Must-see attractions in Cyprus

  • Nissi Beach

    Agia Napa

    Agia Napa's main attraction, Nissi Beach boasts shallow crystal-clear water, soft white sand and a picturesque rock island about 60m from its shore. It's…

  • Leventis Municipal Museum

    Nicosia (Lefkosia)

    The best place in town to get to grips with Nicosia's rich and convoluted history. The permanent collection inside this handsome neoclassical mansion…

  • Haydarpaşa Mosque

    North Nicosia (Lefkoşa)

    The second-most important Gothic structure in North Nicosia after the Selimiye Mosque, this building began life as the 14th-century Church of St Catherine…

  • Avdimou Beach

    Cyprus

    This lovely stretch of beach is home to the sophisticated Zias Beach Club and the Kyrenia Beach Restaurant, which is superb for seafood. The views of the…

  • Chrysaliniotissa Quarter

    Nicosia (Lefkosia)

    Centred around the Panagia Chrysaliniotissa church, this residential neighbourhood on the edge of the Old City rubs right up against the Green Line, and…

  • Makenzy Beach

    Larnaka

    Larnaka's most popular beach has all the facilities needed for a day in the sun, including plenty of cafes and restaurants rimming the promenade. It’s…

  • 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…

  • Kermia Beach

    Agia Napa

    Ideal for those who prefer a quiet spot where they can find a sunbed, Kermia Beach is about 2km east of Agia Napa towards Cape Greco. This is a…

  • Mevlevi Tekke Museum

    North Nicosia (Lefkoşa)

    This 17th-century former tekke (dervish house) was once Cyprus' central meeting place for the island's followers of the Mevlevi Order. Made famous by the…

  • Agios Ioannis Lambadistis monastery

    Agios Ioannis Lambadistis Monastery

    Troödos Mountains

    This Unesco-listed site is a complex of three churches in one, dating from the 11th century and built over 400 years. Now under one huge pitched wooden…

  • Panagia tou Araka

    Panagia tou Araka

    Troödos Mountains

    This 12th-century Unesco-listed church is on the outskirts of Lagoudera. From the outside, it appears enormous, the pitched roof and wooden trellis…

  • Courtyard of the Timiou Stavrou Monastery in the village of Omodos in the Troodos Mountains of central Cyprus.

    Timiou Stavrou Monastery

    Troödos Mountains

    Fronted by the town’s impressive, massive cobbled square, the monastery’s entrance is guarded by a statue commemorating Dositheos, a former abbot…

  • Church of Panagia tou Moutoulla at Moutoullas village on Cyprus.

    Panagia tou Moutoulla

    Troödos Mountains

    The oldest of the 10 Unesco-listed painted churches in the Troödos Mountains, this church is believed to have once been a private chapel. It has the steep…

  • Agia Paraskeviith, Byzantine Church in Geroskipou village, Cyprus.

    Agia Paraskevi

    Pafos

    One of the loveliest churches in the Pafos area is this six-domed Byzantine church in Geroskipou, 4.5km east of Pafos. Most of the surviving frescos date…

  • Early morning light at Melanda Beach in Cyprus.

    Melanda Beach

    Cyprus

    An arc of fine pebbles and sand sheltered by low, white cliffs and backed by olive trees, this is one of the best beaches in the region. It’s signposted…

  • Inside view of the Municipal Museum of Folk Art building in Limassol.

    Municipal Folk Art Museum

    Lemesos (Limassol)

    Spread over six rooms and a past winner of the prestigious Europa Nostra Award (EU prize for cultural heritage), this museum hosts beautiful…

  • Aerial view of Limassol Marina and surroundings.

    Limassol Marina

    Lemesos (Limassol)

    With haute-couture boutiques, world-class art galleries, gourmet restaurants, stylish bars and, if that's not enough, a place to park your luxury yacht,…

  • Panagia tis Podythou

    Troödos Mountains

    Located in the village of Galata, on the Nicosia road, this 16th-century Unesco-listed church was established in 1502 by Dimitrios de Coron, a Greek…

  • Ecclesiastical Museum

    Pafos

    This noteworthy museum is worth visiting for its ecclesiastical vestments, vessels, copies of scripture and collection of impressive icons, including a…

  • Oleastro Olive Park

    Cyprus

    All you ever wanted to know about the humble olive and were afraid to ask. Oleastro is devoted to the story of this mainstay of Cypriot cuisine. The…

  • Agia Sotira tou Soteros

    Troödos Mountains

    Perched on the slope overlooking Palaichori village, this Unesco-listed early-16th-century chapel contains one of the island’s most complete groups of…

  • Panagia Theotokou (Arhangelou)

    Troödos Mountains

    Dating from around 1514, this smaller chapel is just near Panagia tis Podythou. It’s quite dark inside, so you may want to bring a torch. It has vivid…

  • Michael Owen Gallery

    Cyprus

    British artist Michael Owen has been living in Cyprus since 1971, and his work is alive with the spirit of the Cypriot landscape. His gallery in…

  • Ancient Soloi

    Cyprus

    One of Cyprus’ ancient city kingdoms, Soloi was originally referred to as Si-il-lu, on an Assyrian tribute list that dates from 700 BC.

  • Kantara Castle

    Cyprus

    The best vantage point on the Karpas is from this Lusignan Gothic castle, one of three in Cyprus. Kantara Castle is the furthest east and the lowest in…

  • Stavrovouni Monastery

    Cyprus

    Perched 668m high at the peak of Stavrovouni (literally ‘Mountain of the Cross’), this monastery is revered as the oldest on the island and is said to…

  • Mavi Köşk

    Cyprus

    Probably the most eccentric sight in Northern Cyprus, Mavi Köşk (Blue House) was supposedly built by Paulo Paolides, lawyer to Archbishop Makarios III…

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    Pafos Castle

    Pafos

    This small fort guards the harbour entrance and is entered by a small stone bridge over a moat. In 2017, to commemorate Pafos' stint as European Capital…

  • Choirokoitia

    Cyprus

    Occupying a well-defended hillside with a large perimeter wall, this small but well-preserved neolithic site is the earliest permanent human settlement…

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    Cyprus Wine Museum

    Cyprus

    Located 4km east of Episkopi, off the B6 Lemesos–Pafos highway, the Cyprus Wine Museum offers an insight into the history of Cypriot winemaking. There are…

  • Ancient Vouni

    Cyprus

    The ruins may be sparse but the views here are truly glorious and well worth the trip. On a superb hilltop location, this ancient site originally housed a…

  • Karmi

    Cyprus

    The quaint village of Karmi (officially called Karaman, but still known as Karmi by everyone) is all traditional stone villas, whitewashed cottages,…

  • Kourion Beach

    Cyprus

    This is a lovely beach of sand and small pebbles; the area is windy and attracts windsurfers and kiteboarders, as well as those who just want to chill out…

  • Othello’s Tower

    Cyprus

    An extension of the Old Town’s walls, Othello’s Tower was constructed during Lusignan rule, in order to protect the harbour. In 1492 the Venetians further…

  • Panagia Absinthiotissa Monastery

    Cyprus

    Located on the flank of the Beşparmak Range, this monastery sits idyllically among juniper trees, taking in the views over the Mesaoria plain.

  • Larnaka Salt Lake

    Cyprus

    During winter this protected reserve fills with rainwater, creating an important migratory habitat for flamingos, wild ducks and water fowl. As summer…

  • 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…

  • Maheras Monastery

    Nicosia (Lefkosia)

    It’s a fair hike out to this sprawling monastery perched in the foothills of the eastern spur of the Troödos Mountains and under the all-seeing radar…

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