A holiday in Cyprus means a standard beach holiday for many travellers,
but the truth is that there are a lot of places to go and attractions to
see whilst on the island. While it’s true that Cyprus was once known as
a prime clubbing and beach destination, recent years have seen a number
of changes on the island, and there with a great number of things to
do, here are a few of the most popular choices
1. Visit Ancient Kourion
Considered to be one of Cyprus’ most
important and iconic archaeological sites, the site at Kourion, which is
found near the town of Episkopi on the island’s southern shores is home
to some of the most extensive Greco-Roman ruins in the world. Featuring
a number of impressive structures and well-preserved mosaics, notable
sites of interest include the House of Gladiators, the public baths and
the impressive Greco-Roman theatre.
2. Head to the Troodos Mountains
The Troodos mountains range is the
biggest range in Cyprus, and it is located in the centre of the island.
The most famous of these is Mount Olympus, which stands at 1,952 metres,
and is not be confused with the infamous mountain of the same name in
Greece. This area has become very popular with tourists as it remains
relatively untouched compared to other resorts in Cyprus, there is so
much to do, such as visiting the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
monasteries and churches that can be found in the area, walking
recommended tourist trails, and even, during the winter, skiing, as the
Troodos Mountains gets good snowfall at that time.
3. Experience Cyprus’ New ‘Clubbing’ Scene
A few years ago, Cyprus, namely the resort of Ayia Napa (see Ayia Napa holidays)
was considered to be a prime clubbing destination, but in recent years
the island has moved away from its hard partying reputation and instead
moved to a more sophisticated entertainment scene. Destinations such as
Limassol has become well known with tourists for its upmarket beach
bars, which have become the haven of choice for many visitors, and have
replaced the tired beach bars that used to line the main street in
Germasogeia. While partying is still an important part of Cyrpus’
tourist market, the scene is much more laid back, with emphasis being on
providing quality venues and products for revellers.
4. Indulge Your Taste Buds
A trip to Cyprus wouldn’t be complete
without a few visits to one or more of the local tavernas that can be
found dotted around the island. Avoid the ones in the main tourist
resorts, as they don’t often let you have a real taste of the local food
and drink, and instead focus on the smaller ones that offer new takes
on some of Cyprus’ most influential dishes, these tavernas can be found
outside some of the big resorts, such as Araouzos Taverna, in the
village of Kathikas, who specialise in wild boar and wild fowl or
Koutsonikolias in Lanarka, for lamb and asparagus dishes, plus much
more. Also let yourself sample some of the island’s best coffee shops
for some mouth-watering Cypriot coffee, especially the frappes, which is
best enjoyed during the long, hot summer months. These shops line
almost every street on the island, so there is always an excuse to enjoy
the best coffee in the Mediterranean.
5. Discover Untouched Cyprus
If you want to get away from the busy
tourist areas, and see what Cyprus was like before the tourist resorts,
then a trip to the untouched Akamas peninsula in the west of the island
offers visitors an abundance of Cypriot wilderness, surrounded by the
beautiful Aleppo pine trees. Akamas is the largest area of undeveloped
land in Cyprus, and is worth exploring for a day to get a real feel of
the rustic side of the island. If you’ve booked a holiday to Cyprus,
take the time to book a walking or a bike tour with a tour company
around the peninsula’s rocky terrain and explore the region’s off-road
tracks for a day of unbridled discovery, adventure and of course, fun.
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