Cyprus

The legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love, Cyprus is a deeply historic Mediterranean island with much to offer high-end visitors from golf to spas, vineyards, Roman remains to jeep safaris. If you’re looking for year-round short-haul sunshine, this is the place to head. Top spots are the busy resorts of Limassol and Paphos with their archaeological treasures and golden beaches to the pine forests of the Toodos Mountains. Recent years have seen a rise in the choice of five star accomodation which now includes such gems as Aphrodites Hills Resort and the trendy Almyra. Cyprus is a hit with couples and families alike.

Top Accommodation

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  Almyra

  Cyprus

  A wonderful family resort

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  1 rating

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  Anassa

  Cyprus

  Set on one of Cyprus' best beaches

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  1 rating

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  Columbia Beach Resort

  Cyprus

  All-suite resort,

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  1 rating

  1 review

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  Annabelle

  Cyprus

  A lovely property

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  1 rating

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Top Restaurants

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  Anassa

  Cyprus

  Set on one of Cyprus' best beaches

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  1 rating

  0 reviews

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  Annabelle

  Cyprus

  A lovely property

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  1 rating

  0 reviews

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  Four Seasons Hotel Beach Resort

  Cyprus

  Independently-owned and family-friendly

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  0 ratings

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  Columbia Beach Resort

  Cyprus

  All-suite resort,

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  1 rating

  1 review

Cyprus is a fabulous year-round destination with the longest summer in Europe with reliably hot weather tempered by cooling sea breezes and mild, often sunny winters, though the rainy season runs from December to February.

Transport

Getting there and away

The Republic has airports at Larnaka and Pafos (spelled 'Larnaca' and 'Paphos' on many airline schedules), with flights from most of Europe and the Middle East. North Cyprus has an international airport at Ercan, but only Turkish airlines flies there. Passenger ferry service to the Republic was suspended in 2001; check the Salamis Lines site for updates. There are ferries from North Cyprus to Turkey, but you cannot exit Cyprus this way unless you entered from Turkey.

Getting around

Bus services run within and between towns every day except Sunday. Those between major southern cities are cheap, frequent and efficient. If you want to travel on a Sunday, you'll need to get a service taxi. They're good for most places in the Republic, but they tend to take roundabout routes. North Cyprus has minibuses between Kyrenia and North Nicosia. You can also use service taxis to cross between the South and the North. It's easy to hire cars and bikes all over the country.

If you enter Cyprus from Turkey, customs officials from the South are authorised to fine you for entering through an illegal port. In practice, this policy is not enforced.

Health & Legal Requirements

Dangers and annoyances

The crime rate in Cyprus isn't especially high, and there's no reason for travellers to take anything beyond ordinary precautions. While muggings and violent crime are extremely rare (especially once away from Lefkosia), it's always a good idea to be vigilant with personal property. Secure valuables whenever possible, avoid keeping all essentials in the one place, and lock vehicles, leaving belongings out of sight. Be conscious that crowded tourist areas and public transport are the most likely sites for pickpocketing and other property crime.

It pays to be extra-cautious in the area surrounding the Attila (or Green) Line that demarcates North and South Cyprus. While the barbed wire and sentry posts are usually good clues to keep clear, these are less visible in parts of the east. If you do want to cross the Line, make sure you do it in a designated area and in a lawful fashion.

Visas overview

Nationals of the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore can stay in the Republic of Cyprus for up to three months without a visa; citizens of South Africa can stay 30 days; citizens of the EU can move and work freely in the South but are restricted in the North. The UN Green Line, which separates the Greek and Turkish Cypriot regions, is currently open and travel between the regions is legal and straightforward. EU nationals with a valid passport can cross from the north to the south at any time. Travellers may enter the Republic only through the legal ports of entry: Larnaka and Pafos international airports, or the seaports of Limassol and Pafos.