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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Cyprus Seasons

For as many years i can remember Cyprus always has been busier in the summer, If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that no matter how many times travel professionals will tell people to visit Cyprus in the off-season, the vast majority of tourists will still go in the summer.
This is partly because the idea of a “summer vacation” is ingrained in our psyche, and partly because that’s when the kids are out of school – so it’s the biggest block of time when everyone can plan to take a trip.
In general, I’d say that if you can avoid taking your Cyprus vacation during the summer, you should. Yes, you’ll miss some summer-only events, but you’ll also miss out on the highest concentration of other travelers – not to mention the higher prices.
Still, here is an overview of the four seasons




Spring:

This a superb time to visit Cyprus before the resorts becomes busy for the summer. The sea may still be a little bit cold for swimming, but there are plenty of long sunny days to enjoy. Cyprus is splendid in springtime; the countryside will be alive with carpeted wild flowers, fresh green meadows and almond trees in bloom. You can explore the island at easy and enjoy the magical scenery which is peaceful, wild and very pretty. Don’t forget to bring your camera along, is truly a must.

Summer:

The coastal regions, where most of the large towns are located, have a typical Mediterranean hot and generally dry summers. Summer stretches from mid-May to mid-October, cloudless skies and long stretches of sunshine. During the daytime, sea breezes can lower the temperatures on the coast, but in the evening and overnight it can be extremely hot and humid, especially inland. As can be imagined Cyprus has the least rain and the most hours of sunshine of any other island in the Mediterranean. At this time of year, explore Cyprus sites early in the morning or in late afternoon, avoiding the hottest part of the day.

Autumn:

Is a great time to visit Cyprus if you wish to avoid the summer crowds? You can also get a great Holiday deal offer as most of the resorts reduce their prices during this period. The weather tents to get a bit cooler during the night; however you can still enjoy swimming, sunbathing and excursions to villages. October to November the leaves change colour they take on gold and crimson hues against a backdrop of crystal clear sunlight and are the perfect time to take some amazing photos.

Troodos in January

Winter:

Cyprus colder months of the year are December, January and sometimes February. Overall the island experiences a much warmer winter on average of six hours of bright sunshine per day. Snowfall can be regular and sometimes heavy in the Troodos Mountains which is ideal for skiing during the winter months but it rarely occurs in the towns along the coast so sunbathing is not an comment side.

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Nicosia

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, and is located in the centre of the island. Although the city is divided politically, it’s a great place to visit, with lots of archaeological treasure troves and buzzing nightlife. The old city is very pleasant and tranquil, while the newer parts of the city are great for people who love to shop.

Getting there

The easiest way to get to Nicosia is to fly in to Lacarna airport, which is only a half an hour drive away. You can get to Nicosia by taking one of the regular shuttle buses, or by taking a taxi.

There are buses to Nicosia from other cities in Cyprus. You can also fly in to Paphos and get a bus or taxi from there, but it will take you another hour.

Nicosia also has a port, so you can get a ferry if you are coming from Lebanon, Israel, Egypt or Greece.

Things to do in Nicosia

There are lots of museums to see here, including the Cyprus museum, Byzantine museum, National Struggle museum and the Leventis Municipal Museum (voted European Museum of the year at one time). I also recommend going to the Ledra Observatory Museum, which will give you some great views and has a very low entrance fee.

You can also go to the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, just over the road from the Cyprus museum. It holds 1200 people and has a variety of performances on all year long. Another great spot for theatre is the Famagusta gate.

I would also recommend just exploring the old city by foot. This area is mostly unaffected by tourists, and you will see some old Churches and local business, and get a feel for authentic Cyprus life. If you get tired, you can stop for some Cypriot coffee.

Shopaholics will be very happy in Nicosia. Visit the shopping district in Ledra Street, and 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. All these areas are pretty close together.

There are countless places to find great (and affordable) food in Nicosia. You will get to sample plenty of Greek, Turkish and Arabic dishes. Try a mixed pork kebab at Sham Food in Regenis St, or go to the Plaka Tavern in Archbishop makarios square for some traditional meze.

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Nissi Beach

Nissi Beach is in the famous resort of Ayia Napa, in the South-East of the island. It is a blue-flag beach, meaning it has been certified as having high standards of cleanliness and beauty. Although it gets crowded with tourists in the summer season, it’s a really beautiful place with clear Mediterranean waters and lots of fun things to do.

Getting there

We recommend flying in to Larnaca airport, and getting a taxi to Ayia Napa, which will cost you 40-55 Euros. You can also get a bus to Ayia Napa from other major cities. From Ayia Napa, it’s a 3km walk to the beach.

What to do on Nissi Beach

Ayia Napa is famous for being a clubbing town that lots of young people come to, so be aware you might be around a lot of tourists.

This is a beach so put on your best shades, sip a nice drink, and enjoy soaking up some Cyprus sun. However, if you’re looking for exciting things to do, there are lots of activities available like water-skiing, windsurfing, and pedal-boating. There are also volleyball courts and even two bungee jump attractions.

Don’t forget your sunblock!

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Larnaca Salt Lake

Larnaca’s famous salt lake is located to the west of Larnaca, near the airport. It’s the second largest salt lake in Cyprus, with total area of 2.2 km. The lake is home to 85 species of water-birds, and if you come here between November and March, you will be able to see flocks of pink flamingos.

Legend has it that the lake's saltiness stems from when St Lazarus requested food and drink from an old woman. She refused, claiming her vines had dried up, and Lazarus replied, "may your vines be dry and your lake be salty forever more."

Getting there

The salt lake is located just near the airport, so it’s easy to get to if you are staying in Larnaca town. You can get to the salt lake by catching a NO 6 bus from Platia Ayiou Lazarou (Saint Lazarus Chruch square). Once you get off the bus, you’ll have a 1km walk to get to the lake

What to do at Larnaca Salt Lake

Larnaca salt lake is a very natural, peaceful area. Enjoy taking in the beautiful scenery, and watching the many species of birds that flock here. Seeing the pink flamingos alone makes this trip worthwhile!

The Lake is actually a complex of four lakes, three of which are interconnected, so it’s worth just having a good stroll around.

Afterwards, you can also take the bus mentioned above to Kiti, where the Angeloktisti church has the most beautiful mosaic of the Virgin Mary.

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