Cyprus is a beautiful island country set in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey, north of Egypt, southeast of Greece, and west of Syria and Lebanon. Both Greek and Turkish are spoken here as the island is divided into two separate areas. However, Cyprus is in the European Union and Greek is the official language of the country. Cyprus is known for its beautiful beaches and historic attractions. Some of the more popular destinations include Larnaca with its beaches and diving, Paphos with its archaeological sites and coastal resorts, Limassol with Limassol Castle and the iconic Governor’s Beach, and Ayia Napa with its history monastery, beaches, and lively nightlife. Read on to find out the top nine things Cyprus is famous for.
1. Skiing
While Cyprus might not directly come to mind as a ski destination, the impressive Troodos Mountain with its forests offers some of the best skiing in the country. The Skiing Center offers winter sports under a clear blue Mediterranean sky. Skiing is available on the slopes of Mount Olympus from the beginning of January to the end of March. This location is only 1.2 mi (2 km) from Troodos Mountain ski resort. The ski resort operates four ski lifts from Troodos ski center and is the site of the International F.I.S. Skiing Competition each year.
2. Halloumi cheese
Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened goat or milk cheese with a high-melting-point, making it perfect for frying or grilling. This makes this type of cheese a popular replacement for meat. Halloumi is sold all over Cyprus and can be enjoyed in the many restaurants on the island. A popular recipe is Halloumi cheese meze that is usually served with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, and mint leaves. Another way to prepare a dish is to fry Halloumi cheese with olive oil, black pepper, and lemon juice. You can also experience this tasty cheese by serving it with sweet chili sauce and fresh salad.
3. Cyprus wine (from USD 39.0)
Cyprus has excellent wines to offer and one of the best ways to learn about them is on a guided wine-tasting tour. Visit Oak Tree Wine Cellar that has a history of more than 50 years in the wine industry and offers samplings of the best wines Cyprus has to offer. Here you can learn about the grape varieties and food pairings while sampling 10 white, rose, or red wines. Some of the best wines here are Ayia Mavri Mosxatos, Kolios Shiraz, Kolios Persefoni Xinisteri, Erimoudes Constantino, and Aes Ambelis Maratheftiko. On this particular tour, you will get to walk around the old town of Larnaca.
Tasting 10 + 1 CYPRUS WINES including transfers only from Larnaca
Duration: 2 hours
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4. Ayia Napa nightlife
Ayia Napa has been a clubbing holiday destination since the 1990s with more than 10 night clubs and 50 bars to choose from. Ayia Napa’s Central Party District (CPD) is the epicenter of the nightlife scene in Cyprus and guarantees a great night out. Some of the most popular locations are Tommy’s Bar and the Soho Club. Another fun option is Napaman UV Paint & Foam Party @ Club Ice. There is also a good variety of restaurants to choose from, serving both local and international cuisine.
5. Ghost Town, Famagusta (from USD 341.01)
Head out from Nicosia to Famagusta to visit St. Barnabas Monastery and the Icon Museum at the Royal Tombs. The next stop along the way is the ancient city of Salamis where you will visit the Roman amphitheater and Othello’s Tower that inspired Shakespeare to write “Romeo and Juliet.” Arriving in Famagusta, visit Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque that was built in a French Gothic style. Varosha Beach in Famagusta, Cyprus, used to be a booming beach resort popular with the rich and famous. It was once considered the French Riviera of Cyprus and famous personalities such as Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Brigitte Bardot are said to have visited here during its heyday. However, after the area collapsed under Turkish forces in 1074, tourists were deterred from visiting. Today, visitors can see the crumbling hotels and homes of the workers who lived in the town. People are warned to take care as the site could be dangerous to explore.
From Nicosia: Famagusta and Ghost Town Tour
Duration: 7.0 hour
6. Troodos Mountains
Located roughly in the center of the island of Cyprus, Troodos is the largest mountain range in the country that is 26 mi (42 km) from Paphos. The highest peak is Mount Olympus (Chionistra) which stands at 6404 ft (1952 m). Mount Olympus is home to Sun Valley and North Face ski areas with a total of five ski lifts. A road is available to reach the summit of Mount Olympus which starts at Troodos and runs for 2.4 mi (3.9 km).
7. Road connectivity
The island of Cyprus has a well-developed and modern road network throughout, easily connecting to the various cities. The road network consists of around 4477 mi (7206 km) of paved roads and 2725 mi (4387 km) of unpaved roads. The island has also improved and upgraded main rural and urban roads throughout Cyprus.
8. Kypria International Festival
The Kypria International Festival is held each year at various venues across the island of Cyprus. It is held during September and October each year. The event is organized by Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture and brings some of the world’s best artists in the fields of dance, music, and performance art with jazz, music, and theatrical events.
Kypria International Festival
Website: Kypria International Festival
9. Aphrodite Rock (from USD 123.0)
This location is perfect for a romantic couple on vacation in Cyprus, and it’s because Aphrodite’s Rock is allegedly the birthplace of the goddess of love. The site sits on the southern coast of Cyprus and offers beautiful views over the neighboring countryside and the Meditteranean Sea. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful beach perfect for swimming and sunbathing. It is also possible to hire a quad or buggy to explore the area. Officially named Petra Tou Romiou, Aphrodite’s Rock is located on the main road between Paphos and Limassol.
2 Hrs UTV 4x4 & Buggy Safari at Aphrodite's Rock in Paphos
Duration: 2 hours
Experience a fascinating trip to Cyprus
Nestled in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is a fascinating vacation destination offering beautiful beaches, quaint towns and cities, delicious cuisine, and historic monuments. It is also a great skiing destination in the winter months which makes the island a year-round location. Here you can experience some of the top things Cyprus is famous for.
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