Welcome to our guide on the best things to do in Cyprus. We are Polish couple Justyna and Pawel. Our passion for travel connected us together and we have been discovering the world for over 10 years now.
We met in high school around 12 years ago and have always loved travelling together. Whether it’s trips around Europe, backpacking journeys to Southeast Asia or just short city breaks.
We’ve always been keen to explore the world. Our wedding was even in the Dominican Republic on the island of Saona which was so beautiful.
One of our favourite places in the entire world is Cyprus. It has this special Mediterranean charm about it. The fact that the Greek goddess Aphrodite was born here gives the island this extraordinary mystery.
The island impresses with numerous archaeological sites, beautiful beaches, historic villages, ancient ruins, picturesque mountains and bustling cities. It’s the perfect place to relax for lovers of history, culture, nature and blissful laziness.
Our first trip to Cyprus was a few years ago when we came for 3 days to get some rest and catch some sun. At that time, we weren’t running our blog and photography wasn’t a huge priority of ours. We just wanted to enjoy the island for itself.
This holiday was geared at discovering as much as possible and learning about the amazing culture of Cyprus. It turned out to be a fantastic trip and we fell in love with the island. So we had to come back for a second visit.
A Beautiful 4 Days in Cyprus
Cyprus has a special place in our hearts which is why we recently came back for a second trip. This time around we spent 4 days on the island. We were on a tight schedule but we saw a lot of beautiful places.
The spectacular Avakas Gorge, pink flamingos at Larnaca Salt Lake, White Stones on the coast, Cape Greco Peninsula, Ayia Napa and several other places nearby made for an action-packed 4 days.
It was amazing to come back to Cyprus for a second time and we’re sure that we will visit again soon for a third time. There’s just so much incredible culture and landscapes to enjoy here that you would need at least a month to get a complete experience.
Sunrise at Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite Rock)
Aphrodite Rock is our favourite place to visit in Cyprus. It’s located on the shore along the main road from Paphos to Limassol. Not only is it a beautiful creation of nature but the rock is steeped in Greek mythology as the birthplace of Aphrodite.
We will always cherish the moment when we got up at sunrise to see Petra tou Romiou. All alone and the colours of the sky were spectacular. Aphrodite Rock attracts a fair few tourists with its legendary mythology, so it was nice to have it all to ourselves.
There are so many wonderful tales and myths about this place. Like if you swim around the rock at night, naked under the full moon, the goddess will rejuvenate you. A heart-shaped stone will be raised from the beach and ensure your success in love. How magical is that?!
5 Best Things To Do in Cyprus
Contact with nature is the best way to experience Cyprus. The island is rich in natural beauty and has so many hidden gems around every corner. Here are our top 5 recommendations for your visit to the Island of Love.
1. Explore the Beautiful Cape Greco
Cape Greco is a protected national park that offers beautiful nature paths, wonderful sea views and the opportunity to discover the insides of intriguing caves. You can’t miss the Cyclops Cave which has a view of the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
Then there is the Bridge of Love (Monachus Monachus Arch) and the natural rock arch Kamara Tou Koraka. There’s so much beauty to explore in Cape Greco, you’ll love it!
2. See the Pink Flamingos of Larnaca Salt Lake
The area surrounding the Larnaca Salt Lake is characterised by gently rolling hills, a city park and numerous walking paths. It’s an ideal place for a peaceful walk during sunset.
In the winter season, from November to March, the salt lake is home to beautiful pink flamingos. They gather in the centre of the lake, perform ritualistic mating dances and play and feed together.
Visit in the summer months and the water on the lake completely evaporates as its surface gets covered in a thick crust of salt.
3. Visit the Cypriot Icon, Aphrodite Rock
Aphrodite Rock is a stunning rock formation rising straight out of the foaming waves of the Mediterranean. Near Aphrodite Rock you will find a grotto where the goddess took refreshing baths, and in Kouklia a sanctuary dedicated to her.
Cypriots consciously made Aphrodite their icon. The goddess has become a lure for tourists which we must admit works perfectly. Not only does the rock and nearby beach bear her name, but also boats, hotels and restaurants. Because of Aphrodite, Cyprus is often called the Island of Love.
4. Discover the Masterpiece of Avakas Gorge
Now we are moving to the Akamas Peninsula. There you’ll find a 30 metre high and 3km long Avakas Gorge. It’s one of the most beautiful attractions in Cyprus. A 7km long walking trail runs through the gorge, allowing you to admire magnificent rock formations and a variety of fauna and flora.
5. Visit Lania Village at the Foot of Mount Troodos
It’s worth moving away from the cities for some time and getting to know a completely different side of Cyprus – the Troodos Mountains. The highest peak of the island is located here, Mount Olympos standing at 1950m.
Tiny villages, vineyards and old monasteries are scattered between the mountains. Time flows much slower in this region and you’ll get the opportunity to discover traditional architecture and cuisine at its best.
The atmospheric village of Lania is a must-see destination in Cyprus. Local legend says that Lania got its name from the daughter of the mythical Dionysus, the god of wine. And its inhabitants have a great deal of knowledge about wine growing and the production of divine liquor.
The Best Photography Spots in Cyprus
Cyprus boasts an amazing wealth of plants and animals. There are numerous nature reserves, national parks and protected areas.
The Akamas Peninsula, located in the northwestern part of the island, is an ideal place for hiking and taking unique photos. It’s full of wasteland, great views and amazing nature.
In the south of the peninsula there is a unique beach – Lara Beach. The sandy stretch of beach is known for its reserve that protects endangered species of turtles. During the breeding season, restrictions on free movement and use of bathing areas apply.
Another fantastic photography spot is Governor’s Beach. You won’t find white sand here. However, the beach is very peaceful and between the rocks you can find charming little bays. The rocky sea bottom attracts fishermen and the area is popular for diving.
With any luck, you can score yourself a private beach!
Cypriot Cuisine: A Mix of Greek, Turkish and Oriental
Cypriot cuisine is very similar to Greek but you can also find a lot of influences from Turkish and Oriental traditions. Their flagship dishes include world-famous halloumi cheese. This is traditional Cypriot cheese made from sheep milk or a mixture of sheep, goat and cow milk.
Halloumi has a pleasant, slightly salty taste and a compact texture reminiscent of mozzarella. It is great for frying and grilling, and is often added to salads. Interestingly, the average Cypriot eats 8kg of halloumi per year. An astonishing fact!
Being in Cyprus, it is worth ordering a dish called meze at least once. It consists of tasting portions of various local dishes. Still, it can be treated as a full-fledged dinner dish. When ordering meze, you can try up to 30 dishes.
Where to Stay in Cyprus
In our opinion, you should divide your trip into two parts and spend one of them on the western side of the island and the other in the east. This will allow you to see a lot of Cyprus and be able to relax on the beaches.
During our travels we mainly used homestays, family pensions or rented an apartment. In Cyprus, we found a cozy apartment in Ayia Napa. The owner told us a lot and gave some tips that were very useful. We highly recommend this type of accommodation.
What you Need to Know Before you Go
If anyone has the opportunity, visit Cyprus during the low season. You have a much more intimate experience – enjoying the island all to yourself.
For the vast majority of the year, the weather in Cyprus is beautiful and the temperatures are high. Even in late autumn, you can still sunbathe and swim in the sea. To get even more out of your trip, it’s worth renting a car and having even more freedom to explore.
And that’s it from us! We hope you enjoyed reading our guide on the best things to do in Cyprus. It’s a magical island that you will love visiting.
