Cyprus Holidays

Coral Bay – A favourite with families for its shallow water and gentle waves. It gets a tick for easy access, too, with bars and cafés lining the sand.

Nissi Beach – This white-sand beach is award-winning and its curved shape makes it a sheltered spot for swimming.

Aphrodite Beach – Legend has it, the goddess of love walked right out of the sea here. The bluey-green waters and perfectly placed rocks make it as good a spot as any for a few holiday snaps.

Paramali Beach – A wide, sandy stretch, surrounded by fragrant citrus groves.

Konnos Beach – Near Ayia Napa, this secluded cove backs onto rugged hills, and the water is perfect for snorkelling.

Zapalo Beach – This wild bay in Limassol has impressive cliffs for a backdrop, keeping it tucked away from tourist crowds.

Cape Greco – The national park’s hidden sea caves are the perfect place for a peaceful dip surrounded by wildlife.

Mackenzie Beach – From jet-skiing and parasailing to wakeboarding, you’ll find whatever kind of watersport you’re after here.

Lara Bay – This is a great option for kayaking and paddle-boarding. It’s also a turtle conservation area, so keep your eyes peeled while you glide along.

Makronissos Beach – Near Ayia Napa, this beach is a go-to for fun water activities, like windsurfing and banana boat rides.

Paphos – For a true taste of Cyprus, stroll through the cobbled lanes in Paphos’ Old Town and pick a traditional taverna. For the freshest seafood, head to the harbour.

Larnaca – Chinese, Lebanese, Mediterranean – in Cyprus, you can eat a different country’s cuisine every night. For something local, the cosy Kazani Taverna’s a popular choice.

Fikardos Winery – One of the top-rated vineyards in Cyprus, this charming, family-run estate near Paphos is open for tours and tastings.

Hadjipieris Organic Farmers Market – Not far from Limassol, this rustic farmers’ market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays and sells fresh local produce like fruit and vegetables

Halloumi – Made from a blend of goat’s and sheep’s milk, this famous ‘squeaky’ cheese can be served up raw, grilled or fried.

Koupepia – The Cypriot take on the Greek dolma – savoury vine leaf parcels filled with rice, minced meat, onions, tomatoes and herbs.

Meze – A traditional meal with lots of little dishes, like dips, bread, olives, salad and grilled halloumi. Fish meze usually includes cuttlefish, calamari and sea bream.

Souvlaki – This is Cyprus’ version of the classic Greek kebab. It’s made with pork skewers marinaded in olive oil, oregano and a good squeeze of lemon, then grilled. Usually, they’re served in a warm pitta bread with fresh salad and a big drizzle of tahini.

Zivania – A brandy made from grapes, so strong that as well as being a drink, it used to be a first-aid staple in homes across the island.

Ayia Napa – You can find designer labels on Makarios and Nissi avenues. And there are plenty of places selling traditional Lefkara lace, handmade pottery and handwoven baskets.

Limassol – The MYMALL Limassol shopping centre has around 150 high-street favourites, selling shoes, beauty, watches and jewellery – and they’ve thrown in an ice rink and bowling alley, too.

Paphos – Pick up leather goods, wooden handicrafts and seashell jewellery at one of the Old Town markets. You’ll also find fine art dealers and galleries selling local paintings.

Paphos Jazz Festival, September – Every September, live performances start in the day and continue late into the evening, with musicians ranging from classic saxophonists to quirky jazz pianists and bands.

Festival Live, July – This summer festival takes over Makronissos Beach over two separate weeks in June and July. Previous years have seen the likes of the Charlatans and Chase & Status headline. And, if you buy a wristband, you can access boat parties and entry to the Live Lounge, where music parties go on until the early hours.

Kataklysmos, June – The annual Festival of the Flood is held 50 days after Orthodox Easter and sees locals head down to the harbour for swimming competitions and games. There’s traditional folk dancing and stalls selling Cypriot food.

Shipwreck scenes – Visit the EDRO III shipwreck near the Akamas Peninsula in Paphos. The ship hit the rocks here in 2011 while travelling from Limassol to Rhodes, and it’s been a popular photo-stop ever since.

WaterWorld – Near Nissi Beach, this ancient Greece-themed water park mixes huge waterslides with a classical history lesson.

Alaminos sea caves – Cyprus’ coast is indented with rugged sea caves. Ayia Napa might have the most famous ones, but Alaminos has its own, too. Join a boat tour to hop between them or jump in the water for a closer look.