Greek Cyprus

On holiday in Cyprus

Cyprus is an island rich in history and natural beauty, a perfect destination for both a relaxing holiday to the sea and for a more in-depth journey. It is not very visited by the Italians, while several Russian and North-European tourists go to enjoy the Cypriot beaches.
The places to see are many and the very long coasts, so it's easy to get out of the most beaten itineraries. On this page you will find information on how to better organize your travel itinerary in Cyprus, and photos and detailed descriptions of the most beautiful destinations: Paphos , the peninsula of akamas , Kourion, chief greco and the south coast , le mountains Troodos , Nicosia .

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily and Sardinia and before Corsica. Cyprus is also the only Mediterranean island divided into two nations: Greek Cyprus, of which we talk about on this page, and Turkish Cyprus, described here . In reality, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not an officially recognized nation, but the traveler appears just as a separate state. The capital, Nicosia, is divided between the two nations, with barbed wire and walls that separate the two sides. With a one-week travel itinerary it is possible to cover the principal destinations of Greek Cyprus (or even the entire island, running a little).

Travel information

The best months to visit Cyprus are May-June, so as to start the summer in advance, and September-October, to prolong it a little. In April there is an explosion of colorful flowers. Depending on what you want from your vacation (sea, history and/or trekking), all seasons can still go well. In general, the climate of Cyprus is quite dry, the sun warm, although out of season sometimes they can spire fresh winds.

The rental car is the most convenient method to travel to Cyprus, which does not stand out for the goodness of public transport. It is interesting to note that the cars rented in the Greek part of Cyprus often cannot be brought to the Turkish part. Find out by the company, also taking into account the insurance (at the border you can buy a valid third-party insurance in Cyprus North, but does not apply to damage to the car itself: to be quieter during your travel itinerary, it is prudent rent Two different machines, one for Greek Cyprus and one for Northern Cyprus). On the Akamas peninsula it is spectacular to have an off-road vehicle; In the rest of the island a normal car, even a small, is fine. You can find the Car at the best prices here .

Prices in Cyprus are low: with 15-20 euros, at dinner, you split with great food (we undermine Cypriote culinary specialties), but you can also spend less, the dishes are rich. (In Turkish Cyprus eating is even cheaper).
The cost of hotels depends on the period and type of vacation. For a simple apartment you can spend very little: with 40 euros a great time. If you want a more luxurious hotel, on the shores of the beach, the prices are obviously proportionate. You can compare hotels here:

Another thing: Cyprus is a safe and friendly island. For example, the owners of the houses told us not to close the door to the key, when we left them, so that they could then move later to control everything, calmly.

Paphos

On a holiday in Cyprus, it is likely that Paphos is one of the first destinations, not just because the Ryanair planes land. Paphos, in fact, is located on the west coast of the island and is full of both great hotels near the beach (very busy from the British) than ancient Greek and Roman ruins. The archaeological park of Paphos, in particular, is very picturesque and, while we visited him, we didn't know whether to be more attracted to the millennial ruins, the blue sea, yellow and red flowers or white lighthouse.

For the traits of the most beautiful coast you can drive away by car a few kilometers. Towards the south, in 20 minutes of a comfortable street you arrive at the rock of Aphrodite, where the water is crystalline, the cliffs are impressive and the deserted beaches, as soon as you move a little.

We obviously we could not visit Cyprus in a normal way, so by plane we had embarked on inflatable stand up paddle (SUP) (inserting, in bags, even clothes, shoes and everything that was there!). A great solution, very recommended, to enjoy the best of the beaches, the coasts and in general of the journey. Near the rock of Aphrodite there are long beaches of bowls and spectacular white cliffs. Visit them in sup is perfect both to get away from tourists and to have a unique point of view.

The Akamas Peninsula

North of Paphos, the Akamas peninsula extends, the north-western tip of the island of Cyprus and rich in natural beauties. His main attraction for travelers are the beaches, but also the gorges of Avakas and the paths along the peninsula attract many tourists.

Not too far from the gorges (but on the dirt roads of the peninsula you travel slowly), there are the two spectacular bays of Lara Beach. These beaches fit into a wonderful landscape and are a destination for turtles in the summer season.

The other side of the Akamas peninsula is just as spectacular and the country of Polis is the delightful tourist resort from which you can leave to visit it. There are boat tours, 4x4 and quad, you can drive with your car as long as you can and then walk, you can obviously use a kayaking or a supper. In the middle of summer there may be many tourists, but, as always, just take away from the most beaten places to breathe the wild air of the Akamas peninsula.

To visit the entire Akamas peninsula, a 4x4 car is the best solution. Alternatively, a traveler with great legs could opt for a mountain bike (but in summer the heat would be really excessive!).

The Troodos mountains

The mountains of Cyprus are certainly not why you come on vacation in this island, but they must be included in a Cypriot travel itinerary for two reasons: the characteristic villages and the ten Byzantine churches frescoed UNESCO heritage. Also the landscapes and woods are pleasant, but nothing special for an Italian accustomed to Alps and Apennines.

Pedoulas is a small village with a small but charming medieval church frescoed, the church of Archangelos Michael. The atmosphere is enchanted.
in Kakopetria there is the Byzantine Church of Agios Nikolaos Tis Stegis, and the village itself, with its stone houses, is to visit.

The gigantic Kykkos monastery is instead modern and a bit kitsch. From the road to the monastery it is possible to see Mount Olympus, the highest point of Cyprus at 1900 meters of altitude, whose top was snow-covered at the end of April, when we visited it. The landscapes are not epic like our alpine, but always pleasant for trekking in the woods.

On the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains, there is Leukara, perhaps the most beautiful village among those admired during our travel itinerary in Cyprus.

Leukara, lying on the crest of a hill, by day is assaulted by tourists, but in the late afternoon he finds his very quiet, magical atmosphere. Tourists reached Leukara lace. I recommend sleeping one night in Leukara, so as to walk in peace between the alleys, even in the evening.

Cape Greco, Kourion and the southern coast

On the southern coast of Cyprus there are three main cities: Larnaca, Limassol, which is the second largest after Nicosia and deserves a visit, and Agia Napa, tourist center where to party.
The Greek and Roman ruins of Kourion are spectacular , even for the sea location.

Cape Greco, a peninsula in the south-eastern corner of Cyprus, must be inserted into his own travel itinerary for the crystal clear sea and the fascinating cliffs. The most incredible place (and crowded with summer tourists) is that of the sea caves, the sea caves. These caves are really nice, especially if you admire in sup or kayaks.

Our 10 km ride on the Stand Up Paddle started near the beach of Limnara and took us to Konnos beach, following the whole coast of Capo Greco and paying on a truly crystalline water. It was late April, the sea was fresh and short bathrooms, but outside was great. (At the end of the inflatable sup ride, I went to retrieve the car in Limnara in costume and flip flops, walking for 3 kilometers, while my girlfriend deflated the inflatable paddle stands and protected them from Konnos Beach cats!).

Apart from these ten kilometers of Cape Greek coast, the other wonder for travelers in the area is the view from the top of the promontory: a breathtaking view of the coast.

Nicosia

We close with Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, a city divided into two as Berlin at the time of the cold war. The relationships between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are no longer thesis as once and between the two states there are 5 open border points, two of which in Nicosia. However, between the two nations there is still a "buffer zone" supervised by the UN, that is a strip of land uninhabited along the entire border. Also in Nicosia.

The palaces that were in the buffer zone are now ruins and on the walls pass the barbed wire. The most interesting border point for a traveler is that of Ledra Street, the central street: on one side, Greek side, fashionable shops and large chains, on the other, Turkish side, markets and characteristic coffee. The tourist not interested in more unbridled consumerism will appreciate the Turkish part of Nicosia, of which you can read here .
on the side of the Republic of Cyprus, the The most fascinating thing is probably the Cathedral of Agios Ioannis.

Nicosia in Greek is called Lefkosia, important information if you look for them on road signs: D The boundary point of Ledra Street can be easily crossed on foot with the passport in hand, while the other border points should also be open to the cars ... If authorized. Also in Nicosia/Lefkosia, the border point of Ledra Palace is interesting because there are the UN offices.

Live Cyprus and eat well!

Cyprus is fantastic. It's not too extensive, so if you thought your travel itinerary can take you almost all the main destinations in a short time. In addition, if you like activities at sea you can enjoy it great.

The food of Cyprus is similar to the Greek one (and, in Cyprus North, to the Turkish one). In both cases, you eat very well spending little. The meze are a complete menu, from appetizers to the meat, which will fill and satisfy. The other culinary goodness of Cyprus typically involve grilled meat, fish dishes, salads and moussaka (lasagna "Greek).
Have a nice trip !!
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