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Cyprus Travel Guide

Cyprus Travel Guide

Beautiful beaches, sparkling seas, glorious sunshine, fresh fish and seafood, delicious meze and a rugged wine-growing interior make Cyprus a dreamy summer holiday destination.

A much fought-over isle, this little piece of the eastern Mediterranean has been settled by the Mycenaeans, Persians, Byzantines, Crusaders, Venetians, Ottomans and the British over the centuries and now draws visitors from across the globe.

What you will find in this guide:

Practical Information

Getting to Cyprus

Getting around Cyprus

Top Things To Do

Best Beaches

For Families

For LGBTQ+ Travellers

Accessibility

Practical Info

What time zone is Cyprus in?

GMT +3

What currency do they use in Cyprus?

Euro EUR

What language do they speak in Cyprus?

Greek & Turkish

What power adapter do you need for Cyprus?

Type G (same as the UK)

what's the average flight time to Cyprus?

Avg 4-5 hrs

Getting to Cyprus

Cyprus is served by two main airports in the south - Paphos and Larnaca. Larnaca is the bigger airport but with flight time and prices similar it's usually a personal preference based on travel time to your hotel or resort.

Once you've landed in Cyprus the easiest and cheapest way to get to your hotel is by shared shuttle, we recommend booking your airport transfer before you go as it's the most hassle-free way to reach your accommodation.

If you haven't booked in advance you can get a taxi from either airport. A taxi from Paphos airport to the city centre wil cost roughly €14, or from Larnaca to the city centre it is around €10. Check the cost for other drop off points.


Getting around Cyprus

Although public transport is available, the island is only 140 miles in length so it's perfect for exploring by road. We highly recommend hiring a car for your time in Cyprus - it gives you the freedom to get out and explore the wonderful sites Cyprus has to offer from under £10 a day!

Cyprus Airport Transfers

Cyprus Airport Transfers

Pre-book your cheap Cyprus Airport transfers, with prices starting from under £10 and FREE cancellations up to 3 days before departure.

Cyprus Car Hire

Cyprus Car Hire

Pre-book your Cyprus car hire, with prices starting from just £9.82 per day with FREE cancellations*

Top things to do

Aphrodite's Rock- Petra tou Romiou

This famous rock formation is about 20 minutes south of Paphos. According to Greek mythology, this is where Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, was born. Sitting just off the coast this is an easy (and free) place to visit - and if legend is to be believed if you swim around the boulder 3 times anti-clockwise you'll achieve eternal beauty. The sea can get quite rough here, so instead of swimming we recommend viewing it from the cafe with an ice cream in hand!

Avakas Gorge

At the start of the Akamas Peninsula, Avakas Gorge is one of our favourite spots on the island. The whole peninsula is largely unreachable by roads which means its a great way to enjoy unspoiled nature. The gorge itself was created over many millennia as the river cut through the limestone rocks below, leaving walls as high as 30m. It isn't an easy hike, and the rocks can get slippery, so make sure you are dressed appropriately. If you aren't comfortable hiking in the gorge itself you could walk 2-3km to the gorge entrance from the visitor car park instead.

Tomb Of The Kings

The Tomb of the Kings is less than a mile and a half from Paphos harbour, so is easily walkable. This World Heritage site dates back to 4th century BC - and contrary to its name, was the burial place of high officials not royalty. Book in advance to secure your spot as it can get quite busy - entry is around €2.50. People usually spend 2-3 hours here, and it can get very hot so we recommend bringing water and plenty of sunscreen.

Cyprus For Families

Cyprus has plenty of sites to keep the kids entertained, including kids clubs and water parks. As the island is fairly small there are also no long painful car journeys or queues in airports!

If you're travelling with younger kids, lots of the hotels and resorts will have their own pools and kids clubs which makes keeping them entertained a little easier. Some will also host evening events as well, so make sure you check out what each resort has on offer before you book.

If your kids are slightly older there are plenty of historic sites for you to explore which should get their imagination going! And if they are animal lovers, head to the Akamas Peninsula where you can take a jeep safari tour, or a boat trip out to the Blue Lagoon.

If you're staying in Paphos then make time to visit Aphrodite Waterpark which has pools and slides for kids of all ages (plus a lazy river for the parents!)

Best beaches

Nissi Beach Cyprus

Nissi Beach

Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa is hugely popular, which does mean it is likely to be busy but there's a reason it has so many visitors. It has beautiful white sand, crystal clear water and a sand walkway that can be crossed at low tide to reach Nissi island (which the beach is named after). There are plenty of beachside bars and resturants, and a watersports centre to keep you entertained.

Coral Bay Cyprus

Coral Bay

Coral Bay is the most popular beach near Paphos, with 600m of sandy beach with headlands at each end. The headlands protect the beach from strong currents which makes it a popular beach to swim in, and really family friendly. There are also sea caves to explore in the rockier parts of the coast, and you can escape the crowds if you walk further down the beach.

Coral Bay Cyprus

Lara Beach

If you want to avoid the crowds then Lara beach is a great choice. In the Akamas peninsula, an area of around 230km2 of valleys, gorges and sandy beaches, it's a quieter, more natural beach. It's also a breeding ground for turtles so if you time your visit right you may get to see one (be sure to always respect the wildlife).

Or how about...

Fig Tree Bay

Fig Tree Bay takes its name from the trees that line the coast, and this beautiful sandy beach is much quieter than Ayia Napa beaches. The waters here are shallow and there are smaller paddling pools, so it's a great safe location for those with kids. Fig Tree Bay often ranks highly in best beaches in Europe lists, and it's not hard to see why.

Cape Greco

If sitting on a towel on some sand is a little tame for you, then head to Cape Greco. It's a great spot for hiking and the sea caves make for more intersting swimming and exploration opportunities. At low tide you can wander into the caves, set into the cliff side - when the tide is higher you'll see lots of people cliff diving.

Cyprus For LGBTQ+ Travellers

Although the gay scene in Cyprus isn't as developed as other Med hot spots, this is a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. Although the country is socially conservative it does have LGBTQ+ laws in place, and same-sex activity is legal.

If you're looking to hit the beach then there are some excellent choices. Near Ayia Napa you should visit Kermia beach - or in the south there is Pissouri and Governor beach.

You'll find a lively nightlife in Larnaca and of course in Ayia Napa - and there are plenty of gay-friendly establishments found all over the island.

You can find more great video content on our YouTube channel

Holiday Extras Travel Guides

Accessibility In Cyprus

Both Paphos and Larnaca airports have accessible facilities - including washrooms, charging stations for wheelchairs, ramps and assistive services.

When you're choosing a hotel, the Cyprus tourist office has inspected the facilities and identified a list of establishments which provide satisfactory levels of service. Though it's always a good idea to check with each hotel what they have on offer.

Though effort has been made to make moving around Cyprus comfortable, they do recommend those with mobility issues be accompanied. Public transport can also be arranged with prior notice - with special buses and taxis suitable for transporting wheelchairs.

Beaches and places of interest will clearly display whether they are accessible, and it's worth checking before you arrive to avoid disappointment. There are 26 beaches designated as fully accessible, with 6 of these having the innovative "Seatrac" which offers full access to the sea. Visit Cyprus have provided an excellent leaflet which gives more information about what facilites are available - we highly recommend you use this guide throughout your holiday.