A guide to Cyprus

Often associated with its political drama or the buzzing Ayia Napa nightlife, the small island of Cyprus has so much more to offer. Having visited this island nearly every year of my life due to my family roots, let me walk you through what makes the country such a popular holiday destination.

99.2% of Cypriot beaches and swimming waters were rated “excellent”

Cyprus boasts some of the cleanest beaches in the world – no, I’m not biased, it actually has been labelled as the ‘undisputed EU leader in water hygiene and safety for tourists and locals alike’ by the EEA (European Environmental Agency). 99.2% of Cypriot beaches and swimming waters were rated “excellent”. Personally, my favourite beach has to be Konnos Bay, but Fig Tree is also stunning. It seems impossible to talk about Cypriot beaches without mentioning Nissi as well, but unfortunately you have to make sure to arrive very early nowadays in order to beat the flocks of tourists for a nice spot and a sunbed.

One of my favourite parts of visiting Cyprus obviously has to be the food, although the local cuisine has much more to offer than the typical gyros you might be thinking of (and no, you aren’t supposed to pronounce the ‘g’). Although many people think that checkered table cloths are the most effective way to locate authentic Greek restaurants, the real giveaway is the cutlery: every local will recognise the white-handled knife as a nostalgic indication of traditional Greek cuisine. If you are expecting to experience plate-smashing in these restaurants you might be mistaken. Although rooted in Greek and Cypriot tradition, it is largely for the benefit of tourists here. To partake in more of a Greek tradition, you can finish off your meal by sampling the local dessert wine, Commanderia, which tastes a lot like sherry. If you’re looking for a lighter snack or a sweet treat after dinner, Zorbas bakery never disappoints, and a frappe is never too far away, wherever you are.

Aphrodite’s Rock is a popular tourist spot, but there is also Statue Park Ayia Napa, which is below the Kavo Gkreko road and overlooks the sea.

Another great thing about Cyprus is that speaking the Greek language is not a requirement to get around, since basically everyone speaks English. However, locals will be impressed by a polite ‘kali mera’ (good morning) or ‘efharisto’ (thank you), if you want to try and pick up a few quick phrases.

If immersing yourself in the culture is something you are actively looking to do, you can take a closer look at the island’s history. Aphrodite’s Rock is a popular tourist spot, but there is also Statue Park Ayia Napa, which is below the Kavo Gkreko road and overlooks the sea.

For those who are looking for something a bit more adventurous, you can drive or walk up the Troodos mountains, although I would recommend being careful of the often-intense heat if you decide to brave one of the trails, some of which feature stunning waterfalls. Once you reach the top of Troodos, you can find the village of Pedoulas, home to the Byzantine Church of Archangels Michael. This church has UNESCO World Heritage Protection. Inside, as with many Greek Orthodox churches, visitors are welcome to light a candle regardless of their religion. For some, this acts as a prayer for sick or deceased loved ones, while for others it provides a quiet moment of peaceful prayer or reflection. 

Napa itself will certainly be bustling if you go during peak season, especially if you stay anywhere near the square.

In Ayia Napa, the WaterWorld Themed Waterpark has a theme of Ancient Greek mythology and is known for being one of the best water parks in Europe. 

If you want to stay a bit further out from Napa, Protaras is about ten minutes away – so close enough that you can dash back to the centre whenever you want. Napa itself will certainly be bustling if you go during peak season, especially if you stay anywhere near the square. The Castle Club and Black N’ White are two of the biggest and most well-known nightclubs in the area. However, if you visit Cyprus during the off-season (from about November until April), everything will be significantly quieter and there will be much less to do, since a lot of tourist-focused bars, restaurants and hotels will be closed.

The Ayia Napa Marina and Paphos harbour are certainly worth a look if you fancy exploring a bit more of the island. If you want to do a bit more shopping though, the malls in Nicosia and Limassol, as well as Larnaca, are definitely your best bets. Café Nero in these malls is also worth a quick shout. A far cry from the one in the FAB, here croissants and lattes are traded in for spanakopita (a spinach and feta pastry) and freddo espresso (you just have to try this one for yourself).