🏝️ Cyprus: everything you need to know for a perfect holiday on Aphrodite Island 🇨🇾
Serene weather, picturesque nature and ancient monuments – Cyprus is located between West and East, absorbing the best of both sides. It was on this island that Aphrodite emerged from the sea foam, where Lazarus was buried and where the action in Shakespeare’s famous play “Othello” takes place.
Want to know more about this wonderful place? Read our material, and then book your plane tickets and hit the road. A vacation to Cyprus will definitely be remembered for a long time.
Story
Due to Cyprus' advantageous position in the Mediterranean Sea, the island has more than once fallen under the rule of neighboring countries. It was conquered by Alexander the Great, and many hundreds of years later by another famous commander – King Richard the Lionheart. The history of the island even has its own royal dynasty, which ruled for about 300 years.
Afterwards, this territory was subject to the Venetian Republic, the Ottoman Empire and Great Britain, until Cyprus gained independence. And since the 60s of the last century, the Greek and Turkish communities have been actively conflicting here. Formally, they divided the land into the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The second is recognized only by Turkey.
Location
The island lies in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Cyprus's closest neighbors by sea are Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. The island's territory is relatively small: 225 km from west to east and 96 km from south to north. But the length of the coastline is impressive – 780 km.
Summer in Cyprus is hot and lasts from May to October. At this time the temperature rises to 35°C in the shade. At the same time, the humidity level is very low. If you can’t stand the heat well, choose March and April for your trip – the temperature at this time ranges from 18°C to 23°C.
Cyprus visas for tourists
In 2004, the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union. This part of the island can be visited with either a Schengen or national visa. To do this, you need to collect a package of documents and pay the consular fee (35 €), and then wait for a decision within 10 days.
Transport
There are two international hubs on the Greek territory of Cyprus. The main one is Larnaca Airport. It receives more than 7 million passengers annually. It is located on the southeast coast a few kilometers from the city of Larnaca. It is chosen by tourists traveling to Ayia Napa, Protaras, Lima Ssol, Nicosia.
The second is Paphos International Airport. It serves up to 3 million passengers per year. It operates on the west coast, 6 kilometers from Paphos. The Turkish part of Cyprus is visited through Ercan Airport. It is open 8 kilometers from Nicosia. All flights here have a stopover in Turkey. By the way, we talk about the most environmentally friendly airports here.
There are four ports: in Limassol, Larnaca and two in Paphos. Most often they are visited by cruise ships or yachts. There is a developed bus service on the island. Flights connect both city districts and different settlements. The cost of the trip is about 5€. And look for the best tickets on special websites.
Taxis are also active. Cars are available 24 hours a day and are equipped with meters, although sometimes drivers offer a flat fee. In addition, Uber operates in the Republic of Cyprus. On average, a short trip around the city will cost from 15€ to 25€.
But for long distances and traveling around the entire island, it is better to rent a car – the cost starts from 15 € per day. They accept both cards and cash and may require a deposit. And remember, in Cyprus you drive on the left.
Housing
The largest resorts in the southern part of Cyprus are Larnaca, Paphos, Protaras, Limassol, Ayia Napa, and in the northern part – Kyrenia and Famagusta. Rental prices vary greatly: from 60€ per night in a two-star hotel to 200€ in a five-star hotel. The best option is a room in a 4-star hotel for 100€–120€. But a luxury suite will cost at least 500 €. The cheapest offer is a bed in a room for 6 people – about 20 € per night. How not to make a mistake with your choice, we tell you here.
If you are going to spend more than one month in Cyprus, then consider renting an apartment. A one-room studio will cost from 1000 € to infinity. Most good options cost around €2,000, but there are also first-class sea view suites for €4,000 per month.
But the most luxurious and, of course, expensive housing option in Cyprus is villas. The cost of renting houses in urban areas starts from 150 €, but a sea view will cost 400 € per night. The highest price tags are for villas with a pool on the coastline – from 1000 € per day.
Kitchen
Cypriot cuisine combines both Greek and Turkish traditions. The island is stocked with fresh and delicious fruits, especially citrus fruits. The most commonly used vegetables are potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes and eggplants. Strawberries are very popular and bear fruit in Cyprus from January to November.
The locals also have their own preferences in meat. Lamb, pork and poultry are the most common, but beef is rarely cooked. We recommend first trying the Cypriot gyros – pieces of meat cooked on a spit and wrapped in pita bread along with French fries, herbs, tomatoes and yogurt sauce. Desserts are often made from dough with the addition of nuts and honey. Sweet loukoumades, kataifi or dactila donuts are an excellent end to a hearty meal.
Seafood is best prepared in coastal cafes. Grilled squid, mussels with feta cheese sauce, octopus in red wine – the taste of these dishes will be remembered for a long time. For soups, we recommend avgolemono – and don’t let the lemon in the ingredients scare you. If you want to taste the whole of Cyprus in one meal, feel free to order a set meze lunch. It consists of many dishes. Salads are followed by baked vegetables and cheeses, followed by hot dishes of meat and seafood.
Attractions
Baths of Aphrodite, 50 km from Paphos
It was in this place, according to Greek legend, that Aphrodite met her lovers. The goddess's bath is a small grotto in the rock, surrounded by lush vegetation. The water here is cool at any time of the year due to underground springs, and the depth is less than a meter. By the way, if you are interested in the culture and history of Greece, read our material.
Tombs of the Kings, Paphos
This ancient necropolis, according to scientists, was hewn out of stone in the 4th century BC. A bizarre complex of rooms, stairs and passages has been created inside the rocks. Notable personalities of the Roman Empire are buried in them. Some rooms imitate palace chambers with frescoes and columns.
Petra tou Romiou, 25 km from Paphos
Another place of power associated with Aphrodite – according to legend, the goddess of love and beauty came out of the sea foam right here. This amazingly beautiful place is a rocky stretch of beach with fancy boulders and blue sea.
National Park, 50 km from Paphos
The park has the most amazing natural resources: coniferous forests, pebble beaches, sandy bays, rare species of plants and animals. But the main thing is the Avakas gorge, which is located between 30-meter cliffs, with a mountain river below.
Kolossi Castle, 10 km from Limassol
The medieval military fortress was built in the 13th century for the Knights Hospitaller. The thickness of the tower walls is 1.25 meters! Frescoes and some ancient details have been preserved inside.
Old Town, Limassol
The historical center of Limassol attracts with its narrow streets and small houses. Start from the embankment near the old port, and then go see the cathedral, mosques, colorful souvenir shops and cozy cafes.
Eucalyptus Grove, Limassol
For one and a half kilometers along the coast there is a picturesque eucalyptus grove. It’s nice to stroll here on hot days, enjoying the incredible aroma and being nourished by its healing properties.
Blue Lagoon, Ayia Napa
Lush vegetation, azure water, schools of bright fish, bizarre rocks – that’s all you need for complete happiness on vacation. And researchers will be interested in the amazing caves, half filled with water, located near the beach.
Archbishop's Palace, Nicosia
It looks like a medieval Venetian palace, but the building was built from scratch in the middle of the last century. Inside, the bedroom of Archbishop Makarios remained intact, and even his heart is kept here in a special vessel.
Ancient city of Soli, Morphou (northern Cyprus)
This ancient monument was created by human hands. All that remains of the temples and palaces are ruins, but from them you can easily imagine the scale of the construction in your head.
Buffavento Castle (northern Cyprus)
On the tops of the mountain range of Cyprus, at an altitude of 1 kilometer, there are three medieval castles. This fortress was built in the 7th century by the Byzantines to protect against the Arabs. Not only the impressive stonework, but also the breathtaking view from here is definitely worth a visit. Confirmation in the photo below.
Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia (northern Cyprus)
Its spiers have towered over the entire city since the 13th century. Initially it was a Roman Catholic church, but in the 16th century the Turks converted it into a mosque: they destroyed the decorations and added a minaret. The entrance arch, fancy windows, huge columns, mosaics and bas-reliefs will amaze anyone.