How about a holiday in Cyprus? Cyprus is an increasingly popular holiday destination. I (Helena) visited the island just over 15 years ago, and it was a mixed experience. On the other hand, it was not so strange given the conditions! Today, I'm telling you about my different trip, and thinking further about Cyprus as a holiday destination.
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Holidays in Cyprus - more popular
When we recently wrote about the results of the Travel Barometer 2019 we found that many countries are experiencing a decline in visitor numbers, but that Cyprus is one of the countries that is growing in popularity. This got us thinking about Cyprus as a travel destination.
In the Eastern Mediterranean
Cyprus is an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean, and its capital is Nicosia. The island is the third largest in the Mediterranean and is geographically part of Asia, but politically mostly part of Europe.
Humans in Cyprus for at least 11,000 years
People have lived in Cyprus since ancient times, and it is known that the island was inhabited as early as 9000 BC. Cyprus is home to some of the oldest water wells in the world. There are also two historic sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the well-preserved Neolithic village of Choirokoitia and the royal tomb of Pafos.
The Cyprus collection in Stockholm
Last autumn, when we visited The Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm we got to see what is the world's largest The Cyprus collection outside Cyprus. In 1927, four Swedish archaeologists travelled to Cyprus and returned with 12,000 Cypriot objects. So you can see a lot of ancient Cyprus in Stockholm!
Many different major powers
Strategically located in the Mediterranean, Cyprus has been ruled by many different powers, including Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Venetians, Ottomans and Greeks. When the island was placed under British rule in 1878, there were both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot villages on the island. In 1960, Cyprus gained independence and the 1974 Cyprus crisis saw the division of the island into a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot section.
My holiday in Cyprus in 2003
I (Helena) booked a holiday in Cyprus in 2003, about a year before Peter and I first met. At this time I had another boyfriend, and he was working as an entertainer in a charter hotel in Cyprus. We hadn't seen each other for ages and the relationship was slowly but surely going down the drain. For some reason, I got the idea that breaking up on the phone is bad, so I simply booked a trip to Cyprus... to break up.
Breaking up during a holiday in Cyprus
The arrangement hardly made for a perfect holiday, which of course affects my image of Cyprus. I moved into a big white house together with a Swedish music group, who worked at the nearest charter hotel. Then it was time to break up ...
The boyfriend was upset, but it passed quickly and it soon became clear that he probably really had feelings for one of his female dance colleagues. Funnily enough, we all recovered quite quickly and the three of us (me, the ex-boyfriend and the prospective new girlfriend) managed to do an unexpectedly painless and enjoyable sightseeing tour of the area. I was mostly alone during the day anyway, as the musical group was working on their shows.
Holidays in Cyprus - on your own
I spent my days in Cyprus sunbathing and swimming, reading books and hanging out alone on outdoor terraces. I remember the heat was sweltering and the water was crystal clear and beautiful.
The food, however, did not impress, and in my loneliness I enjoyed the fact that it was impossible to order a single dish without chips and mayonnaise. I tried everything from sandwiches and omelettes to fish with rice, but even the "fish with rice" dish was also served with chips and mayonnaise, just in case.
Rethinking a destination
The conditions during my trip to Cyprus were as wrong as they could be, but I would definitely reconsider Cyprus as a holiday destination. This Mediterranean island is of course suitable for sun, swimming and boat trips, and I would also like to see more of the ancient culture on the island. There are also opportunities for hiking, cycling or perhaps visiting vineyards.
Want to read more about Cyprus?
UPDATE: Since writing this article, we have made another exciting trip to Cyprus. Below you will find lots of reading.
Limassol marina in Cyprus - and Kipriakon restaurant
Limassol marina is the port of Limassol in Cyprus, and consists of both an old harbour and...
Agritourism in Cyprus - 7 tips for the Cyprus countryside
Agritourism in Cyprus - what does it mean? Well, an opportunity to experience the countryside of Cyprus with charming...
Aphrodite's Rock in Cyprus - visit to the birthplace of Aphrodite
Aphrodite's Rock in Cyprus, or Petra tou Romiou as the site is actually called, consists of a series of...
Cypriot food - 20 dishes and delicacies in Cyprus
Cypriot cuisine offers delicious Mediterranean flavours and a wide variety of dishes. Here you can...
Pafos in Cyprus - a Unesco World Heritage Site by the sea
Pafos is beautifully situated on the coast of Cyprus and boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site....
Kourion in Cyprus - an exciting archaeological site
Kourion is an exciting archaeological site in Cyprus, where you can check out an ancient Roman...
Inspiration from Cyprus - 7 reasons to be curious
Today we're sharing some inspiration from Cyprus! Have we been there right now? No, not at all....
MUSAN in Ayia Napa - museum of underwater sculpture
MUSAN in Ayia Napa is a unique underwater sculpture park. The Cypriot sculpture park,...
What are your top tips for holidays in Cyprus?
Have you been on holiday in Cyprus, or are you curious about travelling there? If so, what are your top tips?
Facts about Cyprus
- Capital city: Nicosia
- Residents: 1 170 000 (2016)
- Statehood: Republic
- Independence: From the UK, 16 August 1960
- Language: Greek and Turkish (some also speak English)
- Currency: Euro
- Time difference: + 1 hour
- National Day: 1 October (Greek Cypriot)
- Price mode: Cheaper than Sweden
Travelling to Cyprus
- Flight: You can fly to Cyprus regularly throughout the year, with several different airlines. Airports include Larnaca. Direct charter flights are available during the summer months and take just over four hours. From 1 May TUI carbon offsets your trip - here you can read more about TUI trips to Cyprus.
Temperatures in Cyprus
- Spring: 19-27 degrees during the day (8-15 degrees at night)
- Summer: 30-33 degrees during the day (18-21 degrees at night)
- Autumn: 22-31 degrees during the day (12-19 degrees at night)
- Winter: 16-19 degrees during the day (7-9 degrees at night)
You might also like:
Kourion in Cyprus - an exciting archaeological site
Agritourism in Cyprus - 7 tips for the Cyprus countryside
Pafos in Cyprus - a Unesco World Heritage Site by the sea
Mdina, Malta - the quiet city on the hill
30 attractions in Old Town - tourist in Stockholm
What to do in Bukhara, Uzbekistan - 17 tips for the Silk Road city
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Ruth in Virginia says:
No, never seen Cyprus, but read about a lot of financial issues.
shady dealings that take place there. And so the battle between
Greece and Turkey.
What struck me was - HOW could the Swedes be allowed to
move 12,000 historical artefacts from the island?
Helena, it is not easy to break up with it is worse
to be finalised yourself. 🙂
Good night!!!
28 April 2019 - 6:20
Helena says:
I also wonder how they could get permission to move so many historical artefacts? There were certainly many more (which are still there) but still ...! And yes, you are absolutely right about the "completion"! Wishing you a nice Sunday!
28 April 2019 - 10:06
Anonymous says:
Sweden provided excavations and expertise in exchange for sharing the finds.
28 April 2019 - 15:27
Ruth in Virginia says:
Interesting! Wondering if something similar could
happen today?
29 April 2019 - 2:36
Matts Torebring says:
Speaking of breaking up! I have never broken up with anyone, (only broken up with myself a few times). I was listening to a long dialogue on the radio between two guys. It was called: "When can you break up"? It became a very long & funny story...
You can't break up on Christmas Eve, not on Christmas Day, not on New Year's Eve, not on the girl's birthday, not on holiday and so on. The dialogue ended with, that there are no suitable days left in the year, to break up I'm glad you succeeded!
28 April 2019 - 7:03
Helena says:
Haha, interesting! Yes, that's right, there is no good time ...
28 April 2019 - 10:07
diana's dreams says:
I have been to Cyprus many times and yes you ended a love there and I started one..I met my husband there in 1992 :), have had my heyday there with insanely fun girl's trips with lots of parties and mostly seen the nightlife..but also been there with the family in recent years and Cyprus is magically beautiful, my best tip is to rent a motorbike and ride around.
Magical beaches, lots of history, Nicosia is a must, Cypriot wines are not to be sneezed at so a wine tasting is recommended, Aphrodite's rock is not to be missed hug Diana
28 April 2019 - 8:05
Helena says:
But how nice that you met your husband in Cyprus! More positive!!! 🙂 Thanks for great tips!
28 April 2019 - 10:09
Ruth in Virginia says:
Was he Cypriot? I want to know. 🙂
29 April 2019 - 2:32
Veiken says:
Cyprus is beautiful!
Almost everyone goes to the Greek Cypriot side. I also recommend Northern Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot one! Still quite untouched and much less tourists!
Lots to see there in Esentepe and Kyrenia, not to mention going up to small villages in the mountains!
28 April 2019 - 8:29
Helena says:
Interesting about the Turkish side! Can you move freely between the different parts?
28 April 2019 - 10:10
Only British says:
Yes, it is. It is a bit like Northern Ireland that the Greek Cypriots count you as Cypriot even if you have been on the Turkish side. I myself am keen to discover Kyrenia/Girne on the north coast.
28 April 2019 - 12:49
Veiken says:
There is no problem going back and forth across the border, BUT if you have rented a car on one side or the other, you cannot take it over. It must stay on its side! You will need a passport, of course.
I wrote some posts a few years ago from the northern part. I have a good friend who now has two flats there and has a season ticket for the plane there!
https://www.veiken.se/?s=Cypern
If you can read!
30 April 2019 - 14:33
Renate's travels says:
Definitely think you should take another (and more pleasant) trip to Cyprus 🙂 Very nice island, especially when you leave the tourist cities. Rent a car and drive up into the mountains, to the north side (the Turkish occupied side) and to the beaches and villages in the west. There the food is better and the beaches have plenty of space. Nicosia is also interesting to explore!
28 April 2019 - 8:52
Helena says:
Thanks for the tips Renate! Yes, a more pleasant trip to Cyprus would be nice 🙂 .
28 April 2019 - 10:11
Ama de casa says:
I first travelled to Cyprus in the summer of 1979 to visit my boyfriend at the time, whom I hadn't seen for three months because he was doing UN service there. We had been together for a year and a half.
But it was a different ending to that story than for you. My former boyfriend is nowadays my current husband 🙂.
28 April 2019 - 9:20
Helena says:
Glad you also visited your partner in Cyprus! But nice with a happier ending! 🙂 (Although iofs it was probably in a way a happy ending for both me and my ex;))
28 April 2019 - 10:12
Ditte says:
Your trip here was special so maybe a new trip could be nice. I lived here for a few months in 1964 when my father worked here and it was really exciting and interesting. We also visited Beirut at that time so it was a very beautiful city and not affected by war.
There have been a few trips back to Cyprus but we have always avoided the major tourist centres. There is so much else. Like Veiken, I like the Turkish Cypriot side more and it was also where I lived for a while in the 60s and in Kyrenia.
My advice is to rent a scooter and get around.
28 April 2019 - 9:27
Helena says:
Thanks for the tips! Can imagine that there are many nice places outside the most touristy places! 🙂
28 April 2019 - 10:13
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
My only experience of Cyprus is a charter week in 1989, with three children aged 4-10. It was a week with +40 degrees so it was almost only bathing and shade that mattered.
Maybe it's time to make a return visit and experience the island in a different way, but as usual, we have many destinations that come first in our priorities.
28 April 2019 - 10:30
Only British says:
I have only been to the tourist resorts because my daughter had a foot fracture and it was a pure mother-daughter relaxation trip in good hotels. However, fantastic beaches are the reason why they are located where they are. They are worth visiting both touristy Nissi and Fig Tree Bay if you can get out of the worst season (we were there in mid-October) and not least the more pristine beaches in between where we took a boat.
Otherwise, the divided Nicosia is interesting, as is Famagusta, where tourism has been at a standstill since the division. There is a good British guided tour there. The British still have their large base outside Larnaca but are apparently reducing their presence. As a British family we laughed at road signs, letterboxes and other things that felt very homely. That's probably why you got chips with everything too. A lot of our winter potatoes come from the red soil around Ayia Napa. The food was very up and down but the halloumi that we Swedes love comes from here. Feta cheese grilled with honey is not bad either. Otherwise, my great sorrow when it comes to food is that Cyprus is by far the largest in the EU in the use of antibiotics in agriculture. They will have huge problems with resistance.
28 April 2019 - 13:00
BP says:
Well, that was a different way to end it, why not;-)
We have been to Cyprus a total of three times. Travelled around the whole island and even been to the Turkish part of Nicosia. We love the island. But you're right, the food is somewhat monotonous and boring, which I think is also true of Greek food. But in recent years there has been an increase in choice, including high quality Italian influences.
28 April 2019 - 20:46
Lena - good for the soul says:
Wow, what a story. Think what you can endure as a young person! 🙂
I have been to Cyprus. But that was a hundred years ago (mid-80s) so I don't have any tips.
Hug Lena
01 May 2019 - 21:08