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Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus has the warmest sea in the Mediterranean and a swimming season that runs from April into November. It also has pine forests, Byzantine churches and a mountain range, which most visitors never see.
Stays from €76 a night
The place
What Cyprus is actually like
The island's reputation is built on its coast — Ayia Napa's beaches in the east, the Akamas peninsula in the west, and a long southern shore of resort towns between them. That reputation is deserved, but it is only half the island.
Inland, the Troodos mountains rise to nearly 2,000 metres and hold ten UNESCO-listed painted churches, hill villages that empty out in winter, and a wine region reviving indigenous grapes like Xynisteri and Maratheftiko. The drive from beach to pine forest takes about an hour.
Nicosia is the last divided capital in Europe, and crossing at Ledra Street into the northern part of the city is straightforward with a passport. It is the most interesting and least visited thing on the island.
Timing
When to visit
Honest seasonality — including the months we would not recommend.
- Balanced
Apr – Jun
Best overall
Warm, green, wildflowers in the Akamas, and the sea is swimmable from late April.
- Busiest
Jul – Aug
Very hot and busy
Mid-thirties on the coast, hotter inland. Peak family season and peak rates.
- Balanced
Sep – Nov
The insider months
Warmest sea of the year through October, and the wine harvest in the Troodos.
- Quietest
Dec – Mar
Mild winter
Coastal temperatures in the high teens, and enough snow in the Troodos to ski in February.
Neighbourhoods
Where to stay in Cyprus
Each area suits a different trip. Pick the one that matches yours.
Paphos
Archaeology, the Akamas nearby, and the best base for the west
- Culture
- Families
- Value
Limassol
The island's liveliest city, with the marina and the best dining
- Nightlife
- Dining
- City break
Protaras & Ayia Napa
The clearest water and the best sandy beaches on the island
- Beach
- Families
- Summer
Troodos villages
Stone houses, painted churches and pine air, an hour from the sea
- Hidden gems
- Walking
- Wine
Stays
Popular hotels in Cyprus
Live prices from our accommodation partners for a sample three-night stay.
Things to do
What to do in Cyprus
- The Akamas peninsula and the Blue Lagoon by boat or 4x4
- Kato Paphos archaeological park and its Roman mosaics
- The painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos, ten of them UNESCO-listed
- Cross the Green Line at Ledra Street in Nicosia
- Kourion, a Greco-Roman theatre on a cliff above the sea
- Wine tasting in the Krasochoria villages above Limassol
Eating and drinking
- A full meze — twenty-odd dishes, ordered for the table, taking three hours
- Halloumi grilled properly, which is nothing like the supermarket version
- Souvla, the slow-cooked large-cut cousin of souvlaki
- Commandaria, reputedly the oldest named wine still in production
Book ahead
Tours, tickets and day trips
Practicalities
Things worth knowing
Hire a car
Public transport between regions is limited, and the island is small enough to cross in three hours. Driving is on the left.
The season is genuinely long
Sea temperatures stay swimmable from late April into November — the longest window in the Mediterranean.
Crossing the Green Line is simple
Bring your passport. Note that hire-car insurance often does not extend across the line — check before you drive over.
Book meze for the whole table
Most tavernas serve meze for a minimum of two, and it is the correct order almost every time.
Orientation
Cyprus at a glance
Questions
Cyprus FAQ
When is the best time to visit Cyprus?
May, June, September and October offer the best balance of warm sea and bearable heat. July and August are very hot inland and busiest on the coast.
Which airport should I fly into?
Larnaca (LCA) is best for the east and Nicosia; Paphos (PFO) for the west and the Akamas. Both are small, quick and about 90 minutes apart.
Do I need a car in Cyprus?
For anything beyond a single resort, yes. Buses connect the main towns but reach almost none of the mountain villages, beaches or archaeological sites worth seeing.
Can I visit the northern part of the island?
Yes, crossing points including Ledra Street in Nicosia are open to visitors with a passport. Check your hire car insurance covers the crossing before driving.
Elsewhere
