Where's the best holiday destination in Cyprus?

Depending on what kind of holiday you’re looking for, places like Paphos and Protaras on the west side of the island are great for finding a relaxing retreat where you can spend a week or 2 unwinding and recharging.

Nicosia (Lefkosia) is in the north of the island and near to the Turkish border. If you didn’t know, Cyprus is predominantly Greek but not all of it – the top part of the island is Turkish, so if you’d like to cross the border you’ll need to take your passport with you. While it’s generally considered safe to do this, we recommend keeping your wits about you as it can be slightly more risky than remaining on the Greek side of the island.

There are many shops to explore if you’re having a day out and the old city offers charm and history with its pebbled streets, taverns, museums, and craft shops.

Limsassol (Lemesos) is usually buzzing with life, with cafes, bistros, modern architecture and little art galleries. It’s well complimented by a modern marina and near to some 5-star luxury hotels like the Four Seasons Hotel or Amathus Beach Hotel. You could end your evening with a visit to the Pattihio Limassol Municipal Theatre for an entertaining performance. Although unsurprisingly most performances are typically in Greek, to give you that extra authentic holiday experience.

One of the most popular parts of Cyprus is Paphos (Pafos), not least because it has 1 of the 2 major airports that most UK airlines like TUI, easyJet and Jet2 fly into. With an abundance of 4* and 5* hotels to choose from, many of which offering all inclusive, you’ll definitely find somewhere comfortable to stay.

Paphos offers something for everyone and the whole town is included on the official UNESCO list of cultural and world heritage, with the Paphos Mosaics standing out as the cream of the crop. Each mosaic has its own back story around the ancient Greek world and its myths. There’s also the Tomb of the Kings, bringing history to life with some very well preserved underground tombs and chambers. Once you’ve finished exploring the past, head off to the old port to find a quaint local restaurant or café to sit in and watch the world go by.

Often those who are looking for fun and parties head to the Larnaca (Larnaka) region, typically making their way to Ayia Napa (Agia Napa) – the home of world-renown superclubs. But it’s not all parties, you could also do more worldly things like heading to the Larnaca Salt Lake. It’s home to approximately 80 different migratory birds and you’re very likely to see a lot of pink Flamingos flocking to the area between February and April.

Take a look for a holiday to Cyprus here.

When is the best time to visit Cyprus?

With highs of 17 degrees even in January, Cyprus offers amazing weather all year round. It’s most popular for holidays between May and September, where you’ll see official highs of up to 30 degrees in July and August. In reality it’s quite possible that in summer months temperatures will be up to 35 degrees, particularly in inland areas and without a cooling sea breeze.

What is there to do in Cyprus?

This stunning Mediterranean island offers 5 star hotels, beaches, ancient ruins, winding streets, calm waters, up-market restaurants, world-famous nightclubs and so much more.

• The Kato Paphos Archaeological Park or Kourion are ancient ruins sites and are great if you want to transport yourself back in time to see how the Romans lived.
• Konnos Bay is essentially a huge cove featuring a 200m golden sand beach near Ayia Napa (Agia Napa) and part of the Cape Greco national park.
• The Blue Lagoon, also near Ayia Napa, is rated 4.5 star on Tripadvisor and certainly lives up to its name! Take a short boat ride out to swim in the incredibly clear waters, which will remind you of the Caribbean, except for the colder water. Don’t forget to bring some shoes with you so you can climb the pointy rocks down to the lagoon.
• Something adults might enjoy is a trip up the hills of Paphos to Aphrodite's Rock Brewing Company. Their tours are usually held Tuesday to Friday and give you the chance to explore the family-run microbrewery in a lovingly restored old winery. Complete with a scenic stone courtyard with views of the countryside.
• Kids and adults alike will love a day out at the Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark. Located near Paphos, it features lots to see including a lazy river, wave surge pool and high speed water slides. We recommend going for at least half a day to make the most of it and typically if you book in advance online, you could save up to 10% on your ticket prices.