Destinations
Nicosia
Cosmopolitan, glamorous and bustling, the capital of Nicosia is uniquely comprised of an ancient, walled city and a modern, fast-paced metropolis that is the epicenter of the island’s business and commercial activity. There is no end to the options that Nicosia provides, blending the current with the traditional. Its retail experience ranges from town centers and malls to traditional shopping quarters of winding streets. Its leisure and nightlife is a mixture of the popular and exclusive, with trendy bars that nestle amidst old, historically rich monuments. A wealth of interesting galleries and museums mix with fun entertainment for all the family. And its selection of cuisine is equally as diverse as its overall character. All at once, you will be transported back to medieval times at the ancient city that is surrounded by Venetian walls and heart-shaped bastions, and yet, just a heartbeat away you are undoubtedly in a progressive, European capital. As you leave the city and enter the rural areas of the region, a different world unfolds; tranquil and picturesque, stretching across countryside and mountain villages, and offering further pursuits such as hiking and cycling in traditional surroundings. A city always on the go, the many layers of Nicosia various attractions and features make it the island’s capital in every sense.
Limassol
Limassol, a city counting centuries of history, is located between two of the most renowned ancient kingdoms of the island, Amathous at the east and Kourion at the west. Limassol is the second largest urban area in Cyprus and its municipality is the most populous in the country with 235,0oo inhabitants. Limassol is one of the fastest growing modern metropolises in Europe. The city's infrastructure is constantly upgraded from all aspects with the most distinct project of this sort being the Limassol Marina, an exclusive waterfront development combining elegant residences and a full service marina, with its own shopping and dining area. Also, the revamped coastline now covers a 15 kilometers distance, lined with hotels and beach bars and cafes, interspersed with eucalyptus groves and linked by a promenade popular with walkers and joggers. In recent years Limassol has progressed as one of the largest commercial ports in the Mediterranean region and it is now considered as one of the most important centers of tourism, trade and offshore companies. The city is also the business and financial center of Cyprus as hundreds of international shipping and financial companies have their headquarters here.
Booking.comLarnaca
The Cypriot city is known for its geographical location, which attracts visitors from all over the world for its sandy beaches and crystal clear waters and in turn has played a massive role in boosting the local economy. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Larnaca showcases the perfect place for a relaxing holiday destination to help you unwind. The near-perfect weather is another treat for holiday goers looking to explore the attractions, and visit the popular bars and restaurants to get a feel of the local life and culture. The city's International Airport is located on the fringe of the city with easy access to and from the city center.
Paphos
Linked by a traffic artery, Kato Paphos and Ktima form a contrasting whole. Kato Paphos is geared towards tourists, with bars and souvenir shops lining the palm-fringed seafront. Dive into the backstreets to discover historic gems such as medieval baths, catacombs and a simple fishermen’s church. But the grand-slam sight is one of the South's richest archaeological locales, the Paphos Archaeological Site, just one reason the city was awarded joint European Capital of Culture in 2017. Standing here, surrounded by acres of history and fields of wild flowers, feels a world away from the busy resort just beyond the entrance.
Booking.comAyia Napa
Ayia Napa has a long but until recently, fairly quiet history. In fact before 1800 the only building was the Venetian monastery which still stands next to the bars and clubs of the central square. From 1800 until 1974 the small village was home to few people, mostly fishermen and farmers. Following the Turkish invasion of 1974 refugees from the Famagusta area boosted the population and began to develop the town into the popular tourist center it is today. By the mid 1980's Ayia Napa had earned itself a name as a hotspot for the younger crowd with more than 10 nightclubs and over 50 bars. During the 1990's Ayia Napa cemented its reputation with more bars and clubs opening all over the town which rapidly spread from the center for several kilometers alongside the stunning clear beaches. The peak years for Ayia Napa were 2000-2001 when more than 20 nightclubs could be found within 1 square kilometer. During this time UK garage was the main sound of the town and it rivalled Ibiza as the most popular clubbing resort in the Mediterranean. Today Ayia Napa has mellowed a little and whilst still very popular with urban music lovers, especially during July and August, it now offers something for pretty much every taste in music, from House, Dubstep, RnB and cheesy tunes right through to rock and live indie music. Families are now also catered for with numerous bars offering child friendly entertainment. Whilst the loud themed bars around the central square are still present and busy as ever, a new crop of trendy lounge bars have also sprung up for the more sophisticated and grown up night out. Luckily Ayia Napa has retained its village feel and whilst being thronged with thousands of holidaymakers in the summer it remains one of the safest places to holiday in the Mediterranean. With a very low crime rate, especially against tourists and very friendly local people many visitors from around the world have fallen in love with Ayia Napa and return year after year, some even settling here permanently.
Booking.comProtaras
For an easygoing beach break, family-favorite Protaras ticks a lot of boxes. Fig Tree Bay is the center of all the beach action, but the entire shore front has been beautifully manicured with a wide seaside pedestrian promenade that wriggles its way up the coast, past hotel lawns and patches of golden sand, all the way to Pernera. The town unashamedly caters to the tourist crowd, so you're more likely to find all-day full English breakfasts on menus here than Cypriot flavors, and many of the bars tout faux-British pub names. During summer the beaches pack out and the promenade bustles with strollers and joggers.
