Cyprus Travel Guide

This travel guide for Cyprus highlights the top places to visit, how to get around, safety, scams, logistics and more to help you plan the ultimate independent holiday getaway.

Cyprus is a captivating destination. Actually located in the Middle East, in the Mediterranean between Turkey, Israel, and Egypt, it’s part of the European Union.

The beaches fringing the island are some of the best beaches of Europe, making it an ideal vacation spot. A few are even Ibiza-wanna-be party beaches. In additional to its golden sandy beaches and lively nightlife, there’s a ton of fascinating history here, with ancient archeological digs dotting the island. Some dating all the way back to the Neolithic Age!

There’s also living history to witness here, as the country is divided into the Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyrus in the northeast. There has been some violence in the past, and tension continues use today, but it’s mainly safe. Just make sure to comply with all the rules and respect both sides when crossing the borders.

There are so many great spots located throughout the island, the ideal transportation method is to rent a car. If you’re on a set budget, however, you can see them by bus and taxi. It just takes a lot more patience and additional time.

This travel guide and the posts on Cyprus are updated as of December 2022.

Top Attractions In Cyprus

I’ve outlined the top attractions of Cyprus below. To learn more detail, see my post on the Best Tourist Attractions Of Cyprus. For even more detail, see my posts on the individual cities of Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia, and Paphos. Unfortunately, it really is best to see the highlights of each, rather than focusing on just one area.

Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa has some of the best beaches on the island, with plush, creamy sand and the gentle waves of the stunningly blue Mediterranean.

Nissi Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful, is a party beach. It’s full of young people with music playing all through the day. It even has a dance floor and foam parties.

There’s also the family beaches of Glyki Nero, west of Lover’s Bridge, Konnos Beach, nestled below steep, green headlands, and Makronissos Beach. Makronissos is unique with a fishtail-like land mass extending into the sea, flanked with beaches on both sides.

Each is impressive in its own way, so try them all if you can.

Ayia Napa also has Cape Greco National Forest Park.This remarkable park is near the peninsula, on the east coast of southern Cyprus. It’s fun to explore its highlights, like Lover’s Bridge, the Sea Caves, Cape Greco viewpoint, and the Blue Lagoon. You can also just enjoy riding buggies through the trails around the peninsula.

The Best Things To Do In Ayia Napa covers tall the details of the beautiful to beaches and fascinating landscape features here, as well as how to get to each.

Protaras

Protaras, up above Ayia Napa, on the eastern coast of Cyprus, also has some stunning beaches. It’s most popular is Fig Tree Bay, a long stretch of thick golden sand lined with many cafes, restaurants, bars, and hotels.

This friendly beach attracts all age groups. It’s a little quieter than party capital neighbor Ayia Napa, and not far from its fabulous beaches, so also makes a great place to book a room.

I did not write a more detailed post about Protaras, as, honestly, I just used this city as a base for my stay. I enjoyed the beach here, found plenty of restaurants and cafes, and found it mostly quiet at night. There are also regular buses down to the sites in Ayia Napa and many intercity buses.

Larnaca

Larnaca, Cyprus’s oldest town, is mainly known for Larnaca International airport, where most tourists arrive. But there are sites here too. There’s Finikoudes Beach, a long strip of beach in the center of town, near all the bars and restaurants. There’s also Mackenzie Beach, closer to the airport, also with bars and cafes. These beaches, and their bars, turn into party zones at night.

There’s also history here. An old fortress/castle, Larnaca Castle, that hosts open-air performances and an Old Town with shops, cafes, and bars, to explore.

This is also where you’ll find Saint Lazarus Church, named after Lazareth of Bethany. If you don’t recognize the name, he was resurrected from the dead by Jesus in the New Testament. Some beleive he escaped to this city (known as Kition at the time), became a Bishop, and lived out the rest of his days. This church was built over his reputed final tomb (although there are stories surrounding that too).

The Best Things To Do In Larnaca covers this city in more detail, along with the interesting story that its original name, Kition, may come from one of Noah’s grandsons, Kitim, that, according to the book of Genesis, founded it many, many centuries ago.

Limassol

Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus, located on the southern coast, partway between Paphos and Larnaca. It’s a bustling city, fringed with basic, but nice beaches, a charming Old Town, a long boardwalk, and ancient Limassol Castle.

There’s also a new harbor here. The old harbor area was recently renovated, boasting million dollar villas attracting wealthy holiday makers with their yachts. I expect this area will just continue to grow in the future with the influx of people this brings.

I honestly found the beaches of Limassol a little disappointing though. The sand is grey, lightly pebbled, and not very plush. But if you want to holiday by the nearby city life, they work. There are, however, some better options not too far away, like Kourion Beach and Governor’s Beach.

The plus side of Limassol is its vibrant city life, shopping, and nightlife. Especially the area surrounding Limassol Castle.

There are several great day trips options to the west of Limassol. The first is Kolossi Castle, dating to the islands Crusader days. This castle also has an ancient sugarcane factory sitting beside it (although it’s still under excavation).

There’s also Kourion Archeological Park, the ruins of a Greco-Roman city perched on a cliff over the Mediterranean. The best preserved ruins on the island, if you only have time for one archeological site, this one is the best choice. The Sanctuary of Apollo is also nearby, a religious site dating back as far as the 8th century BC. Plus, all three, Kolossi, Kourion, and the Sanctuary of Apollo, are relatively close, making a great day trip. The Best Things To Do In Limassol explains them all, and how to get there, in more detail.

Paphos

Paphos sits on Cyprus’s west coast. And although its beaches are mostly rocky, and the sea is not as brilliant blue as on the east coast, this beach gets lovely sunsets, as it’s on the west coast. Lined with a long boardwalk filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, and boutique hotels overlooking the sea, it’s also lively.

If sandy beaches are important, and you want to stay on the west side, there are a few sandy beaches tucked away, like Coral Bay, up north, and Lighthouse Beach.

Just know that if you stay in Paphos, you may be a it surprised to see the city is a little neglected and run down just outside the resort area. It’s very safe though.

What Paphos lacks in sandy beaches, it makes up for with wonderful archaeological sites. Kato Paphos Archeological Park contains the ruins of a vast 2nd century Greco-Roman city. You can explore the ruins of several villas with dazzling mosaics, an ancient theater, an Agora, and more.

And there’s Tombs of Kings, an amazing necropolis, not too far from Paphos Beach. These tombs were carved into the rock from the 3rd century BC to 4 AD. Some are very elaborate, like underground houses, which is how this site was incorrectly labeled as Tombs of Kings.

There are also great day trips from Paphos. Aprhrodite’s Rock, about 30-minutes southeast of Paphos, makes a great afternoon. According to legend, this photogenic spot is the birthplace of the Goddess Aphrodite.

And there’s also the Blue Lagoon up in Akamas Peninsula National Park. This secluded bay, with its clear blue water, is a beautiful place to swim. It’s a little challenging to get to, yet it’s a very popular spot. 10 Fabulous Attractions of Paphos covers more details, and how to get to all these sites.

Nicosia

Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, is the only remaining capital divided by two countries. It’s the Republic of Cyprus on its southern side and the Northern Republic of Turkish Cyprus (NRTC) on the north. Although there have been decades of strife and sometimes tragic violence between the two sides, today it’s safe for tourists to cross the Green Line into northern Nicosia. The sides are divided by a buffer zone called the Green Line. It’s common for tourists to queue at the pedestrian checkpoints on Ledra Street, on the Green Line, with their passports.

On the south side of Nicosia, you can explore the old Venetian city walls and see some of its historic gates. The Cyprus Museum is one of its top highlights. It contains all the artifacts from the many archeological digs around the island, so completes them.

On the Turkish side of Nicosia, there are some old Ottoman roadside inns to explore, now filled with shops and cafes. There’s also Semiliye Mosque, which was once a Cathedral used for coronations of the Kings of Cyprus, a nostalgic market, street art, and plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops. The people here are also quite friendly, making a day here fun as well as intersting.

The Best Things To Do In Nicosia covers all the details.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

There are also sites to see in the TRNC, although I honestly did not make it outside of northern Nicosia. There was just so much more to do in Cyprus than I expected and could not see it all.

Some highlights include Saint Hilarion Castle, perched on one of the peaks of the Kyrenia mountain range. The view from these ruins looks amazing. They say on a clear day you can even see all the way to mainland Turkey. This castle started as a watchtower to protect the northern port here, later becoming the summer resort for Lusignan nobility.

Another site is ancient Salamis, located north of Famagusta. This was the capital of Cyprus in the 11th century BC, prospering into Roman times. It includes an ancient gymnasium surrounded by statues, a large theater, and public baths.

The ghost town of Famagusta is also on the Turkish side. Tragically, this was once the top resort area of Cyprus, attracting celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Bridget Bardot. In 1974, Turkey invaded the north, taking it over and displacing all the citizens living and working here. Now it’s full of vacant buildings waiting for peace and resolution.

Best Time To Visit Cyprus

The best time to visit Cyprus temperature-wise is outside the toastiest summer months, from May to June and September and October. It gets quite hot here, and if visiting the cities, or archeological sites, understand that they’re even hotter than the beaches. December to April is rainy season.

Languages In Cyprus

The official language in the Republic of Cyprus is Greek. In the Northern Turkish Republic of Cyprus (NTRC) it’s Turkish. Most everyone also speaks English, especially in tourist areas.

Cyprus Travel Guide: Money Matters

Currency

The currency of the Republic of Cyprus is the Euro, while the currency of the NRTC is the Turkish Lira. In the northern area of Nicosia, I found places that took both Euro and Turkish Lira. They probably do not give the best exchange rate, but if it’s a small purchase, it’s not a big deal. I think my lunch here was $5 total.

The conversion rates for the Euro as of January 1, 2024 are as follows.

• 1 USD = .91 Euro
• 1 CNY=.13 Euro

The conversion rates for the Turkish Lire as of January 1, 2024 are as follows.

• 1 USD=29.63
• 1 CNY=4.16

Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit and Debit Cards are widely accepted in major cities, especially MasterCard and Visa. American Express may only be accepted by larger establishments. Outside large cities, cash may be the currency of choice, so carry some.

Tipping: In touristy places, tipping is greatly appreciated with 10% as standard in restaurants. Check your bill first, however, to make sure a service fee is not already added. For bellman and housekeeping staff, a euro or two per bag or day is sufficient.

Cyprus Travel Guide: Safety

Cyprus is relatively safe, but pick-pocketing and petty theft can occur in touristy areas. Take normal precautions, always being vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Don’t carry too much cash and keep a close eye on your purse or wallet. 

It’s also important here to take caution in the UN buffer zone in Nicosia between the Republic of Cyprus and the NRTC. Also stay informed on any escalations that may be brewing by reading in the news and researching government travel websites. There are rarely issues, but the undercurrent of stress can be felt on both sides here. Keep in mind that some Cypriots were displaced from their homes by the Turkish takeover of 1974. Many citizens still live in a constant state of stress, so it’s important to be respectful of the situation here and non-judgemental for either side. It’s best to not even bring it up.

Always read up on the latest situation on government travel advisory websites. It’s also a good idea to sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), or similar with your country to be updated if an issue does arise.

My Personal Thoughts On Safety In Cyprus

I understand concerns you may have about Cyprus after reading the information above, so want to add more personal comments.

The Republic of Cyprus and The NRTC

Yes, the situation between the north and south here is tragic, but the two sides are doing the best they can to cope with the situation. I personally found it very safe to cross from the south to the north at the pedestrian checkpoint on Ledra street. They also don’t stamp your passport on the Turkish side, so you don’t have to worry about security issues when leaving Cyprus, or if you ever return.

I mention above to be respectful of both sides and not bring the opposite side up to either in conversation. From a personal example, I was talking to a Cypriot on the southern side about all the wonderful and friendly, wild cats roaming Cyprus. He was boasting about it in a way as it truly is a lovely aspect of a Cyprus that these cats are wild, friendly, and cared for by the locals. They’re everywhere! Without thinking I responded that it reminded me of Turkey, where there are also many stray cats. He instantly iced over, making me realize that the tensions here run very, very deep and could escalate quickly. I still wish I could take that comment back…and it was a very simple one.

Personal Property Safety

Aside from the tensions between the Republic of Cyprus and the NRTC, what I write above about personal safety is pretty much my standard travel guide warning for safer countries. I want to add, however, that I personally felt very, very safe here. Safer than most that I wrote this same warning for.

Once I accidentally left my wallet (passport, credit cards, and cash) in my luggage in a common area of a hostel before I could check in. I went to go eat only to discover I had no way to pay. I raced back to learn that no one had touched my personal property at all. As I had been gone for over an hour and was staying in a place where many local Cypriots were also staying, I was pretty amazed. Especially since they were there because they were temporarily homeless (a temporary housing shortage).

In another incident, I managed to drop my credit and debit card in a parking lot outside a different hotel (Ugh!). I realized it as soon as I got to my room, but decided not to panic right away. About 15 minutes later, staff knocked on my door and returned them. Someone had found them and turned them in. I was completely blown away. I’m sure things can happen, as they can anywhere, but after these incidents, I was not the least bit worried about my personal property. It’s still wise to be cautious though.

I also want to add that I felt safe walking solo at night in the main cities of the south.

Cyprus Travel Guide: Scams

Cyprus is generally safe, but there are always a few people trying to take advantage of tourists, especially in touristy areas. Most Cypriots seem more focused on the internal strife going on between the north and the south than on scamming tourists. I can’t speak to the tourists though!

Drink Scams

This scam starts with an attractive lady (or man) starting a conversation that leads to them asking you to join them for a drink. They will lead you to an establishment that’s likely off the beaten path, and in on the scam. When the bill comes, it will be outrageous. If you can’t pay the astronomical fee, large bouncers will appear and escort you to an ATM to help you get the cash. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you think the advance is legitimate, recommend a different location in a popular, and trusted, spot.

Tampered Cigarettes Scam

I’ve read that fake cigarette stores can sell tampered cigarettes. Only buy cigarettes from reputable stores and check the packaging to make sure they haven’t been tampered with. Better yet, don’t smoke at all. There is no smoking inside hotels, bars, restuarants, or public buildings anyway (so nice!).

Skimming At ATMs

Always look at the ATM carefully before using it. Do you see hidden cameras that may video tape you entering your pin, does the card skimmer look like an original, or look tampered with, or is there an overlay over the keypad capturing your pin? Always check thoroughly for suspicious add-ons and cover your pin with your hand as you enter it.

Misrepresented Rooms

Double check advertisements for rooms, read reviews, and only rent from reputable sources.

Cyprus Travel Guide: Getting Around

Flying Into Cyprus

There are two international airports with flights into the Republic of Cyprus. One is in Paphos (on the west side) and one is in Larnaca (on the east side). Larnaca is the main airport, although Paphos has some of the low cost carriers.

Due to complications of Cyprus and the NRTC, which is not officially recognized by anyone but Turkey, and all the legal issues associated with that, please do detailed research if you plan to enter Cyprus any other way. There is an airport and a port in northern Cyprus, but if you enter here and plan to visit the south, that may be considered illegal entry by the Republic of Cyprus.

Airport Buses

Both the Larnaca and Paphos airports have buses that run regularly.

From the Paphos airport, take the Paphos Bus 612 to Kato Paphos, which is the beach area, or the Paphos Bus 613 to Paphos city center (inland). Both buses will be in front of the terminal.

From the Larnaca airport, the following Larnaca Buses will take you to the Old Town of Larnaca. The Finikoudes stop is the stop in the center of town and where you can catch other intercity buses (these go to Paphos, Nicosia, Protaras, Ayia Napa, and more).

Taxi

Cyprus does not use Uber. They use CABCY, which you can download from the App Store. CABCY can be used to preorder a taxi from the Paphos and Larnaca airport. They will ask for your flight number, so they can see if it is running late. You will need to use a phone number with this service, so will need a local or international number in advance. CABCY does not currently run in Paphos beyond the airport at this time. It is in Nicosia (southern side), Ayia Napa, Limassol, and Larnaca. They hope to expand it in the near future. They do not, and will not operate in the TRNC.

Getting Around Cyprus

Self-Drive

Self-driving is the best way to see all the highlights of Cyprus, as they’re scattered all over the country.

Driving is done on the left-hand side of the road, so make sure you’re OK with that first. Also know that most rental car companies only insure the vehicle on the side you rent the car from. This means you may not be able to cross the border with it. Another option is to drop your car off on one side of the border and pick up another on on the other side. Make sure to talk to rental car agencies in advance if this is in your plan.

The general rule for an International Driving permit in Cyprus is that if your license is in a Latin or Greek alphabet, you do not need one, but talk to your rental car company about this too.

Bus

Cyprus City Buses

The public bus system in Cyprus is better in some cities (and locations) than others, most following the set schedule. I did, however, run into a few issues, so be prepared with lots patience if you chose to use the bus system. I found it to be the best in the most touristy areas, the 101/102, which runs along the east coast through Ayia Napa, Protaras and Paralimni was fantastic. The buses in Paphos to see the tourist sites of Coral Bay, Tombs of Kings, and Aphrodite’s Rock were also good (although had no air conditioning).

I did run into several problems with the buses in Limassol. Especially the buses to Kourin Archeological Park, as they do not follow the schedules posted online. It took much longer than expected to catch one heading out there, and I had to wait several hours for one heading back (several never showed).

I also talked to a tourist that was dropped a mile short of the Kourion bus stop. He said the driver told him he could not drive on British Territory. The bus stop is on British Territory, yet that is the scheduled route! I’m not sure if they had a problem with one driver, or if that is a consistent issue. Overall, I also found the bus drivers in Limassol to be less than friendly. The more touristic cities were better, but I did still have intermittent problems.

Cyprus Intercity Buses

The Cyprus Intercity Buses are good. Although the scheduled bus from Fig Tree Bay to Nicosia never arrived. I ended up taking a bus all the way up to the Famagusta central bus station to get one to Nicosia as it was the only one scheduled for that stop that day. Not a big deal, but frustrating.

Taxi

It seems strange not to add a note on taxis here, but I honestly did not see many at all. If you use the bus system, there are a few sites that are not covered by buses, like the Sanctuary of Apollo. Plus, being close to Kourion and Kolossi Castle, it’s best to try to coordinate them all in one trip. You may be able to take the bus to the area and taxi between the other sites.

Cyprus does not use Uber. They use CABCY, which you can download from the App Store. It operates in Limassol, Larnaca, Ayia Napa, and south of the Green Line in Nicosia. You will need a phone number on your phone to be able to use this service, so either need an international phone plan or SIM card.

Cyprus Travel Guide: Visa Information

Cyprus is part of the EU, although not part of the Schengen (except the TRNC, which is under Turkish control). This means all EU Member States can enter without a visa. Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway can also enter visa-free as well as US citizens. For more details and more countries, see Cyprus Visa Information. It’s also a good idea to read Information On Cyprus Entry Requirements to learn more. Especially the section on the TNRC, if you plan to visit there.

Although Cyprus is not part of the Schengen, it follows the same visa rules as other Schengen countries (and may be part of the Schengen in the future).This means if you are exempt from a Schengen visa, you are exempt from Cyprus visa. A 90-day stay is permitted for citizens of visa-free countries.

Cyprus Travel Guide: Top Destination Blogs & Stories

Click the below for more detailed information on the the best sites in Cyprus.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my travel guide to Cyprus. If this travel guide has been useful in planning, or just dreaming about visiting Cyprus add a comment below.

Safe Travels!

Julie

Want to learn more about me. See my About Me page to learn why I love traveling so much and read about my philosophies on travel.

Note: Everything posted in my travel guide for Cyprus was up to date at the time of posting. Sometimes things change, so let me know if something needs to be updated.