Travel SpotlightCaptivating Cyprus

by Harden Holidays

An island infused with legends, age-old wisdom and captivating natural beauty, you can’t help but be drawn in by Cyprus. You’ll visit tavernas wrapped up in time-honoured traditions, and soak up the feeling of picture-perfect harbours where glam café culture sits beside scenes of bobbing fishing boats. You’ll enjoy incredible coastlines overlooked by craggy hills, and buzzing towns where no two days are the same. And this all comes sprinkled with the magic of Aphrodite – the goddess of love and beauty – whose mythical birthplace is Cyprus. We’ve been swept up in the feeling of Cyprus ourselves to hand pick the very best hotels and resorts, which range from sophisticated beachfront spots with all the trimmings, to peaceful countryside-by-the-sea hideaways.

A sun-drenched island in the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll quickly see that Cyprus is a buzzing holiday spot that seamlessly blends natural majesty with a lively spirit. All the main coastal resorts have at least a beach or two that are pleasant places to embrace some relaxation time. If you’re travelling as a family, you’ll want to spend plenty of time swimming in the calm and shallow waters. There’s an abundance of water sports and boat trips available for people who like a little more action too.

Although it’s easy to get caught up in daily life at the beach in Cyprus, the island has so much more to offer. Nicosia is the last divided capital of the world, marking the boundary between north and south. It’s a fascinating city to explore for this reason alone, but you’ll also have an incredible time discovering the historical sites, museums and colourful shopping streets. The coastal centres of Paphos and Limassol are both home to archaeological sites, insightful museums and a feelgood factor that comes from the simple pleasures of life on a glorious coastline. Limassol Marina is also one of the most beautiful harbours in the Mediterranean, known for its al fresco dining, bars and designer boutiques. Your trip to Cyprus isn’t complete without venturing inland, where you can experience far-reaching views and traditional villages on a journey up Mount Olympus. You may well think it’s the definition of perfection.

When it comes to food in Cyprus, meze can be found in every restaurant and eatery. This is ideal for you if you love to try a little bit of everything –and the collection of small meze dishes can soon become a lavish feast! Flavours are often simple and sumptuously prepared, letting the top-notch ingredients do the talking. From the creamiest dips served with pitta bread, to impeccably seasoned grilled meat, kebabs and an abundance of halloumi, you can expect to roam between different flavours each and every day. Given the vast coastline in Cyprus too, fish and seafood can often be found on the specials board, and the fresh taste and delicate flavours will keep you coming back for more. Dining can be as formal or as informal as you like in Cyprus, with corner tavernas, buzzy beach promenades with pavement cafés, and fine dining establishments all an option.

When to visit

The weather in Cyprus is mild in winter and warm in the summer, so it’s possible to have an enjoyable and sunny visit any time of the year. The warmest months are between May and October.

What to do

Paphos

Paphos combines the beauty of the mountains and the sea and boasts a friendly atmosphere with plenty to see and do including the Byzantine Castle of Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings, St Paul’s Pillar and the Temple of Aphrodite. Evenings can be pleasantly spent on the beach promenade with its plethora of restaurants serving international and meze specialities. Located on the southwest coast of Cyprus, for those looking for sightseeing alongside fabulous beaches, there is plenty of things to do in Paphos.

For equestrian lovers a truly fantastic way to experience Cyprus is by horseback and Ride in Cyprus Ltd offers guided rides around the area. The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park is an amazing place to visit with its well-kept ruins and beautiful mosaics. With plenty of things to do in Paphos visitors will never be short of activities. For beach-lovers, Paphos Municipal Beach is a superb beach with excellent facilities.

Limassol

The city of Limassol is located on Akrotiri Bay on the southern coast of Cyprus. Boasting a wide range of museums, archaeological sites, superb beaches and, with the current construction of a new marina, Limassol is an excellent destination for those wondering what to do in Cyrpus. Home to the Fasouri Watermania Waterpark it is a fantastic place for families on holidays to Cyprus. Lady

Mile Beach is also a popular choice with its calm shallow waters. This fabulous beach is wonderfully unspoilt and there are only a few facilities so make sure you come well prepared. For a more traditional Cyprus, the village of Omodos, known for its excellent wine and peaceful atmosphere owing to the nearby monastery, is a great place to relax and unwind away from the far more conventional city.

Nicosia

Nicosia is not only the capital of Cyprus, but is also known as the last divided city of Europe. As well as giving the opportunity to look across the Green Line into the Turkish occupied area, there is much to explore in this historic city including the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral of St John and an Archeological Museum. This magnificent city is home to some of the best things to do in Cyprus. Ledra Street is a busy, thriving shopping area in Nicosia but also the entry point to the Turkish area of the city. The Levantis Municipal Museum of Nicosia provides a great account of the history of Cyprus. For those wondering where to go in Cyprus, a visit or stay in this city is a great way to experience this fascinating country.

Troodos Mountains

One of the most spectacular things to do in Cyprus is to visit the Troodos Mountains. Delight in the stunning views and scenery of the pineclad Troodos Mountains and Mount Olympus, passing through traditional villages and exploring the famous Kykkos Monastery with its wealth of frescoes and mosaics.

Cruises and Fishing

Enjoy the delightful Mediterranean waters on a boat or catamaran trip. Most coastal resorts have fishing boats from which you can try your hand at sea fishing. Serious anglers may wish to get a licence from the Fisheries Department to allow you to fish in the well-stocked inland reservoirs.

Walking, Cycling and Golf

There are many opportunities for hiking in the Troodos Mountains either independently or with organised groups, and a ramble along the Aphrodite and Adonis trails on the Akamis Peninsula in the western most part of the island is a must. Cycle hire facilities exist in most resorts, but if you are an ambitious mountain biker and wish to explore the Troodos Mountains and Akamis Peninsula, you may prefer to bring your own. For golfers, Secret Valley, Tsada Golf and Aphrodite Hills are three excellent 18-hole courses in the Paphos area.