Cyprus Travel Blog – A locals Guide To Mediterranean Paradise

Tia — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 21:32:42 +0000

Cyprus Travel Blog – Finally the first article on my own country! I am a proud Greek Cypriot blogger than is head over heels in love with my country, and I cannot wait to tell you all about it!

In this Cyprus travel blog, you will find the initial information you need to visit this island paradise of mine! Budget, Climate, Cyprus Tips, food, and many more are right here.

I have TONS of articles on Cyprus, but this one should be your first stop before you read anything else. So let’s dive right in!

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Cyprus Paradise

Cyprus Travel Blog – Location of Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus is located in the Mediterranean, in the European continent! Cyprus is on the southeast of Greece, south of Turkey, north of Egypt, northwest of Israel and Lebanon, and west of Syria.

It is also the third-largest Mediterranean island. Our motherland, Greece is only a 2hrs flight away, Lebanon 50 minutes, and Israel, a mere 45 minutes.

Why you should Visit Cyprus

Are you a crystal clear beach lover? Sunset enthusiast? Do you enjoy filling your tastebuds with incredible food? How about exploring mountains and Scenic villages? Cosmopolitan beach clubs and incredible parties?

Then the answer is simple; visit Cyprus. On this paradisiacal island, you will find many treasures and delights, worth exploring.

It is no wonder that many British, American, and German locals are choosing to retire in Cyprus. Here, life is easy…and rather beautiful if I do say so myself!

Cavo Greko, Protaras

Cyprus Travel Blog – Language and Religion in Cyprus

Cyprus is an independent island with its own flag and government. We do however hold a close relationship with Greece and are considered Greek Cypriots. The official language is Greek, although we speak it with a Cypriot dialect – our accent is similar to the one spoken in Crete, one of Greece’s incredible islands!

English is widely spoken here partly because of the huge number of tourists that visit per year. Additionally, because Cyprus used to be an English Colony until 1960 when it gained its independence after 82 years of British Control.

The biggest part of the Cypriot population (around 78% of the total population) belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus. The Turkish – Cypriots (18%) are Muslim.

The churches in Cyprus – especially in the cities are rather grand and impressive! You will not encounter many whitestone little churches like you will on the Greek Islands.

Moutoullas Village

Cities to Visit in Cyprus – A local’s tips

Phew, I don’t know where to start! In my opinion, you should visit every city in Cyprus 🙂 The ”free” and unoccupied part of Cyprus (more on that later) is divided into these cities: Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, and Ayia Napa/Paralimni.

I have an article listing what to do in each of these cities, as well as agrotourism options in Troodos mountains and surrounding villages so check it out to learn more…

Local Vineyard

Cyprus Travel Blog – Where to stay in Cyprus

There are literally hundreds of hotels in Cyprus – and a good few of them are extremely luxurious and breathtaking. Below, I will list a few that I have personally stayed at, and that fall into the affordable luxury category!

Nicosia: The capital hasn’t got too many great hotels but it does have some beautiful Airbnbs! Here are my two faves: This 3 bedroom flat in central Nicosia and this beautiful Studio with its own private pool!

Limassol: Alasia Boutique Hotel– Luxury and elegance is great for sophisticated elegance away from the noise.

Ayia Napa: The 4* Napa Mermaid Hotel is an absolute favorite of mine- I have visited over 7 times! It’s heavenly!

Protaras: Families or a group of friends will LOVE the Incredible Villa Oniro – a villa of 4 huge en suite bedrooms, garden swimming pool, and jacuzzi. I spent a glorious week there and I was in heaven! Alternatively, Sophia’s Seaview is a beautiful, luxe and modern flat in the center of Protaras Avenue – you wouldn’t even need to rent a car!

Also, check out these Agrotourism Hotel and cottages options for a real slice of Cyprus culture!

Also check out Paphos and Larnaca

Paphos: I am OBSESSED with the new and incredible 5* Amavi Hotel in Kato Paphos. This is an adults and couples only luxurious hotel! Paphos is very popular with families with small children, so the Amavi is a breath of quiet, peaceful and fresh air.

Larnaca: If you are visiting Larnaca (popular with foreign pensioners) I would advise you to stay close to Makenzie! This area has some lively beach bars, excellent food and parties. The 4-bedroom Makenzie Sunset Apartment is a great choice!

If you want a slightly more mature vibe, then choose to stay close to the Finikoudes area

Cyprus Travel Blog – Climate

Can you handle the heat? Cyprus is…gloriously sunny, and more often than not, beautifully warm. Ok tourists might call it boiling hot…But we love it!

Here in Cyprus, we enjoy an intense Mediterranean climate, with long and dry summers from mid–May to mid–October, and mild winters from December to February, which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons.

Winters are mild to average with rain in all cities and snow only on Troodos Mountains (usually starting before Christmas).

June, July, and August average a temp of 30-37 degrees, and they have been known to tip the scales at over 40 degrees too. So if you are fussy about the heat, I would skip those months!

Average temperatures in May, September, and October are 24-30 degrees.

When to visit Cyprus

Traveling in the winter is definitely cheaper, although you will miss the true magic of this island! A good compromise would be to visit in May, Sep, or October for lower temperatures and cheaper travels. If you want more info on national holidays and budget options, read my guide on the perfect time to visit Cyprus

The country truly comes alive with the sun – so beach lovers take note! The beach club and beach restaurant season starts in May and goes on until the end of September.

Cuisine in Cyprus – Mouthwatering food

Hello gorgeousness! Ooohhh the food in Cyprus is INSANE. I have had so many friends visit me over the years and the one thing everyone agrees is this: Nothing beats the food here. Period.

Cypriot cuisine is a happy marriage of Greek cuisine with an added Cypriot oomph and flair. Perfectly seasoned meats, fresh seafood, vibrant vegetables, and crunchy salads are what you will encounter here. Incredible deserts, fresh local fruit, and a great local wine scene put the cherry on an already stunning cake.

The watermelons in Cyprus are to die for! As for vegetarians and vegans, we Cypriots fast twice a year during Xmas and easter so finding dishes without animal products won’t be difficult at all – just ask the waiter! Check out the most incredible food in Cyprus that you simply MUST have

Traditional Cyprus Desserts

Cyprus Travel Blog – Transportation and Airports

Cyprus has two airports, Larnaca Airport – LCA -(the main airport, and the newest one) and Paphos Airport – PFO. Cheaper airlines like Easy Jet and Ryan Air fly into Paphos airport.

Larnaca is a 30-minute drive from the capital city Nicosia, and from the gorgeous seaside protagonists Ayia Napa and Protaras. Paphos, on the other hand, is closer to the city of Limassol (30 minutes) but much further from the other cities. It is a 1.5 hr drive from Larnaca, and 2hr drive from Nicosia.

Transportation

As far as transportation goes, don’t expect a great deal of public transport! For starters, we have no metro or train service and no local Cypriot takes the bus anywhere. We all drive here, and I would 100% suggest you rent a car if you want to REALLY see Cyprus in all its glory!

You can drive to the other cities, or do a road trip of the island at your own pace. The average cost of hiring a car is 15-20 euros daily. You should also know that here in Cyprus, we drive on the left side of the road, as the UK does. There are other forms of transportation too:

By scooter. If you are set on only visiting one city, you can hire a scooter or a quad. You will find them easily accessible in touristic cities like Ayia Napa and Protaras, Paphos and Limassol. The average price is 260 euros for a week.
Supercar. Luxe travelers can hire a luxury car or hire a driver! This luxury car company, offers supercars, luxury cars, city cars, and SUVs for rent.
By the humble bus. There is a public bus system available, that can take you from city to city and inland too. In the past 3 years, Cyprus has done a lot to improve the public transportation of the island. As a result, it now caters to the backpacker and humble tourist!

What are the different modes of transport available from the airport to the city?

There are 2 airports in Cyprus. The closest to Nicosia is Larnaca International Airport which is a 25-minute drive from Nicosia. Paphos Airport on the other side of the island is 2hr drive from the city.

The most used form of transportation is Kapnos Airport shuttle as it is cheap, reliable and runs regularly and through most hours of the day and night. For their timetable and fares, click here.

TIP: Kapnos has a designated pick up spot which means that they will not be picking you up from your chosen accommodation so you will need either a taxi or a bus to get to the pickup spot.

Cyprus Travel Blog – Charging your devices

In Cyprus the power plugs and sockets are type G. The standard voltage is 240 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. The Type G electrical plug is a British three-pin rectangular blade plug, therefore UK travelers do not need a travel adapter in Cyprus!

Visitors from Greece, the US, Canada, and South America will need an International travel adapter. I am linking mine that I got from Amazon years ago, and still works perfectly!

Packing Tips For Cyprus

Make sure you pack for the heat! Think light clothing, plenty of bikinis, a pashmina to cover up for monuments and church visiting, and plenty of sandals and flip flops. My Greece packing guide will come in handy as it is perfect with all tips to pack for Cyprus!

Cyprus Travel Blog – Political Situation and history

Sadly, my beautiful island is not a free country. In 1974, Turskish Troops invaded Cyprus, killed slaughtered and raped thousands, and forcibly took a chunk of the country for themselves.

The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, code-named by Turkey as Operation Atilla, was a Turkish military invasion of the island country of Cyprus. It was launched on 20 July 1974, following the Cypriot coup d’état on 15 July 1974.

To this day, they live in our previous houses, illegally sell our land as their own, and even founded their own ‘fake government – a government that NO nation in the world will recognize.

There is immense beauty to be found in the North Part of Cyprus, but I will never advise or encourage anyone to visit – both for safety and morality. If you get in any trouble there- well good luck to you because this ”state” is not recognized by any state, country or organization in the world!

Keryneia – North Cyprus

Safety in Cyprus

For optimal health, I highly suggest packing a Medication Travel Bag. Pharmacies are fully stocked here, but medicines are more expensive here in comparison to the UK for example!

As for safety for travelers, Cyprus is generally very safe – with petty thefts occurring every now and then. Pickpocketing isn’t even common, although travelers at the beach should not leave belongings unattended! Things are easygoing here, so be careful, but no paranoid, you are safe!

Thank you for reading my Cyprus Travel Blog! Don’t forget to subscribe below for travel news and discounts! Let me know, have you visited Cyprus yet?

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