4 Places You Need to See in Cyprus (With Photos & Map)

Interested in finding out about the 4 places to see for your trip to Cyprus with a nice itinerary to go along with it? Although this country was not a destination we intended to visit, we discovered some extraordinary sites there.

As I already admitted it, Cyprus was never somewhere we specifically intended to visit, but the way our trip panned out meant we ended up going there not once, but twice! To make the most of low-cost flights, we first made a stopover in Cyprus on our way to Lebanon from Turkey. Then, seeing as it was impossible to cross the land border between Israel and Lebanon, we flew to Greece before heading for Israel with a second stop-off in Cyprus. By doing this, we saved several hundred dollars and we were able to discover the beauties of this marvelous island!

The Places You Need to See in Cyprus

Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa is situated on the far east of the island of Cyprus. There you can find the most beautiful coastline, especially in the Cape Greco National Forest Park. The best beach on the island (and consequently the most visited) is by far Nissi Beach, with its turquoise transparent waters.

Love Bridge, Ayia Napa

Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa

Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa

Sea Caves, Ayia Napa

Paphos

In terms of beautiful scenery Paphos is equally well endowed. Situated on the West of the island, the region of Paphos is full of striking rocky landscapes and beautiful beaches, including Coral Beach. Paphos’s port is charming. We visited the “Tombs of the Kings” which are subterranean tombs that form a necropolis.

Coral Beach, Paphos

Wild Beach, Paphos

Sea Caves, Paphos

White River Beach, Paphos

Lara Beach, Paphos

Tombs of the kings, Paphos

Tombs of the kings, Paphos

Paphos Medieval Castle

Larnaca

In Larnaca, we made the absolute most of the beaches and the hotel swimming pool. This town, one of the most ancient in the world, is also nicknamed “ the town of Saint Lazarus”. You know, the Lazarus that Jesus brought back to life? Well he died a second time, for good, and was buried in Larnaca. There you can find his tomb and several relics.

Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca

Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca

McKenzie Beach, Larnaca

Limassol

Limassol is a large town with a medieval castle, an old port and an amazing cliff side path for wandering along the seaside. The archaeological site of Kourion unearthed traces of occupation dating back to Neolithic times. It’s also in Limassol that Richard the Lionheart, after having conquered the island, married Berengeria thereby making her the Queen of England.

Kourion Ancient Theater

Limassol

Kourion Archeological Site

Kourion Beach

Aphrodite’s Rock

For a better preparation

Itinerary

Did you know Cyprus is divided in two? The state in the north of Cyprus, which is officially called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is not recognized by any other country apart from Turkey. The Republic of Cyprus, which is located in the southernmost part of the island, is part of the European Union. They speak Greek, use the Euro, and you can see orthodox churches all around. Between the two states is the Green Line, a demilitarized zone controlled by UN peacekeepers. The two states share the same capital – Nicosia, which is also split in two by the green line.

And that’s not all! There are also two British territories at the center of the Greek region, which contain two sovereign military bases. You can therefore hear the British accent everywhere you go, so we kept feeling like we were in the British countryside, but with a lot more sunshine!

During our first visit to the island of Cyprus, we landed in Nicosia, on the Turkish side, and tried to leave again from Larnaca, on the Greek side (which ended up being a bit problematic!) In Larnaca, we had a bit of a rest, and simply went to the beaches and swam in the hotel pool.

Our second stay was a little bit more active, and we were able to discover the marvelous regions of Paphos, Limassol and Ayia Napa, which are all in the Greek territory.

Accomodation

During our two nights in Larnaca, we stayed in a seaside hotel with a pool. On our second trip, we used an apartment in Paphos as a base camp to visit the other regions by car.

Our hotel at Larnaca

Transportation

We were driving a magnificent Toyota Prius C Hybrid (orange coloured, which almost melted into the background), which was very efficient considering the 700km of tar and gravel it covered. I quickly got used to driving on the left, although admittedly I had already had some experience when in the United Kingdom.

We drove a Toyota Prius C Hybrid

Food

If you only try a single local speciality, make sure it’s Sheftalie – a kind of mincemeat sausage seasoned and braised. It’s delicious!

Sheftalia, Cyprus Specialty

When by the coast, don’t miss out on eating fresh seafood!

A Fish Platter

Expenses

The cost of our trip to Cyprus for our family of 4 amounted to:

• 1.002,48 EUR (1,055.71 USD)
• 167,08 EUR (175.95 USD) per day
• 41,77 EUR (43.99 USD) per person per day.

In detail :

In a nutshell

Conclusion

We will always have fantastic memories of Cyprus, especially the time we illegally tried to leave the island from Larnaca after having entered in Nicosia, an EU entry point not recognised by the international community. Next stop : Israel and Palestine!

==> Download all our photos of Cyprus for free!

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