Welcome to our Cyprus itinerary. If you’re looking for well-thought-out tips for an unforgettable trip, you’re in the right place. Go ahead and take some inspiration.
Is it your dream to travel across the whole of Cyprus? Not just its “Greek” part, but the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as well? Did you know that as of this year you can travel through the country easily, without any major restrictions? On the Travelistan website we bring you a travel itinerary that will take you to both well-known and lesser-known sights and places. Cyprus isn’t just about beaches, but also about crusader castles, Templar sites, historic towns and a ghost town that ranks among the most bizarre experiences there. The itinerary “Cyprus — travel advice, tips and itinerary” will guide you through the very best of it.
Entry and documents
Cyprus (Greek part)
Slovak citizens planning a trip to the country (including children) must have their own valid passport or ID card. Under current legislation, people staying in the country are required to carry identification with them at all times, in case of a possible identity check by the police. Make sure your passport or ID card will be valid for the entire duration of your stay. No minimum validity period is required for a travel document or ID card. Tourist stays are possible without a visa or registration for a maximum of 90 days.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
To enter this part of the island, an ID card or a passport is all you need. In our opinion it’s best to have a passport, because the situation can change at any time and a passport is, after all, a more respected document in this part of the world.
At the crossings (check points) between the southern and northern parts of the island, EU citizens can present either an ID card or a passport. There are currently 9 crossings in operation. From west to east they are: Kato Pyrgos/Limnitis (motor vehicles only), Lefka/Apliki (motor vehicles only), Astromeritis/Zodhia (motor vehicles only), Agios Dometios (in Nicosia, motor vehicles only), Ledra Palace (in Nicosia, pedestrians and diplomatic motor vehicles only), Ledra Street (in Nicosia, pedestrians only), Pergamos (motor vehicles only), Strovilia (motor vehicles only) and Deryneia (motor vehicles only).
Important notice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
The Republic of Cyprus considers entry into the territory of Cyprus from the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is internationally unrecognized (with the exception of Turkey), via its airport (Ercan near Nicosia) or its ports (Kyrenia and Famagusta) to be illegal. Although such entry is not currently subject to criminal prosecution, the government of the Republic of Cyprus has reserved the right to impose fines on tourists who enter Cyprus illegally and attempt to reach the territory controlled by the government of the Republic of Cyprus. People who enter Cyprus from the north therefore risk not being allowed to cross into the territory under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus.
So if you’re traveling across the whole island, it’s better to enter Cyprus from the Greek side — that way there are no problems at all.
When to go
The best time is from May to November. Of course, during the summer months (July, August) not only are the daytime temperatures at their highest, but so are the prices in tourist destinations (seaside resorts). If you’re more of a traveler than a beach lounger, the best time for you will be April, May, October or November — although the sea temperature in May, for instance, is very low (17°C).
To sum up: if you want to travel around with the occasional swim, then May, October and November. If you want to split your holiday 50/50 (travelling and swimming), then June and September.
Transportation
Air travel
The international airports in Cyprus (the Greek part) are Larnaca and Paphos. In the Turkish part it’s Ercan. The capital, Nicosia, has had no airport since 1974.
Airlines that fly here directly from Vienna, Budapest or Bratislava:
- Austrian Airlines: Vienna – Larnaca
- Wizz Air: Vienna – Larnaca
- Wizz Air: Budapest – Larnaca
Intercity transport
Regular bus services run between the towns. The buses vary in quality and size. Sometimes you’ll get lucky with a luxury air-conditioned coach, and other times it’ll be an old banger.
Even so, it has to be said that the services run on time, regularly, quickly and at very low prices. You’ll find some of the fares below in the “Prices” section. The best time to travel is in the morning, when there isn’t much traffic on the roads and you avoid the worst of the heat.
Car rental
Probably the best way to travel around Cyprus is to rent a car. The sooner you book, the better your chances of getting a good price. There’s a huge number of rental companies with a wide range of prices. Probably the best option is to rent through a reputable company such as Europcar or Avis. I went with Europcar and was completely satisfied.
What should guide your choice of car?
- The car should come with unlimited mileage. Some companies state that if you exceed a certain limit, you pay for every extra kilometer. So choose from among those that say “unlimited kilometers.”
- Definitely insure the car. If something happens, you’ll pay a very high amount. The insurance doesn’t cover the wheels or a smashed windshield, though.
- They drive on the left side
- I recommend an automatic transmission
What do you need when renting a car?
- You need your driver’s license
- At least two years’ driving experience, i.e. a driver’s license that is at least two years old
The price of gas is a little lower than in Slovakia.
Road quality
Probably the most frequent question and concern, but the roads in Cyprus are of very good quality, and it makes no difference whether it’s the Greek or the Turkish part of the island.
What to keep in mind
If you want to travel through both the Greek and the Turkish parts of the island, you need to ask at the rental company whether they allow it. If they do, the insurance will 99% certainly not be valid in the Turkish part. Even so, you’ll have to pay for the compulsory insurance at the border on the Turkish side. You’ll find the price list in the image below.
Which rules should you watch out for?
In towns the maximum permitted speed is 50 km/h, and on expressways and highways it’s generally 90–100 km/h, unless specific signs state otherwise. Even if you see an empty road ahead of you and feel like speeding up, don’t do it. There are speed cameras in many places and the fine can later reach the rental company you got the car from, so you’ll end up paying afterwards. Or there are police officers waiting around the corner.
Internet, electrical outlets, bank cards and more
Cyprus (the Greek part) is in the EU, so you pay the same rates for calls and internet as you do at home in Slovakia. If you go to the Turkish part, though, you need to bear in mind that you’re no longer in the EU and the rates are as high as if you’d visited Turkey. Many people forget to change their phone settings when entering the Turkish part and are unpleasantly surprised by the bill they receive.
The electrical outlets are different from the ones we have at home in Slovakia. You can use bank cards in the towns for purchases in large supermarkets and at better accommodations.
In Cyprus (the Greek part) the currency is the euro. In the Republic of Northern Cyprus, payment is in Turkish lira. Although you can pay in euros, the exchange rate the merchant gives you will be very unfavorable, so it’s better to change a few euros into lira. They’ll come in handy on a trip to Turkey as well.
Itinerary
This itinerary is designed so that you see not only the mountains and beaches, but also the beautiful historic towns, with a peek at some lesser-known spots too. Let’s say you flew from Bratislava to Paphos with Ryanair. The itinerary can of course be modified to suit your needs and the place where you land.
Days 1–2: The direct flight from Bratislava takes about 3.5 hours. After arriving in Cyprus you pick up your car at the airport (it’s better to rent a car you return to the same place — you get a better price). Paphos Airport is about 17 km from the city center.
A tour of the city and the surrounding area. The city itself is a classic seaside resort with a pleasant waterfront where there are plenty of restaurants, bars and other venues.
- At the end of the promenade is the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, home to the ruins of an ancient Greek city. This place is exceptional not only because, according to legend, Aphrodite was born here, but also because you’ll find what are probably the most beautiful mosaics from antiquity. The mosaics are indeed the highlight of the visit. The whole site takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.
- The Chrysopolitissa Basilica and St. Paul’s Pillar
- Agia Paraskevi
- The best beaches — Alykes Beach, Kissonerga Bay (8 km north of the city), Lara Beach (26 km north)
Watch out! If you want to stay in the city center, check carefully where the accommodation is located. If you’re not a fan of loud music into the early hours and noise bothers you, choose something on the outskirts instead.
Day 3: A short drive to Limassol (about 70 km on the highway). Stop at three places along the way:
- Kourion — another ancient Greek city. It’s an archaeological site with an amphitheater, a colonnade and the remains of ancient houses. (About 15 km from Limassol)
- Kolossi Crusader Castle — the Crusaders built their castles in Cyprus too, and this one is a beautiful example of 12th-century castles. (About 10 km from Limassol)
- Akrotiri — a British military base. Under the terms of the Treaty of Establishment, under which the independent Republic of Cyprus was founded in 1960, Great Britain retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas on the island totaling almost 254 km² — Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The more southerly and smaller of them is the area known as the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, also called the Western Sovereign Base Area. Akrotiri, or rather its territory, is freely accessible. From Kolossi Castle it’s about 10 km to the village of Akrotiri, and you’re effectively on British territory.
In the afternoon, a tour of Limassol. Although it’s a large city, there isn’t all that much to admire here, but the local harbor is sure to catch your interest. All the well-known private sailing yachts moor here, and near the harbor there’s a small historic part of the city.
Day 4: Drive via Larnaca to Paralimni (123 km). On the way to Larnaca, be sure to stop halfway at Stavrovouni Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world. The monastery was founded by Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, in 330 AD, and it is believed that a piece of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified is kept here. Larnaca itself isn’t a city you’ll be particularly taken with. Stop here for lunch on the promenade and carry on toward Paralimni.
Day 5: A mix of relaxing and sightseeing. This is the most famous beach area in Cyprus. Drive from beach to beach so you can swim in a variety of spots. Probably the best-known beaches are:
- Vrisy Bay Beach
- Fig Tree
- Konnos
Add to that a visit to the Cape Greco National Forest Park, where you’ll find not only caves but also churches and the Cape Greco viewpoint.
Day 6: Crossing into the Turkish part of the island. From Paralimni to Famagusta is only 10 km. Watch out! At the border you have to buy car insurance. Insurance from Cyprus isn’t valid here.
Here you’ll visit not only the historic city of Famagusta, but also the ghost town of Varosha.
Varosha is located in the state of Northern Cyprus, next to the city of Famagusta. The entire area is now freely accessible and there’s no admission fee. When entering the ghost town, it’s better to rent a bicycle (20 Turkish lira — about €1.50 for two hours). The bike is a total piece of junk, but the town is very large and on foot you’d have to cover endless kilometers. Even so, you have to stay within the marked boundaries and not enter places where it’s prohibited. There are cameras everywhere.
Day 7: Drive to Nicosia, stopping at several places along the way. You need to set off by 8:00 to fit everything in.
- Bellapais Abbey — beautiful ruins in pleasant surroundings with views over northern Cyprus. The drive from Famagusta takes about 70 minutes.
- Kyrenia — a port city with a Crusader castle. The historic center is tiny but very photogenic. Be sure to have lunch at the harbor.
- Saint Hilarion Crusader Castle — probably the most beautiful Crusader castle in terms of views. The castle is about 12 km from Kyrenia and you’ll need around 2 hours for the visit. It should be pointed out that you’ll want to wear sneakers rather than sandals to tour the castle. The steps are a little slippery, and in total you’ll climb 100 meters in elevation from the entrance gate. Arrive before 4:00 p.m. so you have enough time for the visit.
After the castle, head for Nicosia (25 km). Nicosia is divided into a Turkish and a Greek part. I recommend staying in the Turkish part — hotel prices there are a third cheaper.
Day 8: A full-day tour of the city.
Day 9: Drive to Paphos and departure according to the airline’s schedule.
How much does a trip like this cost?
If you rented a car (with 3–4 people in it), stayed in 3-star hotels and mixed street food with restaurants, then around €600 per person, not including the flight.
Do you have questions about “Cyprus — travel advice, tips and itinerary”? Drop them in the comments and we’ll be happy to answer.
