Why do we love Cyprus? For clean beaches, warm sea, amazing nature, and also for the fact that Russians only need an online visa to visit the island, which is very easy to get! But there are many more reasons to choose Cyprus as your next vacation destination. Here you can spend an unforgettable vacation according to any scenario — Cyprus is abundantly strewn with museums, water parks with zoos, diving spots, beaches, and restaurants with delicious cuisine!
A short but succinct guide to Cyprus entertainment has been compiled especially for you.
Nicosia
The capital of Cyprus is divided into two parts, Turkish and Greek. This allows tourists to experience the heritage of two cultures at the same time. And here it is easy to find metropolitan entertainment for every taste — from walking through museums to gatherings in cafes or shopping.
The cultural program should start with the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, which houses a huge number of ancient artifacts from the Neolithic period to the Ancient Roman period. Then visit the Buyuk Khan caravanserai. This building, dating back to the XVI century, used to serve as an inn for trade caravans, and later turned into a center for arts and crafts.
After a busy excursion program, a cup of fragrant coffee in one of the small cafes will help you relax. If you like it sweeter, ask for gliki coffee, a little less sweet — metrio, completely sugar—free — schetto. A visit to the ancient hammam Omeriye will give you a special pleasure. It was built back in the XVI century, and in 2006 it was carefully restored and resumed its work.
Pathos
Paphos is a universal place from the point of view of tourism, full of historical attractions. The main one is the Archaeological Park of Kato Paphos. Well—preserved mosaics, the semicircular Roman Odeon Theater and the ruins of the Forty Columns Castle are a small list of what you will find in the park. Another historical entertainment is the Paphos Castle, which you can (and should!) climb to take a more spectacular picture of the panorama of the city.
Those who prefer nature walks will have to take a short bus or car ride. But it’s worth it: relatively close to the city there is the picturesque Aphrodite Bath, the Akamas Peninsula, a UNESCO—protected nature reserve, as well as a “Bird and Animal Park” with peacocks and other representatives of the local fauna walking everywhere. If you just want to relax and unwind, we recommend visiting a local winery to taste real Cypriot wine.
Larnaca
The chances of a foreign tourist being in Larnaca are very high, since one of the two international airports in Cyprus is located here. However, the list of the city’s achievements does not end there. Once in Larnaca, be sure to visit the Church of St. Lazarus, where his relics are kept. This Orthodox church was founded in 898. Other must-visit historical sites in Larnaca are the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque, the old aqueduct and the Larnaca Castle.
If you search the Internet for pictures on the query “Larnaca”, one of the most common landscapes will be a beautiful view of the Salt Lake, decorated with pink flamingos frozen in the famous pose. Indeed, birds like to spend time in Larnaca, but they can only be seen from November to March-April. In the hot months, flamingos fly away, and the lake dries up.
But the Zenobia ferry, which sank in 1980, is one of the favorite places for divers, will not go anywhere from you. Both beginners and professionals will have a lot of fun diving to a depth of 42 meters, where the skeleton of the ship, overgrown with corals and crustaceans, rests. Those who are not friends with the depth will enjoy a walk through the local marina, where a wide variety of boats and yachts are moored.
Ayia Napa
If you have chosen the Ayia Napa resort for your vacation, then entertainment is in the very first place for you! No wonder this place is considered the Cypriot Ibiza. There is an extremely busy nightlife here, but there is something to do during the day. For example, go to the WaterWorld water park, where you can spend at least a whole day! The style of the water park is designed in an actual antique theme: here you will find the Zeus slide, the Odyssey River, and the pools of Aphrodite and Poseidon. Another notable park in the city is the Paliatso Lunapark with swings and carousels. Both children and adults will like it here.
After driving eight kilometers from Ayia Napa, you will get to Cape Greco. Along with views of the beautiful park with orchids and crocuses, tourists are offered a variety of active activities: diving, rowing, cliff jumping, parasailing and much more. You can also explore the ruins of the Cyclops Cave and the Temple of Aphrodite. If you do not have enough historical attractions, we recommend going to the ancient monastery of Ayia Napa, located in the very center of the city, or to the Thalassa Sea Museum, where ship models and prehistoric fossils are presented.
Limassol
Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus. And it is famous for castles and wine. Let’s start with the second one. KEO Winery, founded in 1929, is located here. This factory is the largest in Cyprus and produces not only wine, but also cognac, liqueurs and other beverages, including non—alcoholic ones. An annual wine festival is also held in Limassol. To take part in it, come in late August or early September.
You can get into the real chivalric spirit in the well-preserved castles of Limassol, the medieval castle of Kolossi and the Limassol fortress, built in the XIV century. There is also the monastery of St. Nicholas (Feline), which received such a nickname in honor of the cats who saved the city from the dominance of snakes. The fauna represented in Limassol is not limited to cats. There is a zoo in the center of the city, where llamas, kangaroos, monkeys, deer and many other animals live.