Cyprus Travel Guide | Tourist4Tourist

Local time: 10:54 (capital)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Capital: Nicosia
Calling code: +357
Drive on the: left

Overview

A sunny Mediterranean island of beaches, ancient sites, painted mountain churches and meze. An EU member outside Schengen, divided by the UN Green Line, with crossing points open to visitors.

Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean, has some 300 days of sun a year, long stretches of coast and archaeological sites from the Neolithic to the Roman era, such as Khirokitia and the Paphos archaeological park. Inland, the Troodos Mountains rise to 1,952 m, with cedar forests, villages such as Kakopetria and Platres, ten painted churches on the UNESCO list and skiing in winter.

The island has been divided since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member that uses the euro, controls the south; the north is run by a Turkish Cypriot administration recognised only by Turkey, and uses the Turkish lira. A UN buffer zone, the Green Line, runs between them, even through the capital Nicosia. Visitors can cross at official checkpoints, but entering the island through the north is considered illegal entry by the Republic.

Nicosia: The divided capital, with Venetian walls and crossing points into the north.
Paphos: The harbour, the archaeological park and the Rock of Aphrodite nearby.
Troodos Mountains: Trails, mountain villages and UNESCO-listed painted churches.
Ayia Napa: Beaches and the island's best-known party town.
Lefkara: A village in the Troodos foothills, known for its lace.
Khirokitia: A Neolithic settlement on the UNESCO list.

Places to visit

City
Town
Coast
Mountain
Historic site

Cities

Nicosia: The divided capital, with Venetian walls, bars inside the old city and the Green Line through its centre.
Limassol: A coastal city, home of the Limassol Carnival before Lent.
Paphos: Harbour town with an archaeological park and its own airport.
Larnaca: The main airport, with buses from the beachfront to the rest of the island.
Ayia Napa: In the far east of the Republic, the island's main party town.

Beyond the cities

Troodos Mountains (mountain): Mountains up to 1,952 m with trails, villages and painted churches.
Akamas Peninsula (coast): The cape at the north-west tip of the island.
Petra tou Romiou (coast): The Rock of Aphrodite near Paphos, a favourite picnic spot.
Lefkara (town): The lace village in the Troodos foothills.
Khirokitia (site): A Neolithic archaeological site on the UNESCO list.

Regions

Nicosia district (South): The southern part of the capital's district.
Larnaca district: Around Larnaca and the main airport.
Limassol district: Around Limassol.
Paphos district: Around Paphos and its airport.
Famagusta district (South): The part of the district in the Republic, with Ayia Napa.
Akrotiri and Dhekelia: Areas where EU roaming rules do not apply and phones are charged as in the UK.

Things to do

See

Old Nicosia Nicosia: The Venetian walls, the old town and a walk across the Ledra Street crossing.
Painted churches of Troodos Troodos: Ten churches with wall paintings on the UNESCO list.
Paphos archaeological park Paphos: Ancient remains by the harbour.

Do

Hamam Omerye Nicosia: A 14th-century building restored as a working Turkish bath.
Hiking in Troodos: Trails through cedar forest to villages such as Kakopetria, Platres and Phini; skiing in winter.
Limassol Carnival Limassol: A street parade on the Sunday before Ash Monday.

Eat

Meze: A long run of small dishes, meat, fish or mixed.

Drink

Commandaria and zivania: A sweet dessert wine and a strong local spirit.

Shop

Lefkara lace Lefkara: Intricate lacework from the village that made it famous.

Tours and tickets in Cyprus PartnerGuided tours, day trips and attraction ticketsSee activities

Itineraries

Larnaca, Nicosia and Troodos in 6 days (6 days)

Larnaca (1 night): Arrive and take the bus from the airport to the seafront.
Nicosia (2 nights): The old town and a crossing on foot at Ledra Street.
Troodos Mountains (2 nights): Villages, trails and painted churches.
Paphos (1 night): The harbour and archaeological park.

The south coast in 5 days (5 days)

Ayia Napa (2 nights): Beaches in the far east.
Limassol (1 night): By intercity bus.
Paphos (2 nights): Rock of Aphrodite and the Akamas peninsula.

Climate and best time to visit

Nicosia
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max °C	16	16	20	24	30	34	38	38	34	29	23	18
Min °C	6	6	8	11	15	20	23	23	20	16	11	7
Rain mm	65	50	27	23	38	15	4	1	16	26	23	55

The lowlands have a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. In Nicosia July and August average highs of about 37 °C with almost no rain, while January averages about 16 °C and is the wettest month. The Troodos Mountains are cooler, with snow in winter.

April, May, October and November are warm without the extreme heat. The wildfire risk is high from April to October. The Orthodox Easter usually falls on a different date from Western Easter, and in August many shops close for a week or two.

Holidays and events

1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
6 January 2026 · Epiphany
23 February 2026 · Green Monday
25 March 2026 · Greek Independence Day
1 April 2026 · Cyprus National Day
10 April 2026 · Good Friday
13 April 2026 · Easter Monday
14 April 2026 · Easter Tuesday
1 May 2026 · Labour Day
31 May 2026 · Pentecost
1 June 2026 · Whit Monday
15 August 2026 · Assumption of the Virgin Mary
1 October 2026 · Cyprus Independence Day
28 October 2026 · Ohi Day
24 December 2026 · Christmas Eve
25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
26 December 2026 · St. Stephen's Day

Getting around

Main airports	LCA, PFO
International driving permit	Recommended

Buses cover the whole island, but most routes stop in the early evening; use the Cyprus By Bus or Pame apps for real-time times. Intercity buses run roughly hourly from 06:00 to 21:00. There are no trains. Shared service taxis link the main towns.

Driving is on the left. Highways are good but driving standards are poor; eating or drinking while driving is illegal. Seat belts and helmets are compulsory and fines are heavy. Insurance from the Republic usually does not cover the north: buy separate cover at the crossings that sell it. Never leave your passport as a deposit for a rental.

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Where to stay

Hotels and hotel apartments: Countless options of every standard along the coast.
Agrotourism houses: Restored traditional village houses for self-catering, under a government scheme.

Prices in tourist areas are comparable to Central Europe, and more moderate away from the hotels and beaches.

Eat and drink

Dishes to try

Meze: A succession of small dishes; some restaurants serve nothing else.
Halloumi: Goat and sheep cheese, usually grilled.
Kleftiko: Lamb slow-roasted with herbs and lemon.
Taramosalata: A dip of salted fish roe with bread or potato, lemon and oil.
Shoushoukos: Strings of almonds dipped in thickened grape juice.

Drinks

Commandaria: A strong, sweet dessert wine, somewhat like port.
Zivania: A strong local spirit.
Filfar: A traditional orange liqueur.

Tap water is drinkable, but its minerals can upset a stomach at first. Cyprus is not a cheap island to eat out in tourist areas.

Entry requirements and visas

Passport validity	UK: issued less than 10 years before arrival and valid 3 months after you leave, with a blank page. Canada: valid 6 months beyond departure

Passport	Entry	Max stay	Notes
EU / EEA	Freedom of movement		An ID card or passport is enough.
United Kingdom	Visa free	90 days	Up to 90 days; Cyprus is not in Schengen, so this is counted separately.
Canada	Visa free	90 days	Up to 90 days.

Other nationalities: check the official source below.

Cyprus is in the EU but not in the Schengen area, and the EU Entry/Exit System does not apply. UK and Canadian visitors can stay up to 90 days; time spent in the north counts towards it. Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit. You may be asked for a return ticket and proof of funds.

Enter through Larnaca or Paphos: arriving via the north is treated as illegal entry. At the Green Line crossings you show your passport. There are limits on goods brought from the north, such as 40 cigarettes per person. Meat and milk products cannot be brought into the EU. Check the official link before you book.

Money and payments

Currency	Euro (EUR)

The Republic of Cyprus uses the euro (€). The north uses the Turkish lira; euros are taken in tourist areas there, but at a poor rate, and lira are not accepted in the south. Prices in tourist areas are similar to Central Europe and lower elsewhere.

Costs and budget

According to Eurostat, in 2024 the general price level in Cyprus was about 91% of the EU average, food in shops about 105% and restaurants and hotels about 89%.

Health

Recommended vaccines	Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B
Malaria	None
Tap water	Safe

Tap water is safe, though mineral-rich. With a European (EHIC) or UK (GHIC) health card you get medically necessary state healthcare in the Republic, but take travel insurance as well. Dial 112 for an ambulance.

This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.

Safety

United States: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (2026-10-20)
Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
United Kingdom: No advice against travel (2026-10-20)

Crime against tourists is uncommon. Drink spiking happens, including in Ayia Napa: buy your own drinks and keep them in sight. So-called cabarets are linked to organised crime. In the countryside, take care on Sundays and Wednesdays during the hunting season, from November to February.

Consular help in the north is limited. Do not enter the UN buffer zone except at crossings and civil-use areas, and do not photograph military sites or soldiers on either side. Wildfires are a high risk from April to October: register your phone for emergency alerts. Drug laws are strict, including on laughing gas.

Customs and etiquette

Cypriots are hospitable and direct, and may ask personal questions. Respect older people, and do not refuse food offered in someone's home. The division of the island is a deeply felt subject: discuss it with care. Many Greek Cypriots prefer "Republic of Cyprus" to "South Cyprus".

Canada warns that renting or buying property in the north, or staying in hotels on land owned by people displaced in 1974, can lead to legal problems in the Republic.

Language

Official languages	Greek, Turkish
English	Widespread

Hello	Γεια σας (Yia sas) YAH sahss
Please	Παρακαλώ (Parakalo) pah-rah-kah-LOH
Thank you	Ευχαριστώ (Efharisto) ef-hah-rees-TOH
Excuse me	Συγγνώμη (Signomi) see-GHNO-mee
Goodbye	Αντίο (Adio) AHN-dee-oh
Do you speak English?	Μιλάτε αγγλικά; (Milate anglika?) mee-LAH-teh ang-glee-KAH

What to pack

Passport: Needed at the Green Line crossings; get it stamped on entry and exit.
Plug adapter for type G: Cyprus uses British-style three-pin plugs.
Sun protection: Summer highs reach the high 30s °C inland.
Insurance valid in the north: Needed if you drive across; Republic policies usually do not cover it.

Quick reference

Country facts

Capital	Nicosia
Population	3,078,912,188 (2025)
Area	44,418,453 km²
Time zone	Asia/Nicosia (UTC+2), Asia/Famagusta (UTC+2)
Calling code	+357
Driving side	left

Electricity and plugs

Plug types	G
Frequency	50 Hz

Staying connected

SIM and eSIM	Cyta-Vodafone, Epic and Primetel are the networks; Cyta-Vodafone sells starter SIMs in its shops, and data eSIMs are available at Larnaca and Paphos airports.
Roaming	EU roaming rules apply in the Republic, but not in the British bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, and roaming in the north is expensive and must be switched on manually.

Staying connected in Cyprus PartnerMobile data on your phone, without a local SIM cardGet an eSIM

Emergency numbers

Emergency	112

Frequently asked questions

Is Cyprus in the Schengen area?

No. It is in the EU but not Schengen, so time there does not count towards your 90 Schengen days. UK and Canadian visitors can stay 90 days.

Can I visit the north of Cyprus?

Yes, through the official crossing points, with your passport. Do not enter the island through the north: the Republic treats it as illegal entry.

Which side do they drive on?

The left. Highways are good, but driving standards are poor.

What plugs does Cyprus use?

British-style three-pin plugs (type G).

Can I drink the tap water?

Yes, though its minerals can upset your stomach at first.

What currency is used?

The euro in the Republic; the Turkish lira in the north.

Suggest an update

Travel rules, prices and timetables change. If something in this guide is out of date, tell us: we check every suggestion against an official source before changing the page.