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Holiday Guide: Cyprus

Cyprus is a hotspot (literally) for tourists as it is kept warm and bright year-round by the Mediterranean sun.  During the winter season the temperatures may drop but it still receives around six hours of sunshine a day.

The landscape contains monuments to ancient history just a stone’s throw from modern developments.  There is also the pleasing contrast of sandy beaches matched against mountain peaks and olive groves.  The stunning scenery is a draw for honeymooners, coupled with the legend of Aphrodite; the Greek goddess of love rising from the sea to live in Cyprus.

It is the third biggest island in the Mediterranean located near the Middle East but aligning itself politically with Greece and Turkey.  Northern Cyprus is less touristy and is home to Turkish Cypriots, while the larger southern end of the country sides itself with Greece.  The southern side accommodates the majority of the islanders as well as most of the island’s tourists.

How to Get There

By air: The two airports in Cyprus are Larnaca and Paphos, and they are served by around 33 airlines that include Cyprus airways and Helios Airlines flying from most of the world’s major cities.  Whilst it is possible to get a direct flight from the UK, it is sometimes cheaper to book a budget flight that stops at Athens.  If you are holidaying on the south side, do not fly to the north side as border control can be picky regarding the northern stamp on your passport.

By sea: There are regular ferry lines to the island, but the most frequently used one that ran between Greece and Israel has been suspended and is now only served by the more expensive cargo ship.

What to See and Do

The capital city Nicosia (Lefkosia) is a curiosity in itself, divided by the so called Green Line that splits the city into the north and south divide.  Its many museums however, tell the story of the whole island.  The Byzantine Museum houses icons from the 9th to the 18th centuries as well as an art gallery with maps, lithographs and oil paintings.  The 15th century building of the Ethnographic Museum contains examples of local folk art from the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.  The works include carvings, embroidery, jewellery, pottery and national costumes.

During Roman times, the southwest city of Paphos was Cyprus’ capital.  As testament to its affluent history, you can see the Paphos Mosaics which date from somewhere between the 3rd and 5th centuries AD.  The mosaics had adorned the villas of Roman nobles and show beautifully elaborate images based on Roman mythology.  Following a nature trail from Akamas will take you to the Baths of Aphrodite.  This tranquil pool flanked by a fig tree and maidenhair fern is said to be where Aphrodite came to bathe and wash her hair.

Home to an international airport, Larnaca is a modern city which has retained much of its past; the Church of Agois Lazaros is a fine example of this.  This 9th church is devoted to Lazarus, believed to have been ordained Bishop of Kition after his resurrection by Jesus.

Unlike the aforementioned cities, Limassol cannot lay claim to such a rich architectural heritage.  It does however lead to the Troodos Mountains where you can experience the thrills of Mount Olympus skiing.  Enjoy a winter sport on a Mediterranean island! The snow and piste standards are not full ski resort quality, but it will be a memorable place to ski.

One monument to Limassol’s history is its 14th century castle in which the Cyprus Medieval Museum is now housed.  The castle itself gained notoriety as it is where King Richard the Crusader married Berengaria of Navarre and has her crowned Queen of England in 1191.

Beaches - The Karpaz peninsula off Kyrenia can boast a collection of lengthy sandy beaches that remain relatively empty.  Malibu beach is good for swimming due its clear blue waters, while the Golden Sands are 5 miles of beautiful, untouched coast.  West of Kyrenia is the sheltered bay of Deniz Kizi.  This is a prime location for water sports, and there are showers available so that you can clean all the sand from between your toes (and elsewhere) before you leave.

Ayia Napa can also lay claim to having some superb beaches.  Most favour Nissi beach for its bars, its tunes and its variety of water sports.  It is not a recommended beach for those wanting a quiet afternoon, as the fishing village of Ayia Napa has become Cyprus’ party central.

When to Go

March: A feast for your eyes can be found in the villages of Polemi and Stroumbi.  The wild flower festival Tulips of Cyprus is a delightful sight and scent that celebrates natural flora that a particular focus on Tulips.

June: The distinctly Cypriot celebration of Kataklysmos, also called the Festival of the Flood, is a lively event.  The festivities occur in all the seaside towns to commemorate the Greek myth of the flood which paved the way for a higher generation, similar to that of Genesis.  The event is begun with a cross tossed into the sea by the priest.  Swimmers compete to collect the cross and win a sovereign and receive a blessing.  Following this, the fun commences!  Custom usually entails that water is thrown at one another, so don’t go wearing your Sunday best.

August: In honour of the Greek god of wine, the Dionysia Festival at Strumbi is a jolly three day knees up involving folk acts, comical plays, music, a great deal of food and of course, plenty of wine.

November: Run off the excesses of the summer with the Cyprus Aphrodite Half Marathon.  The distance takes you along the scenic coast surrounding Paphos.  For those more athletically challenged, there is also the slightly less strenuous 5km fun run.

Where to Shop

The traditional crafts of Cyprus can be found all over the island, although the handed-down methods of creating intricate Lefkara lace is dying out, so be sure to buy your piece of history if you go to Cyprus and avoid street vendor imitations.  The Cypriots are also skilled with pottery, basket work, silks, silver and leather.  Jewellery making has been finely honed since the Mycenean period, while their crafted silver forks and spoons traditionally represent Cypriot hospitality.

At the Lefkara Handicraft centre in Larnaca you can still find the traditional method of lace making undertaken by highly skilled and experienced elderly ladies who learnt the task as young women.  The work is low paid and modern youth seek better jobs so the tradition is slowly disappearing, making the Handicraft Centre well worth a visit.  Cost depends on the size and complexity of the lace designs which range from Byzantian to Da Vinci styles.  There is also a silversmith’s next door which you are encouraged to see.

Laiki Geitonia is the folk district of Nicosia, boasting a collection of independent traditional craft shops where you can find plenty of well made trinkets to buy.

To find pottery in Paphos, Savvas Pottery is a good example of the hand made Cypriot style.  They have been in operation since the 1960s and create both traditional and contemporary designs.  5km from Paphos, Lemba Pottery  use “unbalanced glazes” to give their pieces a distinctive sheen and feel.

Where to Eat

It is easy to eat well in Cyprus as vegetables are varied and in good supply.  The primary meat used is probably pork, and Cypriots are known to handle it very well.  Much of the cooking is completed with olive oil and lemon juice. Breads and pastries also feature in a large part of the diet and are available in many varieties.

When dining out or grabbing a quick snack, you are likely to come across halloumi.  This is a cheese of Cyprus with a slightly rubbery consistency and often comes fried or grilled as part of your meze.  Meze is short for mezedes, or “little delicacies”, consisting of many small dishes ranging from dips to meat nibbles.  Feta cheese and olives are also popular as traditional Greek ingredients.

To try some traditional cuisine in matching surroundings, Kibris Ashevi (The Cyprus Kitchen) in Nicosia has pot roasts on the menu cooked outside in a clay sealed oven.  The décor of the restaurant itself displays a collection of Cypriot tools, embroideries, kitchenware and more giving it a distinctly museum-like appearance.  Kushabbi provides an equally authentic experience and even has a live bellydancer perform on occasion.  Their speciality dishes incorporate steak and chicken.

If you are in the north, Cafe 34 is an eatery and bar residing on Kyrenia’s old harbour.  It aims to create an atmosphere of comfort and reminiscence in its décor but plays modern music in a bid to attract young and old, local and tourist alike.

In Paphos, The Almond Tree comes highly recommended due to the efficient service and combining of diverse culinary traditions.

What to do at Night

The small village of Pomos is home to the lively joint Paradise Place.  Here they serve food and drink to the sounds of salsa, jazz and Greek music which is sometimes played live.  If you visit Cyprus in September, you may be lucky enough to catch the jazz festival hosted here.  For alternative arrangements, Jacare at Limassol is one of the area’s oldest established gay bars.

To get to the pinnacle of Cyprus nightlife, look no further than the once quiet fishing village of Ayia Napa.  Now bursting with party loving tourists the area has received some bad press, though it is said to have stabilised somewhat.  Ayia Napa is still the best place to go if you are looking for some loud late night partying in Cyprus.  The action centres on Ayia Napa square where you can buy a drink from one pub and traverse to the next.  There are often flyers handed out in the square so you can get into clubs for less so look out for these.

Voted the top club for a few years running by an online clubbers’ forum, The Kool Club is one of Ayia Napa’s major hang outs.  It has undergone renovations inside and out as well as having a new sound system fitted for an even louder experience.

The Castle Club is one of the largest in Cyprus and has three dance floors for you to flit between with a choice of RnB, dance and a chill out bar.

For a really noisy night out, head to Bedrock Inn.  This karaoke bar gives you the chance to sing your socks off for big prizes, or just to impress your mates.