Explore Cyprus: Beaches and Thrilling Activities

In late October, I flew to Cyprus for a few sunny days. This island in the Mediterranean is a melting pot of cultures, sights, and activities, making it a great destination for various holidaymakers. Want to know more about what to do in Cyprus? How about some relaxing time on the beach, hiking along the coast, or tasting local wines in hidden villages? I’m happy to share more details with you.

What to Do in Cyprus?

→ Search and book flight tickets to Cyprus.
→ Hotel tips: Saint Raphael Resort & Marina, Columbia Beach Resort, & Zoi Ayia Napa.
→ Looking for unique spots on the island? Check Visit Cyprus.

Agia Napa Harbor
Cyprus, Vineyards

Plan Your Trip to Cyprus

Between April and October, you can fly a couple of times a week from Amsterdam or Eindhoven to Cyprus. You can fly to Larnaca International Airport on the east side of the island or to Paphos in the west. Recently, easyJet is one of the few airlines flying twice a week year-round to Larnaca International Airport. In about four hours of flying, you’ll be on this sunny island, perfect for a summer vacation or a getaway in spring, autumn, or winter.

If you plan to explore the island, it’s wise to rent a car. That can be done through Sunny Cars. The car will be waiting for you at the airport, and you’ll be fully insured. You can also rent a car through EasyTerra, which offers flexible booking options. If you plan to spend an extra day by the pool or on the beach, that’s definitely ideal.

→ Arrange your rental car directly: Sunny Cars

easyJet flight to Cyprus

Where to Stay?

If you’re looking for a central base to explore various parts of Cyprus, Limassol is a good option. The city itself has few attractions, but it is well-placed for great outings: within an hour, you can reach the Troodos Mountains, the capital Nicosia, or Paphos. We stayed at Saint Raphael Resort & Marina.

For a stay closer to the greener, quieter part of the island, Paphos offers a beautiful base. Or the small village of Pissouri. Here you will find the most beautiful hotel in Cyprus: Columbia Beach Resort. This five-star hotel comes with a price tag, but offers ultimate relaxation in return.

Want to explore the interior of the island? There, you’ll also find beautiful accommodations. Beautiful spots include Casale Panayiotis and Modus Vivendi Holidays Arsos. If you want to stay in a boutique hotel in a small village, consider Petit Palais Platres, Oinou Strata (Adults Only), or Oinoessa.

Beach lovers should go to Agia Napa in the southeast, where you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Many activities are also organized for tourists here. Zoi Ayia Napa is a beautiful hotel, with the center within walking distance.

Book now:

  • Saint Raphael Resort & Marina
  • Columbia Beach Resort
  • Petit Palais Platres
  • Zoi Ayia Napa

Useful to Know

Cyprus is located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey and west of Israel and Lebanon. Once a British Colony, the country still belongs to the British Commonwealth. They drive on the left side and use English plugs (so don’t forget to bring them). Cyprus is now independent, but still has a strong link with Greece. The island’s main language is Greek, and the cuisine is related.

You may have heard that Cyprus consists of a Greek and a Turkish part. In 1974, there was a Turkish invasion of the island. To this day, the northern part of the island is in Turkish hands. However, this occupation is not recognized by other countries and organizations like the UN. In principle, you can go to this part of the island, but it is strongly advised against. There can sometimes be tensions, and most travel insurances do not cover this area, nor does the insurance for your rental car.

15 Things to Do in Cyprus

Now it’s time for the best tips and things to do in Cyprus:

1. Relaxing at Your Hotel

Vacation is, of course, the ideal time to do absolutely nothing, and the mentioned hotels will definitely facilitate that. Many hotels are located right on the beach, which means you can walk directly to your sunbed. If there’s no beach, there’s usually a pool, and often you get both. Saint Raphael Resort & Marina has a spa, a gym, kids’ club, game room, and various restaurants. At Columbia Beach Resort, you can step directly from your room onto the beach or spend a day at the bar, in the pool.

Columbia Beach Resort

2. Visit Pissouri

Pissouri is my favorite village in Cyprus. It’s cozy, green, the beach is beautiful, and you can take a cooking workshop at Vrakas Taverna. Additionally, it’s the ideal base for further exploring the island. You can easily drive into the countryside for beautiful hikes; other charming villages are within an hour’s drive, and if you’re looking for more hustle and bustle, Limassol is also nearby.

3. Cape Aspro

Cyprus is a beautiful island for hikers. A hiking trail starts at Pissouri Beach, namely the Cape Aspro hiking trail. This route runs along white rocks that jut out above the sea. Along the way, you’ll pass stunning viewpoints and hidden coves. The trail can be extended with the Genesis Aphrodite’s Trail if you feel the hike isn’t long enough. Keep in mind that it’s an out-and-back trail; you can’t make a circular hike.

If you’re parked at the Genesis Aphrodite’s Trail, drive a little further to the Petra tou Romiou Viewpoint. Petra tou Romiou is considered the spot where the Greek goddess Aphrodite rose from the sea and first set foot on land.

Things to Do in Cyprus, Cape Aspro

4. Cooking Workshop at Vrakas Taverna

The Cypriot cuisine resembles Greek cuisine but features influences from the Middle East. And how fun is it to not only eat this but also prepare it yourself? You can do this at Vrakas Taverna. Here, we first got a glimpse into the kitchen to see how the stifado stew is made, and then we made our own dessert: bourekia. This is somewhat similar to ravioli, but the dough is filled with goat’s ricotta, sugar, and cinnamon. Very delicious, just like all the other food here.

Cooking Workshop, Things to do in Cyprus
Vrakas Taverna, cooking workshop

5. Wine Tasting at Zambartas

In the interior, in the southwest of the Troodos mountain range, lie around 40 wine villages. The winemakers in these villages use local grapes. The most famous wine is commandaria: a sweet wine that works well as a digestif. This wine is made at Zambartas in the village of Agios Amvrosios. This is a true family business where they lovingly produce their wines yearly. They make various wines that are all organic and vegan. You can get a small tour and, of course, taste the wine. Plan your visit in advance to ensure a spot.

6. Go to the Beach

Cyprus has plenty of beaches. According to the Cypriots themselves, the most beautiful ones are in Agia Napa: Nissi Beach and Makronissos Beach. They are golden sandy beaches that gradually slope into the sea, making them ideal for families, especially since you can rent sunbeds here for €2.50 each and enjoy food and drinks all day at the beach bar. Personally, I found the beaches a bit too crowded, perhaps because all the locals had a day off during a national holiday.

I found the beaches in the southwest to be prettier. Pissouri Beach is much quieter, although it is a pebbly beach, so a sunbed and water shoes are definitely recommended.

Nissi BeachPissouri Beach

7. Hiking

For many, hiking may not be the first reason to visit Cyprus, but the island offers beautiful trails. The hikes take you through valleys, past waterfalls, and over green, hilly landscapes. They come in various difficulty levels and lengths, allowing you to discover some hidden spots and experience a different side of Cyprus.

→ More information on Visit Cyprus.

8. Boat Tour

In the southeast of the island lies Agia Napa, a tourist town with many hotels, restaurants, cafés, and shops. A popular activity here is a boat tour along the cliffs and caves, ending at the Blue Lagoon for a swim in its crystal-clear waters. Along the way, you’ll pass some well-known spots such as the Bridge of Love and Cape Greco. Since it was very windy for us at the Blue Lagoon, we didn’t go any further than this little peninsula. According to our guide, this bay was nearly as beautiful as the Blue Lagoon.

→ You can simply walk into the harbor in Agia Napa, where you’ll find enough stalls to book a tour.

Things to Do in Cyprus, boat tour
Things to Do in Cyprus, swimming
Bridge of Love

9. Cycling in Cyprus

Cyprus attracts many cyclists as it offers excellent mountain biking and road cycling opportunities. The routes take you through urban, rural, mountainous roads, or along the coast. You can see much of the island in a beautiful way. There are designated routes, but you can easily create your own. This way, you might end up in unexpected places!

→ More information on Visit Cyprus.

10. Visit Lefkara

Lefkara is a beautiful village west of Larnaca, hidden in the green hills, with streets adorned with flowers and plants. It’s a pleasure to stroll through the streets, and there are plenty of terraces for a Freddo cappuccino or lemonade. You can also score good souvenirs here. Lefkara has been known since the 16th century for its local embroidery, lace-making, and artisanal silverwork. According to legend, Leonardo da Vinci visited the village in 1481 and bought a lace cloth for the main altar of Milan’s Duomo.

→ Tip: If you want to stay overnight in Lefkara, you’ll find the incredibly beautiful The Agora Hotel. This adults-only hotel features beautifully decorated rooms and very comfortable beds.

street in a Cypriot village
Shops Lefkara

11. Discover Historical Sites

On the island where Aphrodite rose from the sea, there are many places to discover from ancient and later periods. From remarkable churches and monasteries to archaeological sites and museums. Some recommendations include the archaeological site of Kourion and the archaeological park in Paphos. The Tombs of the Kings are also particularly impressive.

12. Cocktails Making

While on vacation, I like to visit lesser-known spots. You can find these even in popular resorts. For instance, in Larnaca, tucked away in a small alley, is Sunmoon Hospitality. Every Thursday, this spot transforms into a cocktail bar where the owner shakes the tastiest cocktails with great passion. You must try the Brandy Sour, which is the unofficial drink of Cyprus, created for an Egyptian king who wanted to mask the alcohol in his drink. Additionally, the owner lovingly prepares your favorite cocktail or invents his own version using mainly local ingredients and brews.

Things to Do in Cyprus, cocktail workshopcocktail workshop Cyprus

13. Parties

In Cyprus, they love a party. Popular holiday spots like Larnaca, Agia Napa, and Limassol have plenty of clubs and bars to visit. Even better is attending a local festival. Most are found in Limassol, but small villages also hold these. From gastronomic festivals to celebrations marking the end of the grape harvest, and from music festivals to carnival events.

→ You can find all the information and dates on the Visit Cyprus website.

14. Water Sports

Cyprus is surrounded by crystal-clear waters, among the cleanest in Europe, and a pleasant temperature. It’s no surprise that many water sports companies offer tons of fun activities. Think of banana boats, water bikes, water skiing, bodyboarding, stand-up paddling, parasailing, jet skiing, flyboarding, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking. There’s something for everyone, catering to different levels. Diving is also among the options.

Things to Do in Cyprus, water sports
Nissi Beach, Cyprus

15. Skiing

Cyprus is an ideal destination for those seeking some sun in spring and autumn. But believe it or not, if you’re wintering on the island, you can alternate a day at the beach with a day of skiing. At the highest peak of the island, Mount Olympus, there is sometimes snow in winter. There are three different cable cars on the mountain that take you to various slopes, quite different from the Alps.

There is so much to do in Cyprus, much more than I had expected. Do you have any additional tips? Feel free to leave them in the comments below!

Want to read more?

Quick guides to Cyprus: 6 tips for enjoying the ultimate vacation here!

Sun vacation in November: Where is it warm in November? 15 tips!

Top 10: Here are the most beautiful islands in Greece!

Accommodation tip: Here are the 20 most beautiful hotels with swim-up rooms!

Want to plan a trip right away?

Useful links:

Flight deals to Cyprus

Car rental in Cyprus

The coolest hotels in Cyprus

→ Check out all articles about Portugal.

About Blogger Man 96 Articles
Nomadic Notepad : Nomadic Notepad is a passionate traveler and storyteller who finds joy in exploring the world’s hidden treasures and sharing them with fellow wanderlust enthusiasts. From uncovering the best-kept local secrets to reviewing futuristic accommodations, their blog offers a unique blend of travel guides, culinary adventures, and cultural insights. As a tech-savvy creator, Nomadic Notepad also dives into innovative travel trends, ensuring readers stay ahead of the curve while planning their next adventure. Every post is a window into a new journey, inspiring others to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.Whether it’s strolling through animal-themed streets in Helsinki or unraveling the mysteries of Balinese traditions, Nomadic Notepad combines personal experiences with practical advice to craft immersive narratives. Join them to embrace a world of wanderlust, and let every story spark your own path to adventure!

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