Cyprus is a country worth visiting for the sake of Byzantine monasteries, Venetian fortresses, the ruins of ancient settlements, beautiful temples … As the legend says, the Cyprus Mount Olympos was the place of the settlement of Uranus, Gaia and Aphrodite, and those who are not indifferent to the secrets and mysteries of different eras want know what to see in Cyprus.
Holiday season in Cyprus
The island, divided into Greek and Turkish parts, is best visited in late spring - early summer (the sea can be invigorating, but it is quite suitable for swimming for adults and children) and in September-early October (this time is suitable for excursion trips and for spending time on the beach).
Weather forecast in the resorts of Cyprus by months
Prices for vouchers to Cyprus rise in the summer months (those who are badly tolerating the heat should pay attention to the Troodos and Paphos mountains and its surroundings), so it is advisable to purchase plane tickets and book hotel rooms in advance.
Top 15 places of interest in Cyprus
Tombs of the Kings
Tombs carved into the rocks and dating from the 4th century. BC, removed from the harbor of Paphos by 2 km. According to the findings of the researchers, high officials and aristocrats were buried in them. Most of the tombs (all of them are copies of the houses of the kings, and some of them are built with sculptures, colonnades and courtyards) are decorated with wall frescoes and Doric columns, and one of them is a coat of arms with a two-headed eagle (a symbol of the Ptolemaic dynasty). As for the treasures of the dungeons, these are wall paintings, crosses and other interesting things. Advice: to explore this complex, in the center of which the square is located, it is advisable to allocate 2-3 hours, and either in the early morning or after 17:00 (the cost of the entrance ticket is 2.5 euros).
Kolossi castle
Kolossi Castle
Kolossi Castle (medieval military architecture) is one of the famous Cypriot castles, 10 km away from Limassol and is a 3-storey square building of the 13th century, for the construction of which limestone blocks were used, painted in a yellowish color. The main tower is a 22-meter donjon tower; basements have become a haven for wells (today the cellars are the wine cellars of the Knights of the Order of St. John); 2nd floor is the entrance to the keep; The 3rd floor sheltered the commander's chambers, and the roof is the location of the observation platform, which to this day allows every tourist to admire the surroundings. The surroundings of the castle are interesting for their fruit plantation and sugar factory.
Amathus
Amathus
Amathus is the oldest city in Cyprus, located 38 km from Larnaca. Here you will be able to see the ruins of tombs dating back to the early Bronze Age, fortress walls, the Acropolis, baths, the Temple of Aphrodite, basilicas from the early Christian period … The ideal time to visit is the evening when everyone can admire the sunset and create beautiful panoramic photos of the bay. Important: a visit to the ancient polis will cost nothing for travelers, and you can see most of what was found here in Limassol (Archaeological Museum) and Nicosia (Cyprus Museum).
Bath of Aphrodite
Bath of Aphrodite
The bath, in which Aphrodite loved to take water procedures (she was also the meeting place of the goddess with Adonis), located not far from Paphos, is interesting, as the legend says, with water that gives eternal youth. The curious are not allowed to swim here - they can only get their hands and feet wet. After visiting the bathhouse (a natural rock grotto of limestone origin hides a pond with an old fig tree on its shore), which is surrounded by dense thickets, you can visit the Fountain of Love if you go along the path trodden by tourists.
Cape Greco
Cape Greco is located between Ayia Napa and Protaras. Fame was brought to him by the rocky coast, to which snorkelers, divers and lovers of underwater hunting are not indifferent. There is a lighthouse in the east of the cape, and 8 km from Ayia Napa there is the Cavo Greco park, famous for its orchids, irises, crocuses, crocuses, as well as picnic areas, information desks, viewing platforms, trails for hikers and tourists with bicycles, no more than 16 km long. In the park, you will be able to go in for parasailing, rowing, climbing, diving (they say that the local waters are the habitat of the monster named Scylla), and fishing. Advice: you can get to the cape in about 30 minutes by buses No. 101 and 102.
Archbishop's Palace
The Archbishop's Palace is a landmark of Nicosia. It includes:
- the Church of St. John (built in 1662, the main treasures of which are frescoes, in particular, in honor of St. Barnabas);
- library;
- Museum of Folk Art (with the help of its exhibits, visitors will get acquainted with Cypriot folk art and everyday life of different eras);
- Byzantine Museum with statues, church utensils, frescoes, maps, icons;
- Research Center.
If they are lucky, tourists will be escorted to the personal apartments of Archbishop Makarios.
Bird park
In the bird park, 19 km from the center of Paphos, giraffes, kangaroos, mouflons, toucans, peacocks and other animals and feathered animals live, as well as bird shows are arranged three times a day. The park pleases visitors with the presence of cafes, ponds, a restaurant, playgrounds for children, shops selling souvenirs and handicrafts. Important: you will be able to visit the park (the cost of an adult ticket is 16.5 euros, and a ticket for children up to 12 years old is 8.50 euros) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (end of October - end of March) - 6 p.m. (end of March - end of July and early September - late October) - 19:00 (from 1 to 31 August).
Catacombs of Saint Solomon
The entrance to the catacombs (buses No. 615 and 15 go there from the Central Bus Station of Paphos), carved in Mount Fabrika, is located next to a pistachio tree on which pieces of fabric, scarves and belts hang. They are left on the tree by all who believe in the healing of their ailments (one of the caves is the “repository” of a holy source that heals eye diseases). Inside there are rooms with underground chapels (old icons are subject to inspection), decorated with frescoes and wall inscriptions (they were left by the crusaders in the 13th century), and to see them, you can't do without pocket flashlights.
Dancing fountains in Protaras
Every evening from May 1 to the end of October at 9 pm, and every Thursday and Tuesday also at 22:30, tourists will be able to attend a light and musical performance (water jets, soaring up, “perform” incredible pirouettes, reminiscent of a passionate dance) with laser beams and various effects (smoke, fire, etc.) lasting 60 minutes (at the end of the performance, guests will see a volcanic eruption). Advice: to sit in a convenient place at the table (those who wish are offered to order drinks and snacks), come to the show (the cost of an adult ticket is 20 euros, and a ticket for children is 13 euros; “show + dinner” costs 35 and 23 euros, respectively), it is advisable for 1, 5-2 hours.
Ayia Napa monastery
Ayia Napa monastery
Many believers came to the monastery, founded in the 15th century, for the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Then, church meetings and conferences were held here, and today it is a museum (here the guests are shown the veil that Veronica gave to Jesus Christ, who went to Calvary, and other exhibits). The monastery, near one of the walls of which a mulberry tree grows, more than 600 years old, often becomes a venue for social events, in particular festivals.
In the courtyard, you will be able to see a marble fountain, next to which is buried the founder of the monastery - the daughter of a noble nobleman (she began to serve God because of unhappy love).
Eroskipu
Eroskipu
The village of Yeroskipou is located 3 km from Paphos. There tourists will find:
- Aphrodite Delights confectionery, which produces lucoumi and other Cypriot sweets;
- a museum of folk art (the museum contains objects of art, crafts and everyday life from various Cypriot regions, and nearby cafes are built serving strong coffee and good Cypriot wine);
- the Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi, founded in 833-844 (next to the southwestern wall of the church there is an underground cave with a stream flowing through it; the entrance to it was sealed due to the fact that the stream was polluted by industrial discharges). The main treasures of the church are the miraculous icon of Our Lady of Gerokipiotissa (late 15th century) and frescoes of the 8-15th century with images of the Virgin, Moses, Saints Eleutherius and Spiridon, Christ Pantokrator, evangelists, prophets with scrolls.
Oceanarium in Protaras
The Oceanarium has sheltered at least 1000 marine inhabitants. In addition to aquariums with cichlids, stingrays and piranhas floating there, there is a penguinarium, a terrarium where alligators and crocodiles live, a tropical garden (where strange flowers and plants are planted), free parking, a souvenir shop, a cafe whose menu is replete with Mediterranean dishes and sweets …
In November-March, the Oceanarium awaits guests every day, except Mondays, from 9 am to 4 pm, and in April-October - from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance fee - 7 euros / children 2-12 years old and 13 euros / adults.
Paphos castle
Paphos castle
Paphos Castle (entrance costs about 2 euros) at different times played the role of a prison, fortress and salt warehouse. On the east side is the entrance to the castle, which has only a couple of windows, a central tower and an upper terrace overlooking the sea, the promenade and the Troodos mountains. Near the preserved building, you can photograph the ruins of another fortress, erected at the same time as the castle. Today it is the venue for the annual opera festival in September (tickets cost 25-70 euros).
Nissi Beach
Nissi Beach is a 500-meter beach in Ayia Napa with fine golden sand (it has an international Blue Flag certificate), where you can join sports fishing, rowing, diving (at the service of everyone - diving center "Lucky Divers"), windsurfing, resort to the services of the rescue service, play beach soccer, spend time on the volleyball court, rent an umbrella and sun lounger (2.5 euros), wash off the seawater in the shower, change in a special booth, listen to live music, take part in recreational activities (aerobics, water aerobics, contests, dancing with DJs), have fun at parties (foam parties are held on Tuesdays, Sundays and Fridays) and discos.
Caledonia waterfall
Travelers will find the Caledonia Falls in the vicinity of the mountain village of Platres. Its water stream rushes down from a 13-meter height. Travelers will find wooden benches next to it. To get to the waterfall, you need to start the path from the trout farm (there is a restaurant next to it: its specialty is grilled trout) and follow the trail (at the very beginning of the trail you can replenish water supplies in a small spring), about 2 km long, along the river Krios Potamos, guided by numerous signposts. On the way, tourists will see a huge boulder, next to which you can take a picture in the pose of Atlanta, holding the firmament on his shoulders.
