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Cyprus

Strike out beyond the sun-soaked stretches of sand to discover an island of compelling culture and landscapes steeped in myth and riddled with ancient riches.

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Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Pafos Archaeological Site
Pafos
Nea Pafos (New Pafos) is, ironically, the name given to the sprawling Pafos Archaeological Site, to the west of Kato Pafos. Nea Pafos was the ancient city…
Ancient Kourion
Cyprus
Defiantly perched on a hillside, with a sweeping view of the surrounding patchwork fields and the sea, Ancient Kourion is a spectacular site. Most likely…
Tombs of the Kings
Pafos
Imagine yourself surrounded by ancient tombs in a desertlike landscape where the only sounds are waves crashing on rocks. The Tombs of the Kings, a Unesco…
Zenobia
Larnaka
For divers, the one reason to come to Larnaka is to explore the Zenobia, a Swedish-built cargo ship that sank just off the coast of Larnaka in 1980…
St Hilarion Castle
Cyprus
The full fairy-tale outline of St Hilarion Castle only becomes apparent once you’re directly beneath it. The stone walls and half-ruined buildings blend…
Venetian Walls
Cyprus
Defining the Old Town, these imposing ramparts were constructed by the Venetians in the early 16th century. Although over 15m high and up to 8m thick, and…
Kykkos Monastery
Kykkos Monastery & Around
The island’s most prosperous and opulent Orthodox monastery was founded in the 11th century by Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komninos after a bizarre series…
Selimiye Mosque
North Nicosia (Lefkoşa)
North Nicosia’s most prominent landmark (also clearly visible from the southern half of the city), the Selimiye Mosque is a beautiful mongrel of a…

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Attractions

Top picks from our travel experts

The best things to do in Cyprus: sun, sand and ancient civilizations

Curated by Alexis Averbuck

Lady’s Mile Beach
Cyprus
This 7km stretch of hard-packed sand and pebbles is a popular weekend beach. Named after a horse belonging to a colonial governor who exercised his mare…
Panagia Forviotissa
Troödos Mountains
This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of …
Zenobia
Larnaka
For divers, the one reason to come to Larnaka is to explore the Zenobia, a Swedish-built cargo ship that sank just off the coast of Larnaka in 1980…
Büyük Hamam
North Nicosia (Lefkoşa)
Originally part of the 14th-century Church of St George of the Latins, the Büyük Hamam is entered via a low, ornate door, sunk 2m below street level, and…
Socrates Traditional House
Troödos Mountains
Located in the backstreets but well signposted, this quirky museum in a traditional house has an eclectic assortment of exhibits and furnishings,…
Ancient Salamis
Cyprus
According to legend, Salamis was founded around 1180 BC by Teucer (Teukros), son of Telamon, king of Salamina, on the Greek mainland. Brother to the hero…
Pafos Archaeological Site
Pafos
Nea Pafos (New Pafos) is, ironically, the name given to the sprawling Pafos Archaeological Site, to the west of Kato Pafos. Nea Pafos was the ancient city…
Fig Tree Bay
Cyprus
The most popular, and best, of Protaras' sandy strips, Fig Tree Bay lies at the southern end of the Protaras seaside promenade. It has a small sand island…
Cape Greco
Cyprus
This national park has sweeping views of the sea and coast, and is excellent for leisurely day hikes and cycling. Although much of the park is accessible…
Zanettos Taverna
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
When you've been in business since 1938 you must be doing something right. This is the real-deal meze experience and locals lap it up. We recommend you…
Sanctuary of Aphrodite
Pafos
A World Heritage Site, the sanctuary is recognised as being one of the most important ancient sites related to Aphrodite in Cyprus and yet it is arguably…
Kyrenia Castle
Kyrenia (Girne)
If the grand fortifications of Kyrenia Castle could talk, they could sure tell some tales. The castle was first built by the Byzantines – possibly over…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Cyprus offers an incredible blend of archeological sites, icon-filled monasteries and ancient houses of worship. Here are the 12 best places to visit.

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Transportation

Whether you rent a car, use the bus system or take a taxi, getting where you want to go in Cyprus is rarely a challenge. Here's what you need to know.

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Visa Requirements

Although the political situation in Cyprus is complex, it's easy to visit both sides of the island. Here's what you need to know about visas for Cyprus.

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Best Road Trips

Exploring Cyprus with your own wheels will give you time to savor attractions that you’d struggle to visit by bus. Here are the island's top road trips.

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