. Cyprus stands at the intersection of sea routes from Europe to Asia and, as a “customs interest”, has taken on the traditions of the cuisines of many peoples of these two parts of the world.
I will delight lovers of active recreation - cycling tourism is very developed in Cyprus. Firstly, you can rent any iron horse without any problems. Secondly, there are well-developed routes of varying difficulty. If you want, move along the coast from the village to the village; if you want, go to the mountains in less tourist areas to get acquainted with the traditional way of life in Cyprus.
Numerous holidays will also help you to join the Greek Cypriot culture. There are more than 40 of them a year. They are held on various occasions - both religious and natural weather, for example, a festival of flowers or grapes. On holidays, colorful processions, cheerful carnivals, and crowded celebrations are held, accompanied, of course, by abundant food and traditional drinks. Therefore, when going to Cyprus, do not forget to ask which holiday, or maybe more than one, falls during your vacation, and do not deny yourself the pleasure of participating in the fun.
One of the advantages of traveling to Cyprus is that Ukraine has an agreement on a simplified visa regime with this country. You can easily obtain a visa even within one day. Therefore, if there were several free days or a profitable last-minute trip has turned up, feel free to throw your things in your suitcase and go to Cyprus. You will never regret this vacation.
How to choose the RIGHT resort in Cyprus
One of the youngest, but already widely famous resorts Ayia Napa called the second Ibiza.
And well deserved. All conditions have been created here for a fun, 24-hour youth holiday. It feels like there is a constant celebration going on in the city. Discos and bars attract guests from the streets. Party planners are always coming up with something new, and you are sure to find all the latest entertainment options in Ayia Napa. Small orchestras often play on the streets of the city, and dances begin - and sometimes end - to open air. Even if you come to the resort alone, you will not be bored - you will quickly find company. Ayia Napa is popular not only among Ukrainian and Russian youth; young Finns, British, Spanish, and French like to come here. This is a very democratic resort, in the good sense of the word. Vacationers are also democrats, and the word “youth” is used here not for those who are “up to ... twenty years old,” but for everyone who does not feel the burden of years and is happy to have fun without stopping.
Ayia Napa is proud of the most best beaches In Cyprus. Wide coastline covered with fine golden sand. The entrance to the sea is gentle and quite far from the depths. Also, the traditional northeast winds in Cyprus do not blow here. All this makes Ayia Napa attractive for families with children. The infrastructure is also ready to welcome little travelers. The resort is home to one of the best water parks in Europe, WaterWorld. All the design of this big aquatic center transports visitors into the atmosphere of myths Ancient Greece. If your child has a birthday during the holidays, there is no better place to celebrate it! When your soul requires solitude, especially with your lover, you can go to Ayia Thekla beach. It is very small and almost always deserted, but opposite in the sea rises a romantic island that you can swim to on your own.
For active tourists great place residence will be Larnaca. This city is located international Airport and roads from various parts of the island tend to reach it. Therefore, it is convenient to make any excursions from here.
Larnaca is famous for its magnificent promenade, lined with orderly rows of majestic palm trees. Many cafes and restaurants offer their visitors to enjoy this very view: a palm alley, and behind it an unforgettable blue seascape interspersed with white yachts. The nightlife here is also active, and during the day there are almost always some kind of city holidays and festivals. Main resort area located a little away from the city center, but easily accessible by taxi.
The main beach of the city is protected from waves by stone embankments. That's why the water here is calm. But in rocky areas, watch your step carefully - there may be sea urchins there. The beaches of Larnaca have grayish sand mixed with small pebbles. 25 kilometers of coastline allow all vacationers to sit comfortably and swim without jostling each other. Larnaca is ideal for vacation for almost all categories of travelers: those who will hang out at night in clubs, and those who, having rented a car, are going to explore the entire island, and families with children, and young people, and people of advanced age.
Will not let your guests get bored and Limassol. Every third tourist in Cyprus rests here, so Limassol has created conditions for a pleasant pastime for a variety of travelers: convenient roads to different parts of the country, day and night entertainment venues, reputable restaurants, museums and historical attractions. A whole series of amusements have been created for children, there are three water parks, an amusement park, and a zoo. People from Limassol also love festivals. In September you can attend a festival of young wine, which lasts more than one day. And if your vacation falls at the end of February, go to Limassol for a two-week carnival, which is filled with balls, parades and costume processions. This resort is also convenient because it has the largest number of Russian-speaking workers in hotels, shops and restaurants. The beach has very beautiful gray-blue sand of volcanic origin with pebbles. The gentle entrance to the sea is ideal for children.
If you also want to take a break from the noise of cities and the bustle of people, then it’s difficult to find the best place, how Pathos.
This old City, former capital Cyprus during the period of Roman rule, has now become a lovely and picturesque heritage of ancient eras and modern respectable resorts with some of the best hotels In Cyprus. The leisurely, languid atmosphere of the classic Mediterranean reigns here. Sipping black aromatic coffee, you admire the beautiful harbor and ancient fortress, sitting in one of the many taverns. Historical monuments included by UNESCO in the list of world cultural values are scattered throughout the city, so lovers of antiquities will have something to see.
There is a varied selection of beaches: some prefer soft sand, others prefer rocky shores. The resort is not focused on children's holiday, so many hotels do not offer any special services. Rocky shores make access to some beaches difficult with small travelers. Many are attracted by the title of “the pole of the north of Cyprus”. Of course, there are no frosts here, but in summer the temperature in Paphos is several degrees lower than in other resorts, which makes it more favorable for relaxation during this hot season. The resort, not without reason, claims to be an elite resort. Newlyweds and lovers also like to come here on vacation, because not far from Paphos, according to legend, the most loving goddess Aphrodite emerged from the foam of the sea.
A relaxing holiday attracts guests and Protaras.
It also has one more big advantage - its fine sandy golden beaches are ready to compete for leadership with the beaches of Ayia Napa. It’s not surprising: after all, the local “Ibiza” is not far away and you can easily go there if you want noisy parties. In Protaras, the most that awaits you are folklore evenings. The flat terrain and gentle entrance to the sea create pleasant conditions for relaxing with children; it is not for nothing that Cypriots themselves love to come here with families. Hotels also adapt to specific needs and offer many services for families. A little further from the coast, the bottom topography becomes rocky and is replete with underwater caves. They attract divers and sea hunting enthusiasts.
These are just the main resorts where Cyprus offers its guests a holiday.
How to choose the RIGHT hotel in Cyprus
If speak about " average temperature according to the ward”, then hotels in Cyprus are pleasantly distinguished by a good level of service, comfort, convenience and all the necessary services. 2-4 star hotels have fairly strict criteria. "Kopeck piece"- These are mainly small city hotels, accommodation in which does not include meals, even for an additional fee, since there are no on-site restaurants. Minimalism and asceticism reign in everything here, but you will most likely find air conditioning in the room, but not a full bathroom. But there are also exceptions. For example, hotels Larco (Larnaca) and Cactus (Larnaca) They even offer an all-inclusive meal plan. Guests are accommodated with all amenities in Cornelia (Ayia Napa).
And now in "three rubles" You can definitely take a bath or at least stand in the shower! And you will definitely be able to eat at the hotel, since there is a restaurant. A lot of good hotels These are the categories you will find in Limassol. For example, Park Beach Hot l with good conditions for children, Navaria Hotel Near tourist center or Arsinoe, across the road from the sandy beach. An inexpensive three-ruble note can also be found in respectable Paphos ( Cynthiana Beach, and in popular Larnaca ( Beau Rivage) and, of course, in the fiery Ayia Napa ( Stamatia, one of the best hotels in this category Nissiana).
Well, four stars have everything you need for comfort and relaxation, an expanded list of services, meals, swimming in the sea and in the pool. Large selection of good ones "fours" Protaras suggests. Almost everywhere there are spacious apartments for your large family. Hotels are aimed at people with families with children, as well as those who want a relaxing holiday amid beautiful nature. For example, Grecian Park located on the mountainside, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent sea view right from your balcony. For younger travelers there is a mini club, swimming pool and children's playground. You will most likely enjoy the welcoming atmosphere in Tsokkos Gardens and convenient location in the center of the resort Odessa Hotel. Larnaca will not disappoint with its choice of four-star hotels. One of best options will Palm Beach. If you don't want to live in a multi-story building, try staying in a bungalow ( Princess Beach Hotel). A good combination of service and cost can be found in Sandy Beach.
"Five"- this is an increased level of all the services of the “four” and also what the owners’ imagination and funds were enough for. Five-star hotels are very different, so when choosing, you need to pay attention to the full list of amenities offered both in the room and on site. The most luxurious hotels, as you already understood from the previous issue, are located in Paphos. Magnificent hotel Elysium invites you to plunge into a fairy tale - it is more like medieval castle than for a hotel. A huge selection of services awaits guests Annabelle Hotel. But we must take into account that the best hotels in Paphos were built based on the taste of the respectable European public, who do not favor the beaches with their attention, but prefer to spend time by the pool. Therefore, five-star hotels often have very inconvenient access to the sea and a poorly cultivated coast, such as Coral Beach, which is excellent in all other respects. In Paphos it often happens that the beach is much more accessible near the middle “three”. But not only at this resort you can find luxury holidays. One of the best hotels in Cyprus is located in Limassol. Superbly equipped sand beach, rich territory, variety of restaurants are complemented by high quality service and exceptional attention to the needs of guests in Four Seasons Hotel . You will feel no worse in the only five-star hotel in Larnaca Golden Bay.
During the non-swimming season, I advise you to choose hotels with good spa complexes and thalasso treatments. Regardless of what the purpose of your holiday is, you will certainly not refuse to pamper yourself with relaxing, rejuvenating or healing programs. Moreover, in winter it will not cost much. A unique beauty and health center operates in Le Meridien Limassol Spa & Resort 5*(Limassol).
It’s not for nothing that Cyprus is called the island of love. And the birth here of the most loving goddess Aphrodite is rather not a cause, but a consequence of an atmosphere filled with love and harmony. Against the background of such landscapes with blue skies and turquoise sea I want to love, love and love again. That’s why newlyweds love to come here so much. Honeymoon or even the wedding ceremony itself, held in Cyprus, will be the subject of your pride, wonderful memories and stories to your grandchildren. Many hotels in Cyprus offer special programs for lovers. I suggest you take a closer look at the hotels Adams Beach Hotel 5* (Ayia Napa), Aeneas Hotel 5* (Ayia Napa), Lordos Beach 4* (Larnaca), St.Raphael 5* (Limassol), Anassa Hotel 5* (Paphos) , Azia Beach 5* (Paphos), Constantinos The Great Beach 5* (Protaras).
How NOT to SPOIL your holiday in Cyprus - simple rules
It’s not even worth talking about crime - its level is extremely low. Of course, you need to be smart about storing money in a hotel (it’s better to use a safe) and not throw personal items on the street. If you do lose something, do not delay in contacting the police - the application must be submitted within two days. But otherwise Cyprus is very calm and friendly. At any time of the day or night you can walk wherever you want, alone, alone or in company. The police are loyal to vacationers, they know their job and fulfill their duty, but at the same time they do not find fault and limit themselves to comments.
Claims may arise against you if you decide to commemorate the border between Turkish and Greek Cyprus. This is not worth doing. In state museums, filming is also prohibited without special written permission. Churches can be photographed inside if there is a corresponding sign and only without flash.
You will make your life much easier if you take some simple household items from home. Firstly, complete protection against mosquitoes. Take both a fumigator and creams or sprays. Secondly, put some rope in your suitcase. For what? Stretch it out on the balcony to dry things, otherwise this process takes a very long time in the bathroom. If your hotel has no more than three stars, you should arm yourself with your own beach towel. For a comfortable stay on the shore, buy bedding so as not to pay every day for sun loungers if the hotel does not provide them for free. You don’t have to bring an adapter for the socket; it is rented at the reception and sold in all stores.
Cyprus is a beautiful country that you can explore on your own by renting a car.
All the largest rental companies from Europe have branches here and have their own companies. The traffic rules are almost identical to those in Europe; even a small amount of alcohol in the blood is allowed. Only the traffic is on the left, the steering wheel is on the right. It can be scary when you’re not used to it, but you quickly get used to this “mirror” movement. The main thing is not to rush. And no one will rush you; rented cars have red license plates. So the Cypriots simply go around the confused guests of the island. The most pleasant thing is to ride between cities, go deep into the country, but you should not cross the border with the Northern part. You can't drive this car there anyway. It is better not to travel in cities during rush hours, as long traffic jams form and there are significant problems with parking.
The bus network is poorly developed; there are only a few flights a day between cities, and not even on Sunday. If you do not have your own transport, it is better to use a taxi. Although they are not cheap, to be honest. The rules for communicating with taxi drivers are also international: find out in advance how much a trip to your desired location may cost, ask to turn on the meter, if there is no meter, which is common in villages, agree on the cost of services before boarding. It is possible to save on your trip by using the services minibus. Find out about it at the reception. The minibus will pick you up at your hotel, pick up all the fellow travelers who have reserved seats along the way, and then move in the right direction. The journey will be longer, but the price is lower than a regular taxi.
IN summer time the sun in Cyprus is very active. Use sunscreen and remember that Cypriots prefer to relax rather than work during hot hours, so shops close during the day for a long siesta. Banks generally prefer to work only in the first half of the day at any time of the year. Tipping is accepted and expected everywhere. In restaurants, a 5-10% surcharge is usually already included in the bill, but the waiter should still leave a few coins. It is good form to thank the taxi driver, maid and porter.
What you can SEE in Cyprus
I admit honestly: to ruin your holiday in Cyprus you have to try very hard. Try purposefully and scrupulously to violate international law and the most common hotel rules, be rude and swear, swim in the sea while drunk and do other unthinkable things. But you and I are cultured and law-abiding people, which means we have absolutely nothing to fear.
Of course, you should start getting acquainted with the country from its capital – Nicosia.
This is a city with a difficult fate, considered one of the oldest on earth. Evidence of the first human settlements here dates back to the 7th century BC! And now Nicosia is the capital of two states at once - the Republic of Cyprus and the unrecognized Republic of Turkey Northern Cyprus - and is divided by a border. Old city was surrounded by a fortress wall, which was started by the Venetians in the 16th century, completed by the Turks, and rebuilt by the British. Now both the walls and the bastions located on the Greek part have been restored and serve as a real decoration of the city. Inside the fortress you can see most of the historical attractions: the Church of Chrysaliniotissa and a dozen other equally famous cathedrals, the Gates of Famagusta, Freedom Square, the Bastion D'Avila. A walk through the narrow streets among the elegant houses will not be at all tiring and will bring real pleasure. History buffs will enjoy the exhibitions at the Nicosia Municipal Museum and the Cyprus Museum. And you can complete your acquaintance with the capital in the Municipal Park, which is laid out on the site of the old fortress moat.
On the site of modern Larnaca there was a city even more ancient than Nicosia. It is believed that Kition was founded by the grandson of Noah in the 10th century BC. Of course, since then neither accurate evidence nor buildings in good condition could be preserved. But being at the excavation site, you feel some kind of magical effect of antiquity. Also, little remains of the ancient city of Amathus: only fragments of houses and the restored sanctuary of Aphrodite. The material memory of the other is much better preserved ancient city- Curion. According to legend, it was founded by the Greeks who returned from the Trojan War approximately 1200 BC. Here you can see the most beautiful mosaics on the site of baths and houses, the House of Gladiators and Achilles, the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates and, of course, the magnificent Greco-Roman amphitheater. It, like 22 centuries ago, hosts performances and concerts. Must visit Archaeological Museum Kourion, where finds made during excavations are exhibited.
Of course, the main ancient celebrity in Cyprus is Aphrodite. Off the coast of this particular island, the beautiful goddess emerged from the foam of the sea. The exact location is also known; it is located near Paphos. I won’t even advise you to visit it, because not a single guest of Cyprus, in my opinion, has yet been able to avoid getting to know this place. Following the legends, we find ourselves in the baths of Aphrodite. In a small rock grotto, the divine maiden loved to take sea treatments. Tourists are now prohibited from swimming there, but it’s a pity, they say, the local waters give endless youth. Note: no one forbade washing your face! Finally, it is worth visiting the remains of the majestic Temple of Aphrodite, built in 12 BC. Oh, and what rumors about him were circulating even in the time of Homer! They say that in honor of Aphrodite, women were supposed to give their love to a stranger in this place. Of course, Christianity eradicated this custom a long time ago, but hold your wives' hands. Just in case.
Cypriot residents accepted Christianity long before it became a world religion. This is evidenced by numerous early Christian symbols found during excavations, as well as a large number of ancient temples. The most famous place Christian pilgrimage in Cyprus is the Kikko Monastery. He keeps a miraculous relic - an icon of the Mother of God, painted by the Apostle Luke from life. Another shrine attracts women to the monastery: a belt that helps cure infertility. Almost every ancient church on the island there are holy relics (Stavrovouni Monastery, part of the holy cross, Chrysoroyatissa Monastery, another icon of Our Lady of Luke, the Church of Ayia Napa, the veil of St. Veronica) or unique architectural monuments (Asinou Church, Panagia Angeloktistos Church and Agios Antonios Church, well-preserved ancient frescoes, church St. Lazarus baroque wooden iconostasis).
Let's take a break from religious architecture and plunge into the world of the Middle Ages, which also did not bypass Cyprus. Surrounded by citrus orchards and cypress alleys stands the 15th century Kolossi Castle. The walls are more than two and a half meters thick and the height of the donjon is 22 meters. In the basements of the tower, deep wells were dug to supply the garrison with water and cellars for wine were equipped. The famous Commandaria wine, which Cyprus is proud of, was born here. From the roof of the donjon you can admire the picturesque surroundings. The old fortress also attracts history buffs in Limassol. Richard the Lionheart himself was married in it. However, in any ancient sea city there was a fortress. How else can you protect your lands?! The lands were captured anyway, and the invaders began to carry out security service in the fortresses. The walls and guides in the fortresses of Paphos and Larnaca will tell you about the turbulent history of war, victories and defeats, construction, destruction and reconstruction, prosperous trade and periods of desolation.