Travel guide: Cyprus

Visit Cyprus describes long dry summers from mid-May to mid-October and mild winters from December to February, separated by short spring and autumn seasons. In July and August the indicative daily temperature is 30 °C on the central plain and 24 °C in the Troodos Mountains, so the hills are the cooler choice in summer. The open sea is above 22 °C from June to November and reaches 27 °C in August. April and May bring green countryside and flowers, with warm days and slightly chilly nights; March is called an excellent period for long country walks. The trail guide names March to November as the most suitable period for the Troodos trails. In winter it is the other way round: January is 10 °C on the central plain and 3 °C on the higher parts of Troodos, with rain and snow on the mountains, usually starting before Christmas. Flamingos stay at the Larnaca Salt Lake from November to March.

Cyprus has no trains, so the choice is a hire car, a taxi or a bus. Visit Cyprus lists interurban buses that link the major towns daily, operated by L.L.L.A. Intercity Buses, with routes between Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos; for timetables it points you to the operating company. Rural buses link almost all villages with the nearest town, but only about two or three times a day, so a day in the mountains by bus needs a careful look at the return time. The Ministry's public transport website lists the bus services, and its Cyprus Bus app shows scheduling information and the arrival time at each stop; the town routes of Nicosia and Larnaca are also listed at publictransport.com.cy. Four-lane motorways connect Nicosia with Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa. Minor and forest roads are largely unsurfaced but in good to fair condition; take care on them in wet weather. Traffic keeps to the left-hand side of the road.

Troodos is the mountain region: forest trails around Mount Olympos near Troodos Square, the waterfall trail at Pano Platres, and villages such as Omodos in the Limassol district and Kakopetria in the Solea Valley. Larnaca has a palm-lined promenade, a salt lake with a mosque on its shore and the Kamares aqueduct; Lefkara, a village in the foothills, is 43 km from the town. Limassol is the seafront at Molos, and Kourion Beach lies in Episkopi Bay in the greater Limassol area. Nicosia is the capital, with its Venetian walls and Famagusta Gate around the old city. The places on this page sit in these four regions, so you can build a day around one of them.

Foinikoudes in Larnaca has calm, shallow water, and Visit Cyprus calls the strip particularly popular with families by day and in the evening; lifeguards are stationed from June to October, and the Larnaca Tourism Board lists sand playgrounds and children's activities along it. At Kourion Beach lifeguards are stationed from April to October, and a children's playground is about 1 km from the beach. The municipality's description of the Limassol seafront mentions fountains, green areas and play areas. On the trails, Artemis is rated difficulty 1, but it has no drinking water; the Millomeris waterfall trail is only 1.2 km but has frequent river crossings and a risk of slipping, so it needs close supervision. The Troodos Visitor Centre is free for children under 6. At the Salt Lake, keep children on the shore: wading into the water to reach the flamingos is prohibited.

In summer Visit Cyprus notes cloudless skies, high temperatures and isolated thunder showers, mainly over the mountains in the early afternoon. Walk early and carry water; on the Troodos trails lighting a fire is strictly forbidden, and you call 1407 to report fire or smoke. The coast has a sea breeze, and in July and August the indicative daily temperature is 24 °C in the Troodos Mountains against 30 °C on the central plain. When it is wet or too hot, the Troodos Visitor Centre is the indoor option: it is open daily except Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 14:30 and charges an entry fee. Famagusta Gate is open Monday to Friday only and closed on public holidays. Hala Sultan Tekke is open daily, with different hours in summer and winter. Visit Cyprus says opening times can change without notice, so check before you go.

A Larnaca day can link the promenade, the Salt Lake with the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque, and the Kamares aqueduct, which a footpath joins to the lake. Lefkara, 43 km from Larnaca, makes a day of its own for its streets and handicrafts. Omodos is 42 km from Limassol town, and Kourion Beach is a swim stop on the coast. In the mountains, combine a trail with a village, for example Artemis near Troodos Square, or Millomeris at Pano Platres, and the old quarter of Kakopetria in the Solea Valley. In Nicosia, plan a few hours for the walls and the old city; a free guided walk starts at the Old Town Hall at Eleftheria Square, so check the dates.

1. Troodos Olympos Trails

   Two signposted circular forest trails around Mount Olympos, in the Troodos mountains at about 1,850 m

2. Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke

   Salt lake with winter flamingos and a 4 km nature trail, and the mosque on its western shore

3. Kourion Beach

   A 1 km beach of sand and pebbles in Episkopi Bay, with fish taverns and lifeguards in season

4. Nicosia Venetian Walls

   The 16th-century walls around the old city, with Famagusta Gate and a moat now used as public green space

5. Lefkara Village

   A foothill village known for lace and silver, with narrow winding streets and terracotta-roofed houses

• Ayia Napa

  The Ayia Napa guide lists the free beaches, the Cape Greco nature trails and the monastery in the south-east.

• Protaras

  The Protaras guide lists the free beaches, bays and trails around Protaras.

• Paralimni

  The Paralimni guide lists the free places in and around the town next to Protaras.

• Paphos

  The Paphos guide gathers the free places on the south-west coast, from Aphrodite's Rock to the harbour promenade.

When is the best time to visit the Troodos mountains and the coast?

For the coast, plan on June to November, when Visit Cyprus gives the open sea as above 22 °C. For the mountains, the trail guide names March to November as the most suitable period for the Troodos trails, and in July and August the indicative daily temperature is 24 °C there against 30 °C on the central plain.

Are the beaches in Cyprus free?

Yes. The Visit Cyprus guide says all beaches in Cyprus are public and free of charge. Showers, sun beds and umbrellas at municipal beaches are for a fee.

Can I get around Cyprus without a car?

In part. Visit Cyprus lists interurban buses between the major towns every day, and rural buses to almost all villages, but only two or three times a day. Check the timetable of the operating company, and plan the return trip, before you leave.

Which side of the road do they drive on?

Traffic moves on the left-hand side of the road. Four-lane motorways link Nicosia with Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa; minor and forest roads need extra care in wet weather.

Does it snow in the Troodos mountains?

Visit Cyprus says winters bring rain and snow on the Troodos Mountains, usually starting before Christmas. In January the indicative daily temperature is 3 °C on the higher parts, against 10 °C on the central plain.

What can I do on a rainy or very hot day?

The Troodos Visitor Centre is open indoors on weekdays from 09:00 to 14:30 and charges an entry fee, and Famagusta Gate in Nicosia is open Monday to Friday. For hot days, start early: Visit Cyprus notes that summer brings cloudless skies and high temperatures.