Some brief history

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire Cyprus refused to become part of Greece. From 1878 Cyprus became part of the British Empire and was used as a strategic military base occupied from 1914–1925 until 1960. Cyprus applied for independence and became an independent nation in 1960’s. The South of the island has a huge British military base near Dhekelia and Akortiri with a very heavy military feel.

WHAT CAN CYPRUS OFFER?

LARNACA

Larnaca is Cyprus’ Capital city and the European Union’s furthest Eastern Capital.  Larnaca is a very easy-going coastal town with a peppering of historic sites to wonder.  Its a great place to base yourself on the island.  It is within easy commuting distance to Limossol, Nicosia and Ayia Napa, and, close to one of the crossing points into the North of the island.

Life Guard Hut Larnaca Beach

The promenade in Larnaca is a great place to go for a morning stroll or a wonder after that evening meal.  The whole promenade is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants to grab a bite to eat or sup a coffee or beer.

LARNACA FORT

Located at the end of the Foinikoudes promenade the Medieval Castle of Larnaka and is believed to have been originally built during the Middle Ages around 1382-1398.

Tickets are available for purchase to enter the fort prices at €2.50 (GB£2.20).  The fort stands at the waters edge and separates the promenade from the old Turkish quarter. 

The courtyard is home to some medieval tombstone exhibits and old cannons, and you can climb up onto part of the ramparts. The room on your right as you enter was where the British carried out executions during their rule over Cyprus.

TURKISH QUARTER

The old Turkish neighbourhood of Skala is quaint district adorned with white-washed cottages, coloured window shutters and flowerpot studded doorways.

EUROPE SQUARE

Europe Square is located on the promenade in Larnaca and consists of the Municipal Art Gallery and the Government buildings. 

Municipal Art Gallery

is housed in one of the old 1881 Colonial buildings on Europe Square and regularly hots exhibitions featuring a wide range of artists from around the island, as well as abroad.  Exhibitions are displayed across four interconnecting halls and often include sculptures and paintings.

Government Building

Located in Europe Square adjacent to the Municipal Art Gallery will find the Government house of Cyprus.

LIMASSOL

Still known as Limassol,  Lemesos is one of Cyprus’ most beautiful towns on the South coast.  From Larnaca head West in the car for 50 minutes along highway A1.  For a more scenic route drive along the coastal road B1 that will take you into the Marina at Limassol.  Although fringed on its Eastern edge by a ton of bland looking developments the core is full of character.

Wrapped around a castle the historic centre spreads out in a web of lanes where old, shuttered houses and modern boutiques meet.  The Marina is an area buzzing with cafes, bars and restaurants that are as popular with locals as with visitors.

LIMASSOL MARINA

With haute-couture boutiques, world class art galleries, gourmet restaurants, stylish bars and, if that is not enough, a place to park your luxury yacht, Limassol Marina provides a visual feast of unabashed opulence and is worthy of a wander around.

LIMASSOL CASTLE

This 14th Century structure built over the remains of the old Byzantine castle has been utilised by conquerors throughout Cyprus’ turbulent history.  The Venetians vandalised it; the Ottomans gave it an update for military use; and the British used it as a colonial prison. 

 It is said that Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria in the chapel of the original castle in 1191 where he also grandly crowned himself King of Cyprus and his wife Queen of England.

Tickets to enter the castle are €4.50 (GB£3.95). 

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GRAND MOSQUE

At the centre of the old Turkish quarter the Grand Mosque is surrounded by palm trees.  It is used by Limassol’s remaining Turkish Cypriot population and resident Muslims who have come from the Middle East.  Visitors are allowed to visit the mosque but are asked to dress conservatively; ladies covering their shoulders and leaving shoes by the door and avoid visiting at prayer times.

AYIA NAPA

Anyone who knows about Cyprus also knows about Ayia Napa.  This is the equivalent to Spain’s Ibiza; A party town brimmed with loud, brash bars, fast food joints, bar crawls, foam parties, tall hotels and late night clubbing going on into the morning hours.  During the ‘party season’ of the Summer months this town becomes the party capital were the bars and clubs do not even open until 11pm.  However, visit out of season and you will discover a surprisingly quaint place were the pace of life is far slower.

From Larnaca take Highway A3 East until you can drive no further.  The drive will take roughly 45 minutes.

You know when you have arrived to Ayia Napa, either in or out of season, when the upmarket hotels on the towns fringes open up to one long road lined on both sides by bars, tacky souvenir shops and fast food places.  Despite all the hype and rowdy atmosphere the ‘main drag’ is surprisingly clean.  

You can walk down this road for about 10-15 minutes where it will come to a junction – turn right to head to the beach and the marina, or, turn left to head out towards The Hard Rock Cafe or the ‘Origins of Ayia Napa’, old rustic buildings around Ayia Napa Square.

On the same road as the ‘Origins of Ayia Napa’, carry on walking straight down the main road passing all the bars and you will come to the marina and beach area.  Its a very compact area but worth hanging out over cocktails whilst watching the yachts passing by.

PAPHOS

Paphos is located in the west of the island approx 30mins drive from its airport. It’s a popular destination with Europeans. It boasts historic sights, plentiful restaurants and bars, hotel resorts and a beautiful beach and marina. There is something for everyone.

Paphos Promenade

What to do in Paphos

Kato Paphos Archaeological Park

The Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos (Paphos) is one of the most important archaeological sites of Cyprus and has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1980.

Nicocles, the last King of Palaipafos moved the city from the previous location to its present location near the harbour at the end of the 4th century BC. Between the 2nd century BC and 4th century AD, Pafos was the capital city of Cyprus.

Walking the site takes around 2-3 hours and is very interesting with ancient buildings and mosaic tiled floor paintings beautifully preserved.

Entrance fee is €4.50 (GB£3.90) It’s definitely worth the fee.

Aphrodites Rock

 It is located off the shore along the main road from Paphos to Limassol (Kouklia, Cyprus). The combination of the beauty of the area and its status in mythology as the birthplace of Aphrodite draws tourists. It doesn’t take too long to visit this site.

Kourion Ancient Amphitheatre

Constructed in the 2nd Century this Amphitheatre has been fully restored after the city was destroyed by a huge earthquake in 365AD. Walk around the magnificent ruins and views across the bay. Tickets cost €4.50 (GB£3.90)

Kolossi Castle

Built in the 13th Century it served as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and in the 14th century came under the domain of the Knights Templar. Entrance tickets cost €2.50 (GB£2.20). Give yourself an hour to explore the castle.

Theo’s – www.facebook.com

If you’re feeling a little hungry there is a beautiful tavern opposite the castle. Ignore the drinks stand. Behind a tall hedge row is Theo’s restaurant. It serves delicious BBQ chicken with hefty portions sizes at a great price. On a Sunday the restaurant offers a 3-course BBQ roast chicken dinner with salad and dessert. There’s no choice. It’s a restaurant wide set menu… “Chefs kiss”.

Troodos Mountains

The Troodos mountains are located in the centre of the island and the home to its peak Mount Olympus. During the winter months this area is a hive with skiiers and hiking during the summer months. The temperatures are a good few degrees cooler than lower down.

Driving from either Paphos or Larnaca will take roughly 1hr 30 mins. The roads become quite winding as you approach and ascend the mountain. At the top there is a small village, Troodos village, offering a hotel and few small restaurants.

Be mindful if you go hiking. Troodos is home to a small British military base and if you stray too far you will be moved on.

Final Word

Cyprus is a beautiful island of many contrasts.  It’s a great place to visit in or out of season, although in-season does become stifling hot and drones of tourists from around Europe descend on the island.

Hire a car and get away from the tourist traps and head inland towards the mountains for a change of scenery and pace.

Why not consider crossing the border into Turkish Controlled Cyprus to a town called Famagusta?

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