Ever since Anthony gave Cyprus to Cleopatra as the
ultimate love token, Cyprus has been stirring passions. It is
an island steeped in myth and legend, history and hospitality,
sunshine
and romance. There's something about Cyprus that draws its visitors back
year after year. Main holiday areas include Ayia
Napia, Protaras, Limassol, Paphos , Kapparis, Paralimni Proteras, Polis,
Latchi, Coral Bay, Peyia and Aphrodite Hills.
Byron found its rich history
“almost too profuse” and Richard the Lionheart lost his heart here, when
he married Queen Berengaria.
Cyprus is renowned for its numerous Blue Flag
beaches. Today, thanks to 300 sunny days a year and a classically
spectacular Mediterranean landscape, it more than fulfils the holiday
cliché of something for everyone.
Cyprus has it all. Sun, beauty, history, marvellous beaches, clear blue
seas. Mark Anthony was into grand gestures and gave Cyprus to Cleopatra as
a token of his love. He couldn't have picked a more fitting gift.
This sun-drenched island is like a
glittering treasure trove spilling over with gems. You want sun-soaked
beaches? Done! Cyprus is framed by dreamy sand and for scenery the
island has everything from the majestic peaks of the Troodos mountains to
pine-cloaked slopes cut with cascading, ice-cold streams.
Tempting tavernas and boutiques huddle
together. With everything from
silvery sands to magnificent mountains and culture Cyprus is the stuff
holiday dreams are made of.
Holidays on Cyprus's west coast bring
together sun and fun, culture and history. There are some
great beaches. Take Coral Bay. It's made for dream summer
holidays, with a sweeping curve of golden sand, lapped by calm, azure blue
waters. This friendly resort is into relaxation and what
better place to start than on the gorgeous golden beach. With shallow
turquoise seas, there are plenty of beach bars on hand to keep you
refreshed and a good selection of water sports here, too. Coral Bay, just
10km outside Paphos, boasts a lovely sandy and pebbly crescent-shaped
beach, south, and is one of the finest beaches in the area.
Cyprus' west coast has a great deal going for it. Probably the most
popular resort is Paphos, which combines all the trappings of a modern
beach hotspot with its fair share of ancient history. With its
trademark pelicans, Kato Paphos is one Cyprus' iconic settings, a pretty
little harbour lined with charming pavement cafes and bars.
Or there's
lively Limassol, which has the award winning Armonia, Governor's, Ladies
Mile and Curium beaches. Limassol is the island's largest resort and home
to a majestic Medieval castle, which now houses a fascinating museum.
It is famous for being the place where Richard the Lion Heart was
shipwrecked. Take a trip to the castle where he married his sweetheart or
wander round the ruins of Amathous.
In Latchi you are cocooned in peace
and quiet. Latchi has loads of character and you'll fall for
the quaint charms of this traditional seaside village. Wander along the
harbour, crammed full of brightly-painted fishing boats and tuck into
Cypriot specialties at a waterfront taverna. Walk down to the peaceful
pebble beach and drench yourself in warm sunshine or take the plunge at
the local dive centre and explore the crystal-clear seas. Latchi holidays
are all about shaking off life's every day stresses.
The bays around
Ayia Napa
and Protaras are legendary. Limassol has long sweeps of dark, sandy
beaches, while the best of Paphos beaches are on the outskirts of the
resort. You can explore archaeological treasures dating back to the Bronze
Age, bathe in the same spot as Aphrodite, visit a nesting site for rare
turtles at Lara Beach or walk among cooling pines and cedars in the
Troödos Mountains.
Home of mythical goddess
Aphrodite, the land of love has more faces than Proteus the
shape-shifting sea god. Mountain villages
have their weather-worn locals with their backgammon boards playing in the
street. Yet Cyprus is at the top of the most discerning clubber's guide
lists too.
Nicosia is a sight worth
seeing, encircled by strong fortress walls from the 16th century. Limassol
sights include Kolossi Medieval Castle, the ancient cities of Amathus and
Curium. There are also the Tomb of the Kings in Paphos, the birthplace of
Aphrodite and of course the Troodos Mountains. Lace from the village of Lefkara, arty and exquisite jewellery, basket work, pottery, leather goods
and silverware are all good buys among local crafts - available in most
resorts. Larnaca, Limassol and Nicosia all have city-style shopping too
for great value prices on porcelain, perfume, crystal, cameras, spectacles
and clothing.

Eating out in Cyprus
Cyprus is a foodlover's
paradise where Greek dishes are fused with Middle Eastern influences. Try
delicious 'moussaka', with aubergines, potatoes and mince or hearty 'kleftiko',
with lamb and Mediterranean vegetables. A traditional Cypriot 'meze', a
full meal consisting of some 14 different dishes, includes halloumi
cheese, juicy olives and stuffed tomatoes. Desserts include Baklava,
layers of pastry, nuts and honey, and Kadeifi, mouth-wateringly sticky
pastries.
You will find locally
produced fruit, such as strawberries, apricots, nectarines and peaches
that are ripe, flavoursome and dripping with delectable juices. The
harbourside restaurants next to the Venetian castle in Paphos are one of
the most romantic spots for dining, while restaurants in Limassol serve
fresh seafood followed by mouthwatering pastries. Cypriot wines,
especially the sweet ones, are so good they are commonly exported
By Night
Ayia Napa in summer needs no introduction and Protaras, too, has enough
pubs and bars to be pretty lively in high season. Limassol's tourist area
has plenty of music bars and discos while Paphos has thriving nightlife
too down Bar Street, with its numerous pubs, themed bars and discos. In
general, the length of the resorts means there's always a quieter area for
a leisurely evening venue too.
Shopping
Lefkara is famous for delicate handmade lace. There's basketwork
and pottery,
especially in Geroskipou and Lemba.
Paphos
Paphos is ideal for
sightseeing, combining a rocky coastline in some areas, with beach life
and boasts a fascinating Old Town of winding alleyways, markets and shops.
The town is really divided in two by the quaint fishing harbour and the
Old Town, both relaxing and unhurried. Nearby is the harbourside, guarded
by a looming Venetian Fort and bordered by open-air, terraced restaurants,
cafés and bars.
Paphos has plenty of ancient
historical sites and monuments, such as the Tomb of the Kings and Roman
mosaics. There are a number of small sandy bays dotted in and around the
town, many offering watersports. The best stretch of sand is at Coral Bay,
a short bus ride away. In the evening, the harbour bars and fish
restaurants are the perfect place to relax and there are also Bouzouki
clubs and bars around the harbour.
Latchi
Lying along the Akamis
peninsula in the rural north-west coast of Cyprus, Latchi is a charming
fishing village and harbour, four kilometres up the coast from Polis. It
has much to offer peace-seeking holidaymakers, with a good choice of
tavernas and a pretty pebble-and-sand beach. The village itself has a
couple of shops and bars where a tranquil charm prevails.
Coral Bay
Coral Bay is a small town in
south-west Cyprus, about a 15 minutes drive or a short bus ride away from
Paphos. Apart from its shopping and the beach, the major attraction of
Coral Bay is its diving. Maninji Island is regarded as the most scenic
dive on the coast, with cliffs, caves, coral and 'swim throughs'.
Excellent, wide sandy beaches overlooked by luxury hotels and restaurants
surround Coral Bay. If you prefer quieter beaches you can make your way to
Cape Lara, which is the nesting site for Green and Loggerhead turtles.
Argaka
Unspoilt and unhurried
Argaka village is a typical Cypriot village, peaceful, relaxing and set in
picturesque countryside it's the ideal location from which to relax and
soak up the friendly Cypriot hospitality. You'll discover a charming
church, local houses and small scattering of traditional local tavernas
within easy reach. The nearest beaches are just a short drive away, as are
the nearby resorts of Latchi and Polis which offer a busier atmosphere
Peyia
Peyia, a delightful hillside
village set back from the coast and just a few kilometres from Paphos,
offers more simple pleasures - old-fashioned tavernas and little shops
that time seems to have passed by.
Polis
On the island's north coast,
surrounded by citrus orchards, pine forests and tobacco plantations, Polis
is a small tourist centre with a gentle pace and boasts a welcoming and
friendly atmosphere. A handful of traditional cafés, appetising tavernas
and shops flank the pedestrianised main square. Entertainment in Polis is
low-key and tends to centre around dining in a variety of bars on offer.
Protaras
The resort itself spreads
over 16 kms of coastline, most of it fringed by stunning bays and little
idyllic coves. Watersports and scuba-diving are permanent fixtures,
although generally the air is one of unbroken relaxation and tranquillity.
You'll find shops, restaurants and tavernas aplenty.
When
you rent a holiday home in Cyprus through ownersabroad.org, you deal
directly with the owner, who is your best source of information for
local attractions, restaurants, entertainment near your accommodation in
Cyprus. Local knowledge helps to make the most of villa holidays in
Cyprus.
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