Set in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus is a popular all-year round holiday destination with long hot summers and short mild winters. The island has a wide range of beaches to choose from, including family friendly seaside resorts where all kinds of watersports are on offer, to more remote and windswept spots that are far from the madding crowd. The rugged interior with pine-clad hillsides and herb-scented meadows provides some welcome shade in summer and plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking on peaceful nature trails. Golf and horse-riding is well catered for and during the short winter months, skiing is another option. Add to that a feast of flavours influenced by Greek, Middle Eastern and Turkish cuisine, locally produced wines, plus the rich history and culture of the island, and it’s easy to understand the enduring appeal of Cyprus.

Turbulent Past

Thanks to its strategic location, Cyprus has had an often tumultuous and bloody history down through the centuries and the island remains partitioned, with a Greek south and Turkish north which splits the capital, Nicosia. Today the border between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides is fairly relaxed with seven access points, two of which are pedestrian crossings in Nicosia, making it easy to sample what both sides have to offer. Visitors do still need to show their passports, however.

Places to See

You’re surrounded by history in Cyprus and one site that shouldn’t be missed is Salamis, considered the island’s most important pre-Christian centre. A fascinating archaeological site that includes a fully restored Roman amphitheatre, complete with marble baths and beautiful mosaics, Salamis provides a real insight into the different civilisations that have left their mark in this part of the Mediterranean. A lovely beach is close to the Roman and Byzantine ruins, so you can swim and soak up some sun as well as all the ancient culture! Other places of cultural and historic interest include the Neolithic site of Choirokoitia that dates back to 7,000 BC, the ancient settlement of Kourion, the underground Tomb of the Kings in Kato Paphos, and the fairytale St Hilarion castle that is said to have inspired Walt Disney when he was creating Snow White. The Cyprus Wine Museum in Limassol (Lemesos) traces the history of winemaking on the island and includes a display of medieval jars and drinking vessels, plus visitors have the chance to sample some of the wines.

Hit the Beach

There’s a beach for everyone in Cyprus. Fig Tree Bay in Protaras on the east coast is one of the most popular on the island, boasting a long stretch of white sandy beach with clean and shallow, turquoise water, a wide range of watersport facilities, and many restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from. Other popular beaches include Phinikoudes, the picturesque and sheltered Konnos, and Polis in the northwest, one of the least developed resorts on the island – plus many more. As well as lapping up the sun in this warm corner of the Mediterranean, visitors can experience the full range of watersports, some for the first time perhaps, such as a guided dive at the Akroti Fish Reserve in the south of the island, where even total beginners can swim in waters with 30 metre visibility, and get to hand feed moray eels, groupers, bass, and bream. Other watersports widely available include sailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, and parasailing.

Places to Stay

What helps to distinguish Cyprus from other holiday islands is how different each of the regions are. Larnaca and nearby Ayai Napa are tourist hotspots and the clubbing capital of the island. The capital Nicosia, on the other hand, is also the cultural centre with art galleries, museums and historic places to visit. Lemesos, in the west, is great for restaurants and is also an ideal base from which to explore the island interior. Pafos is close to both the quieter beaches on the west coast, as well as the Troodos mountains. If you really want to get away from it all, the Karpas peninsula to the west has outstanding scenery, deserted beaches and rocky coves.

Things to Eat

No holiday to Cyprus is complete without enjoying the local wines and tasting some of the classic dishes. Meze, a selection of small dishes that may include grilled sausage, hummus, olives, haloumi, and more, is the perfect way to try some typical dishes. Desserts to enjoy include sticky baklava, rice puddings, and cakes flavoured with rose water, pistachios, and almonds.

Title Image Credit: Lukes_photos (Image Cropped)