As with some other Mediterranean countries, the operating hours for retail and services are sometimes a challenge! Here is a useful guide to help you get a grasp of the peculiarities.

 

The hours of opening for businesses, shops and government offices vary between winter and summer, with many being closed during the hottest part of t afternoon in summer time.

Government offices, private businesses and shops do not keep the same hours. Opening hours also vary depending on whether they are located in urban, tourist or rural areas.

Below is a very general guide to office, shopping and banking hours.

 

Public Sector

Public service operating hours are flexible all year round. Operating days are from Monday to Friday, starting between 07:30 – 08:30 and closing between 15:00 – 16:00.

 

Banks (hours open to the public)

Monday to Thursday: 08:00-14:30
Friday: 08:00-14:00

Banks are closed on weekends and public holidays. Some banks in central tourist areas are open in the afternoons specifically to provide services to tourists.

 

Private Sector

Each company keeps its own hours, but generally, office hours are 08:00 – 13:00 / 15:00 – 18:00 Monday to Friday.

 

Shop Opening Hours

Shop opening hours vary depending on their type and location and whether they are located in urban, tourist or rural areas.

Generally, shops will open between 07:00 – 21:00 on Monday – Saturday, but this can vary an hour or two either way, depending on the type of shop and the area it is located in. On Sunday, opening times are later, typically around 11:00, and closing times vary from 14:00 – 22:00, again depending on the type of outlet and its area.

Some shops still observe a half-day closing on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, and close on Sunday, although in most of the tourist areas of Cyprus, both shops and supermarkets stay open till late at night, and are also open on Sundays.

 

Peculiarities

Hair Dressing Salons and Barbershops are closed on Thursdays but are open on Saturdays.

Sanitary Ware shops are open on Wednesday afternoons but are closed on Saturdays.

1 Comment Leave a comment

  1. Jim Turner January 24, 2019 Subscriber

    Would like to know if there is a standard opening time for Pharmacies, locations and telephone numbers. Useful for sourcing medication.

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