Things to do in Nicosia

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and has been since the 11^th century AD. Nicosia lies in the centre of the island, which is rich in history and traced backed in Bronze Century. City consists of fifty churches and Royal Palace.

The heart of city is filled with museums, churches, monasteries and building giving a glimpse of ancient times.

City Attractions: 

Makarios Cultural Center

The premier collection of Cypriot archaeological material in the world. It also has a library with extensive artifacts and archives.

Also known as the Byzantine Museum of the Archbishop Makarios III, which is the best of its kind in the world.

Liberty Monument

This represents Greek liberation from British Colonial powers with figures of 14 EOKA fighters being release from prison in 1959.

Monument was erected in 1973 as remembrance and control over British rule.

Ledra street old city

Traditional shopping street located between the medieval walls of the city.

You will find traditional jewelers and fabric designer shops with a mix blend of Middle East and European culture.

The Leventis Municipal Museum

This Museum has exhibits dating during 2300 BC and is very well maintained.

In fact it was awarded has the best museum in Europe.

National Struggle Museum

Museum has details and documents related to Cypriot Independence movement from 1955 -1959.

The Nicosia Municipal Theatre

Just opposite to Cyprus Museum is Nicosia Municipal Theatre. 1200 seated theater built in neo classical style has programmes and cultural event during the whole year.

K Cine Complex

Modern multi screen theatre with all facilities similar to the ones all around the world.

Things to do:

Getting to know ancient Greek culture

Old city / Market view

Castles, Museums and monasteries

Places nearby to visit:

Limassol

Larnaca

Ayia Napa

Famous for:

Churches, Museums, Handicrafts and Ancient buildings

Sports Bar, Night Clubs, Pubs

Restaurants

Suggestions:

Travelling by public transport (BUS) is very convenient and affordable. Service is excellent.

Explore within city on foot.

The Tombs of the Kings

The Tombs of the Kings was the burial ground of pathetic aristocrats and high officials in the 300BC. As the name of this site goes, there is no evidence of any king or royalty buried.  This is located 2 kms north west of Paphos harbor towards Coral bay (New Paphos) in Cyprus.

  

The tombs are impressive and carved out very well on solid rock. There are 8 complexes and out of which 3, 4 and 8 are the best and explored the most. Archaeologists have excavated 18 burials from the Hellenistic period in this tomb, three of which had not been robbed due to collapsed material in front of them. Two of them contained an ointment container, a myrtle wreath of gold and fine Rhodian amphorae. In the third, a child had been buried in a terracotta pipe.

 This is the main tourist attraction in Paphos and getting there is very easy. The entrance is just off the main road and opposite to bus station. Entrance ticket is very cheap only 1.70 euro’s and it’s a worth visiting once.  Kindly travel in the early morning if possible or else it will be very hot and humid.  

How to Get There:

Travelling by public transport (BUS) is very convenient and affordable from different cities of Cyprus. Service is excellent.

Things to do in Larnaca

Larnaca is called the Home of Agios Lazarus, the town’s first Bishop. who chose to live his second life there after Jesus raised him from the dead. A church is built in his name on the spot where he remains are said to be found.

Larnaca offer too many visitors their first taste to Cyprus as it is city with the main international airport. Salt lake which is opposite to the airport can be seen clearly with thousands of flamingoes migrating every year.

Larnaca has tremendous to offer to its visitors in form of cafes, restaurants, beach, marina, clubs, pubs and a treat to visit the Lefkara village.

City Attractions: 

Oroklini Village

Only 20minutes away from Larnaca International Airport is Oroklini Village. It is famous for its sandy beaches.

Oroklini offers local shops, restaurants and beaches to its visitors.

Marina and Promenade is only 15 minutes away.

Saint Lazarus Church

Saint Lazarus church is 9^th century church and belongs to Greek Orthodox Church.

The church was built by Emperor Leo VI in the 9^th Century. 

Church was built in honor of Saint Lazarus and his relics are located inside.

Marina

The largest marina found in Cyprus. Larnaca Marina is found in the heart of the city with many restaurants, cafes, hotels and bars around it. A safe heaven to catch your breath after a long hard slog in the Red Sea.

Larnaca Marina is one of the cross roads of the circumnavigators, a gateway to the east and west world depending upon which way you are travelling too.

Lefkara Village

This village is known for its lace and silver handicraft.

You will find women sitting outside on the narrow lane and working on fine embroidery, which has been done for several years in similar fashion.

Promenade

Promenade is the best place in Larnaca which has lot of cafes and restaurants on its side.

Pleasant walk in the evening along with street shopping and games are available at Promenade.

You will have an experience of beach walking where marina and a museum is located at its opposite ends.

Scuba Diving with Viking Divers

Best scuba diving school in Larnaca.

If you are not a certified diver and want to be one, Viking divers can help you.

Larnaca Museum

This former British prison later converted in to a museum with treasures from Bronze Age.

Mosque - Hala Sultan Tekke

This mosque is the 4^th important mosque for the Muslims as the Hala Sultan the aunt of Prophet Mohammed died here.

 The beautiful mosque is built on her grave overlooking the salt lake.

Lot of pilgrims around the world visits this place during the whole year.

Salt Lake

The main attraction of Larnaca is Salt Lake where nearly 80 species of migratory birds comes down with 80,000 flamingos visiting every year from Jan to Feb. Near the Salt Lake is the holy mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke.

Wreck of Zinobia

The Zinobia was a Swedish Cargo ferry which sank on June 1980 in Larnaca Bay.

Camel Park

Just 15 minutes from Larnaca, Camel Park is located at Mazotos.

Beautiful place for adults were they can sit and relax. Children’s can learn about nature and animals.

Things to do:

Getting to know ancient Greek culture

Old city / Market view

Scuba diving and other water sports activities

Beaches

Salt Lake view

Places nearby to visit:

Limassol

Nicosia

Ayia Napa

Paphos

Famous for:

Churches, Museums, Handicrafts and Ancient buildings

Sports Bar, Night Clubs, Pubs

Restaurants, cafes, hotels

Beaches

Water sport activities

  

Suggestions:

Travelling by public transport (BUS) is very convenient and affordable. Service is excellent.

Explore within city on foot.

Things to do in Ayia Nappa

Ayia Nappa once a small fishing Village, is as lively resort as any in the Mediterranean. But historic sites such as the 16^th century Venetian monastery lend character to the town that’s known for its colorful shops, taverns and discos.

Ayia Nappa is very popular and is claimed to have the best nightlife in Cyprus. Another focal point is the crescent shaped harbor, crowded with bright colored fishing boats. The day’s catch is tonight’s dinner at the popular restaurants nearby.

Life in this corner of Cyprus revolves around the sea, with water sports of all kinds readily available, from scuba diving to water skiing to paragliding.

City Attractions: 

Nissi Beach

Famous sandy beach which is well known in Cyprus. Famous for night clubs and water sport activities during the summer season.

5 star hotels and resorts options are available and spread along the coast of the beach.

Always packed with beach lovers throughout the year.

Ayia Nappa Water park

Opened in the year 1996 and has been winning awards since then.

Over 3 million guests have visited the park which is the Europe’s largest and one of Cyprus biggest attraction to its visitors.

Theme of Greek ancient mythology, the park has 21 different rides to offer to its guest.

Limanaki Beach

Another beautiful sandy beach of Ayia Nappa.

Offers few great hotels like Limanaki Beach Hotel which is located near the fishing harbor.

Relax and enjoy the beautiful sandy beach with water sports activities.

Restaurants, hotels and clubs add to the fun of enjoying in Ayia Nappa.

Nappa Bungee

From children’s to people in their 70’s, from beginners to professionals everyone have jumped and experienced the Nappa Bungee jump.

Located on Nissi Avenue just behind McDonald.

Dolphin Boat Safari

Chances of seeing the dolphin are very slim, but always you have an experience and if lucky you see one.

Dirty Beach Parties

These parties run on every Friday right through the busy summer season from June until September.

Inclusive of drinks, frolics and night fun.

Ask anyone in Ayia Nappa and they would say Dirty Beach Parties is a must see and do things in the city.

Thalassa Museum

The first museum of its kind in Mediterranean Region which provides its visitors with a principal of impact and significance of sea and history of the island.

Things to do:

Water sports activities like scuba diving, paragliding and skiing

Enjoy at the night clubs and discos with amazing sea food

Enjoying the lovely white sand beaches

Hire a Moped, Buggy or Quad Bikes to roam around in Ayia Nappa

Places nearby to visit:

Limassol

Larnaca

Protaras

Nicosia

Famous for:

Water Sports

Night Clubs, discos

Beaches, Port and Marine Life

Restaurants

Suggestions:

Travelling by public transport (BUS) is very convenient and affordable. Service is excellent.

Explore within city on foot.

Things to do in Limassol

Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus and the main port of Cyprus. A bustling holiday resort with luxury hotels and a ten mile coastline, with busy shopping centers, countless taverns, restaurants and night life to suit everyone’s needs.

Don’t miss K Cineplex Limassol, the original multiplex on the island a majestic cinema complex with five screens, offering choice, comfort and convenience.

City Attractions:

Kourion Theater

Kourion Theater is located on the south of the island to the west of river Kouris.

The ancient city Kourion was found in the 16th century B.C. Former location of the city is an important archaeological site nowadays. Kourion is often mentioned as the most interesting place on Cyprus. First monument seen after entering the area is Complex of Eustolius. It used to be a private palace, later expanded with roman spa. Among other things, beautiful floor mosaics were preserved until now.

The annual Shakespeare Festival at the Kourion Ancient Theatre in Limassol is a double treat. The Performing Arts for Cyprus Charities organizes a classic play from the Bard, which is performed at the top of a hill overlooking the Mediterranean.

Kolossi Castle

A fine example of military architecture originally constructed in the13th century and subsequently rebuilt in its present form in the middle of the 15th century. . It served first as the Grand Commander of the Knights Templar, and after the fall of Acre in 1291 for some years, as the headquarters of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. 

Kolossi and its castle are directly connected with a number of important events, which constitute various interesting folds of the age long and stormy history of Cyprus.

Amathus

One of the most ancient cities of Cyprus with a royal touch.

11 km east of Lemesos town centre, close to Amathus Hotel. One of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus where, according to mythology, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne after his battle with the Minotaur. The remains date from the Archaic, Roman and Christian periods.

Estd in 1943, Amathus has grown over the years into multidimensional organization covering a wide spectrum of activities.

Amathus was built on the coastal cliffs with a natural harbor and flourished at an early date, soon requiring several cemeteries.

Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates: 

3 km west of Kourion, on the road to Paphos. Apollo Hylates, God of the Woodland, was the protector of the city of Kourion. The cult of Apollo was celebrated here from the 8th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D. Excavations have also revealed other structures of this important sanctuary such as the bath complex, the pilgrim halls, the palaistra and a holy precinct market place.

Wine Festival

The Wine Festival in Limassol can be regarded as a variant in some way; as a revival of ancient festive manifestations of worship in honor of Dionysus, the god of vine and wine, and Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love. During these feasts the man worshipped the gods but primarily enjoyed himself.

Famagusta

The Ghost town of Cyprus with its deserted hotel, homes and its ruined lemon trees and farmland. You can also see in the distance the beautiful bay of Famagusta and the mountain range of Pentathaktilos.

Kykkos Monastery

Kykkos Monastery is the main attraction, widely known as in February of 1997 the Icon of the Virgin Mary wept for a whole month! Thousands of Cypriots gathered to witness this miracle and they will go on talking about it for years to come. Kykkos was founded by the Byzantines in 1092 and is now the wealthiest Monastery in Cyprus.

Troodos Mountains

Best view of these mountains would be from road through Peristerona and Kakopetria.

Things to do:

Getting to know ancient Greek culture

Castles, Museums and monasteries

Wine tasting

Beaches

Sport Activities

Places nearby to visit:

Nicosia

Larnaca

Ayia Napa

Paphos

Famous for:

Beaches and Sport activity

Museums and Castles

Ancient buildings and civilization

Festivals – Wine Festival and Pre Lenten Carnival (Fancy Dress)

Suggestions:

Travelling by public transport (BUS) is very convenient and affordable. Service is excellent.

Explore within city on foot

Things to do in Paphos

Pafos / Paphos is where Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, is said to have raised from the waves that crash on its shores. Aphrodite Rock is a massive stone that marks the spot. Her birth place is a place of pilgrimage for the entire Hellenic world. Her presence seems to have drawn to the island other divinities and notable mortal as well.

In Pafos you enjoy a cool drink, a steaming Cypriot coffee, or a meal of freshly caught seafood in one of the taverns.

Hotels of every taste and budget are found in the town.

City Attractions:

Toms of the Kings

The Tomb of the Kings was the burial ground of pathetic aristocrats and high officials in the 300BC. As the name of this site goes, there is no evidence of any king or royalty buried. This is located 2 kms north west of Paphos harbor towards Coral bay (New Paphos) in Cyprus.

The tombs are impressive and carved out very well on solid rock. There are 8 complexes and out of which 3, 4 and 8 are the best and explored the most. Archaeologists have excavated 18 burials from the Hellenistic period in this tomb, three of which had not been robbed due to collapsed material in front of them.

Petra Tou Romiou

This is the birth place of Aphrodite and attracts a lot of visitors.

Crystal clear water and peaceful environment makes this place more attractive.

A myth states if you swim around the Aphrodite Rock, you will be blessed with eternal beauty.

Pafos Port

This is a popular destination in Paphos and lot of tourist comes down to as it is easy to find or locate the place.

Near the ancient site, dominated by its fort, the port of Paphos is a pleasant and tourist attracting place.

Adonis Waterfalls

Adonis Bath is located in Killi Paphos, is one of the most beautiful and unique place in whole of Cyprus.

The natural and exotic environment gives its visitor unique opportunity to see and take a bath in the 2 level waterfalls.

Ayios Neophytos Monestry

Saint Neophytos monastery lies 10 km outside Paphos, near Tala village. Saint Neophytos was the founder of the monastery in 1159. The main church of the monastery was built around 200 years after his death and is devoted to Virgin Mary.

At the monastery one can also see Byzantine icons in the main church of exceptional art and also visit the museum of the monastery.

Mosaic House

Located near the Paphos harbor if the Mosaic house. The mosaics, which mainly depict scenes from Greek mythology, were accidently found by a farmer in his fields.

This is luxurious 2^nd century house that was named because of it mosaic floor that depicts Dionysus riding a panther.

If you are in Paphos do not miss a visit to the Mosaic House.

Paphos Harbour and Castle

This castle is in fact all that remains of much earlier castle dating from 1391, which was demolished by the Venetians.

The Ottomans used it as dungeons and British as a warehouse for salt.

Harbor is good place to take your boat around surrounding beaches and coastlines.

Aphrodite Rock

No trip to Paphos is complete without a visit to Aphrodite Rock.

Aphrodite’s Rock is located just a few kilometers away from Pissouri Village and is said to be an amazing site at sunset and its beauty is something you will never forget.

Paphos Aquarium

If you looking out for family outings, then Paphos Aquarium is the best place for you.

The Paphos Aquarium has 72 environmentally friendly fish tanks and each tank contains elements of the natural ecosystem of the fish species.

Aquarium is located in the centre of the Paphos town and is a great place for family members.

Things to do:

Ports, Forts, Ancient, Castle and Monastery
Old city / Market view
Water sports activities, Boating and Fishing
Beaches

Places nearby to visit:

Limassol
Nicosia
Larnaca

Famous for:

Ports, Museums, Castles and Ancient buildings
Sports Bar, Night Clubs, Pubs
Restaurants, cafes, hotels
Beaches
Water sport activities and Fishing

Suggestions:

Travelling by public transport (BUS) is very convenient and affordable. Service is excellent.

Explore within city on foot.