Whether you’re looking for a gorgeous beach to relax on, a beautiful mountain range to ski down, or a traditional village to explore with a glass of local wine in hand, Cyprus is the perfect European getaway for every type of traveler!
Enjoy the fantastic nightlife, explore historic ruins, and discover ancient mythology that has fascinated tourists and locals for years.
Located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus receives over 300 days of sunshine every year, but don’t worry if you’d prefer snow – you’ll find that too.
Cyprus tends to get busy with tourists from around May until October, so book your accommodation in advance to get the best prices and availability. There are plenty of gorgeous boutique hotels and villas that are popular here, too, so you can choose a fancy resort or decide to hire a whole house easily.
A great way to see more of the country is to hire a car – it’s cheap and easy enough to do! In Cyprus, you’ll be driving on the left, so that’s something to be aware of if you’re not used to it. You can book your car online before you arrive, or you can wait to find a local rental company if you’re going in the quieter seasons.
Cyprus is a welcoming country. It’s one of the best islands in the Mediterranean to visit and you’ll be hard-pressed to find yourself bored there. Here are the top 10 things that you should experience in this stunning country.
Float In The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon in Cyprus is a stunning bay of crystal clear water located in the Akamas National Park.
You can take a boat tour or drive there on a quad bike. However, the best way is definitely to rent a boat and take it out to the lagoon yourself! You don’t need any boating experience (you just have to be over 21 with a driving license from your own country), and it really is easy to pick up once you’ve had your mini-lesson from the instructors at the rental company.
Float around in aquamarine water, taking in the beautiful views and enjoying being in control of the boat. You can spend a few hours here – take a picnic lunch and a snorkel kit – cruising past the coastline, exploring the caves and rock formations along the way!
Discover The Troodos Mountains
One of the best things to do in Cyprus is to visit the Troodos mountain region and explore the traditional cobbled towns. There is so much to see and do here that you could easily spend a week in this area alone and do something different every day!
I recommend exploring Omodos, where you can visit the Monastery of the Holy Cross and take a look at a range of ancient relics. Visit an old wine press, a cultural museum, and the famous George’s Bakery!
Lofou is another gorgeous nearby village with folk and an olive museum to discover, as well as ancient caves with interesting backstories.
If you’re looking to visit somewhere a little bigger, Platres is a great option. There are cycling routes, walking trails, and waterfalls to explore.
If you visit in the winter, take a trip to Mount Olympus and enjoy the ski resort there! Cyprus isn’t famous for its snow, but there’s plenty of it up here from around January to March.
Many tours run from Paphos up to this region, so if you want to be taken to the best spots and learn about the local life from a guide, book a day trip or cruise that incorporates lots of stops in the mountains.
Tip: If your trip to Cyprus inspires you to spend more time on the island—or even invest or relocate—you might find it helpful to know that Cyprus offers a straightforward legal framework for managing finances through trusts. Understanding the process of setting up a trust in Cyprus can be particularly valuable for those interested in protecting assets or planning for the future while enjoying everything the island has to offer.
See Turtles At The Lara Bay Conversation Station
If you’re an animal lover, then definitely make your way to Lara Bay on the west coast of Cyprus.
It’s an easy drive from Paphos, and if you visit at the right time of year (May–August), then you’ll have a high chance of being treated to some turtle action!
Green and Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on this beach, and the Conservation Station does everything it can to help the hatched baby turtles to reach the sea. You can visit it and learn all about the work they do and about the animals.
You can spend time on the beach, but the turtles are protected, so you can’t put umbrellas in the sand in case you disturb or damage the eggs. There are cages around the known egg locations and wardens walking around making sure that they’re safe.
Go Wine Tasting
Cyprus is home to the oldest wine in the world – Commandaria – so make sure you taste a glass of that before you leave. It is said that Cyprus began production of this sweet dessert wine back in the 12th century!
There are lots of vineyards and wineries dotted around the island, all offering a variety of tastings and lessons on why theirs is the best!
Either take a day tour where you can experience multiple vineyards (and not have to worry about a designated driver!) or make your own way to the wineries and see if you can enjoy a small sample.
Discover The Best Beaches
Cyprus has some absolutely gorgeous beaches, catering for party animals, romantic couples, families, and solo adventurers.
The best beaches in Cyprus are located in Paphos, Limassol, and Ayia Napa, so you won’t ever be too far away from the sand wherever you’re staying on the island.
Coral Bay is a great contender for the best beach in Cyprus, but Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa comes up a close second. Just be prepared for crowds everywhere in the high season!
Some of the best beaches in Cyprus don’t have any facilities, but that’s what makes them great because there are fewer other tourists around! Koskinas and Prestos Beach are perfect examples of this.
Explore Kourion
Kourion was an important Cypriot city that was destroyed almost 2000 years ago. The remains have been partially restored, and you can explore the courtyards, temples, baths, and magnificent theatres.
The theatre is actually used today for events and shows – it seats an impressive 3500 people! It’s one of the most significant structures in the country, so definitely give it a visit to learn more about the past here.
Visit The Tomb Of The Kings
Another fascinating historical site in Cyprus is the Tomb of The Kings, which is part of the Kato Pafos Archaeological Park. You can visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site for just a few euros and scan the QR codes for a free and detailed guide to the area.
The site is huge, so you’ll need a few hours spare to spend here – and take a hate/suncream as there are parts that are not shaded at all.
Party In Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa is home to the best nightlife on the island. It’s famous for foam parties, bar crawls, and beach events – if you’re into partying, you certainly won’t be bored here!
The high seasons start around April or May, and the summer vibes keep locals and tourists entertained until October.
There are some fantastic beaches in the region – Nissi being the most popular as well as a water park and the gorgeous Cape Greco National Forest Park. You can definitely visit Ayia Napa if you’re not a partygoer and still have a great time!
Explore the Monastery of Ayia Napa, the Makronissos Tombs, and the Sea Caves for more of an authentic Cypriot adventure.
Chase Waterfalls
There are some beautiful waterfalls to discover and swim beneath in Cyprus. If you’re staying nearer to the Paphos/Troodos region, then make your way up to either the Caledonia, Milomeris, or Chantara waterfalls, where you can hike the trails nearby and be rewarded with a cool dip.
Just be careful if you drive, as some of the roads have not yet been well paved enough for little rental cars. There are plenty of tours that will give you some time at these waterfalls if you’d prefer not to drive yourself, so check those out too.
Visit Nicosia/Northern Cyprus
On your visit to Cyprus, you might want to explore the complex history between the northern and southern sides.
A great place to do this is to visit Nicosia – the capital of the Republic of Cyprus. The city is split into two, and you’ll be able to cross the border at the Ledra Street Checkpoint.
Northern Cyprus is actually governed by Turkey – so you’ll spend Turkish Lira, see Turkish signs, and have to get your passport checked at the border if you’ve entered from the Republic.
You’ll find lots of local shops, monasteries, mosques, and museums, and you can visit these independently or with a tour guide if you prefer.
Cyprus is a fantastic holiday destination to visit, and this guide is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to awesome things to do and see in the country. Spend at least a week getting to know the island and its history, food, and people – you won’t regret it!
