Things to do on the Beautiful Island of Cyprus

Cyprus is one of the largest islands in the world, occupying third place among the Mediterranean islands in terms of area. It is located on a trade route between three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Cyprus is located in the eastern Mediterranean basin, southeastern Europe, and northwestern Asia. It gained its independence in 1960, after which it was divided into two parts due to the Turkish military intervention in 1974. The first part is the south and centre, with a Greek majority, and the second is the north, with a Turkish majority.

Cyprus contains six provinces, one of which is entirely in Turkish Cyprus, and three are located in parts of Turkish Cyprus. Here are some of them:

• Nicosia: It is located north of Limassol Province. It is also the capital of Cyprus and covers an area of 1,924 km2.
• Paphos: It is located to the west of the provinces of Nicosia and Limassol and covers an area of 1,390 km2.
• Larnaca: It is located east of the province of Limassol and covers an area of 1,041 km2.
• Famagusta: It is located east of Larnaca province and covers an area of 244 km2.

Since ancient times, Cyprus has been considered the crossroads of civilizations worldwide, including the Byzantine, Roman, and Greek civilizations. This name is Cyprus because of its fame for its abundant copper metal on its lands. It came from the Greek word Kypros, which means in Latin Cuprum, meaning copper.

Most of Cyprus’s residents work in agriculture. Some of the island’s most critical industries are food, wood products, chemicals, and others. Cyprus also occupies a distinguished position in the communication field due to its significant development in the communication network, which includes a network of optical fibres available at the seabed.

The island also has a vast network of airlines that help link the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa together, which has helped increase the number of tourists on the island. 

History of Cyprus

Many different people lived on this island. The Greeks settled there in 1200 BC. In 330 AD, the island fell into the hands of the Byzantines, and then King Richard seized it in 1911 and sold it to the French.

In the 17th century, the Ottomans controlled it until 1878. Then, Britain took control of it in 1925 and declared independence in 1960.

Weather in Cyprus

Cyprus has a temperate, subtropical climate. It is rainy and mild in the winter and hot and dry in the summer. Snow falls in the central part of the Troodos Mountains, and temperatures on the island reach 24 degrees during the day and 14 degrees at night.

Things to do in Cyprus

Tourism is one of Cyprus’s most important distinguishing features and one of its most vital sectors, as it contributes to supporting the Cypriot economy. This beautiful island has lovely beaches, historical monuments, and significant tourist attractions. We will learn more about these places in the next part.

Cyprus Museum

The Cyprus Museum is located in Nicosia, the capital of the island. With many archaeological sites on the island, the Cyprus Museum is the perfect place to display the collections uncovered from these sites.

The museum, which contains collections from the Neolithic era until the Ottoman era, will help you learn more about the island’s history. One of the essentials is a vast collection of terra-cotta votive statues from the 7th century.

Ancient Salamis

The Ancient Salamis is one of the famous attractions in Cyprus. It is located in the country’s north and is well-known for its wealth of marble ruins, like the Ancient Kourion site. When you visit the site, you can walk through the tracks between the ruins of different periods, which will teach you more about the history of Cyprus.

You will find a grand Hellenistic statuary with no heads in the middle of the gymnasium ruins. Two ruins of Byzantine churches stand in the middle of the fennel and weed field. Besides that, you will see a vast reservoir area that shows you the engineering ability and management since the old ages.

Church of Saint Lazarus

The Church of Saint Lazarus is located in Larnaka City in a square of the same name in the city’s centre. It was built in the 9th century on the tomb of Saint Lazarus by Byzantine Emperor Leo VI. The church is an excellent example of Byzantine architecture. It is made of stone, and you will also see a gold-covered iconostasis that shows a beautiful example of baroque woodcarving.

The Archaeological Museum in Limassol

The Archaeological Museum was founded in 1948. It was located in Limassol Castle but moved to another building just 2 km away. When you visit the museum, you will see an extensive collection of artefacts found in Cyprus, showing you the development of civilization from the Neolithic period until the Roman period.

Inside the museum, you will find three exhibits: a pottery exhibit, coins and metal objects exhibit, sculptures and a tombstone exhibit.

Hilarion Castle

St. Hilarion Castle is one of the top attractions in Cyprus. It is considered an old crusader bastion and the home of many legends. Much local lore says that a fairy queen built the castle, and they used to charm local shepherds on the slopes.

The castle is the perfect place for explorers. The rooms are snaked up the mountain, and a trail goes through the lower part of the castle, where there are the soldier barracks, royal rooms, and chapels. You can climb to the top of the castle and see a beautiful view from there. Don’t forget to take some nice pictures while at the top!

Cape Greco

Cape Greco is well-known as a protected national forest park. When you visit the place, you will love the nature surrounding you. There are natural trails, a beautiful sea view, and natural caves to explore. 

There are about nine trails through the forests and along sea cliffs in Cape Greco, ranging from 1.5 km to 8 km. Besides that, the sea caves along the coast are where you can do many activities, such as snorkelling, swimming, and much more.

Kolossi Castle

The Kolossi Castle is located just outside Kolossi Village. It was known as a Crusader stronghold and was set in an important strategic place in the Middle Ages. The castle has three storeys and is entered by crossing a bridge. It was built of stone with walls 1.25 meters thick.

Inside the castle, you can discover the rooms, like the dining room, storage room, and another room used to make sugar from local sugarcane.

Millomeris Waterfalls

It is one of the highest waterfalls in Cyprus, reaching 15 metres. It is located in a forest near the village of Pano Platres. It is one of Cyprus’s most beautiful natural places and is perfect for nature lovers. There is a parking lot available for people arriving by car.

Limassol Zoo

Limassol Zoo is the largest zoo in Cyprus. It contains about 300 animals and birds, including zebras, tigers, and falcons. The animals are divided into sections according to their species. The history museum is also located inside the zoo, where you can discover taxidermized animals, fish, and birds.

It is a perfect spot for families, especially kids, with events hosted in the zoo and playgrounds for them to play.

Hala Sultan Tekke

It is also called the Mosque of Umm Haram, a large historic Muslim complex located on the shore of Larnaca Salt Lake. The mosque was built in 648 AD, where Prophet Mohammed’s relative Umm Haram died and is one of the most important Muslim sites in Cyprus.

Protaras Ocean Aquarium

Protaras Ocean Aquarium contains more than 1,000 aquatic species. It is another lovely family destination. In addition to the zoo, you will enjoy and discover life underwater. 

You will see many species, such as turtles, eels, crocodiles, and penguin houses, which are considered the home of the endangered Humboldt penguin.

Troodos Villages

Troodos Villages are located in the Troodos Mountains in the hill region in southwest Cyprus. This village contains houses built from stones and cobblestone alleys. Also, in these villages, you will find some beautiful churches and monasteries with lovely frescoes and wall paintings from the medieval era.

About nine churches in the Troodos Villages have been given UNESCO Heritage status. One of the most important is the Church of Archangelos Michail in the village of Pedoulas.

Limassol Castle

The Limassol Castle is located in the middle of Cyprus’s capital city. It was built in 1193 and rebuilt again in the 19th century when the Turks ruled. Inside the castle is the Cyprus Medieval Museum, which includes many items from Cyprus’s history, like coins and weapons, from the 3rd to 18th centuries. 

Kykkos Monastery

The Kykkos Monastery is located in the Troodos Mountains at a height of 1,318 meters. It is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Cyprus. The place was built in the 11th century, but if you visit, you will see that the buildings are new, and that is because the original ones were burned.

The monastery was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is also known as the home of one of the three icons attributed to Luke the Evangelist.

Kato Paphos Archaeological Park

The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park includes most of the ancient city that was the capital of Cyprus between the 2nd century B.C. and the 4th century A.D. It was also included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980, and most of the ruins there date back to the Roman period.

When you visit the place, you will see some monuments showing the park’s history from the prehistoric era to the Middle Ages. It also includes a theatre, four villas, ruins of a basilica, and much more.

Avakas Gorge

Avakas Gorge is located on the Akamas Peninsula. It is a 3 km natural wonder with limestone about 30 meters in height. A 7 km circular trail goes through the gorge. While walking, you can admire the beautiful rock formations. However, you should be careful while hiking there because it’s difficult, and the rocks can be slippery.

Stavrovouni Monastery

The Stavrovouni Monastery was built in the 4th century. It is located about 750 metres above sea level at the top of the hill of Stavrovouni. St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, built the place. Due to the strict rule of the monks in the monastery, women are not allowed to enter, and men should dress appropriately.

Adonis Baths 

According to Greek mythology, the Adonis Baths were well-known as a perfect place for the god Adonis and the goddess Aphrodite. Today, it is a lovely choice for visitors to swim and have a great time. There are waterfalls below and a museum. You can also have mud therapy and take some beautiful pictures. When you discover the place, you will find a 10-meter statue of Aphrodite. 

Nissi Beach

Nissi Beach is one of the famous beaches in Cyprus, with its white sand and beautiful turquoise water that gets crowded in summer. The water is very calm within the bay, making it a perfect place for families with many activities to do there.

Tombs of the Kings

The Tomb of the Kings is one of the famous archaeological sites in Cyprus. It was built in the 4th century near the Paphos Harbour and is a large site that includes many underground tombs. If you enter the site, you will see the lovely columns, frescoed walls, and the beauty of the tombs that gave it its name.

Castle of Paphos

The Castle of Paphos is located in the Paphos Harbour. It was built in the Byzantine era to protect the harbour, and you can enter it by an arched bridge. The building was destroyed and rebuilt many times; the last reconstruction was during the Ottoman era.

Many events are held in front of the castle yearly, including an opera concert every September.