Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa is a resort in the South-East corner of Cyprus. This area is famous for its nightclub scene and attracts a lot of tourists. Although young people may love the area, it is not well suited for people seeking family holidays or a less commercial experience of Cyprus. However, there are still some historical and cultural places of interest to be seen here.

Getting there

The easiest way to get to Ayia Napa is to fly into Lanarca airport. From there you can get a taxi, which will cost you 40 to 55 Euros depending on your negotiation skills. You can also get a bus from Lanarca airport to Ayia Napa, which will cost you only 4 Euros.

Things to do in Ayia Napa

Beaches

There are several blue flag (certified clean) beaches to choose from if you wish to sunbathe or go swimming in our beautiful sea. You will be able to do watersports and activities like jet-skiing here.

· Nissi beach – a beautiful and clean beach, but it gets very busy and you will need to get here early during peak times.

· Makronisos Beach – another beautiful beach which is very popular, it’s slightly further away so sometimes less packed than Nissi beach.

· Grecian Bay – not as popular as the two previous two beaches, but equally nice to visit. This is the closest beach to the town centre.

· Sandy Bay – this sheltered beach is better for families, and it’s still easy to get to. There are fine white sands, clear sea, and some nice eateries here.

Ayia Napa also has a waterpark, which is suitable for families and open 7 days a week.

Clubs

You can’t mention Ayia Napa without talking about clubs. The DJs here play a mixture of dance, urban and party music, with lots of popular floor fillers and summer tunes. Ayia Napa clubs generally run from 12am-5am, with some staying open later. The most popular clubs here are Club Aqua, Castle Club, and Chameleon Club, but there’s a lot to choose from so have fun checking them out.

Clubs here aren’t cheap, particularly in high season. However, you can get deals from promo people offering cheap tickets, and some venues do cheap drinks deals.

History and Culture

If you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed, it’s worth checking out the Ayia Napa monastery, which dates back to 1500. This place will take you back to the time when Ayia Napa was a sleepy fishing village.

You can also visit Cape Greco which is only 10 minutes’ drive away, and considered one of the most beautiful places on the island.

The Tornaritis-Pierides Museum of Marine Life is located in the lower level of Tower hall. It has exhibitions of past and present sea life from the Mediterranean, and is focused on study and preservation of marine animals.

Nature lovers will also enjoy Thalassa, the Municipal Museum of the Sea. This museum holds some fascinating artefacts and sea-related art, and it regularly hosts cultural events and educational programmes.

Also notable are the Makronissos Tombs in the west Ayia Napa village. These 19 rock-cut tombs, dating back to Roman times, are definitely worth a visit.

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Wreck of Zenobia

The Wreck of Zenobia is a ferry which sank to the bottom of the sea in June 1980, just outside of Larnaca harbour. It has been named as one of the top 10 wreck dive sites in the world, and if you fly into Larnaca airport at night, you can see its shadow as you fly over the ocean.

Getting there

Getting to the wreck from Larnaca is easy, but it’s best to do it with one of the local diving companies. You’ll meet them at Larnaca marina, after which there is a 15 minute boat ride to get to the wreck.

Diving at the wreck site

If you are a qualified scuba diver, this is an absolute must-see when visiting Cyprus. Lying on its side at a depth of 42 metres, this 178m long ferry will give you a lot to look it. You can still see the cargo of vehicles that the ferry was carrying, and it is possible to sit in the cabs of trucks. Additionally, you can still see the bones of some animals that the ferry was transporting. However, it is unsafe to enter the wreck or dive on the underside of the vehicles, as internal partitions and harnesses have collapsed.

Zenobia sank in 1980, along with £200m in cargo, after a computer malfunction caused water to be pumped into its ballast tanks. The crew was evacuated in time, and nobody was hurt.

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Ancient Kition

Ancient Kition is an archaeological site in Lanarca, on the Southern coast of Cyprus. It is the remains of an extremely old city that was built in the 13th century BC. Kition was an important city and was inhabited under Tyrian, Phonecian, Persian, Ptolemaic and Roman rule, before being destroyed by earthquakes in 322 and 342 AD. The site is fascinating to visit, and will give you a real insight into several periods of history.

Getting there
The Kition site is in Lanarca city. Venture down Kilkis St to the right of the museum, and then go down Leontiou Machaira St.

There is wheelchair access to the site, and entrance will cost you 2.50 Euros.

What to do in Kition

Ongoing excavations are still happening at the site, but there are some remarkable remains to see here. One of the highlights is in area II of the site, where you can walk on a catwalk to see the ruins of a Phonecian resettlement which was built on Bronze age foundations.

Several more ancient sites have been uncovered here, and you will see Cyclopean walls, as well as the remains of several temples and shrines. Most interestingly, the site houses the remains of the Temple of Aprhrodite, constructed with the same Phonecian masonry as the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. Both temples were built in 9th century BC.

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Omodos

Omodos is a small wine village, found in the Troodos Mountain in the centre of Cyprus. It has a population of less than 500, but is well known for the wine it produces. This tranquil, picturesque village is the perfect destination for people who want to experience traditional Cypriot life.

Getting there

Omodos is located 42km from the city of Limmassol, on the south side of the Troodos Mountain. It is easily accessed by car from nearby cities.

What to do in Omodos

Despite its small size, there are lots of enjoyable things to do here in Omodos. First of all I would recommend visiting the Timios Stavros monastery, which is one of the most historic monasteries on the island. The monastery houses some amazing relics and artefacts, including the remains of 26 saints.




Omodos is one of the most important wine villages in Cyprus, and has several established vineyards. I highly recommend sampling the local wines, and if you are visiting Cyprus in August, try to go to the wine festival here.

There are several museums to visit here, such as the Struggle Museum, Byzantine Icons museum, Cultural Museum, and the Ecclesiastical Treasury.

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Adonis Baths

The Adonis Baths are natural waterfalls located near Paphos, Cyprus. This beautiful site has a lot of myth and legend surrounding it. The story goes that Artemis, the God of Hunting, was jealous of the love between Adonis and Aphrodite, and so tried to lure Adonis into the baths by placing a golden almond there. Poseidon, the God of the sea, saw what was happening and created the waterfalls to hide the almond, thus ensuring that Adonis would not drown in the baths.

This is a superb place to visit, and you will be able to go swimming in the baths if you like.

Directions to the Adonis Baths

The Adonis Baths are in Killi, a short drive from Paphos. You need to come out of Paphos going towards Coral Bay and turn off for Leptos Kammas village. There will be signs for the waterfall etc, but be careful as they are small and easy to miss. The road leading there is the Akoursos road, but if you end up in Akoursos you have gone too far. Be aware that the road is very bumpy here, and more suited to rough terrain vehicles.

If you need to go by public transport, the 642 bus from Paphos will take you there.

What to do at the Adonis Baths

This is a beautiful place to visit, and it can be refreshing to take a swim when the weather is very hot. There are two levels of waterfalls, so you can take a bit of time to explore the area. However, I do recommend bringing good shoes because the area around the baths can be very slippery, and people do trip up occasionally.

The forests around the baths are also very picturesque, and legend says they are where Adonis used to go hunting. You will also see some statues of Adonis, Aphrodite and Dias.

You should be aware that there is a 9 Euros entrance fee to visit the baths.

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Points on interest

Zenobia Wreck

Tomb of The Kings

Ledra street

Larnaka salt lake & Flamingos

Aphrodite Baths

Archaeological Park

Anchient Kition

Amathus archaeological site

Adonis baths

Saint Lazaros church

Cyprus ethnography museum

Traditional mountain settlement

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Ledra Street

Ledra Street is the main shopping thoroughfare in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. It links Northern and Southern Nicosia, and is important to the recent history of Cyprus, as it was sealed for 34 years to separate the Greeks and Turkish Cypriots. Today, the street is a great place to visit when shopping in Nicosia.


Getting there

Finding Ledra street is pretty easy once you are in Nicosia. It starts in the Lefkosia district, and runs up North to the D’Avila Bastion. You will be able to find it with any map of Nicosia.

Things to do in Ledra Street

On Ledra street itself you will find some fairly mainstream shops like Marks and Spencer, Debenhams and Starbucks. However, explore the surrounding area and you will find traditional jewellers, and diverse shoe and fabric shops. You can also head over to Laiki Geitonia for the souvenir shops, or go to Makariou Avenue and Stasikratous street for the big and expensive brands. Ledra street also has some nice restaurants and coffee shops



Also in the nearby area you will find the Shacolas Tower Observatory, the Cyprus Postal and Philatelic Museum, and the Leventis Museum.

Bring your passport when visiting Ledra street, because if you cross the border into North Cyprus, you will need to get a stamp from the officials.

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Coral Bay

Coral Bay is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach in Peyia, 6km north of Paphos. It is a blue flag beach, meaning it is certified as very clean, and it is a good beach for families to visit. Although tourists do come here, it is not overdeveloped so you will still feel like you’re in authentic Cyprus.

Getting there

You can drive here from Paphos easily if you are in a hired car or taxi; just take the coast road towards Pegia. There are also frequent buses departing from Kato Paphos.

What to do in Coral Bay

As with a lot of beaches in Cyprus, you’ll have a great time whether you like to just relax in the sun, or do energetic activities. You can hire sunbeds and parasols here to make sure you’re really comfortable, or spend your time water-skiing, para-sailing or scuba diving.

There are also lots of nice places to eat here, the quality is high and the prices are decent too.

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TRAVELLING WITH KIDS IN CYPRUS

Cyprus is a great destination for families and there is no need for advance planning necessary. Cyprus culture revolves around the family and children are adored in both side of the Island and they will feel very welcomed.

In depends which region your staying activities from water sports, museums, bike rides and water parks are just some of the many things to entertain your children of all ages.

Most of the hotels cater for children, usually you will be able to ask for a list of family activities in and out of the hotel. Kids clubs, amusements arcades , playgrounds and so on as well as babysitting services.

Bars and restaurants are child friendly and it shouldn't be a problem having a night out as a family.

Also you can find very easily all the major brands of baby food, medicine and nappies in the supermarkets and pharmacies.

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FEELING BRAVE TOP 5 ... [food]

"Warning images may offend"

Not something that you see in every restaurant but just in case you find your selfs up in the mountains and it happens to stop for something to eat  in one of the traditional restaurants, don't be surprise to see some of the dishes below on their menu.

1.MIALLE ARNISHA VRASTA [BOIL LAMBS BRAINS]

The lamb brains are prepare by  simply boil them and served with chop parsley and lemon and salt.

They say you get wiser by eating this dish...




2.ZALATINA [GELLIED PORK]

Ingredients includes pigs head, trotters, rind, ears and snout in a pot of cold water, and letting it cook over a slow fire for three hours. The broth is allowed to cool, while also removing any undesirable fat. Subsequently, white vinegar and the juice of half an orange or lemon can be added to the meat so that it is covered. The entire mixture is then allowed to cool and jelly. Bay leaves or chili can be added.

3.AMELITITA HIRINA VRASTA[BOIL PORK TESTICLES]
Ingredients, onions and salary and served with a dressing of garlic and cloves,thyme, olive oil and lemon juice. Which should taste a lot better ....[not]






4.KOKORETSI [OFFAL WRAPPED IN INTESTINES]
 A dish not to be missed ... Lamb liver, lungs, heart, spleen, glands, chopped in small pieces and then wrap in intestines and then cooked on charcoal for one and half hour. Good things comes to thoose who wait... :)






5.KARAOLOUS ME LADOXINO [SNAILS WITH OIL AND LEMON BOIL]
 Snails are cooked for about 40 minutes, use a toothpick or a small fork to extract the meats from the shells and then you deep them in the mix of olive oil, vinegar and salt before you eat them.

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Cyprus Ethnography Museum

The Ethnography  Museum of Cyprus is based in Nicosia, which is located in the centre of the island. Ethnography is the study of people and culture, and this fascinating museum is filled with folk art such as wood carvings, embroidery, pottery and national costumes. It is also known as the Cyprus Folk Art museum.

Getting there

The museum is in Archbiscop Kiriakos Square, in central Nicosia. It’s easy to get to by foot, bus or taxi from anywhere in the city.

What to do at the Cyprus Folk Art Museum

This inspiring collection of art is in a great location in the old town of Nicosia, just next to St. John’s cathedral. The building itself was made from stone in the 15th century, and gives you a real sense of history as you walk through it.

The exhibitions are displayed in six rooms, and will take you back through two centuries of Cypriot culture. You will see beautiful embroidery, pottery, furniture, jewellery and more. Some of the these objects were crafted by very poor people living under the control of the Ottoman empire, and the museum gives you a real insight into what their lives were like.

You will learn a lot, but the museum is quite small so you won’t need more than an hour here. You can take a stroll through the museum in your own time, or take a guided tour.

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Latsi

Latsi is a small village in Polis, on the far West side of the island. It is part of the Akamas Peninsula, and is a very beautiful, tranquil place, with enjoyable sand and pebble beaches. It is also spelled Latchi, Lachi, and Lakki.

Getting there

The easiest way to get to Latsi is to fly into Paphos airport, which is about 40 minutes’ drive away by taxi or hire car.

If Paphos is not an option, you can fly into Lacarnas and get a shuttle bus over. However, Latsi is 180km away, so this is a much longer journey.

Things to do in Latsi

Latsi is most well-known for its main tourist attraction, the baths of Aphrodite. This is a beautiful natural grotto at the end of a nature trail, surrounded by lush greenery and pleasant views. There is a bay here where you can go swimming, and snorkelers will enjoy seeing all kinds of fish.

Latsi has some delightful beaches where you can relax, swim, or do activities like water-skiing, parasailing or jet-skiing. You can also go sailing and try your hand at catching some local fish.

There is also a harbour and Marina in Latsi, which are great for an evening stroll, after which you can enjoy some fresh food and a glass of your favourite drink. Latsi is a fishing village, so it’s the perfect place to try out some delicious Cypriot seafood.

Being close to the Akamas Peninsula, you will easily be able to find nearby nature reserves, forests, cliffs, and the Fontana Amoroza (Love's Spring).

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Larnaca

Larnaca is a large city on the southern coast of Cyprus. It is very popular with tourists, and is known for its picturesque seafront. This is arguably Cyprus’ oldest city, and has some appealing historical attractions along with fun nightlife and great places to eat.

Getting there

Lanarca airport is a 15 min taxi ride from the centre of the city, making it easy to get to wherever you are staying. There are also buses that run from the airport regularly.

Things to do in Larnaca

I would highly recommend going to see the Church of St. Lazarus. The Church is allegedly built on the tomb of Lazarus, a biblical figure resurrected by Jesus in the Gospel stories. Fascinating architecture and beautiful icons await here.

Another very popular destination is the Larnaca Salt Lake. This is a very beautiful area where you can see many different species of birds, including flocks of pink flamingos in winter.

Other landmarks definitely worth a visit are the remains of the Faneromeni Church, and the Hala Sultan Tekke by the lake.

People who know how to dive should definitely go on a scuba-diving expedition to the wreck of Zanobia. This is a ferry that sank in 1980, the shadow of which can sometimes be seen from the air when flying into Lanarca airport.

If you don’t mind travelling, there is a small town called Lefkara about 30 minutes away, which I definitely recommend visiting. This quaint place is very beautiful, and is a great place to buy fine lace and silverware.

Larnaca has some great beaches, the most well-known being the Finikoudes beach, which is beautiful and also gives you the chance to do a variety of watersports. Other good beaches here are Dhekelia, Faros and Kastella, of which the latter two are blue flag (certified very clean).

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Kyrenia

Kyrenia is a harbour town in Northern Cyprus. This is a very popular tourist destination with something for almost everybody, from nightclubs to castles to fancy restaurants. It’s a Turkish region of Cyprus, so the main currency used is Turkish Lira, and a lot of the food you’ll find here is Turkish.

Getting there

There are two favourable options for getting to Kyrenia. You can fly to the Ercan airport in North Cyprus on a Turkish airline, and get a bus or Taxi to Kyrenia (it’s about 25 minutes’ drive by car).

You can also fly to Larnaca airport and drive through the border to North Cyprus. You don’t have to pay a toll to go through the border, but it’s a 90 minute drive, which can be quite expensive in a taxi. However, you may be able to save money by sharing a taxi with other travellers.

What to do in Kyrenia

There are lots of things to see, do, and learn about in Kyrenia. First of all, take a trip to the harbour where you will see beautiful views of the sea ahead of you, and the mountain landscape behind you.

After the harbour, take a short walk over to Kyrenia castle. This fascinating place was originally built in the 7th century, and then rebuilt later in the 12th and 16th centuries. It’s an amazing place to visit, where you will learn a lot of history and see things such as the chapel, dungeons, and royal quarters.

Also contained in the castle, and well worth a visit, is the shipwreck museum. Here you can see the remains of a vessel from the 4th century, which is one of the oldest shipwrecks to ever be recovered. It has been preserved here in a specially controlled environment.

Other places of interest in Kyrenia:

· Fresco museum at the Church of Arkhangelos

· Baldoken Graveyard & St Andrews Church

· Museum of Decorative Arts

· St. Hilarion castle

· Buffavento castle

· Kyrenia Icon Museum

· Green Heights park


There are even more things to see than I have listed here, making Kyrenia one of the best places to visit for tourists.

Activity-wise, you can go snorkelling, turtle watching, golfing, paragliding, or take a boat tour around the shores of Kyrenia.

There is also plenty of nightlife here, especially in the summer when you will be able to go to dance clubs, such as Club Locca or W Club, and concerts.

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Famagusta

Famagusta is a walled city located on the east side of Cyprus, and it is the capital of the Famagusta district. It is significant in Cyprus’ recent history, because it suffered a lot of damage during the Turkish invasion in 1974, and was partially abandoned after. Today it is still known to have a vibrant nightlife, and many archaeologically appealing sites. The ghostly feel of some parts of the city make it a very interesting place to visit.

Getting there

The closest airport to Famagusta is Lanarca, however there is no direct public transport, so you will need to take a hired car or taxi.

What to do in Famagusta

Take a stroll around the old city, where you can visit many old buildings with charming architecture. You will notice some buildings that still have cannonballs in them from the Turkish siege in 1571.

Ruins of St George of the Greeks Church 

The walls around this part of the city are some of the best preserved Venetian fortifications in the Easter Mediterranean, and you will be able to walk on top of them to get some inspiring views of the city. If you walk along the walls by the harbour, you’ll eventually come to the Canbulat and Tomb and Museum, which is all about an important historical figure from Famagusta.

Alternatively, if great views are what you are after, climb to the top of the 12th-century Othello’s citadel, and you’ll be able to see around for miles.

I definitely recommend visiting the Mustafa Paşa Mosque (formerly the Cathedral of St. Nicholas), and St. George’s church, which has some beautiful frescoes. Other important landmarks are the Namik Kemal prison museum, and the remains of the Royal Palace, where early Cypriot kings and queens were crowned.

If you’re looking for sun and sand, visit the Bediz, Glapsides and Nagomi beaches. They are all great places to work on your tan or go swimming. On Glapsides beach, you can also catch Dolphin cruises. Scuba Diving is very popular in this area, and you can go on dives to see some shipwrecks in the Karpas area, if that’s your thing.

Famagusta - city of ghosts in Cyprus teritory occupied by Turkey

In terms of nightlife, Famagusta has plenty of bars and restaurants, as well as a popular casino in the Salamis Bay Conti Hotel.

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Cape Greco

Cape Greco is a beach and national park in the south-east of Cyprus. It is at the southern end of Famagusta bay, between the towns of Ayia Napa and Protaras. It is very popular with tourists due to its natural beauty and amazing sea views. It is also said to be the home of the Ayia Napa sea monster, according to local folklore.

Getting there

If you are travelling from Ayia Napa by car, it’s just a five minute drive (about one mile) up the Protaras road.

What to do at Cape Greco

I recommend coming prepared for swimming and sunbathing, because the sea shore here is amazing. There are crystal clear blue waters for swimming, snorkelling and diving, as well as cliffs and sea caves that you can explore. You will also be able to take boat tours and go fishing here, and partake in water sports like jet-skiing.

There are also nine different walks for people that want to take in the surrounding beauty. You will see some inspiring views here, and you may also come across birds, lizards, foxes, hares and hedgehogs. The two kilometre Aphrodite trail commemorates the mythical goddess who is so famous here.

Another trail leads down to the Agii Anargyri church, below which Holy Water can be found, according to local legend. I also recommend taking the walk to the Cyclops caves, which is a beautiful spot to sit and relax in the sun for a while.

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Baths of Aphrodite

The Baths of Aphrodite are in the Paphos region of Cyprus in the North West of the island. It’s a delightful natural grotto surrounded by rich vegetation and fig trees. It is situated on the Akamas Peninsula, which is part of a nature reserve. This is a great destination for people wanting to explore the outdoors in Cyprus.

Getting there

The nearest town to this spot is Polis, which is only 4km away. From Polis you can get the 622 bus directly to the baths.

If you are travelling from Paphos city, it’s approximately 45km away, so you will be driving for 50-60 mins.


What to do at the Baths of Aphrodite

Legend has it that this was where the Goddess of Aphrodite bathed and met her lover, Adonis. When visiting this spot you will enjoy the natural beauty of the baths themselves, while taking in the tranquillity of the surrounding greenery.

If you’re feeling active, you can continue on the two circular walking trails, the Aphrodite trail and the Adonis trail. They will take you about 3 hours to complete in total and you’ll be in the hot Cyprus sun, so remember to bring some sunblock and water. I really recommend these walks as the surrounding area is very beautiful, and you will see some unforgettable views.

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About Us

Welcome,

Cyprus can feel like one big tourist attraction, and to many people it probably is. Still, this is a whole country we’re talking about – one in which real people live and work every day. And thinking of an entire country as a tourist attraction is a bit misguided, not to mention incredibly overwhelming. So in this blog I’m going to focus on some of the most popular Cyprus tourist attractions and history.

My name is Paraskevas Michailidis but most of the people call me Paris. I work for Discover Cyprus Tours and you normally find me exploring the back streets of Cyprus by foot or by a car. 

I decided to write this blog in memory of my brother Panikos Michailidis who lost the battle with lung cancer on the 7th of November 2013 age 45.

My brother was  a teacher of Greek history and everybody that knew him they could easily say how passionate about History he was.

I am hoping i can carry his vision of teaching people with great passion the stories and myths of Cyprus  through this blog and the same time provide you information which will help you have an enjoyable time in Cyprus, whether you are a newcomer or return visitor.

Panikos (left) & Paris

Cyprus is a Mediterranean idyll that many find inspiring, thanks to its vibrant colours and fascinating archaeological sites.It offers unending layers of insights into earlier civilisations, and so rich is the cultural heritage that you may even encounter ancient coins and artefacts as you explore the island.In addition to this historical beauty, Cyprus is blessed with 340 days of sunshine a year, and is well known for its excellent food and wine.

"The good news is that the Cypriots are grateful for their good fortune, and are quite willing to share it with people visiting Cyprus."

Thank you for looking at our blog

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CYPRUS DAY TOURS

Booking a day tour of Cyprus can be a great way to see some of the best parts of the country. However, while Cyprus isn’t that big, we don’t recommend trying to see it all in one day!

One way to take advantage of the expertise of local guides is to go on a day tour from any of the towns you visit. This way you will ensure that you see all the main tourist attractions but also the hidden ones.

Here are some articles and links on great day trip options from some of Cyprus most popular destinations:

Troodos and Kykkos monastery: Full day tour a balanced compendium of history, natural beauty and good food & wine. Discover the green heart of Cyprus, stretching from the centre of the island to the western shores. The Troodos Mountains soar to a peak of almost 7,000 feet at the summit of Mount Olympus. The drive will take us through evergreen forests, panoramic roads and traditional villages. [More Info]

Pafos and Akamas :This tour is a mix of history and some adventure driving through Akamas national park. This makes the tour a special combination of beautiful scenery and amazing natural beauty. Immerse yourself in the legend of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love on a full-day sightseeing tour and visit her secret Grotto which she bathed. Visit the medieval Paphos Castle and the Tombs of the Kings which is an impressive site. Full day of seeing the most amazing landscapes and discover along the myths and legends of my island. [More info}

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CYPRUS PEOPLE

When you’re planning holidays in Cyprus, it’s a good idea to know what to expect from the locals, so I thought I’d write a little guide to the Cypriot people. You’ll be meeting the locals right from the start, so hopefully this will give you some idea of what to expect.
It’s always a bit difficult to write about your own people without describing yourself along the way, but I’ll do my best.

Lifestyle

Cypriots are very laid back, so if you are in a hurry they will think something is wrong with you. While you’re here, learn to do things the slow way – after all, you’re on holiday! Time-keeping in Cyprus does not exist, so it is normal to be 20-30 minutes late for social events (just don’t forget to bring a bottle).

Hospitality is a big part Cypriot culture, so it’s not advisable to turn down an invitation to eat or drink something.

If you attend a Cypriot wedding, you will be expected to eat and drink for five to six hours, so we recommend putting some extra holes in your belt!

Interacting with natives

The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and English, so you’ll have no problem communicating in the towns. Most of the people under 40 speak good English, but if you do learn a few words of Greek, the locals will appreciate it and you’ll fit in even better.

Cypriots are very animated in conversation. We speak more loudly than western Europeans, and use more hand and facial gestures. A friendly discussion may look like an argument to an outsider, so don’t worry if conversations appear heated.

Among friends (male-female, female-female), a kiss on each cheek is a common greeting; otherwise a handshake will do. Men do not typically kiss, unless they are old friends. Young female friends will sometimes hold hands.

Going out

Cypriots are quite trendy when it comes to clothing. Styles are similar to the US or Europe, but probably a bit less relaxed. Even for the younger generations, a typical going-out outfit definitely would not involve shorts and sandals.

Binge drinking is not part of Cypriot culture, and losing control in public is not viewed as desirable.
Musical taste in Cyprus tends towards a mix of Euro-pop, techno, American hip-hop and Greek music. Developing a taste or at least a tolerance for Greek music will definitely help you improve your experience on the island. 

In summary, the island natives in Cyprus are a friendly and welcoming bunch, and getting to know them a little will help you get the most from your tours of Cyprus.

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Different Worlds

Not all of the differences are quite so obvious.


There are six regions in Cyprus, for tourists, the differing characteristics of certain regions can be obvious. It would be difficult to confuse the mountains of Troodos with the rolling hills of Akamas. The beaches of Limassol are a far cry from the white beaches and turquoise sea of Famagusta.

All of the regions of Cyprus are very distinctive and often the landscape and way of life changes quite dramatically between one region and the next. Although Cypriot is spoken throughout Cyprus, many of the regions have their own dialects.

The main thing that makes each Cypriot region unique is the attitude of the people. Cypriots are fiercely loyal to their own region, each believing that theirs is better than any other.They love the landscape of their own home and think their region's climate is the best and steadfastly hang on to every tradition and fragment of culture that is historically theirs.

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