Activities in Cyprus
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Diving
If you love discovering remains, rocks or shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea, Cyprus is a perfect spot for a varied and interesting choice of dives. Either Larnaka or Lemesos is a good base for diving. The prime location is the Zenobia shipwreck, rated as one of the world's top-ten diving wrecks. Situated off the coast of Larnaka, this sunken cargo ship is almost completely the same as it was when it sank in 1980. You have to be a qualified diver to go to the depths of 17m to 43m.
The ship is around 200m long and still has its cargo on board. The fish have made the wreck their home, and you'll see lovely creatures such as giant tuna, barracuda, amberjack and eel swimming…
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Green Line Walk
Despite the fact that crossing into the North is now easy and some of the 'mystery of the other side' has therefore vanished, the Green Line and the spooky buffer zone with its abandoned, crumbling houses still fascinate foreigners. The Green Line is unmissable and it exudes a sense of division. While there's not a lot to see once you are there (save for some creative graffiti work), its mere presence gives Lefkosia its bizarre edge.
You'll see the double minarets of the Agia Sofia mosque, North Nicosia's most remarkable landmark, with the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot flags that hang between them like washing. The Green Line embodies the eeriness of the capital's and the…
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Büyük Hammam
In the process of being refurbished during research, is a world-famous Turkish bath normally frequented by locals and tourists, both male and female. Stories of improper conduct on the part of the male-only masseurs made the news when two American tourists were allegedly molested in 2005, and soon after the hammam was closed for renovation.
The refurbishment makes many hope that this bath will follow in the steps of the Omeriye Hammam in Lefkosia, which would make it a safer and more appealing option.
The entrance is via an ornate low door, sunk six feet below street level. The door was originally part of the 14th-century Church of St George of the Latins. Inside you are…
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Cyprus Tourism Organisation Tours
There are three different types of walk in Lemesos, all organised by the CTO. They're free, but it's wise to book in the high season.
'A Stroll in Neapolis, Nemesos, Limassol' takes you around Lemesos' historic centre, its monuments, craft shops, markets and traditional shops. As a bonus, local gossip from (some of) the CTO guides is thrown in.
'Germasogeia - A Village Blessed by Water' goes to, you guessed it, Germasogeia village, where the water theme is covered by a visit to the village dam. You also get to see the village itself, its architecture and street life.
'Discover the Natural Environment of Germasogeia' is a walk in the hills (a bit of fitness required),…
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Wet 'n' Wild
As Lemesos' reputation as a 'good time gal' has to be maintained to compete with that of its younger sister, Agia Napa, so too Lemesos has to have a crazy water theme park. It actually has three, but Wet 'n' Wild is particularly special. It's in the middle of the tourist centre, and is set back a few hundred metres from the beachfront.
There are raft rides, inner-tube rides, body flumes, speed slides, a 'lazy river', wave pool, activity pool, kiddies' pool and 'wet bubble'. And if that doesn't get your kids to sleep like logs at night, we don't know what will.
If you are coming to Lemesos by car, exit at the Mouttagiaka exit (junction 23) on the A1 motorway. There's no…
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Dive-In
If you're a qualified diver, you'll know what you're doing. But if you're in Cyprus on holiday and want to try it out, check out the island's best known diving company Dive-In, which has branches in Larnaka, Lemesos and Pafos. Try-dives (in a pool) usually cost around €34 to €40. Internationally recognised PADI courses teach you the basics of diving in open water. They last around five days and cost between €306 and €323. They operate from various locations, so check the website for more details.
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hikes
Visitors can undertake the four hikes around Troödos village. Other options include hikes from Platres to Fini (a longish 9km downhill route to the west perhaps requiring a taxi or lift back), Platres to Perapedhi (slightly shorter at 7km) or Platres to Pouziaris (shorter at only 3km, but uphill). These hikes and others are described in greater detail in the CTO brochure Platres, which also contains a map of the village.
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Cyprus Tourism Organisation Tours
The CTO runs free guided walks on Monday, Thursday, and Friday, all starting from the CTO office in the Old City.
'Chrysaliniotissa & Kaimakli: the Past Restored' is a bus and walking guided tour that runs on Monday; Thursday is a walk through Old Lefkosia; Friday is 'Nicosia - Outside the Walls', a bus and walking guided tour. All walks last two hours and 45 minutes, and have a 30 minute break in the middle.
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CTO Tours
The CTO runs a couple of free, chaperoned walks from its office. This is a painless way to get an introduction to the layout and attractions of Larnaka. 'Larnaka - Its Past & Present' runs every Wednesday from the CTO; call the CTO office for further information. 'Skala - Its Craftsmen' runs every Friday from Larnaka Fort; call the fort for further information.
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Napa Bungee
What Agia Napa lacks in culture it sure makes up for in sheer exhilarating, gut-wrenching thrills and spills. For those with faux-suicidal tendencies, head to Napa Bungee, where you can hurl yourself from 200ft, alone or in tandem, above the deep blue sea. The staff here are friendly and promise not to push if you get cold feet.
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Scuba Base
The waters around Agia Napa and Cape Greco up to Famagusta are perfect for diving. The sea is calm, warm and clear, and a few operators are set up to cater for divers. The Scuba Base is a reputable local company that organises programmes ranging from an introduction to snorkelling to advanced open-water courses.
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Pissouri Bay Resort
As you leave the peaceful and deserted beaches of the Akrotiri Peninsula, you enter the package-tourist area, where the Pissouri Bay Resort, 10km west of Avdimou, has jet skis, surfing, banana rides and other entertaining sea activities. At the western end of the bay, you can rest under the shade of olive trees.
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Panagia tou Araka (Lagoudera) to Stavros tou Agiasmati Trail
The longest hike, it links two of the most important Troödos Byzantine churches via a forest, vineyards and stone terraces. The CTO pamphlet Cyprus: Nature Trails describes this hike in some detail and provides basic maps, but hikers would be advised to take along a more detailed map of the region.
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Teisia tis Madaris Trail
A continuation of the above trail, it involves a circular cliff-top hike around Mt Madari (Adelfi; 1613m) with excellent views. The CTO pamphlet Cyprus: Nature Trails describes this hike in some detail and provides basic maps, but hikers would be advised to take along a more detailed map of the region.
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Agia Irini to Spilies tou Digeni Trail
An easy out-and-back hike to the secret caves of Digenis, where EOKA resistance fighters hid during the insurgency of 1955-59. The CTO pamphlet Cyprus: Nature Trails describes this hike in some detail and provides basic maps, but hikers would be advised to take along a more detailed map of the region.
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Cydive
The waters off Pafos are ideal for diving, and with around 30 sites to explore, some with evocative names such as 'Bubbles', the 'Wreck of the Achilleas', 'Stan's Dilemma' or the 'Valley of Caves', there are enough dives to fill a month or more. Cydive can help you take full advantage of the opportunity.
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Lagoudera to Agros Trail
A longish hike through vineyards and orchards, with spectacular views from the Madari-Papoutsas ridge. The CTO pamphlet Cyprus: Nature Trails describes this hike in some detail and provides basic maps, but hikers would be advised to take along a more detailed map of the region.
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Petros Vanezis to Alona Trail
Involves a short hike around the village of Alona, passing through hazelnut plantations. The CTO pamphlet Cyprus: Nature Trails describes this hike in some detail and provides basic maps, but hikers would be advised to take along a more detailed map of the region.
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Doxasi o Theos to Madari Fire Station Trail
A panoramic ridge-top hike with excellent views. It begins about 2km from Kyperounda. The CTO pamphlet Cyprus: Nature Trails describes this hike in some detail and provides basic maps, but hikers would be advised to take along a more detailed map of the region.
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Agros to Kato Mylos Trail
An easy hike through cherry and pear orchards, vineyards and rose gardens. The CTO pamphlet Cyprus: Nature Trails describes this hike in some detail and provides basic maps, but hikers would be advised to take along a more detailed map of the region.
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Party Cruise
'Party' cruises include music and drinks (an extra cost) and stops for swimming. One outfit that operates such events is Party Cruise on the harbour; ask for Nikos. An evening cruise, dubbed the 'sex cruise', runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.
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Kykko Bowling
This 19-alley bowling centre is a great place to get your kids to wear uncomfortable shoes and share in Homer Simpson's great passion. The café with snacks and drinks will allow them to share his other passion (the fast food one).
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Fast Boast Safari
The high-speed, ex-Formula 3 offshore power boat of Fast Boast Safari takes you around the fascinating sea caves and the harbour. You do get to see the sights, but the speedy boat, which can go over 60mph is the real adventure.
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Nicosia Race Club
In the western suburb of Agios Dometios, this club caters for keen horse punters. Meets are normally held on Wednesdays and Sundays in winter and Wednesdays and Saturdays in summer.
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Exalt
Exalt is a Pafos-based outfit that runs a series of trekking and 4WD-based expeditions to the Akamas Peninsula, the Avgas Gorge and the Troödos Massif.
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