People go to Cyprus for the beaches with blue flags, the warm Mediterranean Sea and the local flavor. This week-long itinerary will allow you to experience the island from different sides, from historical sites and lagoons to a car graveyard and waterfalls in the Troodos Mountains.
How to get there?
Photo: Chrispictures/shutterstock.com
We advise you to fly to Larnaca: this is the starting point of our road route. The cost of round-trip tickets in June is from 30,000 rubles per person.
To enter Cyprus, you need to do a PCR test for coronavirus no earlier than 72 hours before departure. Take the certificate with you in English. Upon arrival you will have to undergo re-testing. Its cost at Larnaca airport is 30 euros, at Paphos airport – 32 euros. The results will be sent via SMS within three hours. In addition, one day before departure, you must fill out a special form.
Vaccinated tourists (including with the Sputnik V drug) do not need to undergo PCR testing.
How to rent a car?
You will need a Russian driver’s license and the “Car Rental” section on OneTwoTrip. The cost of car rental starts from 4,500 rubles per day.
The country drives on the left and has international road signs. The speed in cities is no more than 50 km/h, and on highways – 100.
Tip: Don’t forget to fold your mirrors when leaving your car in a parking lot – they often get scratched and knocked off.
Day 1. Larnaca: fish restaurants, port and airplanes overhead
Larnaca is an inexpensive port town. One day is enough to see the main attractions.
What to see?
Salty (and Instagrammable) lake with pink flamingos (you won’t see birds in summer, only in late autumn or winter), Church of St. Lazarus, Kamares Aqueduct, Marina Port, Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque and Mackenzie Beach, which offers the most impressive views of planes taking off and landing.
Where to stay?
Here are some hotel options:
Aparthotel Blazer Residence – about 4300* rubles per night for two;
Hotel Opera – about 4100* rubles per night for two;
Aparthotel Art & & Wine Studios and Apts – from 5800* rubles per night for two.
Where to eat?
For the best coffee in town, head to Paul’s Coffee Roasters, for lunch at Takis Kebab House, and for dinner at Ocean Basket Seafood Restaurant.
Day 2. Limassol: ruins, rocky beaches and fish meze
We rent a car and drive towards Limassol. Leave early to allow time to visit Golden Donkeys Farm. Here they produce ice cream and chocolate from donkey milk, feed you dinner and introduce you to the locals. The farm is located around the turn to Nicosia, in the town of Skarinou (GPS coordinates: 34.818379, 33.337247). If you have time and desire to deviate a little more from the route, go to the village of Lefkara (Pano Lefkara). Walk along the stone streets and check out the local silver jewelry.
On the way to the city there are two picturesque beaches with white limestone cliffs – Governor’s beach and Kalimnos.
What to see?
Limassol is a dynamic place rich in attractions. Walk the streets of the Old Town, visit the bazaar, enjoy the view from the roof of the Limassol Castle, and plunge into the atmosphere of the Old Port. Also pay attention to the ruins of the ancient polis Amathus, Ayia Napa Cathedral, Kolossi Castle and Lady’s Mile Beach.
Where to stay?
For example, in one of these hotels:
Marianna Hotel Apartments – from 4400* rubles per night for two;
Niki’s House – from 5400* rubles per night for two;& nbsp;
Corina Suites & Apartments – from 7600* rubles per night for two.
Where to eat?
In fish taverns, of course. Try the pride of the national cuisine – fish meze. Here are two taverns that Cypriots love to go to: Faros restaurant by Angelos and Agios Georgios Alamanou Fishtavern.
Day 3. Pathos: antiquity, many museums and everything about Aphrodite
On the way to Paphos, stop in Kourion. There was once a city here, but in the 4th century it was severely damaged by an earthquake. Nowadays there are remains of ancient ruins and a beach (GPS: 34.673650, 32.862614), which is worth a swim on a hot day. Allow a couple of hours to explore the ruins of Kourion and the Temple of Apollo.
A little further towards Paphos is the Stone of Aphrodite – it was from this bay, according to legend, that the goddess came out. The picturesque place is suitable for a picnic or watching the sunset, but swimming here is not very comfortable. There are viewing platforms in front of the bay. Leave your car in the parking lot opposite, it will be on the right.
Paphos is a city with many attractions. Most of them are associated with Aphrodite. If you are interested in history, then Paphos is the ideal place to explore antiquity.
What to see?
Temple of Aphrodite, Paphos Castle, Kato Paphos Archaeological Park and the Tombs of the Kings necropolis. Paphos also has many old Byzantine churches and pebble beaches, and the best sandy one is Coral Bay Beach.
Where to stay?
From a variety of interesting hotels, we have chosen several to suit every taste:
Dionysos Central – from 7100* rubles per night for two;
Venus Beach Hotel – from 11,000* rubles per night for two;
Elysium – from 22,500* rubles per night for two.
Where to eat?
Meat tavern – Alikon Tavern, fish – St.George Fish Tavern. And 24 kilometers from Paphos there is a winery called Kalamos Winery. In addition to red and white wines, they make commandaria (dessert wine made by raisining grapes) and zivania (grape brandy made from grape marc mixed with dry wine).
Day 4. Akamas: triumph of nature, lagoons and turtle beach
There is a national park on the Akamas Peninsula, but there are no gas stations – make sure you have a full tank in advance. On the way, be sure to stop by Lara Bay beach, where turtle eggs are laid.
In general, this is an ideal place for walks and outdoor sports (yachting and hiking, for example). You can also ride ATVs and bicycles here, and in the town of Lachi you can rent a boat and explore sea caves.
What to see?
Take the most famous and easiest hiking route – the Aphrodite Trail. A seven-kilometer path awaits you, with views of mountains and lagoons. See the Akamas Botanical Garden (starting point of the route), Bath of Aphrodite, ruins of the royal tower. In addition, the trail offers good views of Cape Arnaoutis, the westernmost point of Cyprus, as well as Polis and Paphos.
Where to stay?
Best in Latchi or Polis:
Follow The Sun Hotel Apartments – from 5300* rubles per night for two;
Latchi Family Resort – from 7600* rubles per night for two;
Louis Polis 1907 – from 10,500* rubles per night for two.
Where to eat?
If you want something from Greek or Italian cuisine, go to Molos Restaurant. It is located in Latchi, this restaurant is very loved by locals. There are many taverns in Polis. For example, Halfway House Tavern offers traditional Cypriot cuisine, and Arsinoe Fish Tavern offers fish dishes.
Days 5 and 6. Kykkos Monastery, Olymbos, Troodos
Photo: photoshooter2015/shutterstock.com
Kykkos Monastery is the first stop before exploring the mountains of Cyprus. This is a popular tourist spot, so be prepared for a lot of people.
Olymbos is the highest point of the island, and Troodos is both the name of the mountains and the village at the foot of Olymbos. It’s great to go hiking here – there are many trail routes with varying levels of difficulty around. Along the way, pay attention to the waterfalls and villages.
What to see?
Local villages – Kakopetria (considered the most beautiful in Cyprus), Platres (nearby waterfalls and beautiful natural places), Omodos (lace and glassware are made here). Other villages worth visiting are Fini, Zygi and Pedoulas. Local wineries and natural attractions are also interesting. Take a couple of hiking trails to Millomeris or Caledonia waterfalls. It’s nice to swim in their waters on a hot day.
Where to stay?
Maritsa Lodge – from 8000* rubles for two nights for two;
Ekali Hotel – from 9800* rubles for two nights for two;
Casale Panayiotis — from 25,700* rubles for two nights for two.
Where to eat?
In one of the taverns. For example, in the village of Omodos, The Black Geese serves perhaps the best meze in Cyprus.
Day 7. Ayia Napa: snow-white sand, blue flag beaches and a car graveyard
Ayia Napa is a paradise for partygoers and sunbathers. All the beaches in this place have blue flags: thus, Nissi Beach is suitable for lovers of noise and entertainment, and Landa Beach, Makronissos Beach and Pantachou Beach are for those who like a relaxing holiday. Ayia Napa also offers diving and windsurfing.
What to see?
In addition to the beaches, there is the Capo Greco Natural Park and sea caves in the rocks – a good place for a picnic and watching the sunset.
13 kilometers from Ayia Napa is the town of Protaras – an excellent place for diving. The most beautiful beach is Fig Tree Bay. It is also worth visiting Cape Greco National Forest Park, the Valley of Windmills and the village of Paralimni.
And the cherry on the cake: about 25 kilometers from Ayia Napa there is a car cemetery. Follow the coordinates and you will see everything for yourself – 34.964145, 33.874121. The place is not touristy at all, so there will be no crowds here. The landfill is located in the middle of a field. In addition to cars, trucks and buses, excavators, bulldozers and construction cranes were left to die here.
Where to stay?
Shalos Studios – from 3700* rubles per night for two;
Rainbow Apartments – from 4900* rubles per night for two;
Hotel Napa Suites – from 8600* rubles per night for two.
Where to eat?
At the Hard Rock Cafe in Ayia Napa, they pour a shot of tequila, and then ask for as much money as the guests can give. For national cuisine, go to Avra, if you want Greek food, go to En-yevo tavernaki, and for the best steaks, go to Nikitas. In Protaras, pay attention to the Spartiatis restaurant.
*Prices valid at time of publication
To make a hotel reservation online, use the OneTwoTrip service.
