At only around 4 hours from Dubai, Cyprus is a fantastic location for a short break or long weekend. There’s bucket loads of historical sites to explore, reefs and shipwrecks to dive at, and beaches to relax on.
Here’s our pick of the top 10 things to do in Cyprus to help you plan your vacation itinerary:
1. Aphrodite’s Rock
This rock in the turquoise waters off the south-west coast of Cyprus is said to be the birthplace of the Greek Goddess of love and fertility, Aphrodite. The whole stretch of coastline surrounding it is stunning and makes for one of the best road trips in Cyprus. The waters surrounding the rock are choppy so we don’t recommend you go for a dip. Instead, take a table at the nearby restaurant and just enjoy the stunning views.
2. Saint Hilarion Castle, Kyrenia
This clifftop and slightly crumbling castle is said to have been the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle (although this isn’t the only contender for the title!). It’s situated very high on the Kyrenia Mountain range and offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and sea – and you can even see mainland Turkey on a clear day. It shares its name with a hermit monk who fled from persecution and hid, until his death, in the mountains. There are three main sections to the castle as it stands today: the royal palace in the middle, which includes a church and kitchen, the parapets, and the Lusignan Gate and courtyard. You can reach the castle via public transport from Nicosia.
Address: Nicosia Road, Kyrenia, Cyprus
3. Explore Larnaca
The city of Larnaca in Cyprus is the jumping off point for most travelers to this island country – there are direct flights to Larnaca from the UAE. The flight is only just over 4 hours so it’s a great city to enjoy a long weekend. It’s full of historical sights – such as Larnaca Fort and the 9th-century Saint Lazarus Church – as well as loads of independent cafes, restaurants and shops. One of Cyprus’s most popular beaches – Mackenzie Beach (sometimes spelled Makenzy) – is located in Larnaca. It has all the facilities you’d want including sun beds, toilets and plenty of places to eat and drink.
4. Painted Troodos churches
For anyone with an interest in history and art, visiting the churches in the Troodos Mountains is by far one of the best things to do in Cyprus. Located north-west of Limassol, the late-Byzantine churches house some of the most incredible frescoes in existence. Some of the churches are more easily accessible than others depending on where you’re visiting from. Most of them are on the northern side of the mountains which are easily reached from Nicosia, but there are a further three that are easier to get to from Limassol. The Troodos Mountain area in general is worth a visit by itself. There are lots of little villages with traditional teracotta-roofed houses worth exploring, most of them with stunning mountainous backdrops.
5. Go scuba diving
There are some wonderful spots all around Cyprus to go scuba diving and the best location just depends on your ability. As a beginner, head to Protaras near Ayia Napa which has shallow depths with plenty of reef and fish, or George’s Island, another shallow dive (up to 30 meters) near the Akamas Peninsula, Paphos, which has a huge array of fish and turtles. Those looking for the best dive spots in Cyprus for advanced divers should consider Jubilee Shoals, which includes an airplane wreck, off Pissouri Beach. It has depths of between 17 and 40 meters and a large cave in the middle. Larnaca Harbour, home of the wrecked RS Zenobia – one of the biggest wrecks in the Mediterranean – is another excellent site for more advanced divers. It’s actually considered one of the best wreck dives in the world. As always, do your homework on dive companies and make sure you have all the relevant insurance.
6. Enjoy the Ayia Napa beaches
Depending on what time of year you’re visiting Cyprus, the beaches of Ayia Napa might not be as crowded as you expect. One of the most popular beaches in the area is at the Nissi Beach Resort with its calm private bay and plenty of accommodation just a stone’s throw away from the water. The resort does get busy in peak season but if you’re the sort who enjoys the party vibe, that’s no bad thing. For those who are looking for a quieter beach in Ayia Napa, consider Macronissos and Agia Thekla further along the coastline. Most of the beaches have excellent public facilities and Blue Flag awards as testament to their cleanliness.
7. Walk down Ledra Street, Nicosia
This street has more symbolic significance than any other in Cyprus. Up until 2008 it was the site of the barricade across the United Nations buffer zone which split Turkish north and Greek south. When the barricade was removed the street became the sixth crossing between north and south Cyprus, and one of the most popular places to visit in Nicosia. It is still a border crossing but it’s relatively easy to cross from one side to the other if you have your passport (it involves some form filling and queuing, but that’s usually about it). The street itself is filled with excellent cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as a good selection of shops.
Address: Ledra Street, Nicosia, Cyprus
8. Paphos Archeological Site
There is a lot of history in this huge archeological park (a Unesco World Heritage Site) which consists of two main sites – Kouklia (Old Paphos) and Kato Paphos. The latter includes famous historical sites such as Aphrodite’s Sacred City, and the Tombs of the Kings. The seven tombs were in use from between the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD and have been expertly excavated and opened to the public. They were never actually used to bury kings but were named because they were so grand. Other highlights at the Paphos Archeological Site is the Paphos Mosaics which are just south of Agora, Saranta Kolones Fortress, Agora, Odeion and Asklipieion.
Address:Paphos, Cyprus
Opening times: Daily. September 16 through April 15: 8.30am – 5pm, and April 16 through September 15: 8.30am – 7.30pm
Tickets: Entry to the site costs €4.50 (Dh20)
9. Discover Limassol
Limassol is another of Cyprus’s best cities, full of historical castles, parks, great food and plenty of atmosphere. History lovers should check out the imposing Limassol Castle which dates back to 1228 and includes churches, monuments and medieval features. There’s also Ancient Kourion, one of the best places to go in Cyprus to see Mycenaean history, even though the site was built in neolithic times. Various points of interest there include the Roman Theater, House of the Gladiators and the Early Christian Basilica. If you’ve had enough of history, head to Limassol Marina and choose from one of the many stylish waterfront cafes and restaurants. There’s also lots of beautiful beaches at the marina where you can either relax on a lounger or take part in one of the many watersports on offer. If you’re vacationing with children, take them to Limassol Zoo or Fasouri Waterpark.
10. Selimiye Mosque
Like many historical religious buildings, the Selimiye Mosque in northern Nicosia has something of an interesting history. It began life as a church in the 13th century and was heavily influenced by the French builders provided by Louis IX of France to finish the project. It started life as the Church of Agia Sophia but was damaged by earthquakes and colonists before the Ottomans converted it into a mosque in the late 1500s. It’s still a functioning mosque today and the best times to visit (dress modestly, of course) are around the regular prayer times.
Address: Northern Nicosia, Northern Cyprus
*Content first written/published in June 2018. Information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
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