8 ULTIMATE THINGS TO DO IN CYPRUS!

Cyprus is a beautiful island, whatever time of year you visit, and there is something of interest for all the family. Whilst it is lovely just to relax by the hotel pool or on a beach in the shade of a sun umbrella, the magic of Aphrodite’s Island will tug at your curiosity begging you to discover her many secrets...

Visit Kykkos Monastery and the ten UNESCO churches

Kykkos Monastery nestles in the Troodos Mountains and is said to be the wealthiest Greek Orthodox monastery. Visitors are captivated by its serene character and wealth of treasures in its Byzantine Museum, and rising early to join the monks for their morning prayers is certainly a memorable experience. Situated in the mountains too, are the ten Byzantine painted churches with their steeply pitched roofs and marvellous wall frescoes, each one considered so special that it appears on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.

Get on “the wild side” in Akamas

The Akamas peninsula stands to the north-west of Paphos and is the perfect place to discover the diversity of the Cyprus landscape and wildlife. The Avakas Gorge lies on its southern fringes and is perfect early in the morning when the silence is broken only by goat bells. The Lara headland is where the successful turtle conservation project has been run by volunteers for more than 25 years. The project has successfully ensured the protection of the Green (Chelonas mydas) and Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles that come ashore each summer to lay their precious clutches of eggs.

Dive for it!

The crystal clear waters that surround Cyprus are perfect for scuba diving and if you have never explored “life under the waves”, there are PADI and NAUI courses available through Diving Centres. There are both day and night dives available including fascinating cave systems and shipwrecks - including one of the top ten wrecks in the world. MS Zenobia lies just off the coast near Larnaca and was a Swedish ferry that sank in 42 metres of water on her maiden voyage, taking her cargo worth €2.6 million with her.

Shakespeare at Curium

The second century theatre perches on a clifftop and the sound of the waves below is just audible. The theatre has superb acoustics that have amazed modern specialists as it is possible to stand in the centre of the stage and to quietly speak and the words to be heard clearly throughout the theatre. Throughout the year, a variety of musical and dramatic performances are performed in the stunning setting of the theatre, including an annual performance of a popular Shakespearean play which has taken place each June since 1961 to raise funds for local charities.

Enjoy the Limassol Coastal Walk

In recent years, the coast at Limassol has been sensitively renovated with a broad new walkway that is wheelchair - friendly and used by families, friends and joggers as the perfect meeting place for a leisurely stroll. The walk begins near the town’s castle and heads eastwards towards the archaeological site of Ancient Amathus and beyond, passing the gardens of many of the island’s top hotels.

Ski Cyprus!

Cyprus is an island of contrasts, and whilst it is a popular winter sun destination, not so many people know that it offers good skiing too! Mount Olympus (1,952 metres) is the highest peak in the Troodos Mountains. From the beginning of January through March (and sometimes through April), the mountains are deep in snow and are transformed into a winter wonderland that is reminiscent of the Austrian Tyrol! There are four main ski slopes with six different runs all of Alpine standard and varying in length from 100 - 500 metres.

Cheers to Cyprus wines!

A few years ago, scientific tests by a team of Italian archaeologists on stone jars uncovered in Erimi (west of Limassol) confirmed that the island was the first country in Europe to produce wine and that it has done so since 3500 BC. The history of the island’s wines can be traced by visiting the Wine Museum in Erimi, the Commandaria Museum in the mountain village of Zoopygi, any of the wine producers which range in size, from small family-run wineries to the “big four” - ETKO, KEO, LOEL and SODAP - and the Limassol Wine Festival which takes place every August, attracting wine lovers from all over Europe.

Swim in Nissi Beach!

Located in the area of Ayia Napa, Nissi Beach is one of the most famous sandy beaches on the island. The name derives from the small islet near by the sea called Nissi. The length of the entire beach is approximately 500 metres with its waters being crystal clear blue, hence awarded with a blue flag designation. Nissi Beach attracts a large number of foreign and local clubbers who come to party on this area during summertime.