Cyprus travel guide

Cyprus Tourism | Cyprus Guide

You're Going to Love Cyprus

An island with long summers, hours of sunshine every day, a food and wine culture that will surprise you, and history that will send you trekking around the country, Cyprus has a lot more to show than its splendid beaches.

What to do in Cyprus

1. Eat Meze in Nicosia

Start by experiencing the food culture in the capital city, visit the Venetian Walls of Nicosia or go shopping on Ledra Street.

2. Visit the Kykkos Monastery

Founded in the 11th century, this monastery is the largest and one of the wealthiest in Cyprus. You will be able to admire mosaics and paintings, and can continue your drive to Troodos Mountains after the visit.

3. Walk Around Kyrenia Old Town

Located in the North of Cyprus, you will love this old town with its cobblestoned streets. While there, visit the Kyrenia Castle and go for a walk at the horseshoe-shaped harbor.

4. Go Back in History at Ancient Kourion

Kourion was a city founded by the Greeks in the 12th century and was hit by 5 heavy earthquakes. It was partly rebuilt but you can visit the impressive ruins of the old city.

5. Relax on Nissi Beach

One can't go to Cyprus without spending some time on the beach. Nissi Beach is perhaps one of the most famous in Ayia Napa and has been awarded the blue flag designation.

1. Eat Meze in Nicosia

Start by experiencing the food culture in the capital city, visit the Venetian Walls of Nicosia or go shopping on Ledra Street.

2. Visit the Kykkos Monastery

Founded in the 11th century, this monastery is the largest and one of the wealthiest in Cyprus. You will be able to admire mosaics and paintings, and can continue your drive to Troodos Mountains after the visit.

3. Walk Around Kyrenia Old Town

Located in the North of Cyprus, you will love this old town with its cobblestoned streets. While there, visit the Kyrenia Castle and go for a walk at the horseshoe-shaped harbor.

4. Go Back in History at Ancient Kourion

Kourion was a city founded by the Greeks in the 12th century and was hit by 5 heavy earthquakes. It was partly rebuilt but you can visit the impressive ruins of the old city.

5. Relax on Nissi Beach

One can't go to Cyprus without spending some time on the beach. Nissi Beach is perhaps one of the most famous in Ayia Napa and has been awarded the blue flag designation.

When to visit Cyprus

Cyprus in November
Estimated hotel price
$166
1 night at 3-star hotel
Cyprus in November
Estimated hotel price
$166
1 night at 3-star hotel

Cyprus has relatively mild winters and spring arrives quite early. If you're planning a beach vacation, the best time to visit is between May and June. You will experience warm weather and lovely dry weather for tourism.

How to Get to Cyprus

Entry Requirements

Citizens of EU and EEA countries as well as Switzerland can enter Cyprus simply by showing an ID card or a passport. Citizens from a number of other countries, such as the USA and Australia, can enter Cyprus and stay in the EU without a visa for a maximum of 90 days. Citizens from most countries need to apply for a visa prior to arriving.

Plane

Flying is the most popular way of arriving to the island, and while Cyprus does not have its own airline, a large number of carriers operate nonstop flights to and from its main airport, Larnaca International Airport. Cheap flights can be found with budget airline Ryanair, which flies to the airport near Paphos located in the south-west of Cyprus.

Car

Crossing from the Northern and Turkish part of the island is possible through a limited number of spots, some accessible only by foot. If you are planning to drive, you can cross via Astromerits, Ledra Palace, Agios Demetios, Pergamos or Strovilia.

Boat

It is possible to get to Cyprus by boat from Greece, with occasional ferries running from Rhodes, Piraeus and Ayios Nikolaos going to Limassol. A ferry service also runs from Turkey going from Tasucu to Girne. If you plan on bringing a car with you, you can catch a freighter cruise with Grimaldi from various European ports, including Italy, Portugal and Southampton.

Entry Requirements

Citizens of EU and EEA countries as well as Switzerland can enter Cyprus simply by showing an ID card or a passport. Citizens from a number of other countries, such as the USA and Australia, can enter Cyprus and stay in the EU without a visa for a maximum of 90 days. Citizens from most countries need to apply for a visa prior to arriving.

Plane

Flying is the most popular way of arriving to the island, and while Cyprus does not have its own airline, a large number of carriers operate nonstop flights to and from its main airport, Larnaca International Airport. Cheap flights can be found with budget airline Ryanair, which flies to the airport near Paphos located in the south-west of Cyprus.

Car

Crossing from the Northern and Turkish part of the island is possible through a limited number of spots, some accessible only by foot. If you are planning to drive, you can cross via Astromerits, Ledra Palace, Agios Demetios, Pergamos or Strovilia.

Boat

It is possible to get to Cyprus by boat from Greece, with occasional ferries running from Rhodes, Piraeus and Ayios Nikolaos going to Limassol. A ferry service also runs from Turkey going from Tasucu to Girne. If you plan on bringing a car with you, you can catch a freighter cruise with Grimaldi from various European ports, including Italy, Portugal and Southampton.

Popular airports in Cyprus

Popular airlines serving Cyprus

Lufthansa
Good (7,134 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,345 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,831 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,684 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,623 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,924 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,456 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,811 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,519 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,135 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (802 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,302 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,294 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,223 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,151 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,883 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,301 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (788 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (902 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (3,332 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Cyprus

Hotels and furnished apartments are the most common types of accommodation and are available throughout the island. If you are heading into the countryside, you can stay at an Agrotourism, a traditional restored house offering self-catered accommodation.

Where to stay in popular areas of Cyprus

Most booked hotels in Cyprus

Elysium
5 stars
Excellent (9.5, 2497 reviews)
$151+
Nissiblu Beach Resort
5 stars
Excellent (9.2, 2023 reviews)
$114+
Chrysomare Beach Hotel & Resort
5 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1723 reviews)
$75+
Amphora Hotel & Suites
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 5245 reviews)
$78+
Theo Sunset Bay Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 2712 reviews)
$57+
Coral Beach Hotel And Resort
5 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1514 reviews)
$87+

How to Get Around Cyprus

Public Transportation

The only public transport available is a bus network. The bus network is comprehensive and travels all around the country.

Bus

There are 6 major bus operators that have routes throughout the country. These are Lefkosia, Lemesos, Pafos, Larnaka, Ammochostos and Intercity Routes. The average cost of a one-way short trip by bus is about €1.50 ($1.70).

Car

Driving is the easiest way to travel around the country, but beware that if you're planning to rent a car while in Cyprus, you will be driving on the left-hand side of the road.

Public Transportation

The only public transport available is a bus network. The bus network is comprehensive and travels all around the country.

Bus

There are 6 major bus operators that have routes throughout the country. These are Lefkosia, Lemesos, Pafos, Larnaka, Ammochostos and Intercity Routes. The average cost of a one-way short trip by bus is about €1.50 ($1.70).

Car

Driving is the easiest way to travel around the country, but beware that if you're planning to rent a car while in Cyprus, you will be driving on the left-hand side of the road.

The Cost of Living in Cyprus

Going out for a meal in Cyprus will cost around €12 ($13) per person for an inexpensive meal, while a more formal sit down meal will cost around €25 ($28) per person. Groceries will cost around €50 ($56) per week, while a monthly public transport pass costs around €40 ($45). Credit cards are accepted throughout the country at most businesses.

Popular cities in Cyprus