Quick Guide to Holiday in Cyprus.

Holiday in Cyprus – Cyprus is an island nation in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. It is perfect for that holiday with Sun Sea and Sand. It is the third largest and most populated island in the region with Greek and Middle Eastern influence. It is however a member of the European Union.

So let’s find out how to enjoy a Holiday in Cyprus.

Things to know about Cyprus.

Cyprus is a very popular holiday destination with most of  Europe. When you think of a holiday in Cyprus – it is a holiday to relax, enjoy the warm sea and savour the delicious Cypriot cuisine.

What is the currency in Cyprus ? Cyprus is part of the EU and the currency is EURO. 

Best time to go to Cyprus 

Being one of the most warmest countries in the Mediterranean Cyprus attracts a lot of visitors from far and wide with hot dry summers and cool mild winters.

The best time to visit being spring onwards which is typically mid February.

We visited Cyprus in early April and the weather was perfect.

The ocean is not warm enough to swim in early Spring in Cyprus but you are guaranteed sunshine.

The summers in Cyprus last long, from May until October and are generally scorching.

How to Get to Cyprus 

There are plenty of airlines that fly to Cyprus from Europe including the budget airlines Ryanair and Easyjet. The 2 main airports in Cyprus are Larnaca International Airport and Phaphos Airport. i

Larnaca Airport is located 4 km away from the city of Limassol and is the main international gateway to Cyprus. The other airport is Paphos International Airport on the island’s south-western coast.

After a short flight from Heathrow with British Airways we arrived at Larnaca International Airport ready for Holiday in Cyprus.

How to get Around in Cyprus

Cyprus is a small Island Country and the best way to get around Cyprus is to hire a car.

There is Public Transport available in Cyprus but to save time and make the most out of your holiday hire a car.

Upon arrival we collected our rental car and headed to Limassol. Limassol is the closest town to Larnaca Airport and we used it as our base to discover Cyprus.

Where to Stay in Cyprus. 

Larnaca itself is a nice destination and has a sandy beach. It is a busy working town and reflects the authentic Cypriot life.

Paphos is one of the most popular place to stay in Cyprus. Paphos has an airport and many tourists visiting through the year. There are no sandy beaches near Paphos but it is a lively town and has good nightlife.  but a lively town and good nightlife.

Limassol is in the middle of the Island and you can connect to both 2 airports quite easily. Limassol is a busy port town on the southern coast of Cyprus and one of the largest one too.

The Mediterranean Beach Hotel

We stayed at the family friendly Mediterranean Beach Hotel on our Holiday in Cyprus. The Mediterranean Beach Hotel is a 4 star hotel in Limassol. It is luxurious and has an exquisite beaches on its doorstep. A very comfortable stay and well managed facilities including a Spa.

Do they speak English in Cyprus? The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish but English is widely spoken in Cyprus.

Is Cyprus Safe? Cypriot’s are known to be extremely welcoming and friendly people and Cyprus is very safe.

Things To Do in Cyprus 

Enjoy sights of Limassol –

Limassol is as popular and well connected as the capital, Nicosia if not better. One of the main attractions in Limassol is the the famous Limassol Castle. It is believed that  Richard the Lionheart wed Queen Berengaria here.

The old town of Limassol is full of cafes, small local restaurants and shops where you can get some great bargains.

Limassol is a great place to spend a pleasant evening walking around the harbour and the perfect place to relax and have a typical Cypriot meal.

Limassol has a long stretch of seafront and a 7 km promenade. This is where you can find some of the best shops and residential areas of Limassol.

Limassol is not only a busy modern city but also has tonnes of history and culture.

Visit the Roman ruins of Amathus including a very well-preserved amphitheatre in the centre.

The Roman Villa’s dating back to the second century AD have a handful of mosaics that depict ancient Roman stories and is well worth a visit.

There is plenty of nightlife in Limassol as it is a large modern city and appeals to a lot of tourists.

Things to do in Paphos –

Paphos is said to be the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite. It is filled with ancient Roman ruins, beaches and some great restaurants. Paphos has a vibrant nightlife and has some good bars.

Rock of Aphrodite

If you drive from Limassol to Paphos half way through the journey you come across this beautiful rock formation protruding out of the sea. Legend has it that this was where Aphrodite was born.

It is believed that if you swim out and around the rock you will be blessed with eternal beauty. I did not try this and would not recommend this unless you are after that eternal beauty.

Aphrodite Rock is a beautiful place to visit and some great photo opportunities await you here.

There is a small souvenir shop just across the road and a good place to stop and have a quick beverage or snack.

Paphos has more than 50 kilometres of coastline. Paphos has 12 beaches and some have been awarded the Blue Flag status. There is plenty of sun and sea for you to enjoy in Paphos.

Paphos Archaeological Museum

You can visit the Paphos Archaeological Museum and see some of the artefacts that document human activity in Cyprus from the Neolithic age.

There is a Marina in the heart of the city lined with cafes bars and restaurants and a great place to spend the day.

Hike the Troodos Mountains

If you have had you share of the beach life and fancy a change of scenery you could always take a days trip to the famous Troodos Mountains. The Troodos Mountains is the largest range on the island with Mount Olympus overlooking the beautiful island.

There are small sleepy villages at the foothills of the Troodos Mountains. Ther valley is filled with olive trees and you can buy some here. The sleepy villages are a great place to taste the original Cypriot lifestyle.

As you make your way you will come across Byzantine churches and monasteries which is a UNESCO world heritage site. These medieval buildings are not very fancy from the outside but house some of the most incredible painted murals inside.

Party in Ayia Napa and Nissi Beach.

Nissi Beach is a world famous beach with 500 metres of absolutely pristine blue waters. Nissi Beach has been awarded the blue flag status.  The beach, which runs the length of its own cove, takes its name from the small islet of Nissi located close to the coast.

Just across Nissi Beach is Nissi Avenue which heads right into the centre of Ayia Napa.

Ayia Napa filled is a selection of restaurants and bars and yes they are family friendly. Some of the restaurants in Ayia Napa have a children’s play areas which make it the perfect stop for families. You can also find supermarkets and souvenir shops here.

Ayia Napa is very famous for its nightlife and you can sample some of the best parties here during the peak season.

Ayia Napa is a great choice for travellers who are looking for a holiday to let their hair down and party into the wee hours of the morning.

It has a vast selection of clubs & bars and is a popular bachelor party destination.

What to eat in Cyprus 

Food is a big part of the Cypriot culture. The cuisine is mainly made up of delicious halloumi, mezze, various meat kebabs, small dips and traditional  flatbread and souvlaki.

Halloumi is probably the most famous food product of Cyprus. 

Souvlakia and sheftalia – A spin-off from the famous Greek dish, Cypriot-souvlaki consists of small chunks of charcoal-grilled meat on a skewer, with fresh salad.

Loukoumades (lokmades) – deep fried dough balls, soaked in honey and coated with crushed nuts, sesame seeds, cinnamon.

If you enjoy beach holidays why not read about some other beach Destinations we visitied   

• Cancun- Best Beach Holiday
• 10 Best things to do in Algarve
• Antalya and Lara Beach 

List of things to do on a Holiday in Cyprus.

• Day Trip to Nicosia: The capital and divided city of Nicosia is a must if you have more days in Cyprus.
• Kolossi Castle: Visit the ruins of this  thirteenth century fortification.
• Enjoy the warm Mediterranean waters and soak in the sun.
• Party: Enjoy the nightlife of Ayia Napa and the blue waters of Nissi Beach
• Hike the Troodos Mountain on a days trip and relax with a wine tour.
• Archaeological Park of Kato Paphos: Envy its amazing mosaics work.
• Tombs of the Kings: A UNESCO world heritage site not far from Paphos.
• Enjoy the best Halloumi you can ever get.
• Paphos Castle and Harbour : Spend an evening along the water front in Paphos and admire the castle.
• Aphrodite Rock: Swim around the birthplace of Aphrodite for eternal beauty.

Please refer to the official Cyprus Tourism site for any further information.