Places of Interest in Cyprus
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GENERAL COMMENTS
Most Cypriots in the service industry speak English so you should have no communication problems. Driving is on the left hand side of the road, the same as for Britain and the road signs are in English. Main roads are very good, there is a motorway connecting Nicosia (Lefcosia,) Larnaca, Limassol (Limasos) and Paphos. If driving through the British Sovereign Bases of Episkopi and Dhekalia any points incurred, say for speeding, will be put onto your British driving Licence as the bases are UK territory. Distances are in kilometres and the petrol prices are lower than England.
EATING OUT:
Eating out and trying Cypriot food is an experience not to be missed. A combination of Greek, Turkey, Italian and British culinary influences ensure a variety of flavours and an ample choice of dishes to choose from. Menus are usually written in Greek and English and the prices include service charge and tax. Eating out is very reasonable, from €12.00/€15.00 per head, including a beer. A fish Mezedhes ( a selection of fish ) with wine is approximately €20.00 per head.
CYPRUS:
Is an island steeped in history, gothic churches, historical sites and monasteries for you to visit. Should you be interested in seeing them we suggest that you purchase a guidebook that will describe them in more detail.
AYIA NAPA: (1 hours drive)
Before the Turkish occupation of Famagusta in 1994 it was just a small fishing village and is now one of the largest holiday developments on the island. The region has some of the best beaches but you will find them overcrowded in the height of the season. For the energetic; water sports are available - surfing, paragliding, water-skiing and pedal boating.
LARNACA: (30 minutes drive)
Has a long sea front promenade, ideal for a long stroll. Palm trees and cafes where you can sit and watch the world go by enjoying your coffee and pastry. There is a wide sandy beach stretching quite a distance, the best beach is situated on the west side - out towards the airport. Larnaca is excellent for shopping, especially leather shoes and handbags.
LIMASSOL: (30 minutes drive)
Is the islands second largest city after Nicosia. It is a modern metropolis and one that is continually expanding. It is a working city and business centre with a different atmosphere than Larnaca and Nicosia and doesn’t have the same holiday resort feel about it.
It has the largest port on the island and is the centre for producing wine, beer, ouzo, brandy and liqueurs. The coastal road is now a duel carriageway and improvements have been made to the seafront. Beaches are very few in the centre however, you can find quite pleasant beaches East and West of Limassol. Amathus, quite near to the village of Pentakomo, is an extension of Limassol that has been established in recent years, it is all very new with large hotels, modern shops, restaurants and bars.
NICOSIA (1 hours drive)
The divided capital, the one and only inland city with more than a quarter of all Cypriots living in Nicosia. Boundaries are expanding with new settlements as the city offers employment to many people in government, administration, in the manufacturing industry producing shoes, textiles and paper. Wheat and barley cultivated on the surrounding plains also contribute to their economy.
Tourism does not play an important role as most holiday makers only visit the city for a day which is enough time for a general impression. The city has many places of interest to view so you may wish to plan a second day. Remember that the temperature can be two to three degrees higher than the coastal resorts.
PAPHOS: (1 hours drive)
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Considering that the tourist trade did not start in this region until the 1980s the hotels and apartments are quickly spreading along the coast, an area of unspoiled natural beauty which is now under threat with the continuous building programme. It is also becoming a large residential area with many private villas being built in the surrounding villages.
Paphos is another area steeped in history, an important city in ancient times. A centre of pilgrimage, the Sanctuary of Aphrodite was renowned throughout the ancient world. The Paphos Mosaics date back from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD must be one of the highlights of a visit to Cyprus.
TROODOS MOUNTAINS: (1 hours drive)
Cyprus has so much more to offer than the holiday resorts. For a complete change of scenery it is well worth setting off for a day, driving through this region of Cyprus. Fantastic views, forest and picturesque villages to explore. You will find some of the most interesting monasteries and churches, centuries old in this region. Some of the monasteries are still inhabited, one that is worth visiting is the Kykko Monastery with magnificent mosaics and holy icons.
The main roads are well surfaced and well sign posted. Platres is the main tourist centre in the Troodos region, in the summer people escape here from the heat in the cities and during the winter it becomes a skiing resort. Mount Olympus is the highest mountain.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, it is very pleasant to sit outside and breath in the clean pine smelling fresh air.
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