By Time Out editors
1. Head for the hills
Agritourism is a growing trend on the island, but it hasn’t yet caught up to the high visitor numbers the coastal resorts attract. Consequently, a holiday in the Troodos Mountains is recommended for anyone in search of a laid-back break beneath the shade of cedars and pines, interspersed with walking, cycling or sightseeing. Make your base a restored traditional house such as the charming and eco-conscious Spitiko tou Archonta (which also offers Cypriot cooking demonstrations), and look forward to languid days exploring sleepy villages and the many fantastically frescoed Byzantine churches scattered across the slopes. Notable examples include Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis near the picturesque village of Kakopetria. Housed beneath the steep-pitched, tiled roof typical of churches in the region, this eleventh-century monastery church has snagged perhaps the most enchanting setting of all the religious buildings in the area, perched high in a lush glade beside the gurgling Karyatis river. Church-going is rarely this scenic.
See all venues in the Troodos Mountains
2. Party barefoot
With Agia Napa’s heyday as the clubbing destination of choice a more distant memory every year, a new breed of fairweather going-out options is vying for the crown. Lemesos is making a name for itself with its sophisticated beach bars, most of which have replaced run-down, soulless pubs along the main drag of Germasogeia.
Brand new Cote D’Azur combines floaty white sails and comfy couches for an impressive alfresco clubbing experience on a wooden deck. Another popular nightspot on the stretch is Breeze, where its street level café/restaurant provides a bird’s eye view of the dancefloor.
For daytime scenesters, Greek coffee chain Flo Café combines seaside views, a wide selection of caffeine-rich drinks and tasty food. Further down the coast, the beach at Agios Tychonas hosts Drops, a laid-back option serving cocktails and iced coffees with a smile.
The hottest seaside spot du jour, however, is Guaba, where a hip crowd dance on the beach to tunes spun by international DJs. At the time of going to press, Guaba’s licence had not been renewed for its location at Agios Tychonas beach, but the organisers were confident a new venue would be found; go to www.guababeachbar.com for info.
See all clubs, and bars & pubs in Cyprus
3. Wander archaeological wonders
Not even the most anti-sightseeing sun-seeker will be able to resist a trip to Cyprus' big three: Ancient Kourin is one of the island’s most important archaeological sites. The Greco-Roman amphitheatre perched on the clifftop, constructed in the second century BC, has undergone extensive renovation in recent years – mostly to protect the spectacular floor mosaics; Pafos Mosaics, discovered in 1962, have been acclaimed as some of the best examples of Roman floor mosaics discovered to date; and the remarkable site of Ancient Salamis, where visitors can easily spend half a day exploring the surrounding city walls, gymnasium, theatre, Roman baths and villa, forum and agora, as well as the Basilica of St Epiphanius and the temple of Zeus Salaminios.
See all museums and attractions in Cyprus
4. Gaze across the Green Line
The island’s capital has only recently emerged as a tourist destination, thanks to the opening of the Green Line (the no-go area also known as the ‘dead zone’ that divides Cypriot and Turkish areas). Even if you don’t stay here for your holiday (there are only a handful of hotels in Nicosia), it’s well worth making a detour from wherever you’re staying. Spend the day exploring the labyrinthine, beguiling streets of the old town within the ancient Venetian walls, then make your way to the Shacolas Tower Museum and Observatory for panoramic views across both sides of the last divided capital city in Europe.
See all museums and attractions in Cyprus
5. Go with the grape
More than 50 boutique wineries are dotted across the Troodos Mountains, and a day sampling their products is thoroughly recommended. An ideal place to pop the cork are the Krassohoria (Wine Villages), where you can check out the Agia Mavri Winery (Lemesos, +357 25 470 225)and its award-winning white muscat. September visitors should make a point of visiting the annual wine festival in Lemesos (see Join the party below).
6. Take a late-summer dip
Cyprus’s geographic location in a ray-catching corner of the Mediterraean makes it a failsafe target for end-of-the-summer-sun seekers. The country’s most alluring beaches – sugary shores lapped by translucent waters – are in the south-east, in the area around Agia Napa and Protaras. May and September are the best times to go, when the crowds have thinned out but it’s still warm enough to swim and tan. Follow the locals and flip-flop down to Konnos beach, a bijou bay at the foot of the spectacular cliffs at Cape Greco.
Read more about beaches in Cyprus
7. Indulge in imaginative taverna dishes
Sidestep the tourist-trap tavernas and seek out one of the small-scale operations offering creative takes on traditional dishes. At Mageirion to Elliniko, a picturesque eaterie secreted away in the old quarter of Pafos, you can look forward to a table crowded with little-seen plates inspired by the traditions of Greek-era Constantinople, such as yaourtlou chicken and Pera kebab. All served to a thrice-weekly soundtrack of live rembetika.
Outside Pafos, in the village of Kathikas, Araouzos Taverna offers stifado (casserole) of wild boar and tsikles (wild fowl), which are neatly rounded off with little sweet carob rusks for dessert.
For an authentic and filling smörgåsborg around Larnaka, head to Kalo Chorio. Here, the tables at Koutsonikolias groan under the weight of delicacies such as kerpasto (salted lamb on charcoal), baked asparagus, deer and wild boar.
If you want to sample exquisite seafood dishes involving sea urchins, crab and pandora fish, you need to call two days in advance, thus guaranteeing a fresh catch.
See all restaurants & cafés in Cyprus
8. Explore an untouched wilderness
For those with adventurous appetites, the Akamas peninsula in the west of the island offers mile after mile of untamed wilderness studded with craggy Aleppo pines. This is the largest undeveloped area in Cyprus and richly rewards exploration. Have a field day cycling over rocky off-road tracks; joining a tour with a company like BikeTrek is a sound idea if you’re nervous about venturing into the unknown.
See all tours in Cyprus
9. Take a coffee break
The British may be famed for their love of tea, but in Cyprus the most revered caffeinated beverage is definitely coffee. Trendy cafés and old-school coffee shops line the streets of every city and village on the island, and it’s not just the old folk that like to sip the good stuff and watch the world go by.
Traditional Cypriot coffee is similar to its Mediterranean cousin, the espresso, in that it’s taken short and strong. It is also drunk black and in some villages you may still find it cooked slowly in a tray of hot sand placed over the cooker, to give the drink a fuller aroma.
You will also
undoubtedly encounter the ubiquitous frappé. Served in tall glasses with
lots of ice, this milkshake-like concoction is what summer on the
island is really about.
Join the Cypriot posing posse at Nicosia hotspots like Da Capo or Le Café,
where the drink is made to last as long as possible; gossiping,
people-watching (and, more crucially, being seen) are the main events.
Alternatively, try Oktana or Kala Kathoumena
for a more laid-back vibe, where a leisurely coffee is the perfect
accompaniment to a lively game of backgammon or a fragrant shisha pipe.
10. Find your sea legs
In Latsi, a small community near Akamas, you can hire a motorboat and set off on a solo trip round the picturesque peninsula with no more than a quick lesson and a wave goodbye from the hire company. Powering along the coast from Latsi to the Blue Lagoon for a spot of snorkelling, dolphin-watching and sea turtle-spotting is an exhilarating experience. A driving licence is all that’s needed and four hours’ hire of a 40 horse-power boat costs €83.
Latsi Watersports Centre, Latsi Harbour, Polis Chrysohous (+357 26 322 095/www.latchiwatersportscentre.com).
11. Have an old-school spa treatment
Get properly pummelled with an old-school massage at the spruced-up Omeriye Hamam, the most luxurious Turkish baths on the island. The spa offers seven steam rooms at different temperatures, plus indulgent body wraps and a chill-out space on divans.
12. Taste a culinary evolution
If you thought Cypriot cuisine was all about tavernas, you’re in for something of a surprise – the island’s culinary evolution has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years.
Excellent restaurants are legion in the gastronomic capital of the island, Lemesos. Mavromatis, in the super-swanky Four Seasons hotel, combines elements from Greek and French cuisine. Beige has been voted the best international restaurant in Cyprus for three years running. The Japanese Zen Room is always busy with both locals and visitors – try the divine tempura ice cream. For imaginatively presented hearty Mediterranean meals, head to Artima and the Columbia Beach Resort near Lemesos for a highly creative molecular cooking.
Considered one of the most stylish and atmospheric restaurants in Lefkosia, Domus Lounge Bar offers stunningly executed dishes. On chic Stasikratous street, Seiko has a menu with more than a hundred choices of freshly prepared and prettily presented sushi and sashimi. Another great bet, Cos’altro emphasises pastas and assorted Med delicacies. Alfresco Marco Polo offers fusion cuisine with excellent views of the city from its seventh-floor vantage point. Polynesian Pago Pago, the only place of its kind in Cyprus, cherry-picks from Thai, Japanese and Chinese influences to transport you to the South Pacific.
In Larnaka, Japanese bistro Nippon is one of the most reputable restaurants around.
For excellent sushi in Pafos, Asiachi is a good bet. Its minimalist decor, friendly staff and vast array of dishes score big points. In the same area, there are two reasons for choosing Risto La Piazza: it serves authentic Italian cuisine and has won awards for two consecutive years for its peerless selection of wines. Sommelier Vasos Manoli will gladly guide you in matching your food and wine.
See all restaurants & cafés in Cyprus
13. Take a hike
Keen walkers have dozens of nature trails to choose from. Cedar Valley in the mountains is bisected by a European Ramblers Association long-distance walking path that stretches from Budapest to Larnaka. A picnic area with majestic views serves the less active. Alternatively, the Kalidonia trail in Platres offers a not-too-taxing trek along a refreshing stream.
Cedar Valley is reached by unsealed road from Kykkos Monastery, or from Pano Panagia if approaching from Pafos.
See all museums and attractions in Cyprus
14. Bag a quality souvenir
If you’re on the hunt for locally produced, hand-made gifts, then the Cyprus Handicraft Centre should be your first and only stop. Based in Nicosia, Larnaka, Limassol and Pafos, this organisation is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce in order to preserve traditional craftsmanship. It proffers quality objects, from pottery and dolls to lacework and woven baskets – first-class options for souvenirs that last.
See all shops in Cyprus
15. Dive, dive, dive
The warm, clear waters and lack of strong tides and currents around Cyprus make the island an ideal place to learn to dive. Scuba diving schools have surfaced in every coastal town; ask at your hotel for recommendations or try Dive-In (www.dive-in.com.cy), a company with centres in Larnaka, Lemesos and Pafos; Sunfish Divers (www.sunfishdivers.com) in the Agia Napa and Protaras area; or the Pafos-based Cydive (www.cydive.com). Courses for both beginners and more experienced divers can be worked into your holiday, after which you’ll be qualified to explore the rich underwater world of sea caves, shipwrecks and marine life.
The most famous Cypriot dive site is the Zenobia wreck off the coast of Larnaka, which is considered the finest dive site in the Med. The sunken Swedish ferry has remained remarkably intact since it sank with a cargo of over 100 articulated lorries in 1980. Divers can snoop around the ship in the company of creatures such as conger eels, barracudas and groupers which have made the wreck their home. Nearby is a British Army Air Corps helicopter wreck and a sunken boulder-carrying barge, which has created an artificial reef known as Fraggle Rock.
Between Agia Napa and Protaras, Konnos Point and the sea caves offer plentiful opportunities for wanders through tunnels, canyons and interesting rock formations. The waters are rich in marine life, including octopus, starfish and a variety of hunting fish, which provide quite a spectacle if you’re lucky enough to catch them in action.
At the Akrotiti Fish Reserve in Lemesos, you can hand-feed species ranging from bream to bass. Pafos dive sites worth checking out include the Amphorae Reef and the 100-Foot Reef, known for its exceptionally clear waters. These suggestions are the tip of the iceberg: the good tidings for scuba fans are that scores more intriguing sites are ripe for exploration.
16. Espresso yourself
Cafés serving up a side of cultural stimulation alongside daily doses of caffeine are on the rise, with exhibitions popping up at coffeehouses and bars as a way of keeping the feel fresh, fluid and fashionable.
In Pafos, Casa has put the culture into coffee drinking. Occupying a restored mansion, it adds a contemporary twist with an outdoor, granite-topped bar and transparent green seating. This restaurant/bar/café exhibits mostly photographic work by Pafos artists, spicing up the internationally-inspired dishes on the menu.
Over in Lemesos, Dino Art Café is another arty spot for a caffeine fix. The pieces on display are all by Lemesos-based artists, and change monthly. The stripped-down surrounds let the paintings, photographs and sculptures set the mood; plus, everything’s for sale.
In Nicosia, Oinohoos sits right on the border of the dead zone. Fittingly, it has teamed up with various UN agencies to showcase works that highlight human rights and refugee issues. Meanwhile, Scarabeo sets the standard for the gallery/nightspot hybrid. Head here to hang with the cool kids amongst paintings, photos, sculptures or jewellery by local bright young things. Gallery-going has never been so hip.
See all art venues in Cyprus
17. Get fresh with a fish
If you're on holiday on a small island, it stands to reason that there are going to be plenty of fresh fish around. Spartiatis is renowned for its fish meze and for using sparklingly fresh ingredients, the restaurant also commands stunning views over Cape Greco; Ta Psarakia tou Nikou is a simple, authentic fish taverna serving impeccably fresh food; and Pyxida, one of the best recent openings in the fish taverna sector, the setting is stylish and the service professional.
See all fish & seafood restaurants in Cyprus
18. Pull on a Cypriot designer label
Despite its relatively small size (the entire population could fit into London seven times over), Cyprus is becoming a hotbed of up-and-coming fashion talent and style.
Three hotly-tipped designer of the moment are Stalo Markides (4 Pygmalionos, www.stalo-markides.com), who puts her name to burlesque-inspired handbags and clutches, embellished with bold colours and leather pieces exquisitely cut to resemble feathers; Kyriaki Costa (Plateia tou Manoli 70, 99 471 107, http://kyriakicosta.net), an acclaimed Cypriot artist and fashion designer whose sleek and flattering cuts have caused a buzz internationally as well as on the local scene; and jewellery gallery Krama which showcases Skevi Afantiti’s highly original and sought-after necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings.
See all shops in Cyprus
19. Join the party
The two most anticipated events on the year are Carnival and the Lemesos Wine Festival.
The former provides the biggest street events in Cyprus, which last for almost two weeks. Although festivities take place in towns all over the island, Lemesos hosts the most famous merrymaking. Carnival begins 50 days before Easter, on the second Thursday before Lent. On Green Monday, after the last day of Carnival, it’s customary for Cypriots to head to the fields to begin the 40-day countdown to Easter, when tasty vegetarian food is on the picnic menu to mark the first day of fasting.
The latter celebrates the island’s most precious natural produce, the grape. Wine making has an extremely long history on the island and is toasted every September in the town’s Municipal Gardens. The feast of tastings and buffets attracts over 100,000 people, accompanied by music and dancing at the gardens’ open-air theatre.
Read more about these and other festivals & events in Cyprus
20. Chew yourself healthy?
Aromatic mastic or masticha resin is produced on the Greek island of Chios. The properties of the gum have long been known – the Romans used it to whiten teeth, and Christopher Columbus declared it should be valued by its weight in gold rather than silver.
The milky sap of the mastic tree forms translucent crystals when dried in the sun which soften when chewed, making it the original chewing gum. Apart from its refreshing and interesting flavour (an acquired but addictive taste), the gum is heralded for its medicinal and anti-bacterial properties.
You can buy toothpaste and face cream from the official shop of the growers’ association at Mastiha Shop. The association has also teamed up with Korres skincare to develop a series of luxe lotions. Across the street Mastic Spa specialises in delicious-smelling hair, skin and body care ranges.
Mastiha Shop also stocks traditional edible products, like sweets, biscuits and the original Elma brand chewing gum. If the unique scent of mastic wins you over, try some of their stranger products like the mastic-infused pasta or the intensely flavoured liqueur – perfect served with fresh cream over ice.
See all shops in Cyprus
SOURCE - Time Out Cyprus
Hi Anastasia, I really love this post. This post is so picturesque in a way that it stimulates my mind to "picture " what I will do there. Sounds and looks like Cyprus is so fun. I wanna go there and wanna do all the things you suggested , especially the beaches, the spas, shopping for souvenirs, parties, food and all those visual delights to see and enjoy. Hope to visit your place someday.
Posted by: A Twitter User | November 22, 2012 at 05:06 AM
Lovely post and great photos! I love Italia Spaghetteria and have eaten there 3-4 times. I hear they make their own pasta which is really delicious. I agree, it's the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to in Cyprus.
Posted by: Stefania | November 22, 2012 at 11:05 AM
I will bookmark your wonderful post and try to do all these great things next time I have a long holiday...except scuba diving maybe! Another great thing you can do in Cyprus, especially if you live in Lemesos, is take a swim at one of our great beaches and about an hour later ski in Troodos. This is not possible every year but many times in March, we get warm weather on the coast and snow in the mountains. I've never tried it myself cos I don't ski, but in early March I joined some friends who are excellent swimmers and excellent skiers. We spent the morning on the beach, by 12:00 pm we were at Troodos Ski resort and I watched them ski in their swimming costumes! This must be fun!
Posted by: Sophia | November 22, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Je vois qu'il est pratiquement impossible de s'ennuyer à Chypre. J'aimerais tant avoir l'occasion de visiter ton beau pays. N'oublie pas que j'adore la bonne bouffe et je sais, grâce à ton blog, que la cuisine chypriote est délicieuse. J'espère pouvoir y goûter un jour.
Posted by: Jean-Paul Bouvier | November 22, 2012 at 09:18 PM
Having lived for 2 years in Cyprus, I have tried most of these things, namely, party barefoot on the sand till the early morning hours, hiking in Troodos, agrotourism and exploring small villages right off the beaten track like Ficardou and Lofou, of course I loved the food especially souvla and sheftalia and did a lot more like windsurfing, water ski and learning Greek. Have forgotten most of it now :-) Love your photos!
Posted by: Alexia M | November 23, 2012 at 11:45 AM
I am a very traditional Greek Cypriot and I prefer tavernas to gastronomic restaurants featuring, so to speak, authentic Cyprus cuisine and charging at least €25-35 per person! I love Stoa tou Dimitri Tavern in Nicosia where you can have traditional Cyprus meze and dessert for only €15 per person. Also try I Gonia tou Anastasi in Tseri - just amazing!
Posted by: Lakis Ioannou | November 23, 2012 at 09:04 PM
....and may I add that playing golf at Aphrodite's Hills Resort in Paphos is a unique experience! Great post, great pictures!
Posted by: Lakis Ioannou | November 23, 2012 at 09:06 PM
I've already booked a holiday in Cyprus for Christmas. Now I know we'll have a great time there! Thank you for sharing this post, the links and all the great photos!
Posted by: James Parson | November 23, 2012 at 09:38 PM
I can feel and smell the luring aroma of Cyprus through your wonderful post and absolutely awesome pics!
Posted by: Christina | November 24, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Such a nice post and great pictures!
Posted by: Haruko N | November 24, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Snorkelling, dolphin-watching, sea turtle spotting, hand feeding fish and...cycling over rocky tracks in the wilderness!!How exciting!!
Posted by: Laura | November 24, 2012 at 12:55 PM