Cyprus Travel Guide: All you need to know to visit Cyprus in 2023

Cyprus is a charming small island in the Mediterranean Sea and an excellent vacation destination. It is the third-largest island in the Mediterranean and offers a wonderful mix of white sand beaches, history, and nature.

Here's the ultimate Cyprus travel guide with practical tips and travel inspiration to make the most of your trip to this holiday destination.

Document checklist for Cyprus

• Visa (if applicable)

• Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and have two blank pages)

• Sufficient funds to cover your trip

• Return or onward ticket

• Proof of accommodation

Essential Cyprus travel information

• Currency - The currency of Cyprus is the euro (€). $1 is equivalent to approx. €0.98.

• Daily budget for 1 person - You should plan to spend around €82 ($88) per day on your vacation in Cyprus.

• Languages - Cyprus has two official languages: Greek and Turkish.

• Number of travelers per year - After a sharp drop in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of international visitors to Cyprus increased to a total of about 1.9 million in 2021.

• Socket type - Type G. Cyprus operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

• Top 3 major cities to visit - Paphos, Coral Bay, and Ayia Napa.

• Top 3 landmarks/monuments - Tombs of the Kings, Mount Olympus, and Petra Tou Romiou.

Visa information for Cyprus

Before you travel to the beautiful island of Cyprus, you need to know if you need a visa, how to apply for it online, and how much it costs. Use our Visa Checker Tool to learn more about your individual needs, or read on for more information.

The Cyprus Tourist eVisa explained

Almost 90 countries have free access to the Republic of Cyprus. This group includes European Union member states and countries that have bilateral agreements with Cyprus. If you are not from one of the visa-exempt countries, you must apply for a visa at an embassy or consulate.

Visa difficulty index for Cyprus

Accessibility: 4/5

Most travelers can visit visa-free. If you do need a paper visa, you can’t apply online so you have to go to an embassy or consulate to apply.

Time to get your visa: 3/5

The Tourist Visa for Cyprus takes an average of 10 business days. So apply for your visa well in advance.

Costs: 3/5

Cyprus charges a non-refundable fee to apply for a visa, depending on your nationality

Check the entry requirements for Cyprus

Typical costs and budget for Cyprus

A guide to what you'll spend on a daily basis traveling through Cyprus on a mid-range budget.

• Daily spending - You should plan to spend around €82 ($88) per day on your vacation in Cyprus.

• Meals - You will probably spend around €33 ($35) on meals for one day.

• Transport - Budget to spend €10 ($11) for transport.

• Hotel - On average, the price for a hotel in Cyprus for a couple is €75 ($80). A holiday in Cyprus for two people, for one week, will cost on average €1150 ($1216).

Transport and best ways to travel around Cyprus

There are many ways to get to and around Cyprus, depending on where you come from. Here are some tips for navigating the country safely.

Getting to Cyprus

Since Cyprus is a small island with good highway infrastructure connecting all major cities and attractions. Larnaca is the largest and busiest airport on the island, offering the most flights and connections to the rest of the island.

There are no direct flights to Cyprus from the United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Most visitors must change planes at least once, usually in London, Athens, or Dubai.

The following airlines fly to Cyprus:

• EasyJet

• TUI

• British Airways

• Ryanair,

• Wizz Air

• Wizz Air UK

Arrival and immigration tips for Malaysia

Larnaca Airport is modern and easy to navigate. Here are some tips to make the immigration process smoother:

• Make sure your documents are in order when you go through passport control and ensure that your travel documents are valid for the duration of your trip.

• Amounts more than €10,000 must be disclosed at customs.

• If you are traveling from an EU member country, you can bring your pets to Cyprus as long as they have an animal health certificate.

Getting around Cyprus by public transport

Traveling by bus in Cyprus is inexpensive and convenient, albeit bus services vary significantly between the north of Cyprus and the rest of the island.

Traveling by car in Cyprus

The most convenient way to get around Cyprus is by car. All major international car rental companies have offices at the two airports in south Cyprus, as well as in tourist-friendly towns. There are local agencies on both sides of the island. During the summer, book a car in advance for lower rates and to ensure availability.

Bikes in Cyprus

Even though there are few special offers for bicycles in Cyprus, you can have an exciting adventure on two wheels. Bikes can be rented in numerous tourist spots for about €15 ($17) per day in the south and 150 TL ($15) per day in northern Cyprus. Check the bikes thoroughly and make sure a helmet is included in the rental price.

Taxis in Cyprus

Taxis are available throughout Cyprus at moderate rates and are a popular mode of transportation for locals and visitors. Taxis in the south operate with meters, which are available at taxi stands in most towns and tourist areas. You can also reach them by phone. There are dozens of companies to choose from, so ask a local for the best number.

Taxi services in north Cyprus tend to be irregular and prices are negotiated before you start your journey, but they are affordable.

Safety in Cyprus

Cyprus has a long history of disputes between the Turkish republic and Greece. Both countries have tried to lay claim to the island without apparent success. Cyprus is still a divided country, with parts of the island belonging to both the Turks and the Greek Cypriots. Nevertheless, it remains a safe country for tourists.

Here are some tips to keep in mind while visiting Cyprus:

• Avoid displaying valuable items if you do not want to attract the attention of potential criminals.

• Take financial precautions. Carrying large amounts of cash is never a good idea. If you must carry large amounts of money at once, leave it in a safe at your hotel and take only what you need for the day.

• Be on the lookout for scammers. Educate yourself about common scams in the area you plan to visit. This way you can better protect yourself from falling for their tricks.

• Get a secure bag. A shoulder bag is safer than a purse or backpack because it cannot be snatched or accessed from behind you as you move around.

Weather in Cyprus

Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate with temperate winters and pleasant summers. Between May and September is the peak tourist season in Cyprus. There is a lot of rain in the winter months, especially in December and January. Daytime temperatures range from 33°C (91°F) in summer to 17°C (63°F) in winter.

Must do and see in Cyprus

Although Cyprus is divided by the 180 km Green Line, there's much to explore on both sides such as:

1. Ayia Napa is a Mediterranean tourist town on the southern coast of Cyprus, known for its beaches. The historic monastery of Ayia Napa, dating back to the Venetian period, located in the central Plateia Seferi square and surrounded by taverns and clubs, is the town's landmark. Ayia Napa's port sells freshly caught fish in its bustling tavernas, while Pantachou Beach offers a golden sandy beach. It is also possible to visit stunning sea caves.

2. The Cyprus Museum is the oldest and largest archeological museum on the island. The museum exhibits objects found during numerous excavations. Located on Museum Street in the center of Nicosia, it houses the world's most extensive collection of Cypriot antiquities.

3. Lady's Mile Beach is a beautiful beach with shallow, warm water. It has white sand and is considered a very safe beach. There are sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, an assortment of beach bars, restrooms, and changing rooms. There is a lifeguard on duty from April to October.

4. Nissi beach is one of the most famous beaches on the south coast and the Mediterranean. The name of this long beach comes from the nearby small island of Nissi. The island is uninhabited but can be reached on foot across the shallow sea.

5. Visit the Greek goddess Aphrodite rocks. Petra tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite's Rock, is a sea rock near Paphos, Cyprus. It is known as the “Rock of the Romans” and is located off the coast along the main road between Paphos and Limassol.

Typical Cyprus food to try

Cypriot cuisine, which features Greek, Turkish, and Italian influences among others, is as comforting as it is tasty. Here are a few dishes you should try:

• Halloumi - A Cypriot cheese made from goat and sheep milk. Its soft texture and white color meet the juicy expectations of anyone who enjoys it with wine or watermelon. Halloumi is almost always served as an appetizer in traditional taverns, either raw or grilled.

• Ofton Kleftiko - A typical dish made of a leg of lamb. It is then seasoned with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and onions. Kleftiko is occasionally cooked in portable white ovens with or without potatoes and offered on the street as an alternative to sandwiches or 'souvlakia'.

• Souvlaki - Also known as souvla, is a true blessing for those who like grilled meat. Small and large slices of meat are marinated the night before the 'big' day and cooked outdoors.

Vaccine information for Cyprus

Before booking your trip to Cyprus, it's important to know which vaccinations and COVID-19 measures are required. We advise you to check the CDC website for more info.

Visiting the Adonis Baths in Cyprus

Aphrodite, the goddess of fertility and love, is said to have seen her lover Adonis die in her arms here in this natural freshwater pool. The site, located under a waterfall and surrounded by lush foliage, also houses a statue of the two mythological lovers, which is said to increase the fertility of those who touch it.

Admission tickets to the Adonis Baths give you access to this awesome pool, a sunbathing area, and several rope swings, as well as a small museum housed in an ancient water mill.

The baths are often visited as part of tours by off-road vehicles through the rugged landscape of the Akamas Peninsula and Paphos.