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Southern Europe

CyprusTravel guide

Explore Cyprus visa rulesCommon scams in Cyprus

Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey. This guide covers the southern part governed by the Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union.

Why go

  1. Explore archaeological sites from a civilisation with over 11,000 years of history.

  2. Enjoy long beaches and a coastline that remains unspoilt in many places.

  3. Walk through cedar forests and the Troodos mountains.

  4. Visit Nicosia, with its Venetian walls and divided city centre.

  5. Cyprus has around 300 days of sunshine a year.

Getting there

By air

  • Larnaca International Airport is the main airport in southern Cyprus. Paphos Airport also receives charter and low-cost flights.
  • Flights connect Cyprus with many major European cities and Middle Eastern capitals. There are no direct flights from Turkey to the south.
  • Bus 425 runs from Larnaca Airport to Finikoudes beach in central Larnaca, where other buses leave. The poorly marked stop is upstairs at the departure hall level.

By sea

  • Scandro Holding operates passenger ferries between Piraeus in Greece and Limassol. Crossings run once or twice a week in summer and every two weeks outside summer.
  • Cyprus receives many cruises, but only a few companies let passengers leave the cruise partway through.

Customs

  • Travel between Cyprus and other countries involves normal immigration checks. Customs checks are waived when travelling to or from another European Union country.
  • Unless you are a European Union citizen, the Republic of Cyprus considers entry or exit through the north illegal. This can become a problem if you enter the south from the north.
  • Ask a travel agent or a Cyprus embassy or consulate about entry requirements.

Getting around

  • Bus

    A wide bus network covers Cyprus, and a city bus ride costs €2.40 according to the 2025 price. Use Cyprus By Bus or Pame to find routes and stops. Prices on the English Cyprus By Bus website may be outdated. Published timetables show departure times from the first stop. The Cyprus By Bus and Pame apps offer live tracking, but their websites do not. Most routes stop running in the early evening. Several nearby stops may share the same name but serve different routes. Some stop names refer to streets or buildings that no longer exist. Google Maps does not provide public transport information for Cyprus. Moovit offers route planning but no live bus information. In Northern Cyprus, a return ticket may not be accepted on every bus.

  • Car

    Car hire is the easiest but most expensive way to get around. Most companies require at least three days, though some offer shorter rentals for a high fee. Booking ahead can help because walk-in rentals depend on available cars. RideNow offers app-based rentals for European driving licence holders. Drive on the left and keep left on highways unless overtaking. Driving standards are poor, and some main roads lack markings. Highways are generally in excellent condition, but other roads vary greatly. Many rental cars use diesel. Cars with manual gears are usually a few euros cheaper than automatic cars. It is illegal to eat or drink, even water, while driving. Drivers must keep both hands on the wheel. Speed and red-light cameras operate in major cities, and mobile speed cameras also operate along highways.

  • Finding addresses

    House numbers can be unreliable, and streets with the same name may be kilometres apart. Use an exact map pin, a house name or a nearby landmark.

What to see and do

  • Archaeological sites

    Sites across the island date from the New Stone Age through to the Roman Empire.

  • Nicosia

    Explore the Venetian walls, historic streets, bars and restaurants. The Green Line divides the city centre.

  • Troodos mountains

    The mountains rise to 1,952 metres and offer walking trails and villages such as Kakopetria, Platres and Phini.

  • Paphos harbour and archaeological park

    Visit the harbour and archaeological remains. Nearby Rock of Aphrodite offers a scenic picnic spot.

  • Hamam Omerye

    This restored 14th-century building in Nicosia's old town remains a working bathhouse.

  • Painted churches in the Troodos mountains

    Ten churches with wall paintings are on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage List.

Food and drink

  • Meze

    A selection of small dishes, with meat, fish or a mixture. Some restaurants serve only meze.

  • Kleftiko

    Roasted lamb flavoured with herbs and lemon.

  • Halloumi

    A Cypriot cheese made from goat's and sheep's milk. It is salty and firm when raw, and often served grilled.

  • Taramosalata

    A dip made with salted fish eggs mixed with bread crumbs or mashed potatoes, plus seasonings.

  • Tahini

    A food listed among local choices.

  • Shoushoukos

    A traditional sweet made by repeatedly dipping threaded almonds into grape juice until a thick coating forms.

Money

Euro (€), currency code EUR

  • One euro is divided into 100 cents.
  • Cyprus is relatively expensive, especially in tourist areas. Prices are more moderate away from tourist hotels and beaches.
  • Northern Cyprus uses Turkish lira. Euros are often accepted in its tourist centres, but at poor exchange rates.
  • Turkish lira are not generally accepted in southern Cyprus.

Typical costs

  • Local beer: €3–€3.50.
  • Hamburger: €5–€7.
  • Squid: about €10.
  • Steak: around €20.
  • City bus ride: €2.40, according to the 2025 price.

Language

  • Greek and Turkish are the island's official languages.
  • Greek is spoken in southern Cyprus. Cypriot Greek differs in some ways from Greek spoken in Greece.
  • Turkish is spoken in Northern Cyprus.
  • English is widely spoken, though less so in the north.
  • Russian, especially in Limassol, French and German are also spoken.

Staying safe

  • Cyprus has low crime rates, but take care when accepting drinks from strangers, especially in Ayia Napa. Muggings have been reported.
  • Venues called cabarets may actually be brothels associated with organised crime.
  • Take care when crossing roads and driving because driving standards are poor.
  • After a road accident, leave all involved cars where they are, call your rental company and wait for an insurance assessor.
3 common scams in Cyprus, and how to avoid them

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is safe to drink, but it can taste unpleasant. Its mineral content may cause an upset stomach at first.
  • In August, many pharmacies and other small businesses close for one or two weeks. Closure dates may only appear on a notice at the shop.

Phone and internet

  • The three mobile providers are Cyta-Vodafone, Epic and Primetel. Cyta-Vodafone is the largest and generally charges higher local rates.
  • Cyta-Vodafone sells soeasy starter cards for €2, including €1 credit, at its stores.
  • Data-only electronic SIM cards are available as scannable codes on arrival at Larnaca and Paphos airports.
  • A top-up of €10 or more extends a soeasy card's validity by one year from the top-up date.

Where to stay

  • Hotels and hotel apartments offer different levels of comfort and luxury.
  • Listed hotels include Kefalos Beach Tourist Village, Holiday Inn, Le Meridien, Hilton and Elias Beach Hotel.
  • The government Agrotourism initiative offers restored traditional village houses with facilities for preparing your own meals.

Outdoor adventures in Cyprus

Cyprus has sandy beaches, clear coastal water and mountain walking trails. Explore sea caves near Ayia Napa, dive among underwater sculptures or head to the Troodos Mountains for walks and winter skiing.

  • Nissi Beach

    BeacheAyia Napanear Ayia Napa

    Visit the beach about 4 km from Ayia Napa's central square. Municipal stands rent umbrellas and sunbeds.

    • Cost: Umbrellas and sunbeds: €2.50 each per day.
    • Stay within the swimming area and keep clear of powerboat areas. Accidents have happened.

  • Troodos Mountains trail walks

    HikeTroodos Mountains

    Explore the mountain walking trails. Villages in the area include Kakopetria, Platres and Phini.

    • Mountain winters are cold and snowy.
    • Be careful on countryside walks during hunting season, from November to February, especially on Sundays and Wednesdays.

  • Cape Greco Sea Caves and E4 coastal walk

    More to doCape Greconear Ayia Napa

    Walk from Ayia Napa along the E4 European Long Distance Path, which follows the coast. You can also reach the caves by road via the E306 and E307, or take a boat trip.

    • The caves are beneath a cliff.

  • Makronissos Beach

    BeacheAyia Napanear Ayia Napa

    Visit Makronissos Beach in Ayia Napa. Municipal stands rent umbrellas and sunbeds.

    • Cost: Umbrellas and sunbeds: €2.50 each per day.
    • Stay within the swimming area and keep clear of powerboat areas.

  • Troodos Mountains skiing

    SkiingTroodos Mountains

    Winter

    Head to the ski resort in the Troodos Mountains for the chance to ski in winter.

    • Mountain winters are cold and snowy.

  • MUSAN underwater sculpture gallery

    Scuba divingPernera Beach, Ayia Napanear Ayia Napa

    Explore the underwater sculpture gallery by diving off Pernera Beach.

  • Grecian Bay

    BeacheAyia Napanear Ayia Napa

    Visit the sandy beach east of Ayia Napa's small fishing harbour. It is the closest sandy beach to the town centre.

    • Cost: Umbrellas and sunbeds: €2.50 each per day.
    • Stay within the swimming area and keep clear of powerboat areas.

  • Konnos Beach

    BeacheAyia Napa–Paralimni bordernear Ayia Napa

    Visit Konnos Beach at the border of Ayia Napa and Paralimni.

    • Cost: Umbrellas and sunbeds: €2.50 each per day.
    • Stay within the swimming area and keep clear of powerboat areas.

  • Vathia Gonia Beach (Sandy Bay)

    BeacheAyia Napanear Ayia Napa

    Visit Sandy Bay in Ayia Napa. Water sports and massages are available at the beach.

    • Cost: Umbrellas and sunbeds: €2.50 each per day.
    • Stay within the swimming area and keep clear of powerboat areas.

  • Pernera Beach

    BeacheAyia Napanear Ayia Napa

    Visit Pernera Beach in Ayia Napa. The MUSAN underwater sculpture gallery lies offshore.

    • Cost: Umbrellas and sunbeds: €2.50 each per day.
    • Stay within the swimming area and keep clear of powerboat areas.

  • Katsarka Beach

    BeacheAyia Napanear Ayia Napa

    Visit Katsarka Beach close to Ayia Napa's town centre.

    • Cost: Umbrellas and sunbeds: €2.50 each per day.
    • Stay within the swimming area and keep clear of powerboat areas.

  • Rock of Aphrodite picnic

    More to doPaphos areanear Paphos

    Visit the Rock of Aphrodite near Paphos for a picnic.

Airports, metros and trains in Cyprus

Airports with scheduled flights

  • ECNErcan International AirportTymbou (Kirklar)Main international airport
  • LCALarnaca International AirportLarnacaMain international airport
  • PFOPaphos International AirportPaphosMain international airport

People and safety in Cyprus

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mixed.

  • Christian73%
  • Muslim25%
  • No religion1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex couples can form civil unions, but not marry.
  • Legal gender change is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #52 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

59% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 93 of 198 countries can visit Cyprus easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required82
  • Freedom of movement11
  • Visa required105

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe43 of 45 countries
  • Americas26 of 35 countries
  • Oceania10 of 14 countries
  • Asia12 of 50 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

What is the weather like?

Lowland summers are hot and dry, while winters are cool and wet. The mountains have warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters.

Can I get around without hiring a car?

Yes, Cyprus has a wide bus network, but most routes stop in the early evening. There are no railways.

What money should I use?

Southern Cyprus uses euros. Northern Cyprus uses Turkish lira, although tourist centres there often accept euros at poor rates.

Will people understand English?

English is widely spoken and often serves as a second language. It is less widely spoken in Northern Cyprus.

Can I drink the tap water?

Yes, tap water is safe to drink. Its taste and mineral content may cause an upset stomach at first.

Which side of the road do people drive on?

People drive on the left. Take care because driving standards are poor.

What local food can I try?

Try meze, grilled halloumi cheese or kleftiko roasted lamb. Traditional sweets include shoushoukos, palouzes and kiofterka.

Can I stay in a village house?

Yes, the government Agrotourism initiative offers restored traditional village houses with facilities for preparing your own meals.

Will my local mobile card work in Northern Cyprus?

Southern providers require you to activate roaming manually for the north and charge high data rates there.

Do holidays affect opening hours and buses?

Many museums close on Easter Sunday, and some buses run reduced services until Easter Tuesday. Many small businesses also close for one or two weeks in August.

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