Tips Cyprus

Cyprus, a country with dozens of options, beautiful beaches and many tips. Read our useful advice for Aphrodite’s island to be ahead of everyone.

General

• The best months to visit the island are October and May.
• The island sees rain only 25 days a year, while it is sunny on 300 days.
• The capital city, Nicosia, is the last bisected capital city in the world.
• In the summer, temperature rises up to 47°C!
• Cyprus hosts the only white donkeys in the world.
• On the island there are two beaches with the name Blue Lagoon, one in Akamas and one in Cape Greco.
• The national holidays are the same as in Greece, plus the 1st of April and the 1st of October.
• You will find waters at their warmest in late September – early October.
• During the summer months you will have to carry water, a hat and sunscreen!
• The average temperature is 23 degrees!
• In July-August and early September only a few tours take place, due to the unbearable heat.

 
Transportation

General

• Cyprus has two airports, one in Paphos and one in Larnaca.
• Transportation from the airports to the city centers happens via city buses, Shuttle buses and taxis.
• Taxis are pretty expensive, as for a 4-5km distance you will pay 15-20€!

 
Larnaca Airport to city center:

• By bus: No 417, 419, 425 & 429, trip duration 30’, cost 1.50-2.50€
• By taxi: trip duration 15-20’, cost 15-30€ for 4 passengers.

 
Paphos Airport to city center:

• By bus: No 612 to port or No 613 to city center, trip duration 30’, cost 1.50-2.50€
• By taxi: trip duration 15-20’, cost 15-30€ for 4 passengers

 
Paphos Airport to Larnaca or Limassol:

• By bus: Limassol Airport Express, trip duration 1 hour, cost 9€.

 
Buses

• Cyprus has Intercity Buses that connect all cities, City Buses that connect various areas inside the cities and Rural Buses that connect almost all villages to the nearest city.
• Purchase the MOTION BUS CARD: four-trip non-rechargeable or unlimited pass rechargeable.
• Download the “CYPRUS BUS” app by Motion for information regarding bus routes.

 
Car

• The only way for one to get to know the island is by car. So, renting is a one-way street.
• All rented cars have red license plates.
• Cars are right-wheeled, like in England and Malta.
• There is only one highway that connects Paphos to Nicosia (coastal) and there are NO tolls!
• The maximum speed limit on the island is 100km/h.
• There are no cameras on the road, but there are police officers with speed “guns”…and they are everywhere. Be careful!
• Parking only upon charge in central spots of the city.
• In Kato Paphos you will find a large free parking.
• Parking facilities (public and private) in the city centers cost 4-6€ daily.
• Stopping and parking are prohibited on a double yellow line.

 
Attractions

General

• The Department of Antiquities can issue special admission cards for all museums and ancient monuments: (1) One-day card – €8.50, (3) three-day card €17.00, (7) seven-day card – €25.00.
• Discover the most beautiful street in Cyprus, Ayiou Xenofontos Street in the village Lefkara.
• Make a quick stop at Fasouri’s orange groves.
• The most expensive Museum ticket is just 4.5€!

 
Limassol

• The sea area at Limassol’s marina is clean and recommended for swimming.
• Prefer the square of the old market for a beer and relaxed atmosphere.

 
Limassol Castle

• For 10 or more people, there is a 20% discount.

 
Religious route Cyprus (10 UNESCO churches).

• It is prohibited to take photographs inside the churches!

 

Cyprus Tourism Organization

Marina’s Adventure Park

• If you are afraid of heights, pick level 1.
• Wear comfortable clothes.
• In days with bad weather, contact the park to see if it is open.

 
Caledonia trail

• The trail starts 3 kilometers away from the square of the village Troodos, it continues along the river Kryos Potamos, passes by the Caledonian Waterfall and ends up at Psilo Dendro, near the village of Platres. Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Difficulty level: Category 3. The trail has a high difficulty level, due to the terrain and variations in altitude. It is not suitable for young children.
• You will need waterproof shoes as the trail gets interrupted at many spots by the river.
• In the summer, you can dive into the cold waters of the river to cool off.
• An easier route is the one that starts at Psilo Dendro and ends up at the waterfall.
• Be cautious on rainy days, many spots across the trail are slippery.

 
Nicosia

• SOS: Passing by the neighborhoods that are close to the green line, deactivate your mobile data! Your phone will enter a Turkish network and charges will be HUGE!
• Close to the Eleftheria’s Square is the Laiki Gitonia, a traditional neighborhood full of traditional Cypriot architecture!
• The best walk includes the neighborhoods of Chrysaliniotissa, Tartakalas, Ayios Antonios, Ayios Ioannis and more.

 
Petra tou Romiou

• The famous Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek) is the second one among the three (that are in line).
• Over there you will see the best sunset that the island offers.
• The best time to visit the beach is very early in the morning or during the sunset.
• The seabed around the rocks is pretty interesting. Wear a mask and get ready for snorkeling!
• The parking is on the other side of the road, and in order to reach the beach you follow the passage under the road.

 
Ayia Napa

• From Cape Greco you have the chance to see the first sunrise in the entire Europe!
• In the city you will find the best and most economical souvenirs (there are dozens of shops. Search well).
• Hundreds of people from all over the world pick the churches of the region for their wedding.
• Ayia Napa = Saint of the forests (Cypriots, in general, give names of plants).

 
Kolossi Castle

• The castle hosts many medieval nights.
• The best time to visit it is during the opening, in order to avoid the trouble caused by groups.
• It used to be a French army base!

 
Kourion

• Shows are constantly conducted.
• Reach the end of the site to see the only mosaic in the world depicting gladiators!
• In the site you will find drinking water fountains to quench your thirst and benches to rest on!

 
Paphos

• You can approach Akamas’ rocky areas ONLY with a safari tour or if you rent a 4×4 vehicle.

 
Paphos Archaeological Park

• Shakespeare got inspiration for his famous play “Romeo and Juliet” from the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, which exists in the form of a mosaic in the site!

 
Omodos

• The village is known for the arkateno bread, which is only produced here in the entire world!
• It is the largest wine village in Cyprus with the most wineries.
• Visit the monastery with the modern murals, which is said to have been visited by Saint Helen!

 
Saint Lazarus Larnaca

• Inside the oil lamps there are ostrich eggs, so that the mice cannot go down to drink the oil!!
• It is said that the scull of Saint Lazarus was found in the basement.

 
Food

• Prices for cocktails are low, even in the most popular bars!
• Try the small and tasty bananas of Paphos.
• Almost all dining establishments offer the famous Cypriot Mezedes. They are specific dishes, different in every shop, with many local appetizers!
• Only in the village of Omodos you will find the arkateno bread, which is made with chickpeas.
• On the island you will find the PDO wine Commandaria, which is produced at a specific altitude and under special conditions in a few villages of mountainous Cyprus.
• The Cypriot cuisine is particularly tasty. Indeed, there are plenty of dishes that you will not find anywhere else. Among these are Seftalia, halloumi (fresh-boiled-baked-dried…), the fried poules and more.
• Many restaurants (in NON-tourist areas) stay closed in the afternoon.
• The cost for the mezedes starts at 15€ and can be as high as 22€ per person. (Minimum number of persons: 2.)
• For a two-person meal you will pay 40-50€, with some amazing local ksinisteri wine.
• The heart of the night life beats in the old town of Limassol and at the square of the old market.
• The tourist night life is at Ayia Napa.
• In tourist locations, many restaurants close from mid-November to late March.

 
Traps

• Alcohol and problems are not missing from the night life of Ayia Napa. Stay away from these!
• Avoid the restaurants at the port of Paphos (mainly close to the castle), as well as all the tourist-attracting restaurants with barkers! The food is of bad quality.
• If you have never driven a right-wheeled car before, think twice before renting one.

 

Tips Cyprus