Cyprus
Top sights and places to visit in Cyprus blend Mediterranean beaches, ancient ruins, and mountain scenery. This sun-drenched island is known for the resorts of Limassol, Paphos and Protaras, the archaeological sites of Kourion and the Tombs of the Kings, Byzantine churches in the Troodos Mountains, and the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite.
General information
Cyprus is a sun-soaked island in the eastern Mediterranean, the third-largest in the sea and one of its warmest, with over 300 days of sunshine a year. In legend the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, it blends golden beaches and buzzing resorts with ancient ruins, Byzantine churches and cool pine-clad mountains. The island is politically divided — the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus in the south is an EU member using the euro, while the north is under Turkish Cypriot administration. Greek and Turkish are the languages, English is very widely spoken (a British colonial legacy), and Cyprus offers a relaxed, easy and varied holiday.
Transport and how to get there
The main airports are Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO), both in the south and busy with holiday flights. There are no trains, so getting around means buses — which are inexpensive but limited — or, ideally, a rental car, remembering that Cypriots drive on the left. Distances are short, making it easy to combine beaches, mountains and archaeological sites in a single trip, and taxis are widely available in the resorts.
Prices
Cyprus is moderately priced, with the summer resorts dearest and spring and autumn offering better value. Expect roughly 70-160 EUR per night for a mid-range hotel, with hostels and guesthouses less. A casual taverna meal runs around 14-24 EUR, a coffee 2.50-3.50 EUR and a local beer or glass of wine 3-4 EUR. A rental car is often the biggest cost, while archaeological sites and museums typically charge 4-10 EUR. Prices are approximate and vary sharply by season.
Main attractions
Paphos, a UNESCO site, dazzles with its Roman mosaics and the mythical Aphrodite's Rock (Petra tou Romiou) on the nearby coast, while lively Ayia Napa is famed for its beaches and nightlife. Cosmopolitan Limassol offers a marina, wineries and a medieval castle, and the divided capital Nicosia lets you cross the old Green Line between two cultures. Escape the heat in the Troodos Mountains, dotted with painted Byzantine churches and the great Kykkos Monastery, and explore the ancient Greco-Roman city of Kourion above the sea.