The 12 most beautiful places to visit in Cyprus

Are you going to discover the Greco-Turkish island? Here are the 12 most beautiful places to visit in Cyprus.

With its 360 days of sun a year, this small island jewel of the Mediterranean Sea is a must-see destination for a successful holiday. Indeed, divided between a Greek part and a Turkish part, the island is all the more surprising as it mixes cultures, religions, and heritage.

So go to the discovery of a wild or more festive coastline, and enjoy the sweetness of living “in the Mediterranean”.

1. Cap Greco

You have to go to the peninsula south of the island to discover the wonderful Cap Greco. In this spot among the most beautiful places to visit in Cyprus, you can walk on pedestrian paths facing splendid landscapes.

After your little hike, you will also have to make a dip in turquoise water at very good temperature. Don’t hesitate to wait for the sunset, which is often very beautiful since Cap Greco.

Beyond the coast, Cap Greco is also a national forest site and has an amazing local flora and fauna. Its geology is also impressive with natural arches and some marine caves.

2. Paphos

Head to the western coast of Cyprus to discover the charming town of Paphos. Mythology tells us that Paphos was a Greek nymph having lived a love story with Apollo and that their son became the first king of Cyprus. The latter named the city of Paphos in tribute to his mother.

But what do we find in this city to visit in Cyprus? You can admire an old fort on the sea, some lighthouses and many archaeological remains.

So take the time to appreciate the local heritage with the visit of the amphitheatre, or the tombs of the kings. In addition, Paphos has many Orthodox churches that are worth a look.

Keep in mind that Paphos is a high place of tourism on Cyprus. From the city you have a wide range of activities offered like half-day cruises, or quad and buggy visits.

3. Coral Bay

A few kilometers north of Paphos is one of the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus: Coral Bay. This huge sandy beach will delight lovers of "fair-to-be holiday".

Here, fill in vitamin D and enjoy crystalline water where you can see some small fish. If you are not the “team sand”, you can perfectly rent a transat and relax as it should be!

In addition, in high-season, the beach can be stormed not the many tourists, so don’t hesitate to go there outside the hours of great frequentation.

4. Old city Nicosia

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, and also a charming city full of History. Discovering it is therefore an essential step. With a complicated geopolitical situation, riding between Greece and Turkey , the city is especially surprising first.

In the northern part there are several historical vestiges to explore. And in the south of the city you can enjoy many museums and small folk shops.

We give you an appointment in the old town to admire the old ramparts. Here, time seems to have stopped. For example, you can meet candle makers and some local craftsmen whose know-how is ancestral.

Don't miss Ledra Street, the charming and very lively main street. And after your walk through the small streets and their stone houses, you will stay in a traditional restaurant.

5. Ayía Nápa

This region that covers a part of south-eastern Cyprus has many surprises. It is also one of the most beautiful and lively of the island! If you like it Farniente during the day and the party at night, then we advise you to go there... Discover the two main parts: Konnos Bay, and Blue Lagoon.

Konnos Bay

First of all, you can relax on Konnos Bay, close to the Cap Greco, whose merits we boast at the beginning of the article. There, the water is as translucent as hot, and the panorama will blow you!

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a famous cocktail, but also a must-see spot in Cyprus. As its name suggests, the water is a wonderful blue. It will be pleasant to swim there and enjoy the different small beaches around.

6. Caledonia Falls

This time we leave the coastline to reach a remote spot, among the most beautiful places to visit in Cyprus. In the wild, you will discover impressive cascades: the Caledonia Falls.

To begin with, it will take about 45 minutes, or 3 kilometers, to reach them. However, the trail is quite leaning and sometimes slippery, so expect good shoes!

Once you arrive, you will fall on the impressive waterfall where you can rest, or even start a picnic. Drinked and mountainous, the place is also perfect for fleeing the Cyprus heat and refreshing.

7. Massif du Troodos

Do you have mountain cravings? Let's go to the central region of Cyprus! In the heart of the island is the Troodos massif, which has five main summits. It is also here that Cyprus takes its sources in fresh water.

Take a day through this place among the most beautiful to visit in Cyprus, and discover many religious buildings. Because it is nine churches and a monastery that are registered in UNESCO’s World Heritage...

The place also houses a famous Byzantine monastery, Kykkos, rebuilt after a fire in the 18th century. The latter contains the mausoleum of Archbishop Makarios III, who is no other than the first president of Cyprus.

The local legend also tells us that a hermit who had vowed silence lived in Kykkos with magical healing powers... Will you meet him?

8. Petra tou Romioú

Let’s go back to the area around Paphos to admire the “aphrodite door” or “Greek door”, Petra tou Romioú . It would be here that the goddess Aphrodite was born!

Apart from the legend, the place is bucolic and conducive to beautiful walks. Indeed, the decor is green and the sea is faithful to its turquoise blue color. The place also allows you to discover a nearby rock, the rock of the Saracens.

Keep in mind that if you swim around Petra tou Romioú , you are guaranteed an eternal youth. The tide must however be calm, because the area remains rocky and therefore dangerous.

9. The port city of Kyrenia

Located north of the island, Kyrenia is a port city to visit in Cyprus. And she's worth a look! Indeed, the city is populated by small cafes on the seaside and beautiful beaches where it is good to settle for a few moments.

Walk around the traditional old town and discover many traditional shops. Also, the city has a sumptuous castle open to visits, which includes an old commercial ship.

Another castle can also remember your attention: the Saint-Hilarion, where a hermit monk lived during the Byzantine period. There you will quickly believe in another era, or in a real fairy tale...

10. Bellapais Abbey

Take a few kilometers from Kyrenia to discover this jewel to visit in Cyprus. Located in the eponymous village of Bellapais, meaning “La belle paix”, the abbey and its Gothic architecture are immanquable.

If there are practically only ruins, the place visits and appreciates itself to be a true witness of the past. For the abbey of Bellapais dates from the 12th century!

The abbey is divided into several parts. You can discover his church, but also his cloister with his 18 arches, or a refectory and some dormitories. A restaurant replaces old warehouses. Also take the time to discover the capitular room and its Byzantine columns.

11. Limassol

A seaside resort to discover in Cyprus! Limassol is 45 minutes south of Paphos. Its location by the sea is ideal for arguests but also for travellers looking for relaxation. Spend time in its charming public garden with Mediterranean flora and explore the surrounding vineyards.

At the end of the day, a visit to the fort is required! It is in this specific place that Richard Lion Heart Married his sweet, Bérengère de Navarre, at the end of the 12th century.

In addition, Limassol has many small markets where you can find a handicraft of choice. And for the parties, this spot among the most beautiful places to visit in Cyprus is also populated by bars and nightclubs. All, by the Aegean Sea, please.

Finally, take a tour on the side of Kourion, a magnificent and unmissable archaeological site in the vicinity of Limassol. You will see mosaics, a former theater, or old public baths. It is also an ideal place to make your paragliding baptism!

12. Larnaca

This treasure of the Cypriot heritage is located south of the island. Larnaca has been a long time in the midst of conflicts between different empires, and more recently the war between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. So there you will find a very specific soul, marked by war and successions of different inheritances.

Take a tour in the city centre and then admire the church of Saint-Lazard, a religious building dating back to the ninth century that is very important in Christian spiritual culture.

Also, next to the city centre, is a recognized archaeological site: Pervolia. Several tombs and offerings were found at this site, launching excavations and learning more about life in the fifth century BC, but also about sacred rituals! For example, researchers found geese in children's graves...

Are you conquered by the island beauty of Cyprus? Let us know in comments!