The Republic of Cyprus is an astonishing island country known for several historical sights, pleasant weather, and events. It often hosts tourists from Asia and Europe. If you want to go here, there are plenty of reasons why you definitely should!
Cyprus has 1,224,831 residents on 9,251 square kilometers. The City of Nicosia is the capital of the Republic of Cyprus and it is also a home to 204,452 Greeks, meaning Nicosia is the most populous city in this island country. It stands between Asia and Europe, on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, between Europe and the Middle East. Tourists from all countries, including the United States of America, love this island country.
Cyprus became a part of Europe in 2004 and has been a popular tourist destination since 2004, especially for residents of America and Europe. Cyprus outranks many countries in Europe in terms of popularity. Thus, around 4 million tourists from Europe, the United States of America, and other places arrive in Cyprus yearly.
If you decide to spend your vacation on this island, you can either choose to visit North Cyprus or South Cyprus.
North Cyprus has many cities worth visiting. One is Nicosia, the capital town with a developed entertainment industry. Another place to go in the north state is Kyrenia, with a waterfront to stay by and Girne Castle. Climb up the Kyrenia mountains (north) for some spicy emotions and a view below!
South Cyprus is perfect for sunbathing near the sea. Also here you can see the sea caves outside Ayia Napa, the sculpture park not far away from South Cyprus and Nissi Beach. Other popular destinations on the island include Larnaca and Limassol, which have several ancient buildings, like in the north, and beaches.
There are many natural wonders in Cyprus. Limassol dunes in the mysterious, undisturbed desert, salt lakes, and Adonis baths with a rich history. Did you know that Cyprus has 381 mountains? The highest mountain range in Cyprus is called the Troodos Mountain range (1,952m). Apart from the mountains, Cyprus is known for its beaches. White sand and crystal clear waters attract tourists to Nissi, Coral Bay, Ayia Napa, and others.
Let us determine the right time to go to Cyprus.
The best time to visit Cyprus
Which period of the year is the best time to visit Cyprus? May-June and September-October are the most attractive options. Both shoulder seasons have a few tourists and reduced prices (especially compared to the summer season). Many events and pleasant temperatures during these seasons can enhance your vacation.
The beach season opens in May or June. This time is perfect for visiting local sights and sailing yachts in the ocean. Nicosia has the highest temperature of 15–28 °C in May and gets 14 hours of sunshine daily. If you travel in June, prepare for temperatures ranging from 18 to 33 degrees Celsius with 14.5 hours of sunlight.
September and October are low-season months with few visitors. The weather is almost the same as in summer (26-30°C). This time is great for outdoor activities.
The average temperatures in Cyprus make August the hottest month (32–34° C), and January, with 19° C, the coldest month.
Summer
Blue lagoon in summer
Summer is the best time to travel to the sea, eat fresh local food, and have a sea cruise in the Blue Lagoon.
Visit Limassol and other urban areas for the best nightlife. Some natural sights are great this season, and you can observe them during your tour to any historical site.
However, the hot and dry climate in Cyprus can not be everybody’s piece of cake.
June feels +27–28° C in the west of Cyprus, +34° C in internal space, and +29–30° C in other parts of the republic. The water temperature equals +22–27° C, and you can swim.
If you travel in hot and sunny July, get ready for +30°C in the west and +32°C in the other regions.
In August, the hottest temperatures reach 30° C in the west, 33° C on the east-southern coast, and 38° C inland. Due to the hot air coming from Africa, you can expect heat waves. Africa, by the way, is one of the continents surrounding Cyprus. You can say that it stands at the crossroads of these continents, including Africa.
With 11+ sunshine hours these days, it almost doesn’t rain in Cyprus.
Autumn
Troodos mountains in autumn
Autumn is the best time for appreciating the historical heritage of Cyprus. Exploring the countryside can be great when you cycle or hike in the mountains or nearby villages. Some places worth traveling to are vineyards in the Troodos Mountains and hiking trails that we will discuss later. Autumn here is a sunny time, and you can still relax at the beach.
September days feel like summer. It’s 29–30 °C on the west coast; 30-31 °C on the eastern-south coast; 25 °C in the mountains; and 35 °C in inland areas. The water feels 27-28° C.
October is a colder month. It’s 27° C on the west coast and 28–30 °C on the inland and coast, located on the east and south sides. In October, water is 23-28° C.
November temperatures rise and fall from 20°C to 25°C. It’s 13–22° C on the west coast and inland and 23–24° C on the eastern-south side of Cyprus. The sea in November feels like 21° C.
In autumn, there are just 18-20mm of rain and 10 hours of sunshine in September, 53-55mm and eight sunshine hours in October, and 40-44mm and seven sunshine hours in November.
Winter
Blue salt lake, Larnaca in winter
Local winters are breezy and have fewer tourists, meaning you can get the best and cheapest offers. Winter is almost the same as in Europe, with beautiful Christmas celebrations. The best feature of winter here is the arrival of flamingos. In January, they appear in the salt lakes of Akrotiri and Larnaca, arriving from Sardinia, north of Italy, etc. Look at them when you travel here.
Days in December are cold and rainy, especially in comparison with autumn. The coast expects 19–20 °C, inland-17–18 °C. The sea temperature is 18–21° C.
January is the coldest month of the winter and the year to travel. Coastal areas can expect temperatures of 7-9 °C, while domestic territories can expect 4-6 °C. The water temperature is 16–19° C.
Temperatures in February depend on the year; sometimes, it is warm and sunny, and sometimes, it's wet and cold. The inland region (4-6° C) is a less pleasant area than the coastal (8–9° C). The sea temperature is 16-18° C.
Winter has the most precipitation (340mm). December gets 94mm of rain and 5 hours of daily sunshine. In January, sun hours are the same, and rainfall is reduced to 80 mm. In February, Cyprus has 68mm and 7 hours of sun at its best.
Spring
If you travel at a time when everything blooms, you do not need to worry about the climate during your visit. Cycle (e.g., on Akamas Ridge, Troodos Mountains) and relax on an empty beach. One good spring event to travel to is the Argos Rose Festival (May 14-15, 21-22).
March is great for spending time with nature, with plenty of walking roads. The coast feels 10-20° C (sea water feels 17° C) and 3-10° C in the mountains in March.
April has warm but not muggy temperatures, so you can travel as much as possible. The coasts get around 20–24°C, with the east coast feeling more heated compared to the west in April. Expect 22–24°C in the inland territories and 14–16°C in the mountains. Don’t miss the Greek Cypriot National Day and Greek Orthodox Easter (1st of April). Easter is often advertised by local guides.
May is the best month for hiking. The weather is not hot until the end of month, when the water feels 20 °C. The temperature is 14–22°C on the west coast, 18–28°C in the south, and 10–20°C in the mountains. There are many things to do this time of year. One is a bass fishing tour with a professional instructor and the best challenge for adrenaline!
If March has 35mm of rainfall in 6 days, May gets around 5 mm daily. The sunshine hours increase to 7 hours in March, 9 in April, and 11 in the last spring month.
Cypriot hospitality
Let’s see why Cyprus is the best place to travel.
Cypriots give a warm welcome to all the new visitors. They will probably have a friendly little chat with you to make you feel good around them. Many places have English-speaking employees, and everyone acts openly in this hospitable environment.
Advice for walkers
Five finger mountains
Visit Cyprus for hiking! Here are some good things to help you with hiking.
Some popular hiking trails to visit are the Aphrodite Loop (11.5 km) and the Atalante Trail Loop (one challenging route of 7-8 km). Check out the Five Finger Mountains (3,2 km), made in the shape of a man's hands, and the Akamas Panoramic Walk (7 km). You can also discover the secret peninsula. One of our guides will walk you through Avakas Gorge and Lara Bay, where the green turtles are hatching.
Hike in waterproof clothes and pay attention to the weather conditions. Travel with drinks, sun, and water protection.
Hike in the warm spring days, or autumn season. Guides say it is safer to hike with someone else, especially if you are new here. Choose one of the guides who knows the area well.
Festivals
More than 73% of Cypriots are Christians, following the autocephalous Greek Orthodox. Like in other countries, people here celebrate Orthodox Christmas and Easter as well as other Christian festivals.
Christmas (December 6th-January 6th)
This is a wondrous solemn holiday. Cypriots like to celebrate Orthodox Christmas by setting the table for the family, and they also play with olive branches and fire and throw crosses into the sea.
Saint Lasarus Church in Larnaka
Orthodox temple of St.Nicholas in Protaras
There are many unique festivals to visit. These festive days can be new for you.
The Rose Festival (May 11-12; 18-19)
In Argos village, Cypriots harvest roses, attend concerts, and make rose-flavored food and beverages! People call it a family holiday.
Limassol Wine Festival (last week of August-first week of September)
During this event, you can drink as much wine as you want and participate in musical performances and grape pressing. Don’t forget to taste the food. Traditional food here is influenced by the cuisine of Africa. Some recipes from Africa are popular here. Food from America is also popular here.
Limassol wine festival (photo by: Kirill Makarov)
This one belongs to several festivals named after drinks. Some other festivals are:
"Kataklysmos" Water Festival
This festival takes place near the water in honor of the Holy Spirit, Aphrodite, and Adonis. This holiday includes folk performances, competitions, and swimming.
Beer and other themed festivals in Paphos
This holiday reminds us of the Limassol Wine Festival, with different beverages and similar entertainment. People celebrate the whole day and sometimes the whole night!
Limassol Beer Festival (photo by Olga Donchuk)
Travel advice
Leave your personal belongings at home before you visit the city. There are many pickpockets around, hunting for the goods of tourists. The government also suggests not leaving food and beverages unsupervised.
Check the weather forecast when planning your vacation: Cyprus constantly undergoes earthquakes and storms. It means you need to pick the right time for the trip.
Many tourists face new scams by the locals. Our travel advice would be to avoid cheap suggestions, as the drivers can take new people to the stores for a commission. Instead, use licensed taxis and make sure the driver uses the meter.
Check every ticket for authenticity, and read reviews before hiring a vehicle or booking a room.
All tourists should better use cash when they travel.
Night Cyprus is amazing, but it's better to travel with a company or stay in a hotel and see the new place in the daytime. It can be hard to navigate at night. One last piece of travel advice would be to have a well-written plan to spend a lovely journey!
Night Limassol
