Sample Itineraries

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Sample Itineraries

There is plenty to see and do while in Cyprus. To help you organise your time we have put together these suggested itineraries for your next visit to the island:

• One-day tour of Lefkosia
• Two-days visit to the south-eastern coast
• Two-days visit to the south-western coast
• One-day visit to the Troodos Mountains

Depending on the length of your trip you might want to do them all and get to see the whole island, or simply combine them according to your interests and the time you have available for sightseeing.

Tour of Lefkosia (1 day)

Take a walking tour of Old Lefkosia offered for free by The Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO). You can get more information and tour details from their office located at the Laiki Geitonia.

You should visit:

• Cathedral of St John the Theologian
• Archbishop Makarios Cultural Centre
• Museum of the Liberation Struggle
• Folk Art Museum
• Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios House
• Famagusta Gate
• Laiki Geitonia, close to Ledra Street, the main shopping area in old Nicosia
• The Leventis Museum
• The Cyprus Archaeological Museum

Finish your day having dinner at one of the many traditional Cypriot tavernas located in the old town.

The South-Eastern Coast (2 days)

You will visit Larnaka, Ayia Napa, Cape Greco, and Protaras

Larnaka

Hala Sultan Tekke – a major Muslim sanctuary located a few miles southwest of Larnaka, which includes a mosque built in 1816 and a mausoleum with the tomb of Umm Haram, the paternal aunt of the Prophet Mohammed, who fell off her mule and died in 649. Hala Sultan Tekke is one of the holiest sites for Muslims after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem.

The Salt Lake – In winter and early spring thousands of flamingoes, swans, pelicans and other migrating water birds gather in the Salt Lake, which is next to Hala Sultan Tekke.

Foinikoudes – a great place to stroll along the beach and have lunch or a drink at one of the multiple restaurants and bars located here.

St Lazarus Church (Agios Lazaros) - located in the southern part of Old Larnaka, it was built around 900AD on the site of St Lazarus’ grave. Inside the church, on the right side of the central nave, is a large gilded reliquary containing the skull of the St Lazarus himself. The crypt houses several stone sarcophagi, one of which supposedly housed the relics of the saint.

Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa is a popular holiday resort with many hotels, night clubs and cafes. It shuts down between November and March, but is very busy between May and September. It has beautiful sandy beaches like Nissi Beach, Makronissos Beach, and Ayia Thekla. Water sports and boat cruises are plentiful.

Sites to visit:

• Monastery of Ayia Napa
• Thalassa Museum of the Sea

Cape Greco

Not far from Ayia Napa is Cape Greco, a protected nature reserve on the coast with limestone cliffs that lead to clear water perfect for scuba divers and snorkelers. There are underwater shipwrecks surrounding the cape, including a Genoese treasure filled ship which sank in the 15th century.

Protaras

Protaras has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the island, with many hotels, tavernas, cafes, and water sports centers. The young crowd tends to go to Ayia Napa, while families usually prefer to stay in Protaras.

The South-Western Coast (2 days)

You will visit: Lemesos, Kolossi Castle, Kourion, Petra Tou Romiou, Pafos, The Baths of Aphrodite, the Akamas Peninsula, and Polis

Lemesos

• Walk along the seaside promenade
• Visit the Limassol Castle and Carob Mill area for lunch
• Visit the wineries
• Visit the Cyprus Handicraft Centre where you can buy locally made gifs and souvenirs

Kolossi Castle, a medieval castle located 15 km (9 miles) west of Limassol. The castle was the Commandaria (Headquarters) of the Knights Templar in the 12th century. The wine in this area became famous among the Knights and it became synonymous with the Grand Commanderie region. The wine took on the name Commandaria and, today, it is Cyprus’s traditional wine.

Kourion, located 19 km (12 miles) west of Limassol, is an archaeological site and an ancient city-kingdom with an impressive Greco-Roman Theatre built in the 2nd century AD. The theatre offers a magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea as well as excellent acoustics for the plays and concerts that take place throughout the summer.

Petra Tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek) is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, located 25 km (16 miles) east of Pafos. There are three huge limestone rocks known collectively as the Rock of Aphrodite. In Greek mythology it was here that Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty and fertility, emerged from the sea foam. The name Petra tou Romiou (Rock of Romeos) also commemorates the legendary Greek hero Digenis Akritas, also known as Romeos. He lived during the Byzantine era and, during an Arab raid by Saracen corsairs, he threw huge boulders into the sea to destroy the Arab ships. The rocks at this spot are said to be the stones thrown by Romeos.

Pafos

Pafos has a large concentration of hotels and a well developed tourist infrastructure. It is made up of Pano Pafos (Upper Pafos) and Kato Pafos (Lower Pafos) which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kato Pafos is an archaeological park with Bronze Age dwellings, royal tombs dating from the Hellenic era, Roman floor mosaics, and Byzantine castles and churches. The ruins were unearthed in 1962, providing new information about Cyprus under the Roman Empire. In ancient times, this area was the capital of Cyprus.

The Baths of Aphrodite are about 8 km (5 miles) west of Polis, towards the Akamas peninsula. The baths consist of a water pool in an open rock cave, with water running down from the rocks above. According to legend Aphrodite met her love Adonis here when he stopped by the spring to quench his thirst. Unfortunately swimming in the baths is not allowed anymore.

The Akamas Peninsula, located on the western tip of the island, is one of Cyprus’ last remaining wilderness regions, undeveloped and visually stunning. The peninsula is known for its abundant flora and fauna, with around 600 plant species found there. Visitors can explore the area on foot, by trail bike, or in a 4-wheel drive, although the paths are rough and not the easiest to navigate. Another option is to hop on a tour boat that sails the Akamas coastline from Latsi, west of Polis.

Polis is a small, charming seaside town about 30 km (18 miles) north of Pafos. It is an ideal base for hiking or mountain biking in the Akamas as well as swimming at any of the local beaches. The centre is a pedestrian zone and restaurants are within easy walking distance.

The Mountains (1 day)

You will visit: Troodos, Kykkos Monastery, Platres and Omodos

Troodos is a small resort in the Troodos Mountains with a few restaurants and souvenir shops. In the summer visitors can take horse or donkey rides in the surrounding area, and also go hiking on the marked trails. The ten painted Byzantine Churches in Troodos are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kykkos Monastery is the largest monastery in Cyprus situated in the middle of the Troodos Mountains. The monastery’s museum contains holy books, embroidered vestments, and beautiful, precious icons, among other important treasures.

Platres is a popular mountain resort in Cyprus, about 37 km (23 miles) northwest of Lemesos, situated on a steep bank above the Kyros stream. It is the starting point for walking trails, including “Caledonia” that takes you past the Caledonia waterfall and the restaurant Psilodendro.

Omodos is the wine capital of Cyprus and is also known for papilla lace, silver jewelry, honey, and the ring-shaped arkatena bread typical of this village. It is a lovely, traditional village and worth visiting. The Timiou Stavrou Monastery (Monastery of the Holy Cross) is located in the centre of the village and contains a carved wooden iconostasis dating from 1813. According to legend, St Helena (mother of Emperor Constantine) left a piece of the rope with which Christ was tied to the cross. This relic is kept in a silver cross-shaped reliquary. In addition another holy relic, the skull of St Philip, is kept in a silver casket.