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Beautiful Places To Explore In Cyprus By Car (5-Day Guide)

October 22, 2021 //  by  Ciara //   9 Comments

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission on the purchase at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support friend!

Cyprus is an under-the-radar, beautiful island that features 300 days of sun and warmth. It’s located in the southeastern corner of Europe, almost a part of the Middle East. Cyprus is a land of diversity, beauty and rich cultural heritage. There’s ancient Greek ruins, epic beach parties during the summer, rugged mountains, sandy white beaches, ghost towns, and several UNESCO world heritage sites. One of the best ways to see and experience the island is to explore Cyprus by car.

Visiting the charming island nation of Cyprus by car is an epic adventure itself. While there’s different road laws, and an abundance of things to do and see in Cyprus, today I’m going to share with you how to road trip through the South of Cyprus.

Feel free to jump ahead!

History of Cyprus

How to get to cyprus, exploring cyprus by car, weather in cyprus, an itinerary for what to see when in cyprus by car, directions from larnaca to ayia napa, directions from ayia napa to paralimni, directions from cape greco to paralimni, directions from paralimni to nicosia, the north side of nicosia, directions from nicosia to paphos, tomb of the kings, more thoughts on visiting cyprus by car, resources for travel in europe.

The first thing you need to know about the island of Cyprus is there are two sides: the North and South. The North is the Turkish side and the south is the Greek side. Between them lies about a 112 mile ( 180 km ) border that is easily accessible. If you’re visiting, you can freely explore both sides of the border.

In fact, the capital, Nicosia, is famous for it being shared by the two sides. Here you can walk across the border and spend the day in between the two sides witnessing the Famagusta gate, enjoying exquisite foods, shopping, visiting the mosques and learning more about the history of this city.

Cyprus has several major airports, but flying into the southern cities is recommended. Since the country is divided between the Southern Greek side and the Northern Turkish side, only tourists who enter airports in the south can access the southern region. However, those who enter in the south are totally free to enter the northern side of the island.

The two biggest airports in Cyprus are:

• Larnaca International Airport , the main airport for the island
• Paphos International Airport

Upon entering Cyprus we flew into Larnaca, which we really enjoyed as we meet some expats who were also from California — small world! After our trip, we departed from Paphos. In comparison, both airports are nice, but the Larnaca airport is larger and more developed.

Once you arrive at the airport, it’s very easy to get a rental car. You can book ahead or book on the spot. They do require a credit card and hold a charge on your card until the car rental is returned. These prices do vary! We had a charge of $300, but I know other travelers who had a charge of $900 and more. Just read the fine print, buy car insurance and travel insurance ( many travel insurances have basic coverage for car rentals for your protection ) so you can prepare.

While the credit card charge can be high, renting a car in Cyprus can be extremely cheap depending on the season you’re visiting. We visited in spring and it was only $5 a day to rent our car! It was $7 if you include the insurance we bought.

Rental companies and websites: Enterprise , Sixt , Europcar , Kayak

Since Cyprus is a former British protectorate, the roads are all set up like British roads. If you are driving in Cyprus as tourist, be prepared to drive on the left side of the road and on the right side of the car! It’s different at first, but we got used to it fast.

The roads in the smaller cities are narrow and busy, but larger cities have bigger roads. Meanwhile, the highways are spacious, well maintained and have a multitude of roundabouts to make driving extremely safe.

Outside of the cities, gas stations can be a little tricky to find. We only had an incident once where we were extremely low on gas with no station in sight, whoops . My advice, stay prepared by planning out your gas stops before you go.

Lastly, many of the island inhabitants drive stick shift, so a good number of the rental cars are too. While there are automatic cars, manual cars are both more prevalent and cheaper to rent. Although, the prices are already pretty low!

Also when road tripping in Cyprus, here are a couple more things to keep in mind.

• The Best Travel Checklist For Europe
• The Best Things To Do & See In Cape Greco
• Easy Vegan Lunch Ideas For Car Rides

The weather in Cyprus reminds me of weather in California. It’s sunny year round , even during the winter months. While it does get cold during winter especially from the breeze, the weather is still mild. The only place it may snow is in the mountains, specifically the Troodos mountains.

Overall, the climate is subtropical and the weather is quite temperate. During spring the weather is warm, hovering between the high 60s and 80s in Fahrenheit, while summer is quite warm.

We visited in February and March and needed a jacket everyday. However, as it started to warm up we were able to comfortably wear short sleeve shirts in March (for a couple hours) until the cool ocean breeze kicked in.

Here are the best places to visit in Cyprus! Whether you’re traveling for 3 days in Cyprus or more, this guide is an excellent place to start planning your trip. In totally we spent a month and a half on the island ( after spending Christmas in Kiev ). But, this is our five day guide to touring Cyprus.

For more information on planning your vacation, read through some of my other popular post on Cyprus.

• How to Forage Wild Asparagus in Cyprus
• A Guide to Cape Greco
• Best Vegan Restaurants in Larnaca

First stop: Larnaca

Best things to do in Larnaca : Medieval castle, beachfront, Europe Square, churches, restaurants, clubs

Larnaca is a lovely city, one I would consider to be the most modern city in Cyprus. We spent much of our time in this gorgeous city as our accommodations we nearby.

The first day we explored the old city, winding the cobblestone streets awash with vibrant colors. As we meandered through the old alleyways, we stumbled upon a square centered around a beautiful church, Church of St. Lazarus . It had amazing steeples that drew you in and three large apses of white limestone that striking contrasted against the blue sky. The patron saint of this church, St. Lazarus, has a tomb that is still underneath the altar of the church today.

From the Church of St. Lazarus we headed down to the lively beachfront, enjoying the wide street lined with restaurants, clubs, and bars next to historical sites such as the Europe Square, Peridies Museum, and the Medieval Castle.

Dine at the delicious Maqam al-Sultan, a restaurant with gluten-free and vegan options. We ate here with the friends from California we previously made on the flight, then walked down the Mackenzie beach to enjoy the famous Cyprus sunsets and fresh ocean smell.

During the summer, Mackenzie Beach is a popular party spot during the with a plethora of upbeat bars and restaurants built right into the sand. It’s a vibe! We definitely plan to return someday and enjoy it during the summer.

Overall, this city vibes are modern, a mix of ancient Greek, old medieval, Orthodox churches, and modern party culture all coming together in harmony.

From the Larnaca airport, take road A3 north out of town until it turns east. Do not take road A2 as this continue north toward Nicosia! Continue along A3 through the multiple round-abouts until you reach road E306, then turn left to go south into the main town. From the intersection of A3 and E306, it is only about a mile into the main section of downtown, so enjoy!

Second stop: Ayia Napa (part 1)

Best things to do in Ayia Napa : Beaches, Cape Greco, nightlife, clubs, spas and resorts

After Larnaca, head to one of the biggest party towns in all of Cyprus — the bustling Ayia Napa. Don’t let the party beaches and luxury hotels fool you. This little town has plenty of old world charm and a nearby stunning natural wonder, Cape Greco .

Yes… Ayia Napa has a lot of tourist attractions, including a Hard Rock Café, a Sculpture Park, and a huge water park, but this is the fun of Ayia Napa. Similar to Las Vegas, Ayia Napa offers themed hotels and uniquely decorated restaurants. In fact, I’m pretty sure you can dine with the Flintstones!

Since we visited during the off season, most of the dining options and water park were closed. But that meant we were able to slow travel and meet more of the locals/year-round residents. If you’re new to slow travel, click here read my popular post about how to have deeper travel experiences.

While we love exploring local restaurants, we seemed to always find ourselves visiting the Hard Rock Café. It’s honestly the best place to visit during the off season as it has live music several nights a week and allergy friendly food options.

For Valentine’s Day, we visited one of the luxury hotels in the area. Each of the spas are equipped with saunas, massage treatments, steams rooms, showers, cold water pools and various other amenities. We spent time soaking in the spas and relaxing from our travels.

If you’re planning to visit a hot spring or spa in Europe, read this popular post for all the best tips for visiting spas abroad .

Afterward, we ended the night with a romantic dinner at a Chinese restaurant that was gifting free roses to its guests, making it a special Valentine’s Day abroad.

Take E306 east out of town until you reach the intersection with E307. This intersection will be well marked with signs toward Cape Greco, which has a small visitors center and plenty of free parking.

Second stop: Cape Greco (part 2)

Best things to do Cape Greco : hiking , swimming, trekking, foraging for asparagus, nature walks

In the southeastern most point of the island lies Cape Greco — a breathtaking expanse of verdant green fields that stretch down to the stunning clear turquoise waters. The limestone cliffs create the famous Blue Lagoon and Lovers Bridge , some of the purest nature you can find in the entire island.

There is also an abundance of trails that wind through the area passing along the water, throughout the fields and the forest above.

While we were hiking one day, we met an older gentleman who told us spring was the perfect season for foraging wild asparagus. After conversing for five minutes, he instantly led us to some patches of brush without another word, showing us how to push aside the thorny shrubs with our boots to snatch flawless asparagus shoots.

Thanks to his sweet guidance, we were now unofficially certified as “wild foragers of asparagus” by a Cypriot. Well, not really ( pause for dramatic effect ). But we did learn foraging skills and were able to pick enough to incorporate them in our next two dinners in our Airbnb !

Cape Greco was one of our highlights from our time exploring Cyprus by car, and we will never forget the time we were taught how to pick wild asparagus by our Cypriot foraging mentor.

From Ayia Napa, it’s approximately 6 miles away (11 minutes). It’s worth your time to drive along the beautiful coast and see the smaller towns of Pernera, Paralimni , and Deryneia on the way to Famagusta, the ghost town of Cyprus. Adventuring through these smaller towns are one of the best parts of seeing Cyprus by car! It’s much harder to see them by bus.

These towns have wonderful hidden beaches, small hotels with beachfront bars, and restaurants. This is a prime region to party and enjoy the sun, so be ready to spend long nights dancing the night away.

Ultimately, this is just the beginning of the amazing things you can experience at this beautiful national forest park. You can find more things to do and see by reading this post — guide to Cape Greco .

From Cape Greco, continue on E307 until it reconnects to E306 heading north. Stay on this road until you reach the round-about in Pernera where you can continue north. From Paralimni you can take a guided tour across the border into Famagusta.

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Third stop: Paralimni and Famagusta

Best things to do Paralimni and Famagusta : secluded and romantic beaches, take a private tour of ghost tour Famagusta, ocean aquarium, churches

When we explored Cyprus by car, we booked accommodation in Protaras and instantly fell in love with the quiet beachy vibes. The smaller town has a cute little Ocean Aquarium and several stunning churches in the area. We really enjoyed this little aquarium and the beaches nearby, including Kapparis Beach .

It’s a secluded and intimate beach that’s much quieter than other beaches near Ayia Napa. These beaches are wonderful for romantic sunset strolls while basking in the white beaches beaches and crystal clear water. Some even have cozy board walks which are great for skating, walking, running and biking.

Just north of Paralimni and Protaras is the old beach hub of Famagusta . During the armed conflict between the Turkish North and the Greek South, the city was invaded and the residents were forced to flee. What was once one of the largest and most well-developed beach city now stands isolated and empty, a former shell of the vibrant city it once was.

While inhabitants do still live here, the majority of the city is abandoned, including the massive former beachfront hotels. There are currently guided tours through this city, but you have to book in advance to be able to visit this fascinating location. While we didn’t make it to this spot while we stayed in Cyprus it did capture of curiosity and imagination as we have visited other abandoned cities such as Chernobyl .

The ghost tour is at the top of the list for when we return. Here’s a couple ghost tours to consider:

• Ghost Town Famagusta by Mr. John
• Full-day Famagusta Ghost City Tour

Starting in downtown Paralimni, take road E327 south until you reach the A3. Take the A3 west toward Larnaca until you reach the junction with A2. At the roundabout, take A2 north until you join with the A1. From there, the road goes straight into Nicosia and there is clear signage to get to the old walled city.

Fourth stop: Nicosia

Best things to do in Nicosia : Famagusta gate, Selimye Mosque, cross the border and explore the North, restaurants

The famous city, Nicosia, is the only capital in the world that is divided in two. To end the conflict between the north and the south, an agreement was drawn up where the city was left in the exact state of division it was in on the day of the cease fire.

We knew we had to explore this fascinating location. After parking in the south side of Nicosia, we meandered through Eleftheria Square and by the old D’Avila Bastion . This area is a great introduction to a place that lives in juxtaposition between old and new, peace and war, north and south. The cobbled streets of the old walled city were full of twists and turns, lovely food stalls and souvenir shops, as well as quiet homes and lively doorways.

Ledra Street is another shopping district in town and used to be the main shopping area before the division of the city. After visiting Ledra Street we followed the Green Line — the border made of haphazard old barrels, boards, brick, stone, and other materials that create a boundary, abruptly halting many alleyways and streets.

Following the Green Line to the edge of the old walled city, Nicosia invited us to roam along the old battlements. Here we explored the stunning Famagusta Gate , an old Venetian battlement that has been restored to its full former glory. Within the city there’s also several green parks situated on top of the bastions to enjoy the clear skies, warm weather and picturesque sunsets.

After lunch we headed north and crossed the armed border. Following a quick stamp of our passports, we ventured to the northern side. It was just as busy and exciting as the southern side!

The Turkish influence could be witnessed by the beautiful architecture, mosques, and lively street vibes. It was bustling with friendly shop keepers and vibrant souvenirs that glowed amongst the cement-type flooring. The Selimye Mosque , a building that was converted from a Gothic cathedral to the main mosque on the island under Ottoman rule, astonished us by it’s fascinating beauty.

It’s another site that reminds you of all the cultures that have occupied this space. From the mosque we were beckoned down more cobblestone streets until we happened upon the Bayan Han . The site could be a movie set straight from Hollywood with perfect sandstone arches, a fountain in the middle of the courtyard, and luscious plants throughout.

We really enjoyed the beauty on the northern side of the divide and managed to find some fantastic street art . There is a street near the Bibliotheque restaurant that is covered in bright, multi-colored umbrellas that makes for magical pictures, so make sure you go! It reminds us of all the vivid murals in Singapore .

While we really enjoyed our day in Nicosia, there’s several activities to explore in the area including many museums, churches and other cultural sites that we missed. If time allows, you could easily spend several more days in the city.

Head back to Larnaca along the same route you took to arrive. From Nicosia follow the A1 road until you reach Limassol, where this road becomes the A6. Continue west until you reach the city of Paphos.

Fifth stop: Paphos

Best things to do in Paphos : Tombs of the Kings, Nea Paphos, walk the waterfront promenade, restaurants

Paphos was our final destination of touring Cyprus by car before we headed to Malta — ( check out my guide to Malta here . )

Quick note . While we road tripped through Cyprus for five days, we did stay in Cyprus for over a month, so we had the pleasure of visiting Paphos a couple times. If you have more time, I highly recommend staying here 2-3 days to see all the city has to offer.

Our first day, we walked through the waterfront restaurants and shops next to the harbor. It was fun wandering through the cute shops, talking to owners and sampling the famous Aphrodite nuts . Along the harbor we noticed several ancient structures adding to city’s milieu — a blend of antiques, chill beach vibes and trendy eateries with the ocean as the backdrop.

The small yet intriguing Paphos Castle stood on the edge of the harbor, a token of a past time in which the people had to defend against seaborne invaders.

On the other side of the harbor stood the entrance to Nea Paphos , a large archeological site from Roman times. For fees and opening times click here .

Inside we reveled in the various ruins, columns, villas, and beautiful mosaics floor. The houses beautifully illustrate aspects of Greek Mythology including: Aiona, Orpheus, Dionysus, Theseus, and the Four Seasons. We especially enjoyed the amphitheater, the tombs posited on the hillside and the lighthouse set above it all. The views here are truly incredible.

On our second day, we explored the UNESCO World Heritage site , the Tombs of the Kings. This is one of the most famous ruins in the country as it’s an archaic necropolis. It’s also one of the main reasons many tourists visit Paphos.

There are several large tombs carved into the cliffs and the ground of this area. Several of the underground mausoleums are massive in scale, with multiple burial chambers attached to the central atrium. It almost felt like an underground house.

We loved exploring Cyprus by car! It’s a truly special place in Europe. Thanks to its location and its long history, Cyprus is melting pot of multiple cultures. Here are additional things to keep in mind when creating your own itinerary.

• Decide if you want to visit during peak or low season . We loved visiting during the off-season ( cheaper rental car prices, budget accommodations near the water, cooler weather, and less tourist ), however we also wish we’d been able to visit during the summer months. During this time the clubs and bars are all open, as well as there are parties many nights.
• Buy travel insurance . We were hesitant at first but happy we did. It ended up saving us money when we had an emergency and needed to go to the doctors.
• Road tripping through the North . We also wish we could have seen more of the northern side of Cyprus as we heard of the beauty of Kyrenia holds.
• Explore the Troodos Mountains . Another great place to consider visiting is the mountain region of the island. These peaceful forest regions are full of dreamy mountain villages with gorgeous mountain-scapes.
• Add more attractions to your bucket-list . There’s monasteries, castles, UNESCO world heritage sites, and museums.

At the end of the day, a visit to Cyprus can be super transformative travel experience thanks to the beauty, the kind people , and the incredible diversity. We loved our time on the island and highly recommend exploring Cyprus by car.

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Reader Interactions

November 20, 2021 at 6:46 pm

It’s great to see a post about Cyprus that isn’t only about beaches. I hadn’t considered doing a road trip here before but now I think I have to!

November 20, 2021 at 9:18 pm

What a lovely and comprehensive guide to exploring Cyprus! I had heard before that Cyprus is an underrated European gem and have wanted to visit ever since. Your post makes me really miss traveling internationally too – beautiful photos! Xx Sara

June 1, 2022 at 1:50 pm

It really is a hidden gem with so much to see. Aww, thanks so much Sara. Happy travels!

November 21, 2021 at 12:36 am

Cyprus looks beautiful! I can’t believe how cheap the cars are. And asparagus foraging, what a unique experience!

November 21, 2021 at 8:49 am

I can imagine Cyprus is a great place to do a road trip and considering they drive on the left, it would certainly be easy for me as a Brit citizen/Aus resident! Some great coastlines to explore, it looks fab!

November 21, 2021 at 5:59 pm

Wow, Cyprus looks incredible, just look at that water! I’d love to road trip there sometime. Thanks for sharing!

March 24, 2022 at 11:15 am

Highly recommend! Hope you’re able to visit there one day 🙂

November 22, 2021 at 10:31 pm

Wow! Cyprus has always been on my list but from your photos it looks amazing! Will use this when I go!

March 24, 2022 at 11:16 am

Thank you so much!

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The World on my Necklace

A Travel Blog by Katie Chavez

How To Best Explore Cyprus By Car: 1-2 Week Itinerary

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Do you want to explore Cyprus by car? It is an excellent way to see more of the country than you would be able to by bus alone, allowing you to stop off at viewpoints, tiny villages, and beaches that aren’t on any bus route.

I just spent 12 days in Cyprus and it was an excellent trip to a country full of ancient ruins, beautiful villages, historic churches, and some of the most incredible turquoise water I have ever seen.

I did a lot of research to figure out the best places to visit in Cyprus by car and overall I was really happy with my trip. I have compiled this guide to all the best places on my Cyprus Itinerary to help you plan your own Cyprus road trip. Enjoy!

History of Cyprus

Cyprus is a very interesting country with a complicated history. It has been occupied throughout history by the Ancient Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Assyrians, the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the British. You can still see Roman, Greek, and Neolithic ruins in Cyprus.

The country is currently divided between Northern Cyprus, which is occupied by Turkish forces and is home to mostly Turkish Cypriots, and the Republic of Cyprus in the south, which is home to mostly Greek Cypriots.

The country has been divided by the Green Line, a demilitarized buffer zone, since 1974 and you will need to use your passport to pass into Northern Cyprus from the south. You can learn more about the history of Cyprus here .

My Perfect Cyprus Itinerary

While I really enjoyed my Cyprus trip and was generally happy with my Cyprus itinerary, there are a couple of things I would change. Below is the basic outline of my itinerary but with a few small changes to make it even better.

I also cut it down to ten days from twelve, and you could cut it down further to one week by taking out some of the places that don’t interest you as much. I personally love the Troodos Mountains but perhaps a day trip to just a couple of places will be enough for you. Maybe you aren’t interested in beaches. Or ruins. You can alter this itinerary to be perfect for what you are into.

My Cyprus Itinerary starts and ends in Larnaca which is the most likely place you will fly into but if you are flying into Paphos instead, you could easily switch some things around.

Day 1: Arrive in Larnaca and explore. Stay Larnaca.

Day 2: Pick up your rental car. Explore Nicosia and cross into Northern Cyprus on foot. Explore Lefkoşa and Girne in Northern Cyprus. Stay Nicosia.

Day 3: Troodos Mountains – Kalopanayiotis, Pedoulas, and Pano Platres. Stay Troodos Mountains.

Day 4: Troodos Mountains – Laneia, Lofou, and Omodos. Stay Troodos Mountains.

Day 5: Kykkos Monastery and Akamas Peninsula. Blue Lagoon Boat Trip. Stay Latsi or Paphos.

Day 6: Coral Bay Beach and Paphos. Stay Paphos.

Day 7: Aphrodite’s Rock, Ancient Kourion, and Limassol. Stay Limassol.

Day 8: Governor’s Beach, Pano Lefkara, and Choirokoitia. Stay Ayia Napa.

Day 9: Sculpture Park in Ayia Napa. Cape Greco National Park and Konnos Beach. Stay Ayia Napa.

Day 10: Nissi Beach. Drop off the rental car and fly out in the afternoon or evening.

Places To Add To Your Cyprus By Car Itinerary

Here’s a more in-depth description of all the places on my Cyprus Itinerary.

You’ll likely be flying into Larnaca and there are a couple of things to see although I don’t think you need to dedicate more than a night here.

Focus your time in the area around Finikoudes Beach, the main tourist center of Larnaca. Walk along the palm-lined beach promenade, check out the medieval Holy Church of Saint Lazarus, explore Larnaca Castle/Fort, and take a dip at Finikoudes Beach.

Nicosia is the capital and largest city in Cyprus and it’s worth spending some time in as it is the last divided city in the world. The Northern part of the city is in Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus, and the south is part of the Republic of Cyprus.

Take some time to walk around the pretty Old Town of Nicosia before crossing on foot into Northern Cyprus – you will need your passport for this although it will not be stamped. Make sure to change some of your euros to Turkish lira at one of the money exchanges across the border.

Once you pass through the green zone into the Northern part of the city (known as Lefkoşa) make sure to explore the medieval streets and alleyways and don’t miss Büyük Han. Büyük Han, meaning Great Inn, is the largest caravansarai in Cyprus and was built by the Ottomans in 1572. It is now home to artisan shops and cafes.

Girne (Kyrenia)

If you are feeling adventurous, get on a shared minibus (Dolmus) from Lefkoşa to Girne, also known as Kyrenia, which is only a 30-minute drive away. You can catch them close to the Kyrenia Gate.

Girne is known for its beautiful harbor and castle and is a close and easy-to-reach place to visit if you want more of a taste of the culture of Northern Cyprus.

In Girne, wander the beautiful protected harbor and explore 16th Century Girne Castle where you can walk around the walls and see one of the oldest recovered shipwrecks in Cyprus.

If you want to stay overnight here, consider taking a taxi out to St Hilarion Castle, a Crusader castle that is perched on top of a mountain overlooking the Mediterranean. 

Troodos Mountains

The three days I spent in the Troodos Mountains were my favorite of my Cyprus trip. I do love mountains in general so this wasn’t super surprising. The mountain towns are picturesque, have beautiful historic churches and monasteries, and the locals are friendly.

The villages of the Troodos Mountains have beautiful white-stone buildings and narrow cobbled alleyways, and there are colorful flowers everywhere. Even if you only have time for a day trip, don’t miss visiting the Troodos Mountains.

If you only have time to visit a couple of towns, I particularly loved Kalopanayiotis, Laneia, and Lofou.

Kykkos Monastery

One of the best-known and wealthiest monasteries in Cyprus, Kykkos Monastery is perched in the Troodos Mountains with beautiful views. Exploring the church and grounds of the monastery is lovely but don’t miss the Museum of Kykkos Monastery which houses a priceless collection of religious art, manuscripts, and antiquities.

There are also a large number of adorable cats and kittens that live in the monastery car park, which made me love it even more.

Akamas Peninsula and Latsi

The rugged Akamas Peninsula is the perfect place for an adventure. With paved roads only accessing part of the peninsula, to see more you will need to take a tour, have a 4WD vehicle, or hike.

There are numerous hiking trails on the peninsula as well as hard-to-reach beaches. You can drive to Aphodite’s Bath with a regular vehicle which is a small rocky beach with clear water, or park there and hike to remote Fontana Amarosa Beach or the stunning Blue Lagoon.

You can also take a boat trip from Latsi to the Blue Lagoon which has some of the clearest turquoise water that I have ever seen.

The small resort town of Latsi is the gateway to the Akamas Peninsula and a pleasant place to wander the waterfront and swim at the local beach. 

Coral Bay Beach

Coral Bay Beach is one of the nicest beaches in Cyprus with white sand and super clear, bright blue water. It’s a large crescent-shaped beach with cheap sun loungers for hire, making it the perfect place to spend a relaxed beach day.

If you are heading south to Paphos after visiting the Akamas Peninsula, it’s the perfect stopping point.

Paphos is probably my favorite of the four major cities in Cyprus because there are lots of things to do here for a traveler. There are two different parts of the city to visit – the coast and the Old Town.

The Paphos coast is home to small but pleasant beaches, Paphos Castle, and a coastal promenade perfect for walking and watching the sunset.

Also on the coast is the Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos, one of the most important archaeological sites in the country with sites and monuments from the 4th century BC to the Middle Ages including well-preserved and intricate Roman mosaic floors.

Further north along the coast is another important archaeological site, the Tomb of the Kings. This underground necropolis mostly dates back to the 4th century BC with tombs carved from solid rock. Both the Tomb of the Kings and the Archaeological Site of Nea Paphos are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Paphos Old Town is located 3km from the coast on a hilltop. It’s worth spending some time exploring the boutiques and shops of the old town – this is a great place to get souvenirs. There are also some lovely cafes and restaurants here and I have heard the bar scene is great.

Just outside of Paphos in the foothills is Agios Neophytos Monastery, founded in the 12th century. It is a scenic spot with mountain views, a cave chapel with beautiful frescoes, and lots of friendly kitties that live onsite.

If you love cats like me, don’t miss visiting the Agios Neofytos cat sanctuary just down the road. There are over 800 cats that live here and some of the poor babies are pretty sick which is sad to see, but it is worth visiting to give the cats some love and to donate to help with their care.

Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra Tou Romiou)

I would say that Aphrodite’s Rock is a bit of a tourist trap – it’s a large rock in the ocean just offshore on a lonely coastline – but the water here is super clear so it’s definitely worth stopping for a swim. The water is really calm with a pebbled beach so it feels like you are swimming in a, albeit warmer, glacial mountain lake.

Have a drink or lunch at Mario’s Restaurant on their patio – the view from here over Aphrodite’s Rock is really nice.

Ancient Kourion

If you are only going to add one set of ruins to your Cyprus itinerary – make it Ancient Kourion. Although the area has proof of settlements dating back 7500 years, the ruins at Kourion are from the Roman period. 

There are numerous ruins you can see and some impressive and well-preserved mosaics. Don’t miss the Greco-Roman Theater, the Earthquake House, the Roman Baths, and the House of the Gladiators. 

Kolossi Castle, a Crusader stronghold built in 1454, is nearby and worth a visit as well.

Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus and it’s worth spending at least an afternoon to walk the wonderful coastal boardwalk that stretches for miles, and to wander the lovely Old Town and revitalized Marina.

Limassol is popular with Digital Nomads and there are numerous cafes where you can hang out and work, or not, and there are lots of al fresco restaurants in the Marina and Old Town areas.

Governor’s Beach

One of my favorite beaches in Cyprus, Governor’s Beach is actually made up of numerous small beaches nestled between white cliffs, with some of them only accessible by swimming to them. The sand is quite dark here, contrasting nicely with the white cliffs, and the water is super clean and clear.

I enjoyed hiking down to a secluded beach and then swimming further along the coastline to other secret beaches and sea caves. If I hadn’t been traveling around Cyprus by car, it would have been difficult to visit this hidden gem.

Pano Lefkara

Pano Lefkara is technically in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains but it is quite far away from the other villages so I have listed it separately. 

The village is known for its lace needlecraft and there are numerous shops where you can buy lace and other souvenirs in the bustling town center. If you’re lucky, you can catch a demonstration of the detailed lace work.

Like Lofou and Laneia, this pretty village is made up of narrow limestone alleyways and white stone buildings, along with gorgeous mountain views.

Neolithic Settlement of Choirokoitia

Choirokotia is the one place on this list that I didn’t end up visiting because I ran out of time, but if you are interested in the ancient history of the island, you should add it to your Cyprus Itinerary. 

The Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia was occupied from the 7th to 4th century BC and it is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and you can see the partially excavated ruins of the site.

Ayia Napa is the largest tourist resort in Cyprus and is notorious for its party scene. I stayed in eastern Ayia Napa and loved the quiet vibe there.

Ayia Napa is home to some of the nicest beaches in the country including the stunning Nissi Beach which has an offshore island (Ayia Napa Island) that you can walk to at low tide.

Don’t miss the incredible (and free!) Sculpture Park overlooking the ocean, and the famous Bridge of Lovers sea arch where you can walk out onto the arch and swim below it.

Cape Greco National Park

Cape Greco National Park is a rocky peninsula that is known for its rocky cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and sea caves. There are numerous hiking and biking trails and the water is home to colorful fish and even sea turtles so take a snorkel and mask if you can.

The best place to swim and snorkel is in the stunning blue waters around the sea caves. You can either take a boat here from Ayia Napa or drive and then walk down to the water by climbing over rocks.

Konnos Beach is a picturesque sandy beach just north of Cape Greco that is one of the prettiest in Cyprus.

How To Travel Cyprus By Car: Renting a Car

Renting a car in Cyprus is easy and I had a hassle-free experience booking a car with Green Motion through Booking.com . I searched several search engines and this was the best deal for my dates.

I hired a small automatic car – a Suzuki Alto – for nine days for $216 total. This included third-party liability insurance and unlimited miles. Gas was cheap and I only spent $94 on gas for the whole nine days!

There are a few important things you need to know when renting a car in Cyprus:

• In Cyprus, you will be driving on the left-hand side of the road.
• It is compulsory to have third-party liability insurance in Cyprus and it should be included in all car rentals. Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection is sometimes included but if it is not, the car rental company is likely to force you to purchase it unless you have proof that you are covered for this by your credit card. My AMEX covered me and it was easy to get a generic proof letter through the website to show the car rental company. 
• If you rent a car in Southern Cyprus, the car insurance will not cover you if you cross into Northern Cyprus. If you do want to take the vehicle into Northern Cyprus first check with your car rental company that this is allowed. You can purchase separate car insurance just for the north when crossing the border into Northern Cyprus.

Where To Stay in Cyprus

I based myself in six different places during my trip: Larnaca, Girne, Ayia Napa, Pedoulas in the Troodos Mountains, Paphos, and Limassol. I recommend staying in Nicosia instead of Girne and just visiting on a day trip unless you want to visit St Hilarion Castle.

You may want to base yourself in fewer places and do day trips although this will involve more driving. It’s really up to you and there are so many ways you can visit all the places in this Cyprus itinerary. Here are some of my accommodation recommendations:

I stayed in two different places in Larnaca and they were both great budget/mid-range options. Harrys Inn Guesthouse offers lovely ensuite rooms and is close to Finikoudes Beach, and Le Mat Hostel has dorm and private rooms with shared bathrooms, a shared kitchen, a courtyard, and is also centrally located.

For a more luxurious stay in Larnaca, LIV Mackenzie Beach Suites and Hotel Indigo Larnaca and both highly rated with great locations. Both are also adults-only resorts.

There are numerous vacation rentals in Larnaca, this Waterfront Apartment in the heart of the city, and this Luxury Villa a few minutes from the beach are my top picks.

I didn’t stay in Nicosia myself but there is something for all budgets. For budget accommodation, NEX Hostel has affordable dorm and private rooms. A great midrange choice is Urban Habitat Executive Suites , and for more luxury, stay at Gate Twenty Two Boutique Hotel or Hypnos Boutique Hotel .

For vacation rentals, this Penthouse With a View in central Nicosia, and this Fully-Equipped Three Bedroom Apartment With a Balcony are both great choices.

I based myself in Pedoulas in the Troodoos Mountains for two nights and loved the affordable and cozy family-run hotel I stayed in, Christys Palace Hotel . 

Other highly-rated places to stay in the Troodos Mountains include the Petit Palais Platres Boutique Hotel in Panos Platres, Oinoessa Traditional Boutique Guest Houses in Lofou, and Vasiliki Guest House in Pedoulas.

For vacation rentals, this Luxurious Property With a Private Heated Pool near Omodos and Lofou, and this Cozy Forest View Cottage in Panos Platres are great options.

I didn’t stay in Latsi but it’s a great option if you want a quiet alternative to Paphos. There aren’t any hostels in Latsi or budget hotels but Souli Beach Hotel and Aphrodite Beach Hotel are both great mid-range options.

For vacation rentals, this lovely Nest By the Sea Holiday Apartment and the Three Bedroom Villa Fortuna are both highly-rated.

I stayed at the Paphiessa Hotel which was an excellent budget choice and included a pool and breakfast. Another great budget choice is Bee Hostel which offers dorm rooms.

Solid mid-range options include Pyramos Hotel by the coast and Axiothea Hotel in the Old Town. For luxury, stay at Elysium , or Amavi Hotel , both on the coast.

Highly-rated vacation rentals include this Two Bedroom Apartment Close to the Beach and this Two Bedroom Villa With a Pool .

I didn’t like the hostel I stayed in in Limassol so I won’t recommend it (don’t stay at White Hostel!). For a budget option, stay at Lima Sol House which has private and dorm rooms.

Mid-range options include Harmony Bay Hotel and Pefkos City Hotel . For luxury, stay at Amathus Beach Hotel , or Alasia Boutique Hotel .

Highly-rated vacation rentals include this Restored Traditional Cypriot Townhouse in the Old Town, or the Thalassa Sea View Suite near the beach.

I stayed at the lovely Marina Hotel in the eastern part of Ayia Napa and it was great value with a pool and breakfast included. Another budget option is the House of Nissus , which has dorms and is close to Nissi Beach.

Zoi Ayia Napa , and Nelia Gardens are solid mid-range options, and for luxury, there is NissiBlu Beach Resort and Amanrande Adults Only Resort.

For vacation rentals, this Nissi Beach Apartment , and this Brand New Villa close to the resort center are both great options.

The Best Time To Visit Cyprus

Although Cyprus is a year-round destination, I would recommend visiting in the shoulder season of April/May or October/November because the temperature during summer in Cyprus frequently tops over 40 C/104 F.

I visited in the second half of October and I was surprised how hot it still was, with most days on the coast around 30C/85F. It is generally colder in the mountains so make sure you take some warmer clothes for your time there.

I imagine Cyprus would be a lovely place to visit in winter for some winter sun with an average winter temperature of 17C/63F, although the water at the beach would be chilly to swim in at this time.

The Best Insurance For Your Cyprus Trip

Make sure you get travel and health insurance before your Cyprus trip. Safety Wing  is my go-to and they are cheap and easy to claim with.

Safety Wing also allows you to sign up when you are already traveling, unlike a lot of other travel insurance providers.

If you liked this post, check out some of my other London and Europe content:

• The Most Beautiful Places To Visit in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus
• Epic Places To Visit on a Crete Road Trip
• Where To Stay in Crete: The Best Options To See All of the Highlights
• Things To Do in Richmond, London: A Quintessential English Village
• The Most Beautiful Parks in London For a Winter Stroll
• What Life is Really Like Living on a Houseboat in London
• The Best Markets in London
• The Most Beautiful Towns in Dordogne Region of France
• A Perfect Day Hiking the Amalfi Coast of Italy
• La Gomera: The Undiscovered Canary Island

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The Ultimate 7-Day Cyprus Itinerary

Last Updated on January 10, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Are you wondering where to go in Cyprus? Well, follow this detailed Cyprus itinerary to ensure that you plan the perfect trip and get the most out of this fascinating island nation.

This Mediterranean country has so much to offer visitors and it is very much worth exploring. From historic and divided cities to ancient archaeological sites to beautiful beaches and charming mountain villages, Cyprus may just have it all.

Combine all of this with some of the best year-round weather in Europe and incredibly hospitable people and Cyprus may just be the ideal place to visit if you’re after a Mediterranean adventure.

Table of Contents

Best Time to Visit Cyprus

Located in the southeastern Mediterranean and blessed with over 300 days of sunshine every year, it can seem like there may not ever be a bad time to visit Cyprus.

Its perennially warm and sunny climate is certainly attractive to those looking to escape the dreary winter months on mainland Europe and its endless sandy coastline is great for those looking to work on their tans no matter what time of year it is.

Though the nation rarely sees cold and rainy weather, many would-be visitors planning a trip to Cyprus still want to know when is the best time of year to travel to this country.

It’s true that temperatures in Cyprus — especially in the more popular tourist areas — will rarely dip below 17 or 18°C (62-64°F), meaning that there isn’t really a bad time to visit, especially if you’re planning your trip to Cyprus outside of the hot summer months. However, there are still some times of year that are arguably better to visit than others.

The summer months of June-August is the most popular time of year to visit Cyprus. This is also the time of year that experiences the highest temperatures.

If you like hot weather and don’t mind fighting your way through tourist crowds, then this might be a good time of year to visit. You can, however, expect temperatures to reach well over 30°C (86°F) every single day, with the capital city of Nicosia and the central part of Cyprus experiencing an average high temperature of 38°C (100°F).

While most places are air-conditioned inside, visiting Cyprus in the height of summer may not be the best idea if you’re sensitive to the heat.

A far better solution for those looking for some warmth and sunshine without increasing their risk of heatstroke is to visit in the shoulder season months of March-May and September-November.

These months are still very warm and sunny but tend not to see as high of temperatures as the summer months. Crowds also tend to be fewer during the shoulder season, meaning that you will likely find more accommodation availability and allow for a bit more flexibility in your trip.

The average high temperature in March-May is about 22°C (72°F), making it perfect for spending some lazy days outside and enjoying the beautiful scenery. It is worth noting that water temperatures can still be a bit chilly, however, so this may not be the best time of year to visit if you want to do a lot of swimming.

Conversely, the average high temperature in the months of September-November tends to be a bit warmer, clocking in at 25°C (77°F). Sea temperatures are at their warmest all year, as well, meaning that it is incredibly comfortable to go for a swim in the Mediterranean.

The autumn also sees fewer average days of rain than the spring, meaning that this is likely the ideal time to visit Cyprus.

How Many Days in Cyprus?

Despite its apparent small size, there are a surprising amount of things to see and do on this island nation and if you want to fully enjoy it, you’re going to need to devote a proper amount of time to exploring Cyprus.

That is why I would say to plan to spend at least one week in Cyprus in order to enjoy both the seaside and the history of this lovely and complex nation.

Planning for a full 7 days in Cyprus will allow you to get to all of the main sites and explore a few of its dynamic cities, while also allowing you ample time to lounge on the beach and catch some rays.

If you don’t have as long as a week in Cyprus, it is possible to get a lot of out of the nation in just about 5 days, however, you will need to make some sacrifices depending on your holiday priorities.

If you have more time, I would say that 10 days in Cyprus might be the ideal amount of time to spend, however, it is a long stint and you can still get just as much out of the country in a week.

While you will certainly be able to occupy yourself no matter how many days you spend in Cyprus, really the ideal amount of time to spend here is one week. As mentioned earlier, this will allow you to get the most out of this island nation while still giving you time to chill out and enjoy the seaside vibes.

Getting Around Cyprus

Unfortunately for those who like to like to forgo the car rental and rely on public transit when travelling, Cyprus isn’t the most friendly of destinations for those who don’t want to drive.

There is a bus system that will connect the biggest cities and can effectively get you from Larnaca to Nicosia or from Paphos to Limassol , however, this is pretty much the extent of it.

If you want to venture out and explore some of the most interesting and cultural places on the island of Cyprus independently, it is incredibly difficult and sometimes impossible to do this while relying on public transit. Therefore, if you are an independent traveller planning a Cyprus itinerary, it is more or less necessary to hire a car while visiting the island nation.

Road quality is good and driving in Cyprus is relatively easy , however, there are some unpaved roads that lead to some popular attractions like the Adonis Baths and Lara Beach. While you could drive on these with a normal car (we did), it might make you more comfortable to rent a car with 4WD. Keep in mind that they drive on the left-hand side in Cyprus.

If you want to cut down on your overall Cyprus trip cost , however, this isn’t altogether necessary. We, for instance, had no problem driving all over Cyprus in just a simple economy rental.

If you plan to rent a car in Cyprus, you can browse options here to compare prices across many different car hire companies. Alternatively, you can browse Localrent to rent from smaller companies or private individuals.

It can also be a good idea to take out an excess insurance policy with iCarHireInsurance in order to save on any high deductibles the rental company might charge should any damage happen to your car.

Finally, have you considered taking out travel insurance for your trip to Cyprus?  World Nomads   offers flexible and simple travel insurance policies with coverage for more than 150 activities that you can buy or extend while on the road.

7 Days in Cyprus Itinerary

Now that I’ve covered all of the essential information that you need to know before planning your itinerary, it’s time to finally discuss where to go in Cyprus.

This is written as a Cyprus road trip itinerary and it would be fairly difficult to do and see everything that you could without having your own car. Though the itinerary begins in Nicosia, you could easily begin it in any of the cities mentioned depending on where it is you fly into.

Day 1 – Nicosia

Whether you arrive in Cyprus via Larnaca or Paphos airport, we recommend properly beginning your route in the underappreciated capital, Nicosia.

Though its located in the centre of the island and there is a distinct lack of coastline, Nicosia is an absolutely fascinating and dynamic city that is 100% worth visiting, especially if you want to gain a better understanding the history and culture of Cyprus.

Nicosia is the last divided capital in Europe and there are two distinct sides to this historic. Like the rest of this itinerary, the majority of your time will be spent in the southern part of the city, which is officially part of the internationally recognised and EU member state the Republic of Cyprus.

The northern part of the city, located on the other side of the Green Line, is considered the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognised as its own country by Turkey.

Though Nicosia is the largest city and the capital of Cyprus, you can see a lot of what it has to offer in just one or two days. Spend your time exploring the historic sights and venturing into its many museums.

Spend your first day simply wandering around the Greek side of Nicosia and taking in all of the fantastic sites to see. Wander along Ledra Street, visit the Levatis Museum, see some of the historic sites, enjoy some delicious Cypriot cuisine and simply enjoy the energy of this bustling city.

Where to Stay in Nicosia

Asty Hotel – This centrally located hotel is situated within easy walking distance of all the top attractions in Nicosia’s old town. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms available — all equipped with air conditioning to help you escape from the heat!

MAP Boutique Hotel  – This locally-run boutique is another great option if you’re looking for a chic place to stay in the Cypriot capital. Conveniently located within walking distance of all main attractions, there are numerous comfortable rooms available and breakfast is included in the nightly rate.

Nex Hostel  – If you’re a solo or budget traveller, then this hostel is a great choice for you! They are centrally located close to everything that Nicosia has to offer, they have great common areas making it easy to connect with other travellers, and they have a range of both private and dorm rooms available.

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse more Nicosia hotels!

Day 2 – Nicosia

We also recommend spending at least part of your time in Nicosia in the Turkish side of the city.

You can easily walk across the border and explore the historic sites of North Nicosia in a few hours — just keep in mind that you will need to bring your passport with you (you will not, however, get a stamp) and that they use the Turkish Lira as currency rather than the Euro.

Plan to spend a good portion of your second day in Nicosia exploring the northern part of the city – there is a lot to see over here and it’s well worth exploring.

It’s also an excellent idea to walk along the Green Line in the southern part of the city afterwards – both of these activities can really solidify how divided Nicosia really is.

End your day cooling off with a local craft beer – Pivo Microbrewery is and excellent option in the city!

There are numerous cool and interesting things to do in Nicosia and the city sees a fraction of the tourists that the coastal cities of Cyprus do. If you want to enjoy the dynamic energy of the Cypriot capital while getting a bit further off the beaten path, then no itinerary is complete without a bit of time spent in Nicosia.

Day 3 – Paphos

After spending the first part of your itinerary in the capital of Nicosia, it’s time to head to the coast with a few days in the historic city of Paphos.

Located in the southwest of the island, Paphos is known as the historic birthplace of the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite (though the Greek island of Kythira also claims this), and is blessed with both a beautiful coastline and numerous fascinating historic sites.

There are so many things to do in Paphos that you could easily occupy your entire time in Cyprus, however, three days should be sufficient to both see a lot of cool things while also allowing you plenty of time to relax by the Mediterranean.

It takes about 2 hours to drive from Nicosia to Paphos, but consider taking the route through the Troodos Mountains and visiting some of the villages, wineries and monasteries along the way. For instance, the Kykkos Monastery is well worth visiting and it’s never a bad idea to explore the village of Omodos.

This is the most convenient way to explore the surroundings of Paphos before seeing the sites that the city itself has to offer.

Where to Stay in Paphos

Casa Mespilea – Centrally located and locally run, this small hotel is a great option for travellers who are keeping an eye on their budget while visiting Cyprus. They have many comfortable and clean rooms available (equipped with air conditioning!) and a hearty buffet breakfast is included in the room rate.

Pyramos Hotel – This boutique hotel is the perfect place if you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Paphos. They have several comfortable rooms available, an inviting lounge, and it is located within the centre of old Paphos. Breakfast is also included in the nightly rate.

Anemi Hotel & Suites – This is a great option if you’re after a luxury hotel during your time in Paphos. They are located on the sea within spitting distance of the beach, they also have numerous other amenities like a swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre.

Private Rental – A private rental is a great option in Paphos — and elsewhere in Cyprus — if you would rather have your own space such as this ground floor apartment.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Paphos hotels!

Day 4 – Paphos

Plan to spend your first full day in Paphos exploring both the old town of Paphos and some of the nearby ancient ruins.

Some of the must-see historic sites include the incredible Tombs of the Kings and the stunning Hellenistic mosaics and monuments at the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park. The entire town of Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the history to explore here is incredibly rich and fascinating.

Both the Tombs of the Kings and the Archaeological Park take several hours to explore on their own, so this is a great activity to devote to your second day here.

Day 5 – Paphos

Spend your final day in Paphos enjoying the gorgeous seaside of the city and its surrounding area.

If you’re more interested in natural scenery, then make sure to drive up to the Akamas Peninsula where you can go for a hike along the coast and cliffs, have a swim at a secluded beach or take a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon.

Just a bit south lies Lara Beach, where you can sometimes spot baby sea turtles depending on the season.

One of the most beautiful natural and historical sites near Paphos is Aphrodite’s Rock (Petra tou Romiou), said to be the place where the eponymous goddess was born from the sea foam. You can have a swim in the beautiful location free of charge, as well. Paphos leans hard into being the birthplace of Aphrodite and it’s a great pace to visit.

Day 6 – Larnaca

The final stop on this 7-day Cyprus itinerary is in the third-largest city of Larnaca. This is a logical last stop on your route as Larnaca is home to the largest airport on the island.

Larnaca is a pretty small city and most of the sites and attractions can be seen in one day, however, we recommend spending one of the two days mentioned here enjoying all of the cool attractions that are located on the drive from Paphos to Larnaca. Stopping by places like the Kourion Archaeological Site, Kolossi Castle, Kalymnos Beach, and many others.

Once in Larnaca, you can occupy yourself by wandering through the picturesque old town and taking in the Church of St Lazarus and the energy of the beach promenade.

You can also venture a bit from the city centre to see the Larnaca Salt Lake (which is home to migratory flamingoes in the winter months!) and the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque.

Where to Stay in Larnaca

Mikes Kanarium City Hotel – This mid-range hotel is an excellent option for those on a middle-of-the-road budget. Centrally located close to both the beach and the city centre, they have a range of clean and comfortable rooms available and a great breakfast included in the nightly rate.

Les Palmiers Beach Boutique Hotel – This boutique hotel is a great base if you’re looking for a chic and romantic accommodation option in Larnaca. They have an array of plush and comfortable rooms available, great amenities, and a great breakfast included in the room rate.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to find other hotels in Larnaca

Day 7 – Larnaca

If you want to see some more of the incredible natural scenery that Cyprus has to offer, drive north to Ayia Napa (about 45 minutes from central Larnaca) and visit the stunning sea caves and marvel at the crystal clear waters.

Ayia Napa is a very popular resort area in Cyprus, but it is worth visiting as a day out from Larnaca due to the beautiful natural scenery you can explore.

For instance, along with the sea caves, take the time to visit Cape Greco National Park which is home to the Kamara Tou Koraka arch, a gorgeous arch in the Mediterranean.

End your time in Cyprus back in Larnaca, having one last delicious Cypriot meal or enjoying a seaside cocktail if you wish.

Have 10 Days in Cyprus?

If you have 10 days in Cyprus or just longer than a week, then you could easily extend your time in Paphos to see more of what the country has to offer.

If you’re interested in exploring more of the mountain village life, you could also spend a night or two in a family-run bed and breakfast in the Troodos Mountains.

While it isn’t recommended to drive there in a car rented in southern Cyprus, you could also elect to visit more of the northern part of the island. The ruins of Kyrenia and the seaside city of Famagusta are both popular tourist attractions, as are the many sandy beaches.

Regardless of how long you plan to spend in Cyprus, you are sure not to get bored!

Planning an independent Cyprus itinerary doesn’t have to be a difficult task. There are so many interesting places to see and fun things to do on the island that there is absolutely no need to spend all of your time in an all-inclusive resort!

Are you wondering where to go in Cyprus? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

How To Go from Paphos to Larnaca: Bus or Scenic Drive

Is Cyprus Expensive? A Guide to Prices in Cyprus in 2024

Malta or Cyprus: Which Island Nation to Visit?

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Any advice for those of us who are not used to driving on the left hand side and prefer not to start now? Any chauffeur services? How are taxis, Lyft or Uber in the cities?

We have a guide to driving in Cyprus that you can find here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/driving-in-cyprus/ Uber and Lyft don’t operate in Cyprus, however, you can use the Bolt app in the cities for ride-hailing.

Do you recommend going to Israel from Cyprus for one or two days

Hi Diane, I think that you would need more than one or two days in Israel to do it justice so I would necessarily recommend this 🙂

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The 5 most sensational road trips in Cyprus

Nov 17, 2021 • 7 min read

Cyprus' backroads reveal surprises at every turn © Peter Cade / Getty Images

Exploring Cyprus with your own wheels will give you time to savor attractions, both large and small, that you’d struggle to link together on buses. It's the best way to get under the skin of this sun-blessed Mediterranean island.

Whether you visit the southern Republic of Cyprus or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, distances are relatively short and road conditions are generally good. Road trips on the island are about frequent stops and taking your time to enjoy the sights and pause for a strong cup of Cyprus coffee.

Lemesos (Limassol) loop

Best introduction to cyprus.

Lemesos round trip; 74km [46 miles]; allow 10 hours (or 2 days)

This easy round-trip escape from touristy, busy Lemesos (Limassol) is a splendid introduction to Cyprus’s abundant attributes, with a mix of sea, sand, ruins, rural villages and wine. With plenty of stops on this relatively short drive, you can cover the route in a day, but consider prolonging its rewards by breaking the journey overnight in a mountain village.

Start by heading north from Lemesos to the hills. Pause first in Doros to drop in on its 14th-century church, and take a break for lunch in the lovely village of Laneia , with its golden-hued buildings spread around cobblestone streets. Get lost wandering here and in nearby Lofou and Silikou, then stop frequently on winding roads amidst terraced farms to admire the distant views of the sea. Look for wineries such as Ayla Mavri and make another interesting village stop at pretty Vouni.

Head south to the coast and Ancient Kourion , one of the island’s most beautiful and important archeological sites. From here, it’s a short drive around the Akrotiri Peninsula; swing by the Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats and take the plunge at 7km (4.3 mile) long Lady’s Mile Beach , before closing the loop back in Lemesos.

Cyprus' Remote Northeast

Best for quiet beaches.

Kyrenia (Girne)–Golden Beach; 153km [95 miles]; allow one day

The forgotten-feeling beaches of the island’s northeast coast are a world apart from the heaving, tourist-strewn strands of the south. This day-long drive from Kyrenia (Girne) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus explores untrodden sands and tiny villages, where Orthodox basilicas crumble into the rocky landscape.

Start in Kyrenia, with its evocative medieval harbor and castle . Head east on the coast road, passing scattered villages and beaches; Little Ozanköy is noted for its olive oil and medieval church. Nearby Çatalköy (Agios Epiktitos) features caves that provided sanctuary to the hermit Epiktitos in the 13th century. Pause at Alagadı Beach , home to a government sea turtle conservation project.

Detour inland away from the coast via the village of Bahçeli (Kalograia) and continue to the Byzantine Antifonitis Church with its beautiful dome and frescos. Back on the coast road, continue east and look for the track to Kantara Castle , where you can climb the ramparts for epic views. At the 5th-century Basilica of Agia Triada at Sipahi, seek out the mosaics amidst the ruins. Reaching the eastern tip of the Karpas Peninsula, stop at tiny Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpaso) and enjoy the long swath of sand at Golden Beach (Nangomi Bay), known for wild donkeys munching seagrass amidst the otherwise untrodden dunes.

Best of the South Coast

Best for cyprus’ highlights.

Lemesos (Limassol)–Lara Beach; 113km [70 miles]; allow two days

Drive west from Lemesos to see some of the best sights in Cyprus. The first stop is the spectacularly perched hillside ruin of Ancient Kourion. From the Roman amphitheater, let the view of the sea lure you down to quiet Kourion Beach . The beachside cafes of Avdimou Beach are just a short hop west — stop here for a delicious seafood lunch.   Suitably fortified, feel the passion from the goddess of love at Aphrodite’s Rock (aka Petra tou Romiou). Pause on the pebbles and let the beach and views beguile you – it's easy to imagine the goddess rising from the foam. The city of Pafos makes another ideal break; its namesake archaeological site was the heart of ancient Cyprus in the 4th century BCE. Admire the Roman mosaics then wander the medieval back alleys of Pafos, before settling into a seafront cafe on the palm-lined promenade.

Continuing west, Coral Bay and Agios Georgios will delight families with antsy kiddos, with watersports operators and ice cream vendors. Mix it up with a short detour inland to walk the water-carved Avgas (Avakas) Gorge , which cleaves the Akamas Heights escarpment. It's a popular hike of roughly 3.5km (2.2 miles) each one way, passing through lush vegetation into a rocky cleft in the landscape. Finish your trip at beautiful and isolated Lara Beach , a nesting ground for one of the Med’s last sea turtle populations.

Traditional villages and Cyprus crafts

Best for cypriot art and culture.

Larnaka round trip; 106km [66 miles]; allow one day

This looping drive leaves the bustle of Larnaka behind for an outing in the hills, visiting centuries-old villages where locals create traditional Cypriot crafts. Start by driving northwest out of the city to Pyrga, home of the 14th-century Lusignan Chapelle Royale (signposted as “Medieval Chapel”), dedicated to St Catherine and housing some fine frescos.   It’s a short hop west to the pottery village of Kornos, where beautiful ceramics are sold by local artisans. A hilly drive brings you to the precipitous old town of Lefkara, which combines the lace- and silverwork-producing villages of Kato Lefkara and Pano Lefkara; learn more at the Lefkara Folk Art Museum . Follow the winding road southwest to the pretty stone villages of Kato Drys and Vavla, which have some wonderfully restored stone homes.

Descending towards the coast, pause at the impressive prehistoric settlement of Choirokoitia , then take the short road to Zygi, a tiny fishing village known for some of the island’s best fish tavernas. Just inland is Maroni village, where you can buy local cucumbers in season. Continuing northeast along the coast, Kiti features the historic church of Panagia Angeloktisti . It’s a short drive past the airport back to Larnaka, where you can reflect on the trip over a drink at a seaside cafe.

Across the North

Best for historic sights.

Kyrenia (Girne)–Famagusta (Gazimağusa); 194km [120 miles]; allow two days

This trip takes in all the essential stops for an immersive visit to North Cyprus. Starting from Kyrenia, head inland to Bellapais Abbey , made famous by writer Lawrence Durrell, where you’ll capture a sense of simple village life while exploring the hillside alleys around the ruins.

Next, drive west to the fairytale ramparts of crumbling St Hilarion Castle ; an athletic climb to the top of St John’s Tower serves up vistas that stretch all the way to Turkey’s Taurus Mountains on a clear day. Suitably inspired, head coastwards to the old town in Lapta (Lapithos), uphill from the seafront, where you’ll discover some of Cyprus' traditional charms.

Drive on through the northwest, breathing deeply to catch the heady scent of citrus on the breeze from local orange groves. Pause to admire the remarkable blue-toned frescos of Agios Mamas Church in Morfou (Güzelyurt). More highlights are found at the lonely coastal ruins of Ancient Soloi and the scattered clifftop remnants of Ancient Vouni .   Now drive due east to North Nicosia (Lefkoşa) , the northern half of the island's divided capital. Take your time winding through the old town's alleys, checking out the layers of history preserved in the architecture of the Büyük Han and Selimiye Mosque (built as the church of Cathedral of Saint Sophia in 1326) . Continue east, via the ruined towers of Buffavento Castle sitting high on a mountaintop, to end up in seaside Famagusta (Gazimağusa), with its architectural treasures hidden behind Venetian walls.

You may also like: The best places to visit in Cyprus: from Aphrodite's rock to Adonis' bath See a different side to Cyprus on these stunning hikes The 8 most beautiful beaches in Cyprus for wildlife, swimming, and partying

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Driving in Cyprus: Tips for Exploring the Island by Car

Last Updated on April 29, 2024 by Sam

Driving in Cyprus and exploring by car is undoubtedly the best way to see the island on your visit. Although it’s a fairly small island and there is public transport between major cities, it’s much easier to get around by car – whether you want to visit the ancient ruins in Paphos, head into the Troodos Mountains, or discover the Tzelefos Venetian Bridge. Of course, driving in Cyprus – like any foreign country – is slightly different to driving in your home country. Thankfully, driving on the island is fairly easy and there is nothing too daunting that you need to be wary of. This guide covers everything you need to know about driving in Cyprus, with tips and information for exploring the island by car.

Table of Contents

Renting a car in Cyprus

Driving in Cyprus is the easiest and most convenient way to get around, and thankfully renting a car on the island is easy and affordable. The easiest way to rent a car is to arrange it online via the Discover Cars website, as they compare between a number of operators to get you the best possible price!

We regularly book rental cars through their website for our travels, and there is the option to upgrade to full insurance for peace of mind. When booking through Discover Cars, renting a car in Cyprus can cost as little as €10 per day depending on the season – which is brilliant value and makes it fully worthwhile in our opinion!

Click here to find the best rental cars deals on the Discover Cars website!

Tips for driving in Cyprus!

Left hand side.

One of the most important things to know when driving in Cyprus is to drive on the left hand side of the road. The reason they drive on the left is due to the island being a former colony of the United Kingdom.

Driving on the left hand side is normal in the United Kingdom and its former colonies, so is relevant in our articles about driving on the Isle of Skye and our 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary!

If you haven’t driven on the left hand side before it may seem a little daunting at first. Truthfully it’s pretty easy to adapt and you will feel confident very quickly.

One of the best ways to make sure you are driving on the correct side of the road is to make sure that the steering wheel is on the closest side to any oncoming traffic – as it is specifically placed on either side of the car in any given country to give the driver the best view of oncoming traffic. Of course there are some differences when driving on the left hand side of the road, for example you go round roundabouts the opposite way and left turns are easier than right turns.

Parking in Cyprus

One thing that makes driving in Cyprus much easier is that there tends to be plenty of car parks and parking spaces around the island. In major cities like Larnaca, Limassol, and Nicosia it’s common to have to pay for parking, but outside of these areas most parking tends to be free.

If you are driving in some of the more remote parts of Cyprus then parking may be a bit more limited, in which case it can be a good idea to arrive early to secure a parking space – particularly during peak season. Popular places like Nissi Beach and Fig Tree Bay can be very busy in the summer, so it’s easier to get a parking space if you arrive earlier.

Although parking is free in many places in Cyprus, it’s always a good idea to have some spare change in case you do need to pay. In some instances payment can be made via a mobile app or even text message, but having some change is a good back up!

There are plenty of amazing villages in Cyprus, but we recommend limiting your driving in the villages themselves if possible. Villages in Cyprus tend to have very narrow roads which can be hard to navigate, and often there is only enough space for one car.

If you happen to meet an oncoming car on one of these tight roads it can mean some awkward reversing in order to allow the other car to pass. Thankfully this can easily be avoided by utilising the free car parks found on the outskirts of most villages. It’s much easier to park on the edge of the village and avoid having to worry about driving on the tight roads!

Quality of roads

The roads in Cyprus are in great condition and are well maintained, which makes driving by car easy. In particular the motorways in Cyprus are in very good condition and make it easy to drive between most major cities on the island.

Of course, like in any country you will find the occasional pothole as you drive – but it wasn’t something we encountered often. It’s also worth noting that villages may have cobblestone roads as opposed to paved roads, but as we mentioned above you can easily avoid driving in villages!

Roads in Winter

Driving in Cyprus during winter is relatively similar to any other time of year, with the exception being if you drive up into the Troodos Mountains by car. The Troodos Mountains do get snowy during the winter months, and depending on the weather there are some road closures – particularly on the roads around Mount Olympus.

In some cases the roads remain open for any 4 Wheel Drives or cars with anti-skid chains, but unless you are used to driving in these conditions then we don’t recommend starting in Cyprus! The rest of the island isn’t affected by the snow, so you can drive as normal. Click here for the latest information on any road closures.

If you are going to be visiting during the winter months then make sure to read our guide to visiting Cyprus in winter!

North Cyprus Border Crossing

If you want to cross the border into Northern Cyprus then you will have to buy additional insurance, as your normal car insurance does not cover you to drive on this part of the island. Northern Cyprus has been Turkish occupied since 1974, and until 2004 it was not possible to cross between the north and south parts of the island.

The additional insurance to drive in Northern Cyprus costs €40 for one month and can only be purchased at the border crossing. Unfortuntaely it is not possible to buy the insurance for a shorter amount of time, and so it isn’t great value if you do only plan to cross over for one day.

Fortunately it is possible to cross into Northern Cyprus on foot at the Ledra Street Border Crossing in Nicosia. This is the best option if you want to avoid paying the additional insurance cost to cross the border when driving in Cyprus.

Speed Cameras

A lot of speed cameras in Cyprus tend to be mobile speed cameras, particularly on motorways. It’s fairly common to see police cars at the side of the motorway, creating speed traps to ensure that speed limits are being followed.

There are also some fixed speed cameras in Cyprus, but in our experience mobile cameras are more common. Obviously as long as you are not exceeding the speed limit then the speed cameras are not of too much concern, which brings us to our next point on speed limits below.

If you are caught speeding whilst driving in Cyprus then you will be issued a fine, the amount of which is determined by how far over the speed limit you are.

Speed limits in Cyprus

Following on from speed cameras, it’s logical to talk about the speed limits in Cyprus. There are four main different speed limits when driving on the island, depending on the area you are in and the type of road you are on.

In built up areas of Cyprus the speed limit is generally 50 kilometres per hour, but may be 30 kilometres per hour between speed bumps or on corners. On country roads the limit is 65 kilometres per hour, and on national roads the limit is 80 kilometres per hour.

The speed limit on motorways in Cyprus is a maximum of 100 kilometres per hour, and there is also a minimum limit on motorways of 65 kilometres per hour.

Driving Licence requirements in Cyprus

It’s important to be aware of the relevant licence requirements when driving in Cyprus. European citizens are able to use their own country’s driving licence, whereas non-European citizens may use their own licence for a maximum period of 30 days provided their licence is written using the latin alphabet.

If your licence is not written using the latin alphabet then you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in order to legally drive in Cyprus.

If you hold a full valid driving licence written in the latin alphabet then an international driving permit is not required for a maximum period of 30 days for non-European citizens.

Please note that some links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This money is used to support this website and cover the costs of keeping it online and free to access!

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All About Cyprus And Exotic Destinations

Cyprus by car – amazing road trip to akamas, paphos.

Last Updated on January 3, 2024 by Tia

Cyprus by car, is the absolute best way to experience incredible Cyprus. From the cities, paradisiacal beaches, picturesque villages, and everything in between.

And when you are talking about exploring Paphos Cyprus by car… well it gets a whole lot better!

Table of Contents

Authors Note: Save The Planet

Akamas is an environmentally sensitive area, which should have been protected a long time ago – back when Cyprus entered the EU in 2004. As I have mentioned in numerous articles, irresponsible tourism often leads to the destruction of nature’s wonders, and Akamas is a part of this too. You can read more about it here.

When visiting such areas of immense beauty and wild nature, it is important to proceed with caution. Firstly, make sure your trip is eco-friendly.

• Keep all rubbish in your backpack or car and dispose of them safely.
• If you are a smoker, Carry a portable ashtray – the Cyprus heat often leads to fires and many of them are caused by cigarette buds!
• Drive safely, to avoid destroying precious flora and fauna
• Hike, walk, or use bicycles wherever possible
• Do not Litter the oceans – carry a stainless steel water bottle to also keep your water cold.
• Refrain from disrupting the wildlife. If you witness turtle hatching, please do not queue up for a photo opportunity – that is simply cruel!
• Read my guide on how to practice responsible tourism and ethical travel

Because this is not just any road trip!! Wild, unspoiled nature, and incomparable beauty. This is Akamas, this is Paphos and THIS is our Cyprus, which we must, by all means, protect, for ourselves, but also for the next generations!

In Paphos, we take on Cyprus by car seriously and travel many kilometers! Particularly, Pomos, Poli Chrysochous, Akamas, Neo Chorio, Arodes, Lysos, and Ayii Anargyroi!

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Unspoiled, jaw-dropping beaches, views that take your breath away, wild nature safari, warm smiling people, and wonderful hotels and cottages!

No matter how many days you vacation in Paphos, it is never, ever enough! And that is why I bring you my personal favorite places to explore Cyprus by car right here!

Can you travel to Cyprus by car?

It is best to fly into Cyprus before embarking on your Cyprus road trip. However, if you are adamant about bringing a car, you could take a ferry from Greece or the Uk into Cyprus. Bear in mind that this will take 1-2 weeks in transit and cost you a few hundred euros in customs too!

Cyprus By Car – Is it easy to drive around Cyprus?

Yes it is! Because Cyprus used to be under British occupation, all roads and highways have English signs and are in great condition to drive on too. The only narrow streets you will find are in the villages (that are totally worth a visit by the way!).

The distanced arent too large – you can drive from one end of the island to the other in less than 4 hours – but there are literally thousands to do in between!

The only place I would recommend to ditch the bag and get a quad of a baggy is in some parts of the Akamas Peninsula. Keep reading for more info on that!

Are cars cheap in Cyprus?

To be perfectly honest – nop. If your goal is to explore Cyprus by car, then I would suggest renting an SUV. That way, you can safely visit forests, cities, and villages too.

An SUV during the summer months (high season) will set you back 50 euros per day without petrol. So that quickly adds up! Hence why I almost always recommend a road trip between 4 people as that puts the cost down a lot.

Also, please bear in mind that the public transportation system in Cyprus is practically non existent.

There are a few buses here and there – and special shuttles to the airports in Larnaca and Paphos etcetera. For info, you can read about it right here . So for a successful road trip, peace of mind, and comfort I would highly recommend renting a car!

Do you drive on the left in Cyprus?

Yes, in Cyprus we drive on the same side of the road as the UK. You can legally drive here with a full and valid UK driving license.

To rent a car in Cyprus, you must be at least 21 years old and you must have held your license for three years. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. 

Cyprus By Car – Pomos

First up on your Cyprus By car itinerary should be Pomos! This village, lies about 20 km afar from Polis Chrysochous, on the way to Akamas peninsula.

It is a laid back, peaceful village and one of the remaining unspoiled and undisturbed areas of Paphos.

But this little gem boasts amazing coastline views and beautiful sandy beaches. The result? Well, an epic start of a road trip!

Dragon’s Cave – Pomos

First up is Dragon’s cave – a rocky area with a beautiful beach, just a few kilometers from the little port of Pomos.

According to tradition, it is told a dragon lived in the cave and protected the area from evil! There are a few steps that will take you down to the cave. You will love taking pictures of the intricate cave, rock carvings, and rocky beach!

Pomos Harbour

This small picturesque fishing harbor is great for a little stroll! Although I havent personally tried it, I was told that the food at the restaurant there is very good!

Cyprus by car – Akamas Safari

The Akamas National Park lies on the west coast of Cyprus, and it is without a doubt like nothing you have seen before! Untouched by humans and development (at least for now) its immense raw natural beauty will be left with you forever!

The peninsula is as vast as it is beautiful! It covers 230 square km of forest, valleys, gorges, beautiful coastlines, and sandy beaches.

The wildlife, as well as the flora and fauna, are abundant in Akamas. There are varieties of rare tulips, trees, birds, butterflies, and reptiles as far as your eye can see!

Akamas is also home to many incredible nature trails – so hikers will definitely plan to say a few days exploring it all!

Apart from hiking the nature trails, you want to explore the coastlines, gorges, valleys and viewpoints. For that, you either need to book an Akamas Safari!

Petrides Rentals – Akamas Safari

Petrides Rentals was a game changer! I honestly had the BEST 5 hours – and visited some places I wouldn’t have known to stop for if it wasn’t for their help!

We rented a 4 seat baggy, and It felt as sturdy and safe as a car! There are quads too if you prefer those, and maps giving you clear ideas of the numerous routes you can choose to explore Akamas!

We opted to have a guide with us – and it was the best decision ever!

For starters, it freed me of driving! As a result I could take more photos and videos and simply be in the moment and enjoy it! Secondly, Argyris is a walking Wikipedia of Akamas.

Born and raised in Akamas, the man knows every rock, road, and secret pathway to the best spots!

Moreover, he will happily tell you all about everything you are seeing! Argyri, you are incredible, and I thank you kindly!

Simply park your car at Petrides Rentals ( in Poli Chrysochous), rent a buggy or quad, and pick it up on your return!

Ready, set, GO and get ready for an adventure you are unlikely to forget!

Aphrodite’s wild beach

Some of the purest, most beautiful coastline in Cyprus can be found in Akamas, anywhere between Blue Lagoon and Aphrodite’s Baths.  Aphrodite’s wild beach is practically opposite the baths, right next to the restaurant.

To get to the beach you have to descend a staircase., which unfortunately means that this isn’t easily accessible for wheelchairs.

The view from above is incredible, and typically, I found other people eyeing up my Instagram-worthy spot on the little white patio to take pictures on haha!

The beach itself is gorgeous, with calm waters that make it ideal for snorkeling (something the area is known for). Once you get down there, there are numerous little hidden beaches both blue flag and not, but all as clean and beautiful as each other!

Aphrodite’s Wild Beach isn’t a blue flag beach but it does, however, have an on-duty lifeguard, some sun loungers, showers, and a restaurant.

Baths of Aphrodite  

If you didn’t know, Cyprus is also known as the birthplace of the Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love!

Aphrodite was actually rumored to have been born in Paphos, at the famous ”Petra you Romiou”.

In the Akamas Peninsula, just past the Latchi harbor, you can find Aphrodite’s baths and botanical garden

This natural grotto is shaded by lush greenery, flowers, and an old fig tree, and legend says, that the Ancient Greek Goddess Aphrodite used to bathe in the waters.

According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite met her lover Adonis here and they fell in love instantly

The site is linked to the Aphrodite Cultural Route, and there is a small nature trail at the entrance of the baths to your left. Don’t worry about missing it, it is clearly marked with signs!

Koufotripis Beach

I fell in LOVE with this spot! Hidden deep in the Akamas Peninsula, on the way to the Blue Lagoon, is this tiny little secret beach. I fell in love with it instantly, but beware! It is indeed tiny, so don’t take a large group over there!

Blue Lagoon -Cyprus By Car

Blue Lagoon is the largest natural bay in Akamas Peninsula and it is located in the center of the famous Akamas National Park.

This jaw-dropping lagoon has become one of the most popular spots in Cyprus! The reason? Just look at that dazzling, turquoise water and white sandy beach.

Amazing coves, coral reef life, fish, aquatic life, and shells are abundant here, so snorkeling is a must!

How to reach Blue Lagoon

Seeing as this is a huge attraction in Cyprus, there are daily boat trips to Blue Lagoon from Latchi Harbour. Blue Lagoon is a 45-minute sail from there, and you can choose a half-day, full-day, or sunset tour!

Of course, you can also access Blue Lagoon while on your Cyprus by car adventure – ie on your Akamas Safari! You will definitely need a quad, buggy, or four-wheel drive car for the ride. It is off-road and adventurous, but definitely doable!

Please bear in mind there are two ways of accessing the lagoon by car.

Fontana Amoroza

Cyprus By car – Moutti Tis Sotiras

WOW! Moutti tis Sotiras  is 370m high and it rises directly above Akama’s north coast – dishing out, out of this world views of Akamas and Paphos right in front of your eyes!

It’s very difficult to explain the feeling of being there, with no sound around but the wind blowing in your ears and the sun giving life and color to what’s in front of you. It’s almost humbling, as you feel so small in the grand scheme of it all!

The mountain is made of limestone, and the road to it is rough. I suggest doing it with a quad or buggy as part of your Akamas Safari!

Latsi Harbour

Latchi harbor is a gorgeous port, where the fishermen still bring in the fresh catch of the morning!

It is practically unheard of, to go to Latchi and not eat fish! Therefore, a little stop at the many tavernas around the harbor is just the ticket for those hungry bellies!

A traditional Cyprus fish meze should set you back around 24-35 euros per person. The menu is fixed into many smaller plates to share (think tapas, but better!) If a restaurant charges more, don’t eat there, and find somewhere else!

There are also a few kiosks for essentials, but keep on driving to Polis if you require something else.

Poli Chrysochous – otherwise known as Polis is the closest town, situated just 2km away. There you can find large supermarkets, and a larger choice of restaurants, etc.

Ayii Anargyroi Natural Healing Spa Resort

Relaxation, wellness, and luxury! The Ayii Anargyroi Natural Healing Spa Resort offers a unique escape to an oasis of thermal baths and spas, beautiful flower and fruit tree gardens and fish ponds.

The rooms are dreamy and made for relaxation! The hotel is completely renovated with stone, wood, and earthy colors – a perfect blend of traditional and modern.

The beds are impossible comfortable, the views are impecable, and at my bungalow, both the jacuzzi and the shower use thermal water, so essentially, you have your own private spa in your room!

Everything is decorated in style, plenty of wood and white colors soothed my eyes. I was instantly relaxed upon entering this bungalow (I stayed in number 46).

You will find yourself drawn to the serenity of the room! Some jacuzzi time, book reading in the veranda amidst the sounds of birds chirping, and of course, deep, blissful sleep.

At the spa, we experience the magic of the area’s thermal waters, which give life to our joints and muscles! It really is a special and one-of-a-kind experience.

The spa is huge and just stunning. There are three treatment pools with natural spring water in varying temperatures for kinesiotherapy, rheumatology, and phlebology.

Moreover, there are medical spa treatments for conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, and joint pain. Additionally, you can choose wellness treatments including face and body care, massage therapies, fitness and physiotherapy.

A little note that’s worth mentioning! The relaxation/meditation room after the spa is one of the most beautiful ones I have seen in Cyprus. Given the fact I travel so much, this says a lot!

Well, take a look at any one of my articles, and you won’t be surprised I’m talking about food..again! Yeap, you knew this was coming! I loved the food here, and I tried both the breakfast, lunch and dinner service.

Breakfast is different at Ayii Anargyroi. There is a small buffet of breads, nuts, cheeses etc (basically a continental breakfast) that everyone helps themselves to.

Additionally, upon being seated, there is an a la carte menu to choose cooked dishes too. There are options like fried eggs, poached eggs, omelets, and chocolate crepe.

In fact, you can choose one than one hot dish per person. And it is all included in the price of your breakfast. Don’t forget to up your vitamins with a delicious fruit smoothie!

As a responsible traveler who advocated for ethical tourism , I applaud this initiative as it keeps gluttony at bay ( and helps my waistline escape my greedy eyes).

Most importantly, it reduces the tons of wasted food that hotels all around the world are throwing in the trash every day!

Dinner was phenomenal! -it was served in the outdoor restaurant with views of the pool.

There was a set 4- course menu when I visited the hotel.

I sampled puff pastry with mushrooms, stuffed pepper with feta cheese, and pomegranate and avocado salad!

Then came the mains, a choice between creamy ravioli with cream cheese, and sundried tomato, and lamb with cauliflower puree!

Desserts were fruits, lava cake, and walnut cake. Yum!

Delicious, even more so, with the hotel’s bespoke red wine ”Ierampelos” – which is produced from the owner’s own vineyards!

CHECK OUT THE AVAILABILITY OF AYII ANARGYROI HERE

Argaka Bridge

Instagram-worthy sunset views? Check! Look no further than Argaka Bridge, which’s located 7 km northeast of Polis Chrysochous.

The bridge provides the kind of perfect instagrammable background that will photograph beautifully, at all hours of the day. But like, I said, those sunset views are pretty special!

Karydhia Cottage Villa, Pano Arodes

If you fancy booking a stay as a group, then Karhydia cottage villa is an excellent choice! I loved my stay here!

Karydhia is a three-bedroom cottage villa with its own parking, sunbathing terrace, and an outdoor pool in the pretty village of Arodes, 3 km from Kathikas .

Inside the villa, you will find 3 rooms with a kitchenette, a dining area, and a living room. The open plan kitchen and dining area are decorated beautifully with traditional Cyprus artifacts from generations past!

The house, although modern, still holds its traditional character with plenty of wood and stone!

The master bedroom is en-suite and has its own shower and WC. The second bedroom has a double bed and the third is a room with 2 single beds.

All three bedrooms have individual and well-working AC units, although I didn’t use mine! Even in June the climate is perfect in Arodes!

The villa can essentially accommodate up to 6 people so it is perfect for families or groups of friends!

You can easily cook here, as the kitchen is fully equipped!

BOOK KARYDHIA COTTAGE VILLA HERE

Pano Arodes Village – Cyprus By Car

The village of Pano Arodes is stunningly positioned on the Laona plateau, at the edge of the Akamas Nature Reserve. It leadss down to the breathtaking Avakas Gorge and the coast.

Its location is perfect, as it’s situated close enough to drive to Kathikas, Polis, Pomos, Akamas and so much more!

IIts a small and tranquil village filled with plenty of greenery, vineyards, and stone houses. Furthermore, you will find a cute village square that always looks immaculately clean!

Religious tourism is also possible here – as the village is of high importance.

Here you will find what is believed to be the only church in the world dedicated to Agios Kalandionas. The saint just so happens to be the patron saint of Arodes!

Lysos Village – Cyprus By Car

Another sleepy village close enough to Akamas is Lysos, a village with interesting architecture, and comfortable cooler climate.

Paphos airport is 46km and Akamas is 34km drive. You can drive to Paphos for a night out or a summer party in 30 km too.

While in Lysos you can enjoy horse riding at Marias Horse Trekking and delicious Cyprus lunch at Erotokritos Tavern

Marmaras Guest House

If Lysos sounds like your vibe, you could book a stay at Marmaras! This large and beautiful space can be used as a Conference space and/or Agrotourism accommodation.

It is located in the center of the village of Lysos, with modern facilities for conferences.

It has the capacity of hosting up to 15 persons. Of course, the complex can be rented as a whole or separately as studios.

The multipurpose space at the entrance is super modern and inviting. The space can be shared by all private studios, as well as the courtyard.

Many yoga groups and retreats host their events here and I can see why! It’s so tranquil and well organized, it immediately puts your mind at ease!

The Rooms at Marmaras

You have a choice of 4 studios to book! All 4 studios are disabled-friendly too, with a Raised Toilet Lower Sink Toilet with Grab Rails.

Katoi Studio: Katoi studio is the largest studio! It consists of 2 modern rooms that can host up to 5 people.

Makrynari . This is a spacious studio with a fireplace with 1 double bed and a sofa bed for two more people. It can accommodate up to 4 people. 

Anoi : Anoi studio is a spacious studio with 2 single beds, and an extra sofa bed that can accommodate up to 2 adults. It also boasts its own wood stove and private small terrace

Palataki: Palataki studio is the smallest but coziest little studio, perfect for a couple, especially in wintertime. The studio has its own kitchenette and fireplace too.

So whether your vibe is Hiking, Cycling, Sea adventures, Nature exploring, Horse riding, or simply stargazing… Keep Marmaras on your mind as your base!

CHECK AVAILABILITY IN MARMARAS

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• 9. Season 2 Episode 1  Pelendri and Agros Cyprus  – Rose factories, wineries, brunch, and religious tourism ( and  Video )
• 10. Season 2 Episode 2 –  Platres Cyprus and Pera Pedi  – A nature lover’s paradise (and  Video )
• 11. Season 2 Episode 3 –  Paliometoxo and Nikitari  – A gorgeous farm and religious tourism (and   video )
• 12. Season 2 Episode 4 –  Lympia, Skarinou, and Agios Theodoros  – Street Art, donkey farms, and hiking trails (And   Video )
• 13. Season 2 Episode 5 –  Kakopetria and Galata  – Nature, traditional architecture, and fantastic food (And  Video )
• 14. Season 2 Episode 6 – Kyperounta – Wineries, hiking and religious tourism in Limassol (and Video )
• 15. Season 2 Episode 7 – Akamas and Paphos – Safari, nature and incredible landscapes ( and Video )

Exploring  Cyprus Content

• When to Visit Cyprus  – A guide to choosing the season to visit Cyprus
• Where to stay in Cyprus  – The Best hotels And Cottages In The Villages
• Cyprus Meze  – The best Cyprus Taverns in the Villages and Mountains of the island!
• Cyprus Travel Blog – Everything you need to know to visit Cyprus . Start with this first if you are not local!
• A city by city guide to Cyprus . Decide which city in Cyprus suits you best!
• Incredible food in Cyprus to try . You will most likely drool at this article!
• Edem’s Yard – Best Brunch in Cyprus – Larnaca.  The best brunch spot in Cyprus- hands down!
• Hamam Omeriye – Stunning Turkish baths in the heart of Nicosia – A Hamam Experience you are unlikely to forget!
• The best beaches in Ayia Napa and Protaras . The best blue flag beaches on the island – say hello to paradise!
• Cyprus Passport Visa Free Countries –  Travel to paradise without a visa!

Beautiful Seaside Hotels in Cyprus

• Hotel Napa Suites  – Gorgeous, Central, with infinity pools
• Almyra Hotel Pa phos – Luxury, elegance, and class.
• King Jason Hotel Protaras  – Modern, central, fun, breathtaking!
• Napa Mermaid – The most incredible hotel in Ayia Napa – Looking for a proper hotel in Napa? Say no more!
• Apartment for rent in Protaras – Sofias Seaview review . A gorgeous apartment in the heart of Protaras square!
• Protaras Villas – The Incredible Villa Oniro . A huge and luxurious villa in Protaras!
• Limassol Hotels – A Beautiful stay at The Crowne Plaza Limassol . A modest hotel in Limassol that you will highly appreciate!
• Alasia Boutique Hotel- Luxury and elegance . Elegance and understated luxury in the quiet part of Limassol

Hi I'm Tia, a Greek Cypriot native that combines a career in professional dance with a profound love for soul searching and traveling around the world. 

Kyperounta Village- The 12 Best Things To Do On A Road Trip

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7 Day Cyprus Road Trip Itinerary

The sunny island of Cyprus can take you on an adventure-filled journey adventures through coastal towns, idyllic hillside villages, and ancient ruins. Steeped in history, travelers get to discover a landscape absorbed in wonder. 

We suggest you explore Cyprus on your own by driving through the vibrant area. One week will show you the most iconic sights and best tourist attractions, and still leave time to soak up the sun in this beautiful beach destination. 

Let’s take a look at what our one-week Cyprus road trip itinerary includes, as well as the logistics of getting around. Pack your bags and get ready for the ultimate road-tripping adventure.

How to get to Cyprus

Airport. Southern Cyprus has two international airports, located in Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO). Most people fly into Larnaca Airport, which is the larger of the two.

Visas . A visa for the Republic of Cyprus is not required for people holding an EU, U.S., Canada, Australia or British passport. Cyprus permits stays of up to 90 days.

North Cyprus is a part of the Turkish Republic. As this is a different country, you will need a separate visa, which can be obtained online. Click here to learn more about the Turkish e visa. Visitors can stay for up to 90 days.

Where to stay in Cyprus

Before embarking on your road trip, you’ll need to decide where you will be staying. With such a wide array of Cyprus vacation spots around the island, you can choose anything from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious vacation homes and villas that offer stunning views of the Mediterranean.

This itinerary route has been laid out to optimize your time on the island. Depending on where you’re looking to spend more time ‒ at the beach or in a charming historic village ‒ you can find a hotel or rental that works best for you.

Book your accommodation like this:

• 2 nights in Limassol
• 2 nights in Paphos
• 1 night in Girne (Kyrenia)
• 1 night in Nicosia

Getting around Cyprus

The best thing about doing a road trip around Cyprus is that you can focus on things that suit your interests, stay as long as you like, and leave whenever you want. But if you want to travel like that, you’ll need to rent a car.

Driving in Cyprus is easy and quick because Cyprus is not that big. You can get from one side of the island to the other in a matter of a few hours. This means your fuel costs will be low, and you won’t spend much of your precious vacation time inside the car.

When driving in a foreign country, it’s essential to get familiar with the driving laws in the place. According to Number1Plates, some unusual laws in Cyprus include no eating or drinking while driving, and you can’t use any rude hand gestures on the road.

ⓘ TIP: Use a price comparison site to find the best price on a rental car.

If you prefer not to drive, there are other alternatives.

• Public transportation. Buses are the only form of public transportation in Cyprus. Taking a bus in Cyprus is the most affordable option. However, it takes more time and you’ll have to plan around the bus schedule.
• Taxis and Uber. Taxis and Uber can be pricey, especially if you want to travel a long distance. Also, they aren’t easy to hail in the outlying areas.
• Guided tours. While it may not be the most budget friendly alternative, you can also book guided day trips in Cyprus. Here, the transportation is taken care of and you’ll get a professional guide who will tell you all about the sights along the way. As an added bonus, you can be assured they will guide you to the best places to eat, too!

ⓘ TIP:  A travel guide like this one is a good reference to carry along. No matter where you end up, the best things to do, eateries, and places to visit in Cyprus will be right at your fingertips.

One week Cyprus itinerary

With a week on this Mediterranean island, you can get to most of the best places to see in Cyprus. Most people agree that this is just the right amount of time for visiting the top attractions of the sunny destination. 

Planning a road trip around Cyprus may be intimidating if you’ve never visited the island. We’ve laid out the perfect itinerary for adventuring around the cities, visiting iconic historical sites, and venturing to charming restaurants. And of course, you’ll also be indulging in lots of delicious Turkish and Greek food!

Our 7-day road trip includes wonderful Cyprus points of interest to visit, as well as a logical way to do this. 

Day 1 – Arrive Limassol (South Cyprus)

On your first day, you’ll likely be picking up your rental car at the Cyprus airport, so all today’s sightseeing happens on the way to your hotel. That will leave you time to unpack and spend the rest of the day as you wish.

Prepare to see a magical village and get the chance to spend some time on one of the dreamiest Cyprus beaches.

Village of Lefkara

On the highway towards Limassol, take the turnoff for Lefkara. While there are many Cyprus cities to visit, you don’t often have the chance to visit quaint villages like this.

Pano Lefkara is an enchanting old village tucked among the mountains, and its maze of cobbled streets, timeworn houses and shops will take you back in time.

But the town’s heritage is deeper than its stonework. Lefkara is renowned for its traditional lace and silversmithing, still made the same way they have been for centuries. Amid the lace and silver shops, women sit outside their houses and chat while making lace, while friendly craftsmen beckon you to show off the glittering silverware they have create.

ⓘ TIP:   Lefkara lace is included on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Culture Heritage.

Choirokoitia

Choirokoitia is a UNESCO world heritage site near Cyprus’ southern coast. The Neolithic settlement offers an insight of living conditions in the region during prehistoric times.

Here you can see how they actually lived in the past. Five Neolithic buildings have been built using the same methods and materials, each containing replicas of household objects found during excavations. To top it off, the archaeologists have landscaped the area with native plants that have grown on the island since Neolithic times.

Limassol, or Lemeso, is, a quaint and colorful town that features gorgeous food stalls and plenty of spots for people watching.

Wander around the Old Town, then head to the beach for a walk along a paved path lined with colorful beach stalls. Rent a thatched beach umbrella if you’re in the mood for relaxing in the warmth, or watch the dancers on the beach.

Stay in Limassol (2 nights)

Day 2 – Troodos mountains & Mount Olympus

Ready to marvel at something that’s truly magnificent? This morning’s drive will take you to the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus. It’s just a short, one hour journey from Limassol.

Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus is the highest point in Cyprus. Perfect for anyone who likes to hike, climb, mountain bike or embark on a gentle stroll.

If you’re not up for the physical side of it, there are some fantastic lookout points to enjoy – not to mention the scenic drive along the way!

Caledonia Waterfalls

The Caledonia Waterfalls are located in the village of Platres and just a short drive from Mount Olympus. A 1.8-mile (3 km) walk will lead you to one of the highest waterfalls in the region. The Caledonia Waterfalls trail runs through a lush valley and crosses river streams, and is guaranteed to be a rich experience. Don’t worry about the climb. It can be done at your own pace and there are chances to take breaks along the way. 

Timios Stavros

On your way back to Limassol, stop at Pelendri to visit Timios Stavrou (Holy Cross), one of the 10 Painted Churches in the Troodos Region. It was designated a world heritage site due to its exquisite wall murals that date from the 14th century. They are a unique blend Byzantine Orthodox and Venetian Catholic styles, and can be found nowhere else.

ⓘ TIP:  In the wintertime, the region is full of numerous ski resorts that are perfect for a cold weather adventure.

Day 3 – Kourion

From Limassol, it’s a 20-minute drive to reach the ancient Kourion ruins. These ruins are the most impressive on the island and were once home to the most important city kingdoms.

At the site, you’ll have the opportunity to see the latest excavations and many significant finds. Consider partaking in a tour of the area . The tour is a total of 8 hours and includes wine tasting, a visit to Omodos village, and a personal guide for the ruins. 

If you’re not joining a tour, then start your exploration at the amphitheater that shows off the incredible architecture and mosaic floors. From here, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the valley below.

Aphrodite’s Rock

Next, it’s time to head to Paphos (Pafos), which was the legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. Long story short, she emerged from the seafoam around a rock that has come to be known as Aphrodite’s Rock.

The rock lies off the coast about 20 minutes before you get to Pafos, and is a popular tourist attraction. Maybe that’s because of a local myth, which says that anyone who swims around the Aphrodite Rock will be blessed with eternal beauty.

Shame it’s not true.

Stay in Paphos (2 nights)

Day 4 – Paphos

After getting your dose of the mountains and a feel for the inland, it’s time to enjoy more of the coastline. From Limassol, meander through the roads that reveal breathtaking views before getting to Paphos.

One thing is for sure, you’ll be eating and drinking well in this popular tourist destination. 

Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos

Paphos has been inhabited since neolithic times, and

The oldest relics can be found at Paphos’ Archaeological Park, which is situated close to the harbor. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and costs just €4.50 for entry.

There are a number of important things to see here, such as a collection of different mosaics, all devoted to telling the stories of the Greek gods. Another is the monumental Tombs of the Kings. The underground tombs are carved out of solid rock and date back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

If you like ruins, you can easily spend hours exploring the site.

Beach break

After a couple of days of exploring, treat yourself to an afternoon spent lounging at the beach. Paphos boasts 31 miles of coastline and 27 separate beaches. With the most popular ones being Cape Drepanon and Paphos Town beach.

No time to read this now? Save this Cyprus road trip itinerary for later on Pinterest!

Day 5 – Scenic coastal drive + Kyrenia (Girne) 

Get your passports out, because you’ll be crossing borders today, as Kyrenia is a seaside town in Turkish Northern Cyprus . 

Driving on the northwest side of the island will take you along the coast, where you’ll get beautiful views of the ocean. The actual trip will only take two hours. 

Baths of Aphrodite

Stop to stretch your legs along the way with a stop at the Baths of Aphrodite, one of the sites on the Aphrodite Cultural Route. According to mythology, the goddess fell in love with Adonis here, when he stopped to quench his thirst while hunting.

While you’re there, take a walk along the Trails of Aphrodite. These elevated paths offer spectacular views of the coastline below.

Old Town Kyrenia

Now known as Girne, the ancient old town of Kyrenia blends the old and the new, with trendy cafes and bars popping up in ancient buildings. This is an atmospheric place, with countless wandering alleyways that invite a wander.

Kyrenia Castle

One place you must visit is Kyrenia Castle, first mentioned in 1191 B.C. and remodeled a number of times. Now a 16th-century Venetian castle, you enter the fortress via a stone bridge over a moat. There you’ll find two small museums that are worth exploring, as well as a dark and ominous dungeon and a chapel.

Part of the visit to the castle includes walking along the harbor’s promenade. The view is particularly beautiful.

Stay in Girne

ⓘ TIP:   If your trip itinerary is longer than 7 days, stop at Saint Hilarion Castle on your way back to Nicosia. The castle sits 700 meters above sea level, just off the main road that takes you to Nicosia from Kyrenia. You’ll get impressive views of the city and the Mediterranean.

Day 6 – Explore the capital, Nicosia

Think of a trip to Nicosia as being a very lively history lesson. This is the only divided capital in the world, with half in south Cyprus and half in north Cyprus.

Start your time in Cyprus by getting to know the unique culture, friendly people, and opulent French-Gothic and Ottoman style architecture of the buildings of the old town.

Given that this trip is going to include a lot of driving, use this time to explore the city on foot. Walk around the narrow alleyways and stop at some of the quirky coffee shops, admire the wall art, and venture into some local craft stores.

Ledra Street

While you’re exploring Nicosia on foot, be sure to include Ledra Street. Nicosia’s prime shopping street. Enjoy a few stores and a bite to eat, then head to the Shacolas Tower, which has a beautiful observation deck that overlooks the city.

Interesting fact: Ledra Street serves as one of 6 border crossings between the southern (Greek) and northern (Turkish) parts of Cyprus.

Leventis Museum

A visit to the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia is a great thing to add to your itinerary, because of the rich history of the country. A walk around the museum takes you through the history of Nicosia and Cyprus and reveals its fascinating past. 

Cyprus is renowned for its tasty, traditional food. With so many opportunities for wonderful dining, consider booking a food tour to get a deeper insight into Cypriot cuisine.

Few experiences can match indulging in an array of local dishes and treats with an experienced guide, while soaking in your tour leader’s knowledge of the Cyprus food culture.

Stay in Nicosia

Day 7 – Ayia Napa and fly out

The final destination in your 7 day road trip around Cyprus is Ayia Napa. Lying on the tip of Cyprus’ southeast coast, Ayia Napa has a reputation for being a particularly lovely vacation spot. The resort town is popular among European travelers, who love to visit Ayia Napa for its vibey beaches, busy tavernas, and energizing beach activities.

There are of course many Cyprus things to do that don’t involve the beach, such as visiting the town’s central square. It is full of bars and clubs and a Venetian-era landmark known as Ayia Napa Monastery. Lying partially underground, the monastery is worth visiting, as it was cut into the rock and surrounded by a high wall.

Cape Greco National Forest Park

For those looking to avoid the crowds and beach, Cape Greco national park offers scenic walks through the forest, cycling paths (with bikes available to rent), and picnic spots with ocean views. 

After ending your time in Ayia Napa, you can either fly out, stay in Ayia Napa overnight, or journey back to Nicosia to spend your last night in the vibrant city.

Final thoughts for your trip to Cyprus

As small as the island is, it appears that there is an endless array of adventures and exploration opportunities to be had on the island. Fit for travelers of all mindsets, Cyprus is a place for history lovers, thrill-seekers, beach babies, and foodies. 

A week allows you to see all parts of the region and discover the history that makes Cyprus such a unique place to visit.

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Written by Dan

Professional photographer specializing in street, food and travel shots.

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Cyprus By Car: Top Spots You Won’t Want To Miss

Cyprus is a picturesque paradise full of unforgettable sights and experiences. The best way to explore its hidden gems and really get the most out of your trip is by renting a car. Taking public transport gives you an authentic experience, but in Cyprus, there’s no better feeling than discovering locations on your own terms – without any time or route restrictions. Travelling to Cyprus by car means you can plan your itinerary unique to you. Plus for UK visitors, driving in Cyprus is ideal as you won’t have to worry about being on the wrong side of the road when driving! We will be showing you some of the top spots you won’t want to miss in Cyprus during your road trip in beautiful Cyprus.

Best Places to Visit Cyprus By Car

Nicosia is a great place to start your road trip adventure in Cyprus by car. The capital city is home to many stunning landmarks, including the Church of Archangelos Michail , the Chrysaliniotissa Quarter and the Venetian walls . It’s the most populated city in Cyprus, so you’ll have plenty of car hire options available to you alongside other amenities. Nicosia is also completely walkable, making it the perfect place to explore before you pick up your car.

Owing to its relatively central location, Nicosia is extremely well connected to the rest of the island, so it’s certainly a good set-off spot . Before you leave the capital, be sure to stock up on some local snacks to fuel your travelling party before the next stop – some baklava or sweet loukoumades are sure to keep the backseat drivers occupied.

Kyrenia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cyprus – and for a good reason. It’s known as the biggest tourist hotspot in Northern Cyprus , with thousands of visitors coming to visit the town and its beautiful harbour . The harbour appears untouched, protected by the Kyrenia castle and Venetian tower , and it has played an important role throughout the island’s fascinating history. Take a seat in one of the many cafes or restaurants within the harbour and admire the ancient architecture. You won’t be disappointed.

Troodos Mountains

For those seeking more of an active holiday in Cyprus , we’d definitely recommend checking out the Troodos Mountains. Situated in the centre of the island, they can be seen from miles away but nothing compares to getting up close. There are plenty of things to do, depending on your interests and the time of year that you visit. During the winter, the mountains become a popular skiing destination, but if that’s not your kind of thing, you can take a casual stroll through one of the many forest trails . You will also have the option to simply drive along the breathtaking roads that climb these famous mountains, passing traditional vineyards and quaint villages as you go. However, if you want to truly experience all that this awe-inspiring region has to offer, the best way to go about it is by getting out on your own two feet and taking on some of the walking trails.

If you’re looking to plan a family friendly holiday in Cyprus by car, Ayia Napa is a great choice to include on your itinerary. What is traditionally known as the island’s party capital, the town also has plenty of activities to keep your kids entertained , along with all the main elements you’d want from any relaxing holiday, including great food and stunning beaches . There are also plenty of cultural sites to explore after the kids have had their fun-fix – you can explore the enchanting sea caves of Cape Greco or visit the incredible ancient monastery founded in 1500 CE.

Cyprus has something for everyone, so we’ve included quite varied choices. Feel free to pick and choose from our list to create a custom itinerary that suits you, and maybe drop in some extra stops along the way if you see anything that sparks your interest. That’s the benefit of exploring via car; you can visit many places and spend however long you like in each place.

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Our Cyprus island road trip itinerary – the best of Cyprus for a week

Time for another detailed road trip itinerary! Islands are magic and we were naturally attracted to Cyprus as it’s also not so far from where we live. The map showed us it’s quite big so we decided to rent a car and explore at our own pace. One island, two countries, 8 days of road tripping, and almost 5 years later – here’s our full itinerary for a week-long road trip on Cyprus island. With all the surprises behind every corner, culinary delight, and sunny encounters!

Our Cyprus road trip itinerary

Day 1: land in larnaca – pano lefkara – choirokoitia – tochni village – governor’s beach, pano lefkara, choirokoitia village, tochni village, governor’s beach, day 2: limassol – akrotiri peninsula – aphrodite’s rock – paphos, akrotiri peninsula, aphrodite’s rock, day 3: polamitissa – a hike in troodos, day 4: nicosia, day 5: nicosia – buffavento castle – kantara castle – alagadi beach and caplica beach – ozonkoy neighborhood (girne), buffavento castle, kantara castle, alagadi beach and caplica beach, driving along the coastline, day 6: girne – lapta – st. hilarion castle, the sunset for millions – lapta, st. hilarion castle, day 7: stavrovouni monastery – kato drys – pano lefkara, the road trip around cyprus.

We have to say that Cyprus is a country full of nice and smiling people.

So far we have spent 2 days here and everywhere we go we see friendly faces. We can feel the calmness from the moment we landed in Larnaca. It is not that calmness that can make you mad because everyone is just lazy. Instead, it is that calmness that gets things done quickly without any stress. We got our car from the rent-a-car place in no time. We are heading for the Eastern slope of the mountains, toward the village of Pano Lefkara.

So far, the landscape looks Mediterranean. As we are going up, it starts to get a little bit of a desert. There are long stony fields with olives, and lots of limestone rocks. Every new turn we make awards us with a new view of the valleys or a hidden village. In the distance, we can see the sea.

We reach Lefkara. It must be the friendliest village in Cyprus (that we have visited so far). Our GPS map is not accurate enough so we enter a shop to ask for directions. There, a nice lady literally took us up the steep streets to our stone house. We knock on the big wooden gate, but no one is answering. The people from the next house are nice enough to call the owner of the house. He starts walking really quickly from the bottom of the street as soon as he sees us. We had told him that we will arrive late but we actually got here pretty fast. His house is a wonderful example of the quality stone architecture in the area. It has an inner courtyard and a high ceiling. We get some great advice about what we can do and some homemade cookies.

It is cloudy outside and this gives us the strength to keep going. We are going up and down the stone streets of the village. The main things that people do here are connected with silver and lace. Some smiling ladies are inviting us to explore their workshops. However, we need to get some food.

We conquered the small village pretty fast. We even ran into our host a couple of times. He had that ability to be everywhere.

We decided to visit one more village – Choirokoitia, in search of some recovered stone houses in the shapes of mushrooms and some bomb shelters.

This time the narrow streets tricked us. We couldn’t even find some of them. In the end, we stopped at the main church at the top of the hill and decided to keep on going on foot. This is how we got totally lost. However, the cute narrow pedestrian streets have a charm of their own. We even reached an eco-trail, but it was getting late and we decided against going on it to find out what is behind the next hill. In this village, the elderly people were gathered in the evening in the big pub next to the church. We said hello.

The cars in Cyprus go on the left side of the road. This was a reason for some comic situations even on the wide streets of the villages. However, you can get used to it in a day.

We visited Tochni village as well. It is quite popular for accommodation in Cyprus.

The buildings are made with dark beige stones and are looking over the dried basin of the river. In the church’s yard, there was a wedding. Some people were admiring it from the restaurant next to it. We decided to leave. We weren’t invited to the wedding anyway.

Our last stop for the day was the Governor’s beach. Even though it was dark our first encounter with the sea was nice. The rocks are entering the water and there is a long promenade on a stone alley. It looks like we might visit this place during the day, too.

We were feeling confident that at 8:30 p.m. there will be lots of places in Pano Lefkara to grab some dinner. We were wrong. Everything was already closed and the streets were empty. At the last moment, we found an open restaurant with a garden. It looked like it served only friends and family. Good catch! By the way, today we were asked at least three times where we are from. And that was from people who could take no advantage of that information, whatsoever. We felt really special!

We slept for 10 hours! This newly set record helps us start the day with a smile on our faces. We decide on our itinerary on the spot. The only thing we know is that we have to reach Paphos. Which road to take and what to see on the way will be decided on the go.

Limassol (or Lemesos) will be our first stop for the day.

There we couldn’t find the right place to leave the car. So we will have to walk along the beach. Poor us. It is Sunday and people are laying lazily on the beach or on the grass under the trees. In the old part of the city center are the Medieval Castle, some churches, a mosque, and restored streets. It is a big city that looks great for living in. We met lots of other Bulgarians there. This should only prove that the place is great indeed. They would never make the mistake of going to a bad place. In Cyprus as a whole, there are a lot of Bulgarians. We will see what Northern Cyprus is like. In the Southern part of the island, it is said that in the north there are lots of Turks.

We are heading for the Akrotiri Peninsula. There we hope to see the famous salt lake.

The other interesting thing about the area is that is a military zone for the British special forces. On our way, we encountered some interesting training. We even caught a special British radio.

They have chosen a picturesque place for a military zone. We noticed this on the curvy B6 road on our way to the birthplace of Aphrodite. We reached the rock of Aphrodite, too. The story is unclear about whether she has chosen it herself for a birthplace after her birth. It was too full of tourists. There were lots of Aphrodites hopping on the stones…

Before sunset we reached Paphos. It was important to finish at the upper side of Paphos, so we would be able to see the down part of the city (Kato Paphos) and the sunset over the Mediterranean. Welcome to Europe’s Culture Capital for 2017. We were led to Paphos by our desire for a unique sunset. It turned out our stomachs’ desires showed us the best place to capture the sunset.

From the shore, we are heading back to the mountains. There is something very attractive there. The villages are hidden and ordered steeply and like in an amphitheater. The streets are bidirectional but only according to the road signs. Most of the villages look asleep, although if you look carefully you will notice that everyone is working over something…

A few villages later we reach Polamitissa where we will stay at an agrohotel. It looks like this is the only fully awake place in the village. We are happy with what we get. The food is tasty, we have a fireplace and a view of the valley. We are advised on which one of the hundreds of eco paths to take. It also passes near Olympus. We reach a parking lot, where an older man is selling fruits. From there we take the wrong path. Instead of the easy one that is 3 kilometers long, we take the hard one that is 14 kilometers long… However, the views are worth it. At some point, we reach the mist. I think it is time to go back. We buy some bananas from the man and go back to our agrohotel before it gets dark.

We are going to Nicosia (a.k.a. Lefkosia or Lefkosa in Turkish). Yes, this is the capital, and yes, it is between two countries. How do past and future meet in it? It is built like a circle with 11 fortress gates from Venetian time. Many peoples have lived there – from Cyprus, Venice, Britain, Greece, and Turkey. This complexity of the population can be felt even nowadays. Unfortunately, some places in the city look pretty bad and even scary. With time the city has expanded beyond the original circle. Even inside the circle, though, there are some buildings that seem abandoned. They are right next to some traditional nice houses. It is great that there are some pedestrian streets. Welcome to Nicosia!   🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾

It is funny how you might walk on the main street named  Ledra and just like that you are crossing a border. Just 5 minutes and you are in a different country. It is the last divided city in Europe . Accurate saying. The conflicts there are not from yesterday. Even the green line that should separate the Greek from the Turkish neighborhoods is not very effective. For the tourists, however, this is just an attraction that connects some beautiful churches and mosques on the one side with some other beautiful churches and mosques on the other side.

Nicosia is so strange and weird that you might be scared to walk alone on the streets late at night. However, exactly in the evenings, the streets are full of life. During the day it is way too hot to do anything. This is what the last divided capital of Europe looks like. I hope one day the many unused buildings in the buffer zone get their chance to be brought back to life. I hope the same thing happens with the people there, too, who are trying to make it work in this stressful city. The feeling in the air is some strange combination of Istanbul , Mombasa , Delhi , Sofia, and a few more cities…

People from the Republic of Cyprus say Turks took the best part of the island. We wanted to check if that was true so we left the capital Nicosia in the morning. With our car, we headed to one of the 5 border control points.

We are going north, to a neighborhood of Kyrenia or Girne. We are warmly welcomed at the border. This is the legendary Turkish hospitality. Enormous flags, carved into the mountain, greet us. We have no GPS but the good old paper map comes in handy and navigates us to the cabins we are about to stay in. The hosts recommend we visit the nearby castle Buffavento.

We enter the kingdom of huge rugged mountains. As you come closer they become not so scary. In the last 6 kilometers, we are accompanied by an abyss on one of the sides. But that is nothing compared to what awaits us. The castle walls are carved into the top of the cliffs. There are very steep stone stairs to take you up the trail. We pace ourselves to break a record so in no time we are out of breath. 20 minutes later we are at the castle’s remains. If you climb to the very top you will see the sea, Girne, the shore, and even the coastline of mainland Turkey if the weather allows. On the other side, you will see Cyprus all the way to Nicosia. 360-degree view at its finest.

Buffavento Castle is the highest castle on the island and was built during the reign of the Lusignan family. There is a system of three castles – Buffavento, Kantara, and St. Hilarion Castle – it was used for patrolling the area. If you start a fire in one of the castles, the other two can see that clearly. This high-altitude communication strategy was not a priority for the Venetians, who came later. They relied on towers along the coastline and left „the Holy Trinity“ behind. Later some kings, including ones defeated in battles and ones who escaped, took care of the castles. That included Richard the Lionheart who is also popular on the island for other things. He is most famous for taking over Cyprus when his wife and daughter were kidnapped.

Let’s get back to another castle. After some kilometers towards the Akamas peninsula, we reached the second castle Kantara. You need to climb a hundred or so steps to reach it and enjoy its prolonged location along a ridge.

It’s beach time! Beaches here are so huge and so empty!

We visited Alagadi beach and Caplica beach (the latter had a sign saying „the most beautiful beach“). Beautiful and totally empty. Maybe it wasn’t high season (it’s the end of September).  The waters are warm and the sand feels like silk!

We took the secondary bumpy coast road and found a real treasure – hidden beaches, cliffs with amazing shapes, and fortress ruins.

Driving along this road was a shaky and at the same time calming experience. On one of the sides, you see the asphalt deteriorating from the salty waves. On the other, you see the distances being lit by the soft September sun… It was time to swim in the pool right next to our cabins and enjoy the sunset from the second floor. We realized why the Ozonkoy neighborhood is so attractive for all people on holiday – the combination of the grey sea on the right, the sun falling asleep over the rugged mountains on the left, and the lower neighborhoods of Girne in the distance. We were lucky to be there and we found this place accidentally. Sometimes the best places and moments find you.

We decided today we wanted to relax. On our way to the resort town of Lapta, we wanted to take a look at the castle, the old harbor, and whatever interesting we can find in Kyrenia (Girne). It was so hot that only the light breeze near the sea could save us.

This was also our second attempt to visit the third of the three big castles. On our first attempt, we missed the exit from the highway. Today’s attempt failed due to military training. Our third attempt would be the following day on our way back to the Greek part of the island.

So we reached our hotel in Lapta just in time for lunch and a nap. When we woke up the seas were furious, flooding the inner swimming pool and the sunset was near… Pictures were painted in front of our eyes and asked the camera to snapshot them in our photo memories.

In those romantic circumstances , it wasn’t hard to progress to our dinner while enjoying the Turkish hospitality and service.

Our table was filled with delicious dishes in no time. We practiced our sommeliers’ skills to indulge in Turkish fresh and light white wine. We had to taste the specially prepared for us shisha mix. So we were smiling and walking back to our hotel, just in time to catch a women’s volleyball game between Bulgaria and Turkey.

It was late but still very hot, so we open the door facing the sea and listened to the waves. Calmed down we fell asleep to gain strength and good karma so that maybe our third attempt for the St. Hilarion Castle would be successful.

And it was! This time the military training was still on, but they let us in. We finally saw the castle. Our first impression was: „Are we in Cyprus? Why do we see the Great Wall of China then?“. The castle is so well-preserved after centuries of battles, glory, and knights leaving their marks on it. To us, the most intriguing part was those views that revealed themselves with every step climbed. The castle is 732m above sea level and shows you tremendous views of the area.

We had no problems going back to the southern part of the island of Cyprus.

While we were looking for a gas station, we noticed a sign directing us to the Stavrovouni Monastery.  We had seen pictures of it in our guide and our first host told us about it. We thought we were going near it anyway, so why not go and see it? It is definitely more impressive from afar, sitting on the top of the mountain. From up close it is a closed complex, that is forbidden for women. Men have to be properly dressed if they want to enter.

We made some photos of the landscape and Larnaca and left for Kato Drys. This is going to be the last village where we will spend the night.

The complex is beautiful. It is a great mix of ancient and modern that results in functionality and comfort. This is what happens when you let a Swiss person into a lonely village in Cyprus. In the afternoon we had some rest.

In the evening we decided to close the circle by having dinner in Pano Lefkara. This was the village where we started our journey through Cyprus. The last time we were there and the blue pastry shop closed a few seconds before we could enter. Today we managed to get there on time and it was totally worth it.

On the next morning, we made a cool fruit breakfast for ourselves. We enjoyed the garden in front of our house one last time and left for the airport.

This blog post contains some affiliate links to services and products we like. If you book through those links, we’ll get a small commission at no extra cost for you. Thank you for helping us keep The Magic of Traveling going!

So even if you have a week in Cyprus, you can explore some of the most amazing highlights of the island. Just rent a car , fuel it up and be ready for adventures! We stayed at all those amazing places and met wonderful smiling people! We enjoyed our road trip so much that we’re ready to board a plane and hit the roads of the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus in a heartbeat!

You can support us by checking out our travel books . Thank you so much! 🙏

Share with us your favorite places on the island so we can put them on our itinerary for our next visit to Cyprus island!

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Cyprus Itinerary: 7 Day Cyprus Road Trip Itinerary

There are many countries in this world that can truly amaze you just because of how beautiful they are.

Cyprus is one of those countries.

There are palm trees, sandy beaches, mountains and incredible sea views.

This is why Cyprus is also one of those countries that just calls out for a road trip so that you can see as much of the island as possible.

7 Day Cyprus Road Trip Itinerary

So, if you have 7 days to spend in Cyprus, and want to tour Cyprus by car, then this 7 day road trip itinerary is for you.

Be sure to read my  driving in Cyprus tips too!

Day 1 – Paphos

On your first day, you’ll likely be picking up your rental car, unpacking and wanting to chill out, so I’m going to recommend that you take it easy on your first day.

Paphos is a great base for this 7 day Cyprus itinerary as it’s just 20 minutes away from the Paphos International Airport, which is where you’ll likely be flying into when in Southern Cyprus.

Once you’ve checked into your hotel and are unpacked, I’m recommending you head to the Municipal Baths in Paphos .

This is only a small beach, but it’s very popular with locals and tourists alike, is great for swimming and has showers on-site.

Feel free to spend a few hours here, unwinding and settling into your new holiday.

Once you’re feeling refreshed and ready to start exploring, you could opt to visit the Paphos Archaeological Park , which is just a 25 minute walk away, along the coast.

Paphos Archaeological Park is home to a number of different mosaics, all devoted to telling the stories of the Greek Gods.

It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and at just €4.50 for entry, this is the perfect introduction to your week in Cyprus.

Day 2 – Baths of Aphrodite and Aphrodite’s Beach

As your first day was spent at a more relaxed pace, you may now be feeling like you can take a longer drive out of Paphos to see some of the sights.

The Baths of Aphrodite are about an hour’s drive from the centre of Paphos and are well worth a visit. It’s believed that this small pool is where Aphrodite first met her lover, Adonis.

If you didn’t already know, Aphrodite plays a huge part in Cyprus history, with various myths being based here, including this meeting with Aphrodite and the birth of Aphrodite herself happening off the coast of the island as well.

The baths are also a great starting point for those of you who like a bit of hiking, as the Aphrodite, Adonis, Smiges and Pissouromouttis trails across the Akamas Peninsula start here.

Each trail offers breathtaking views across the ocean and landscapes, or, if you just want the view without the hike, you can go to the trail starting points and still see some great sights from there.

In case hiking isn’t quite your thing, or maybe you want a relaxing rest stop post-hike, nearby Aphrodite’s Beach is a great option.

Just across from the Polis side of the Baths of Aphrodite car park are some steep steps down to the beach.

You can either rent sunbeds and parasols, or head to the right to laze on your beach towel, and swim and snorkel.

The water here is very clear, and you may be lucky enough to see some wildlife during your time in the water.

Note: Entry to the baths, beach and trails are all free.

Day 3 – Coral Bay

I’m a firm believer in giving yourself a good balance of both relaxation and sightseeing while travelling, which is why I’m recommending your third day be spent relaxing again.

Just 20 minutes north of the centre of Paphos is Coral Bay , a truly stunning beach.

There are plenty of sunbeds and parasols available for hire (€2.50 per sunbed, plus €2.50 for each parasol), several bars and cafes along the beach and good toilet facilities. The water is also really warm and clean here, making it perfect for swimming.

There is also a great watersports centre here too ( Coral Bay Watersports ), which provides you with all the equipment you need for boat trips, snorkelling excursions, parasailing, jet ski rides and more.

They have a shack right in the middle of the beach — just look for the flying flags.

Day 4 – Ayia Napa Sea Caves and the Monument of Peace

Day 4 of this 7 day Cyprus road trip itinerary will be spent sightseeing again.

Why not take a drive north to Ayia Napa?

Although it takes a couple of hours to get there from Paphos, there is a very good reason why you would drive there.

And that is the Ayia Napa Sea Caves !

The water here is the most clean and clear I’ve ever seen, perfect for swimming and snorkelling .

And the views from the cliffs are incredible!

To get down to the water, you have to either jump from the cliffs (for the adrenaline junkies), or climb down the rocks (the climb is quite steep, but not impossible)! Just watch your step, and wear sensible shoes.

You’ll want to spend several hours swimming and snorkelling at the Sea Caves, but whilst you’re in Ayia Napa, I’d also recommend scouting out the Monument of Peace landmark .

The statue itself isn’t much to look at, but the views from the top of the hill are fantastic!

On your way either to or from Ayia Napa, it would also be worth visiting the beach called Petro tou Romiou .

This beach is home to Aphrodite’s Rock – where it is believed Aphrodite was ‘born’ from the sea foam and rose up onto this world-famous rock.

Legend dictates that if you want good luck in love and romance, then you should swim out and around Aphrodite’s Rock.

Access to the beach (and rock) are via the underground pedestrian walkway at the Tourist Centre.

Day 5 – Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark

It wouldn’t be a holiday to a fun and hot destination without also scouting out the local waterpark.

Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark is located very close to the main centre (just 10 minutes by car) and has a number of waterslides, wave pool, bouncy water bubble and inflatable rubber rings to take down the slides.

This is a great waterpark to come to, and you can easily spend all day here (like we did).

There are sunbeds and parasols available (for no extra charge), plus lockers, changing rooms, cafes and restaurants.

If you decide to buy drinks or food in the park, they scan your wristband and do not take payment until you leave the park at the end of the day (everything is totalled up at the end).

This is great as it saves you having to carry money around with you, or head back to the lockers before eating or drinking.

Also, make sure you book your park tickets online as you’ll get a discount >>

Day 6 – Tombs of the Kings

Now that we’ve had a few days of beaches, swimming and relaxation, it’s time to head to another historical landmark.

Dating from the Hellenic and Roman eras, and found within Kato Pafos (the old part of Paphos), the Tombs of the Kings are an interesting (and eerie) place to visit.

There are eight tombs to see here, with tombs 3, 4 and 8 being the most interesting.

Expect to spend 2-3 hours exploring the whole plot, but you could easily get this down to an hour if you just wanted to see the main tombs (or if you start melting in the heat).

On a warm day, it can get very hot walking between the tombs, so always make sure you have plenty of water with you, as you won’t find anything like that on-site.

Sadly, you won’t find any hidden treasures in the tombs as they have all been plundered over the centuries.

What you will find though is a large almost desert-land, with underground tombs of varying shapes and sizes… and an eerie feeling that you are being watched as you descend the different stone steps.

Note: An adult’s entry ticket costs just €2.50 — bargain!

For the evening, I’m going to recommend you head to Faros Beach to watch the sunset.

There is a great little snack bar here (more on that later), which offers a great base for sunset-watching.

The beach itself is lovely and even has a boarded walkway, which is popular with locals, tourists and dog walkers.

Day 7 – Travel Home

Admittedly, your final day will likely be spent packing up and heading back to the airport.

When we first wrote this Cyprus itinerary, we suggested that you see one last sight before you go: Eleouthkia Botanical Park. 

Sadly, we’ve recently found out that the park as we knew it is no longer open. Apparently, it’s now a garden centre and restaurant and no longer operating as a botanical park.

That’s such a shame because it was so beautiful!

We’ve decided to keep the following information in this blog post – simply as a memory for us and to show you how the park once looked.

Here’s what we said about it…

“Eleouthkia Botanical Park is only 5 minutes away from the airport, so (depending on your flight times), you could head here for a couple of hours.

The park is free to enter and has over 55,000 different types of flowers, shrubs, trees and plants to admire and learn more about. And often, you’ll come across shaped shrubs and displays, which really do help to bring this joyous little park to life! Alongside the shaped shrubs, you’ll spot cute little bridges, quaint wooden huts and tiny pathways that take you right through the trees and under shaded canopies.

It’s a very relaxing place to visit, just perfect for getting you in the right frame of mind before heading back to airport security!”

Is this Cyprus itinerary not quite what you were after? We also offer custom travel planning services !

Bonus #1: Where to Stay in Paphos

There are a number of fantastic hotels, villas and holiday homes in and around Paphos to suit a range of budgets.

Here are my top picks:

• St Nicolas Elegant Residence – Offering spacious self-catered apartments, with restaurants, corner shop and multiple swimming pools on-site
• Villa Despoina – Stunning holiday home with swimming pool and very upmarket decor
• Meltemi Villas – Pretty and traditional villa with some of the best views in the city

Bonus #2: Where to Eat and Drink

When in Cyprus, it’s customary to make the most of the Greek and Mediterranean influences that this country has, especially when it comes to food and drink.

Here are my picks of the best places to eat and drink in Paphos and Ayia Napa (to match the attractions found in this itinerary).

Delicious Cocktails & Mocktails

Serving the best mocktails has got to be Mar Bianco , which overlooks the ocean in Paphos.

F or alcoholic cocktails, Pingouino Cafe is a great option – I highly recommend their ‘Bounty’ cocktail, which really does taste like a chocolate and coconut Bounty bar!

For light bites and drinks on the go, the Lighthouse Beach Bar near Faros Beach is brilliant. Their milkshakes are particularly delicious; they’re made from scratch and use fresh ingredients!

Within the carpark at the Monument of Peace in Ayia Napa, there is a small juice bar, which is well worth a visit as well. For just €4, you’ll get the freshest (and most exotic tasting) smoothie you’ve probably ever had in Europe!

Greek & Mediterranean Food

Within Paphos, there are a number of great options for Greek and Mediterranean food such as Dias Zeus , Ficardo Restaurant , the Windmill Restaurant and Incanto .

If heading to the latter, I highly recommend you ask for their 3 course set menu, which is great value for money and very tasty!

If you decide to follow this itinerary and drive up to Ayia Napa, then I also recommend Spartiatis , which also serves Greek food.

It has a spectacular sea view in the garden area as well!

Notable Mentions

There’s also a great restaurant in the Aphrodite Waterpark in Paphos, which is well worth a visit.

It’s called Phuket , and it serves delicious Chinese and Thai cuisine for great prices and of good portion sizes.

Cyprus is such a stunning island to explore and admire, which is why I would definitely recommend spending a week here (especially if you’re embarking on a road trip like we did!)

It’s a small island as well, so even if you drive from one end to the other, you’ll only actually be driving for a few hours, so it’s definitely possible to see a lot in the time you do have.

I hope these Cyprus itinerary ideas come in handy! Do you think you’ll follow this road trip itinerary? Is there anything I’ve missed off? Feel free to jot down a few thoughts in the comments below…

Need help planning your trip to Cyprus? We also offer custom travel planning services !

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Justine Jenkins

Justine is one half of the married couple behind the Wanderers of the World travel blog. She lives in Bristol, UK and has travelled extensively within Europe and beyond since 2013. After her trips, she shares detailed travel itineraries, helpful travel guides and inspiring blog posts about the places she's been to. When she's not travelling overseas, you'll find her joining her husband, Scott on various day trips, weekend getaways and walks within the UK, which she also writes about on Wanderers of the World. Aside from travelling and writing, she also loves reading, crafting and learning about nature.

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Hey Justine,

this is a perfect road trip!!! Also love the fact that you did not mention Nicosia. It is a lovely city, but if you only have 7 days, I also recommend to skip. Once the border to North Cyprus is open again, there is many fantastic places to add there to your list as well.

Oh and the beach buggy in Akamas Peninsula is just epic!!!

Thanks Matt, I’m glad you liked our itinerary 😀 Awesome tips, thank you. We definitely have loads more of Cyprus to see so fingers crossed we can head back there one day!

Did you guys hire a car? How did you get around? x

Hi Ali, Yep, we hired a car for this one. If memory serves, the car hire company picked us up from the airport to take us to their base and then we were on our way with the hire car. They drive on the left in Cyprus, so it suited us just fine coming from the UK. It really helped to have the hire car although we could probably have organised some tours from Paphos to most of the main places we wanted to get to. I hope this helps, but just shout if you have any other questions 🙂 Best, Justine

• Getting around Cyprus: Transportation Tips

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The bulk of visitors to Cyprus rely on tour-company coaches to get around. Independent travellers have a choice of renting vehicles, catching buses, or taking taxis. For the more intrepid, walking and cycling are also options. The transport system in the north is nowhere near as well-developed as that of the south, and your best bet here is to rent a car or book a tour.

By car and motorcycle

Car rental in the south, car rental in the north, five great drives.

Following reorganization in 2010, the south now has a good urban and intercity bus system . Buses are modern, usually on time, and although run by different companies in each district (Zinonas in Larnaka, OSEA in the Agia Napa/Protaras area – sometimes called “free Famagusta”, EMEL in Lemesos, OSYPA in Pafos, and OSEL in Lefkosia) fares are standard and simple: single journey €1.50, daily ticket €5, weekly ticket €20, monthly ticket €40, daily intercity €15). Each company has its own contact number and website: Lefkosia (77777755), Lemesos (77778121), Larnaka (80007744), Pafos (80005588), Gazimağusa (23819090). You can also access information about Intercity Buses and airport shuttles on 80007789, intercity-buses.com . A very useful combined website at cyprusbybus.com pulls all the information together. Rural buses , especially in the Troodos Mountains, are less frequent and less reliable.

Bus services in the north are unreliable, don’t seem to follow a timetable, will often wait until the bus is full before setting off, and are little used by visitors. Indeed, native Turkish Cypriots rarely use them either, so you’re likely to find yourself sitting next to Turkish mainland settlers or Turkish army personnel. If you decide to brave this rather chaotic system, note that fares fall into the €3–4 range.

The best and most efficient way of getting around Cyprus is to rent a car or, if you’re not put off by their poor safety record, motorcycles, quad bikes, scooters or beach buggies. Car rental starts at around €50 per day in summer, €25 per day in winter – the longer the rental period, the lower the rate – but it’s worth prebooking and shopping around. And if you intend exploring the remoter parts of the island, it is well worth splashing out on a 4WD , especially as normal rental agreements often exclude driving on dirt roads. Petrol and diesel cost around €1 per litre, and there are plenty of filling stations. Bear in mind, though, that some may be closed in August, so it pays to keep your tank as full as you can.

Motorways (prefix “A”) and main roads (prefix “B”) are of good quality but side roads, especially in the mountains, might be unsurfaced. Visitors from the UK will feel particularly at home because driving is on the left, cars are right-hand drive, and there’s a whole host of familiar street furniture, from Belisha beacons to zebra crossings. Speed limits (strictly enforced) are as follows: motorways max 100km/h, min 65km/h. Unless otherwise indicated main roads have a limit of 80km/h; built-up areas 50km/h.

Parking is free in many villages, while town-centre car parks charge €0.50 to €3 for half a day. On-street parking in major towns is meter controlled, falling in the range €0.80–2 during office hours. Parking is free on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays.

Driving in the north is similar to driving in the south: cars keep to the left, signs are international, there are plenty of petrol stations, road signs are usually in kilometres, though sometimes in miles. Because development has been patchy, you might well come across bottlenecks where good new roads disgorge traffic onto narrow unimproved ones.

Driving tips

Contrary to popular belief, Cypriots are usually courteous drivers. However, some drive very fast, while others, especially in rural areas, drive insanely slowly. While the fatality rate on Cyprus’s roads is higher than the UK’s (particularly low) figure, it still compares well with, for example, Greece and the US.

• Alcohol limits are low – 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (compared with 80mg per 100ml in the UK) – and punishment for exceeding them severe. The only way to be sure of not falling foul of the law is not to drink at all if you’re driving.
• Children must use restraints appropriate to their height and weight. In taxis, they can use rear seat adult seat belts if that’s all that’s available. Rear-facing baby seats must not be used in front seats protected by air bags, unless the air bags have been deactivated.
• Jaywalking in towns seems to be endemic, often because the pavement is obstructed by telegraph poles, restaurant tables and chairs, eccentrically parked vehicles and so on.
• You’ll often see several people crammed onto a single moped – treat them with caution.
• Donkeys (often heavily laden) and goats can be a hazard on country roads.
• Don’t cross double lines to overtake.
• Don’t acknowledge courtesy by holding out your hand palm outwards. This is, in Cyprus as in Greece, a very rude gesture.
• For roadside assistance call the Cyprus Automobile Association (22313233). In case of accidents, call 112.

Main towns and cities are well served by rental agencies , both local and international. Those in holiday areas like Pafos and Agia Napa offer a range of vehicles in addition to cars – scooters, motorcycles, quad bikes and buggies.

Drivers under 25 who have been driving for less than three years must inform the rental agency so that special under-age insurance can be provided.

If you rent a car in the south, many companies will not allow you to cross to the north – check when arranging the rental. Where companies do allow you to cross into the north, most will not arrange insurance – you’ll need to arrange your own at the crossing point – there will be a booth where you can do this. Petsas Rent a Car will, however, arrange insurance for the north on your behalf.

Since none of the big international car rental companies covers North Cyprus , you’re limited to local firms. However, most will deliver and pick up from your hotel, or from Ercan Airport, and some now include that service for Larnaka. Note that to rent a car in North Cyprus you must be at least 25 years old.

The TRNC Rent a Car Association produces a booklet annually with advice on renting cars in the north, and the phone numbers of about forty rental companies. Otherwise, try British Rentacar or Sun Rent a Car .

In the south taxis are numerous in larger towns and cities and can either be hailed from the street or picked up at ranks. All urban taxis should have meters and fares are controlled by the government. In rural areas taxis do not have meters, so it’s as well to agree a fare before setting off. The fare structure for urban taxis is complicated: it is divided into day (6.01am–8.30pm) and night tariffs, with an initial charge (day €3.42, night €4.36) and a fare per km (day €0.73, night €0.85). There are also charges for waiting (per hour), for luggage (per item) and during public holidays. In the north , taxis (marked by a “Taksi” sign on the roof) do not have meters, so you should agree a price before getting in. Taxis are not allowed to cruise, and operate from official ranks which are closed at night. In both the south and the north you can also use shared taxis , which carry between four and eight passengers, between main towns. In the south (where they are also called Transurban Taxis) these operate on a fixed half-hourly timetable from 6am to 6pm (Sundays 7am to 5pm); in the north (where they are known as dolmuses), they usually wait until they are full.

Cyprus’s mild climate is ideal for cyclists, though during midsummer the obvious precautions – helmet, sun cream, plenty of drinking water – should be taken. Most towns in the south have bike rental companies, and mountain and road bikes are readily available, with charges usually being around €50 for three days, €100 for a week. A new cycle track has recently been established in the Troodos Mountains, with nearly 60km of well-signposted surfaced and unsurfaced track. For information on cycling in Cyprus, contact the Cyprus Cycling Federation , 21 Amphipoleos Street, Nicosia (22449870). The renting of bikes in the north is less developed than in the south, but a number of hotels will be able to help arrange this.

For such a small island, Cyprus offers a remarkable variety of exhilarating drives , from the ups and downs of the Troodos Massif to the off-road excitement of the Akamas Peninsula.

Lemesos to Pafos

Take the old road B6 west from Lemesos, first through the Home Counties tidiness of the British Akrotiri base, then past the castle at Kolissi and the ancient sites at Kurion and the Sanctuary of Apollon Ylatis, to the beautiful coast at Petra tou Romiou.

Pafos to Pano Panagia

A steep climb up from Pafos, along the E606, brings you to rolling upland vineyards, pretty villages and monasteries, and the birthplace of Archbishop Makarios III.

The Akamas Peninsula

The empty wilderness of the Akamas Peninsula can be explored by car (though only a 4WD will do), from the Avagas Gorge in the south to Lara Bay in the middle and the Baths of Aphrodite in the north.

Güzelyurt to Kykkos Monastery

Experience both sides of the Green Line by driving through the orange groves of Güzelyurt, along the pretty north coast past the ancient sites of Soli and Vouni, across to Kato Pyrgos then south through the dense forests of Tilliria via beautiful Cedar Valley to lofty Kykkos, Cyprus’s most famous monastery.

Lefkoşa to Girne

This north Cyprus loop takes you north from the capital through the Kyrenia Mountains to the coast and west to Girne. Diversions off this route allow you to take in Buffavento and St Hilarion castles and the superb Bellapais Abbey.

The Rough Guides to Cyprus and related travel guides

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Travel advice for Cyprus

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• Travel Tips Cyprus for planning and on the go
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• Best time to visit Cyprus

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written by Andy Turner

updated 26.04.2021

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Discover Cyprus by car

• annetravelfoodie on October 26, 2019

Cyprus is a great destination for a long weekend or a week. You can best discover Cyprus by car. The the island in the Mediterranean sea is quite large and the interesting sights are spread out over the island. Having a car on Cyprus means that you’re flexible and you can discover the island worry-free. Besides it means that you can visit the less touristic places and you aren’t at Cyprus best sights with a busload of people. On this page I’m telling you all about the sights we’ve visited on Cyprus by car and which delicious (vegetarian) food we had along the way.

Click here to read about Cyprus in Dutch.

The best thing to do is rent a car right after you’ve booked your flight to Cyprus. This way you can pick up your car at the airport and you’ve got it for the complete duration of your trip. I rented our car with Sunny Cars. We also had a rental car from Sunny Cars during our road trip in the South of France and we were very pleased with the service then. The main reason I prefer Sunny Cars is because they offer full coverage. At every other rental car company that I’ve had experience with, they try to sell you an extra insurance when you pick up the car. Sunny Cars doesn’t do that as you’re already fully insured. As I’m conscious of my carbon footprint, I’m very pleased with Sunny Cars option to compensate the CO2 from your rental car .

After I booked the rental car in Cyprus I realized that they drive on the left hand side on Cyprus. I had only done that once earlier in South Africa , and I thought that shifting gears with my left hand might be challenging. I emailed Sunny Cars if I could switch my car to an automatic, and luckily it wasn’t a problem!

It took a bit of getting used to, to drive on the left hand side, but as you’re mainly on the main road it was quite easy.

Pafos or Paphos is the most popular city for tourists. As it has an International airport, there’s a big chance that Pafos is the first city you’ll visit on Cyprus. Pafos is a city where the old and the new live side by side. Luxurious yachts lie next to ancient castles and new apartments neighbor old ruins. There are several archeological sights in Pafos. Most of them them are free to visit or have an entrance fee of just a couple of Euros. Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa (Hrysopolitissa Basilica) is an ancient site that you can enter for free. Admire 4th century mosaics and the small Agia Kyriaki church that is still in use.

The boardwalk near the harbour is a popular spot for tourists. You can do some great people watching from the restaurants and cafes. Keep in mind that most of them are touristic and tacky (although Mar Bianco where I has this garlic bread is quite nice). You’ll find more authentic restaurants a bit outside of the touristic area. Omikron is great for an all day brunch and also has nice vegetarian options.

Aphrodites Rock

Aphrodites Rock (or Petra tou Romiou) is a rock formation that goes into the sea. It’s believed to be the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. It’s a wonderful place to watch the sunrise or sunset. There’s a carpark and a small restaurant just across the street.

Pissouri is a small town about 20 minutes from Paphos airport. It has romantic cobblestone streets and some great panoramic views. Vegetarians and vegans will be very happy with O’vrakas taverna. I had this delicious vegetarian moussaka and they also have a complete vegan menu.

Ancient Kourion is mostly known for its archaeological site. The remains are probably the most impressive of all the ones on Cyprus. Kourion also has a beach that is popular with kite surfers as it’s often windy. There are sea beds with umbrellas and a few beach side restaurants. Chris Blue Beach is my favorite. They have delicious snacks, lunches, dinners and a showcase filled with sweets.

During my time in Cyprus we stayed in a wonderful holiday home in Kalavasos . This small town is very central located in the centre of the South coast. Our holiday home was wonderful as it had the real Cypriotic ambiance but it was completely renovated so in an excellent state.

We loved it that we didn’t stay in a big resort town but in a small authentic Cypriotic town. Kalavasos has a supermarket and 3 tavernas. One evening we had dinner at Taverna Plateia where you can get a delicious bread with halloumi cheese and salad. Another evening we had dinner at next-door Retro Taverna where I had a vegetarian dish with vegetables, fries and a salad.

Choirokoitia

Just a 10 minute drive from Kalavasos is Choirokoitia, a neolithic village. 9.000 Years ago a village was built at this spot and today you can see the remains as well as some rebuilt huts. As you can imagine with a 9.000 year old town, there isn’t much left from it, but it’s still impressive to visit a sight that was a town so long ago.

Larnaca is a beautiful town on the South coast of Cyprus. The main draw is the Church of Saint Lazarus. You can visit it for free. If you’re not modestly dressed, there are cloths that you can use to cover your shoulders or legs.

On the board walk you’ll also find the Medieval castle of Larnaca and plenty of restaurants. If you’ve got a big appetite I recommend Militzis. At this taverna the portions are big, and the quality is good. We went for the mezze and we got loads of dishes.

South-East Cyprus

The South-East coast of Cyprus is a great area to visit. It’s located in the Republic of Cyprus and doesn’t belong to North Cyprus (even though it might seem like that on some maps). There are 2 resort towns in the South-East of Cyprus; Protaras and Ayia Napa. Me personally, I like to avoid these 13 in a dozen resort towns. But there are some beautiful sights around it. There are several top sights in the South-East of Cyprus, below I’m telling you all about them.

Sculpture park

Sculpture park is a freely accessible open-air park in Ayia Napa with many sculptures made by 20 artists. The park is open 24 hours and is very nice to visit at sunset.

Love Bridge

Just South of the Sculpture Park you can find Love Bridge. It’s a natural rock formation that formed an arch over the water. This sight is also beautiful to watch for sunset or sunrise. You can walk on the bridge and jump into the water, but it’s only for dare devils! You can also just sit down somewhere and wacht the sun go down in the sea behind Love Bridge.

Kamara Tou Koraka

Kamara tou Koraka stone arch is located on the Northern side of the area at Cape Greco National Park. You can drive all the way there with your car. You can’t walk on the stone bridge anymore, but it’s still a beautiful sight.

The most South-Eastern point of Cyprus (and therefor of Europe) is the Cape Greco peninsula. This rocky coastline is definitely worth a visit. You can drive to the very end by car and from there walk over the rock formations.

Nicosia (Lefkosia)

Nicosia (or Lefkosia) is a divided city. The South side belongs to the Greek Cypriots and the North side to the Turkish Cypriots. The division is made out of walls, oil barrels and barbed wire. You can walk all along the division. I thought it was quite intense to see the armed soldiers, guard posts and the piece of no mans land in between where you can see the remains of the battle that was fought. The border has been closed for 30 years, but luckily it opened in 2003. You can easily cross as a pedestrian but your rental car has to stay on the South side. From the North side of Lefkosia you can take a Dolmüs (shared mini bus) to Kyrenia, it’ll cost you 10 Turkish Lire per person. It’s smart to withdraw cash once you’ve entered the Turkish side so that you’ve got Turkish Lire for the bus and taxi.

Kyrenia (Girne)

Kyrenia, or Girne in Turkish, is a harbor town in Northern Cyprus. It’s a 20-30 minute drive in the mini van (Dolmüs) from Nicosia. The main draw is the old harbor with its many restaurants and the adjacent Kyrenia Castle.

Saint Hilarion Castle

Saint Hilarion Castle is a beautiful old castle on the top of a hill on North Cyprus. From Nicosia you can best hop on the Dolmüs to Kyrenia and from there you can take a taxi. On some blogs I read that you can also exit the Dolmüs close to Hilarion Castle and then walk the last bit. I wouldn’t recommend it though as it’s quite a long walk to the entrance. You’ll need to walk up hill for at least an hour, through a military zone. I would recommend that you take a taxi from Kyrenia. There’s a taxi stand right next to where the Dolmüs van drops you off. The taxi takes you to the entrance of Hilarion Castle and picks you up when you’re done. You agree beforehand if he picks you up 1 hour later (150 Lire), 1.5 hours later (180 Lire) or 2 hours later (200 Lire). I think 1 hour wouldn’t give you enough time to look around. So go for either 1.5 hours or even 2 if you want to go at a very relaxed pace. You’ll have to climb some stairs to get to the top, but all along the way you’ll get fantastic views of Kyrenia. The entrance fee (2€) can be payed in Euros or Lires.

The best overview picture of Hilarion Castle can be taken on the road to the castle. You can ask your taxi driver to stop there for a minute, he probably won’t mind.

Troodos Mountains

The Troodos Mountains can be found in the centre of the republic of Cyprus. There are many nice nature trails that you can discover. There are all kinds of lengths and difficulty levels, so there’s something for everyone. There are several nice old bridges and waterfalls. We went to the Millomeris waterfalls. There’s a carpark really close to the waterfall, or you can park at the parking lot in the town Pano Platres and have a 20 minute walk through nature to get to it.

Laneia is a wonderful little town just South of the Troodos Mountains. With its cobblestoned streets and colored shutters, Laneia is the perfect background for your Cyprus vacation pictures.

Got hungry from all the hikes in the Troodos Mountains? You can have a nice lunch or dinner at the Wallnut Tree Restaurant (on Google Maps it’s called Wall Nut Tree Tavern, with a space between wall and nut). This restaurant has a beautiful grape vine covered terrace where you can enjoy your meal in the shade.

Click here to read all my travel blogs on Europe.

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Family travel adventures

Cyprus road trip adventures: exploring Cyprus by car

• smudgedpostcard
• 29th April 2022
• Holiday tips , Road Trips

Over the Easter 2022 school holiday, we took our kids on a Cyprus road trip taking in highlights of both the south and the north of the island. We loved exploring Cyprus by car. Our 12 day Cyprus itinerary included the capital – Nicosia – along with days spent exploring the coast and mountains of Northern Cyprus plus the Troodos Mountains and the Paphos coast in the south of the island. We also hired an all terrain buggy to drive along the Akamas Peninsula.

If you’re tempted to see more than the beach on your visit to Cyprus, I urge you to consider even just a few days of exploring Cyprus by car – the Troodos Mountains in particular are a wonderful part of the island to visit.

If you want to explore a bit more of the island, it’s worth making the effort to visit both the north and the south of Cyprus – some of the most interesting places to visit are in the Turkish occupied north. If you’re unsure how to go about doing this, I’ve detailed our experience of car hire in Northern Cyprus below.

This page may contain affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay.

Visiting Cyprus for a family holiday? Check out my guide on the best things to do in Cyprus with kids .

Table of Contents

South and North Cyprus: some context

The island of Cyprus has a population of around one million. About 75% are Greek Cypriots who live in the south – the Republic of Cyprus, and 20% Turkish Cypriots who live in the north – the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The south – the Republic of Cyprus – makes up around two thirds of the island.

Cyprus has a long old history – if you have a keen interest in getting to grips with the current situation in Cyprus, you’ll need to read many books and newspaper articles and visit several museums to do island’s history justice.

But for now, here is my take on it: Cyprus has been occupied for thousands of years – the Greeks settled in around 2,000 BC and over the centuries the Persians, Egyptians, Romans, and Ottomans have all laid claim to the island.

The UK, Greece and Turkey have been involved in the more recent history of Cyprus. The island was under British colonial control during the first half of the 20th century, a situation which caused unrest for many years. The desire for independence from the UK increased after the Second World War – with the majority of Greek Cypriots preferring unity with Greece, and Turkish Cypriots desiring partition.

Independence was gained in 1960 but the conflicting aspirations – Greek unity versus partition – continued. The divisions across the island came to a head in 1974 when the Greek army staged a coup d’etat, prompting the Turkish army to invade. The north of Cyprus was subsequently partitioned by the Turks, displacing some 200,000 Greek Cypriots in the process.

Today, the Republic of Cyprus is part of the EU while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey – not by the rest of the world. Talks on unity are ongoing.

If you plan to visit Northern Cyprus, please check UK Foreign Office advice (or your government’s advice if you’re reading this outside the UK) and ensure your travel insurance covers you.

How to get to North Cyprus

It is not possible to fly directly from the UK to Northern Cyprus – you need to go via Turkey. However, it is pretty straight forward to reach the north of the island from the south. The easiest option is to fly into Larnaca and take a taxi to the border – you can book a hire car in advance which can be collected once you’ve crossed the border.

Northern Cyprus is a lot cheaper than the south so it’s a good destination for a low-budget holiday.

Our Cyprus road trip itinerary

We spent the majority of our holiday in the Republic of Cyprus but I was so intrigued by the island’s split and by the historical sites of the north that I convinced the rest of the family to spend a few days in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

This is how we divided our time in Cyprus:

• 2 nights in Nicosia at the Centrum Hotel
• 3 nights near Kyrenia at the Almond Village
• 3 nights in the Troodos Mountains at Casale Panayiotis
• 4 nights in Paphos at the Almyra Hotel

Although this did involve quite a bit of packing and unpacking it did allow us to properly explore the island rather than doing day trips to the various regions.

Tips on exploring Cyprus by car: flights

It’s a good idea to check flight availability before you spend too much time researching your Cyprus itinerary. You might find your plans are dictated to a certain extent by the flight schedules and flight prices. Many UK flights arrive into Cyprus late in the evening so it’s worth bearing this in mind if you’re travelling with small children or you’re considering staying some distance from the arrival airport.

We decided to have the beach part of our holiday in the Paphos area as opposed to one of the eastern resorts because there were decent timed flights home from Paphos at the right price on the day we needed. There are two airports in the Republic of Cyprus – Larnaca in the east which serves resorts sunch as Ayia Napa and Protaras, and Paphos in the west which covers Paphos beach areas such as Coral Bay and Latchi.

Limassol is midway between the two airports. If you’re keen to visit the Troodos Mountains, Paphos is marginally closer but both airports are under 90 minutes away.

Cyprus by car: what to expect

Exploring Cyprus by car is relatively easy – particularly for us Brits as driving is on the left. The only hurdle for exploring Cyprus by car is crossing the border – I’ll explain more about that below. We did find that the driving styles in the north and south were quite different – the Northern Cypriots drive in a rather more assertive manner which took a little while for us to adjust to.

Our children are currently obsessed with cars so they were fascinated by the expensive cars on the road in North Cyprus. We were rather intrigued too – food and accommodation was very cheap in North Cyprus compared to the south so where was all this money for expensive cars coming from? After chatting to a few people we learned that there is a lot of expat money in both the north and south and the cars are mostly Japanese exports. I got the impression that the local North Cypriots live in a rather frustrating state of low income while foreign money is channelled into the sprawling hotel casinos and property market. Gambling is illegal in Turkey – but not in Turkish controlled North Cyprus.

Recommendations for car hire in Cyprus

We decided to use local firms for our car rentals in Cyprus. In the North we used Pacific Rentals – on the recommendation of a friend in the UK who has family from the north.

In the Republic of Cyprus we used Petsas as they had an office in Nicosia (where we needed to collect the car) and in Paphos.

For our quad bikes in the Troodos Mountains we used Safari Kalopanayiotis and for the buggy hire in the Akamas National Park we used Petrides Rentals .

We also used a really reliable taxi firm – Antreas Taxi – in Nicosia who we found through the Centrum Hotel – if you need the details please let me know.

Car hire in North Cyprus

I had read that it wasn’t possible to hire a car in the south and drive it into the north without encountering problems with insurance cover. So we opted to fly into Larnaca and take a taxi from there to Nicosia.

I prearranged car hire in Northern Cyprus with Pacific Rentals. We met a representative at the Ledra Palace border and collected our car from him. We dropped the car off in a car park at the border three days later – with the keys left under the foot mat. Everything went smoothly and the car was fine.

Crossing from South Cyprus to Northern Cyprus

We crossed the border between south and north Cyprus a couple of times. During our two day stay in the capital, we walked across at Ledra Street – a quick check of passports on each side was all that was required and there was no queuing.

After our stay in Nicosia, we walked across the border at the Ledra Palace Hotel crossing. It was again easy and straight forward. The southern side checked our passports, then we dragged our suitcases a couple of hundred metres through the UN-controlled no man’s land (past boarded up buildings and barbed wire) to the northern checkpoint where our passports were checked again.

Our stay in Nicosia

Nicosia – Lefkosia in Greek and Lefkosa in Turkish, is a vibrant city. In the south glitzy shopping malls and all the usual international brands overlook the 16th century Venetian walls. The north by contrast has none of the big names (except knock-off versions in the market stalls just across the border) and it feels rather provincial.

We stayed in the aptly named Centrum Hotel Nicosia. It was good value and we had a spacious family room with a balcony overlooking a side street. The hotel is right in the centre of Nicosia so I suspect it could have been quite noisy in the evenings if we’d been there on a weekend.

When I was researching where to stay in Nicosia, I was disappointed that the accommodation on offer was mostly business-style hotels in the south. The north by contrast had some really interesting looking bed and breakfast style accommodation – family run – which I would have preferred. However, as our flight arrived quite late and covid was rampant in the UK I didn’t want to risk any problems trying to cross the border late at night.

The location of the Centrum is perfect for a quick stay in Nicosia – particularly for families. It’s a two minute walk to Ledra Street which is packed with shops (and ice cream parlours) and there are plenty of restaurants close by.

Our kids loved exploring Eleftheria Square which was five minutes walk from the hotel. This newly created public space (designed by the Zaha Hadid group) has transformed the moat area of the city’s Venetian walls next to D’Avilla Bastion. There are shady spaces, a small open air theatre, cafes and a play area. At night, the square is lit up and our kids loved dashing about leaping on the seats which looked like glowing surf boards.

We spent two nights in Nicosia – it’s a small capital but there are plenty of sights to take in if you have an interest in the history and culture of the island. The Cyprus Museum covers the rich history of the country while there are churches, mosques and smaller museums which are worth seeking out to gain an understanding of this fascinating island. I would have liked to visit the National Struggle Museum to remind myself of the less palatable British part in Cyprus’s history but I didn’t quite get my timings right.

As it was our first trip out of the UK for three years, our kids were happy just to wander through Ledra Street and to wind their way along the narrow streets of the old town. It was brilliant being so central and stepping out of the hotel right into the heart of the city. Each evening we found a bar with live music so we had a lovely time listening to the local music.

Cyprus by car: driving from Lefkosa to Kyrenia

Once we’d collected our hire car in Lefkosa we set off out of the city and headed for the Kyrenia Mountains. As you leave the city, there are flat plains of cultivated land interspersed with clusters of holiday homes.

The road climbed steeply into the mountains and then passed between them to drop back down to the heavily developed Kyrenia coastal strip on the north side. There’s a main road which runs along the coast which is packed with holiday villas (some luxurious, others in need of a bit of attention), shops and restaurants. There are many huge hotels proclaiming their five star status but I was delighted with our more modest choice of accommodation when we arrived.

Where to stay in North Cyprus

There are plenty of good value places to stay in Northern Cyprus – tons of self catering Airbnb properties as well as lots of cheap hotels. I’ve read rather mixed reviews of British holiday makers’ experiences at some of the larger resort-style hotels – those with casinos and big swimming pool complexes.

If you’re looking for a good value beach holiday with a back to basics feel – warm, old fashioned hospitality and off the beaten track beaches, I would recommend heading to the Karpaz Peninsula, the long narrow stretch of land sticking out of the east of the island. During my research of places to stay in Northern Cyprus, I came across some lovely looking places – but they were a bit too remote for our trip.

Based on several recommendations I received from the We Love Cyprus Facebook group, we stayed at the Almond Village Hotel – a family owned and run property a short drive from Kyrenia. This small independent hotel has managed to weather the covid storm and the hotel looked amazing during our stay. They explained that they kept their staff on during the pandemic (no furlough scheme there unfortunately), as good staff are so difficult to find. The staff were all indeed lovely and it was refreshing to see several generations of a family working together at a hotel.

The Almond Village looks quite big on its website but it is actually quite small. It consists of a collection of villas dotted across well maintained gardens with a small farm behind it where vegetables in the hotel restaurant are sourced. Our kids loved playing with the resident dogs and cats as well as visiting the chickens and ostriches which live on the farm.

The swimming pool was a little chilly in April but two out of four of us braved it for a swim – very refreshing on a hot day. The other guests were Brits – some from the UK, others visiting from the south of Cyprus, quite a few had visited the hotel before.

We stayed in a two bedroom villa which had a small kitchen and a living room – perfect for making a quick meal. However, eating out in Northern Cyprus is about a third of the cost of eating out in the south so we didn’t do very much cooking.

Things to do in Northern Cyprus

Bellapais abbey.

In between the mass of villas and hotels in Northern Cyprus, there are pockets of traditional Cypriot life. The village of Bellapais gave us a glimpse of a more simple way of life, albeit with quite a few shops selling honey, saffron and other souvenirs.

It was wonderfully quiet during our visit to Bellapais, even the famous abbey had just a smattering of visitors. The aptly-named abbey – of 13th century origins – has an air of calm and tranquility quite at odds with the modern sprawl of Kyrenia which it overlooks. Our kids loved exploring the ruins, although I fear that their imaginary games were somewhat less than holy – apologies to the other visitors we shared the experience with.

St Hilarion Castle

One of the highlights of our visit to Cyprus was St Hilarion Castle. One of three Crusader castles which stand sentry along the island’s north coast, St Hilarion alone warrants the journey from the Republic to the Turkish controlled north.

Driving the winding road up to 13th century St Hilarion, and clambering along the battlements and through the towers of this once-mighty fortress, you get the impression that little has changed for the international billionaire elite down the ages. This castle – used by the Lusignan crusader kings – must have taken incredible man-power to construct and maintain, such is its remote, lofty position on the ridge of the Kyrenia Mountains.

There were only a couple of other people exploring St Hilarion while we were there so we had it mostly to ourselves. It is a truly magnificent spot with the most incredible views over the coast below – there would be no excuse for missing an Arab invasion with a viewpoint like this.

Unfortunately, the site is not particularly well looked after – next to the signs suggesting people take home their litter are overflowing rubbish bins. I wouldn’t recommend bringing an inquisitive toddler to the castle, or anyone with a fear of heights – safety plays second fiddle to the drama of the place. We visited on a windy day and we all clung to the rails at the very top of the castle, admiring the incredible views.

The drive up to St Hilarion from Kyrenia takes visitors past one of many Turkish military bases. We decided to take the scenic route back to our hotel and followed an empty narrow road west along the cloud-covered ridge of the mountains. We didn’t pass a soul during this hour’s drive – save for a couple of goats as we dropped back down towards the coast.

What we did come across was one of the many Turkish propaganda devices, Mucizevi Türk Tankı – an abandoned tank sitting just off the road at rather an alarming angle. It was accompanied by memorial plaques in Turkish and English offering an explanation as to its siting at this place.

Northern Cyprus beaches

The coast to the east and west of Kyrenia is very built up and commercialised. We visited a couple of beach clubs close to the city but they hadn’t really opened up for the season and although there were small stretches of sand which our kids were delighted with, it all felt rather drab and sad. No doubt covid has decimated the beach businesses but I wonder how much the Turkish control of the north has hindered the development of tourism here (for better and worse).

So, we decided to drive along the east coast in search of a decent stretch of sand. Around half an hour from Kyrenia the hotels, shops and restaurants which line the main road become more and more spread out until the coastline becomes an empty rocky landscape with the sea glinting tantalizingly in the distance.

We ended up at what is probably a very well known spot in the summer months – Alagadi Beach. However, in April it was really peaceful. There is one beach restaurant (with a really friendly owner who looked after one of our boys when he got a splinter in his foot) and not much else, it’s a very chilled out spot. The food was great and there was a lovely atmosphere. It was a wonderfully warm day and it was heavenly – after several cool UK summers – to be contemplating putting on sun cream in April.

Alagadi consists of two arcs of sand – one beach sits directly in front of the restaurant and another is a short drive away over a rocky headland. The latter is best for those who want that perfect uninterrupted view of the sea as the one next to the restaurant did have a view in one direction of a distant factory.

Alagadi is a popular nesting site for green and loggerhead turtles who come to lay their eggs during the summer. A programme is in place to help release the hatchlings into the sea.

Road trip Cyprus: Northern Cyprus to the Troodos Mountains

After three days exploring Northern Cyprus, we drove back to Lefkosa, deposited our car with its keys in the not very official looking car park and walked across the border. We were briefly asked if we had anything to declare as we entered the Republic – they’re after cigarettes – before locating our taxi driver and heading into Nicosia to collect our next car.

Driving out of Nicosia is fairly straight forward. Our destination – the Troodos Mountains – was well signposted and the roads were pretty quiet (it was a Sunday). We found a good value roadside eatery for lunch on the way – Louis restaurant – where the B9 and F928 meet.

Where to stay in the Troodos Mountains

There are plenty of places to stay in the Troodos Mountains – cheap self catering, very good value hotels, traditional mountain hostels and a rather special village accommodation project in Kalopanayiotis which we decided to investigate.

There are various villages to choose from as your base in the Troodos. If you’re visiting in the summer, Platres would be a good option as it sits at an altitude of 1,200 metres so it’s noticeably cooler. From Platres you can access some of the most popular hiking trails and it’s a short drive, or a decent hike to Troodos village (altitude 1,750 metres).

If you’d like to have a proper hiking holiday in the Troodos Mountains, the one organised by Cyprus veterans Sunvil sounds really good – they can arrange for your luggage to be carried for you as you walk from village to village.

I was glad we opted to stay at Kalopanayiotis for our April visit. The village sits at a much lower altitude of 700 metres in the Marathasa Valley. While it was zero degrees up at Troodos and not much warmer in Platres, down in Kalopanayiotis it was a balmy 15 to 20 degrees during our stay. Also, although the ski slope had shut, Platres and Troodos had yet to fully awaken from their winter hibernation. Quite a few attractions, shops and restaurants were closed but the sun was shining and the hiking trails were wonderfully peaceful.

We spent three nights at Casale Panayiotis . More of an ongoing village project than a standalone hotel, Casale Panayiotis has been developed by former childhood resident John Papadouris who, after making his fortune elsewhere in the world, returned to his village and helped to bring a new style of tourism to the area.

Casale Panayiotis is not a traditional hotel. There is a main hub in the centre of the village where you’ll find the reception area, the main restaurant and the spa. However, the “hotel rooms” are artfully scattered across the village. We stayed in a two storey, two bedroom unit. We had a little kitchen / living room area with the bedrooms and bathroom accessed via a spiral staircase. Outside, we had a terrace from the living room and a large balcony reached through the bedrooms. Both of these sun-filled outside spaces had views over the village and mountains. If we had visited without the kids we could happily have spent the duration of the stay on the balcony watching the house martins performing barrel rolls across the blue sky.

Casale Panayiotis is not ideal for families with little children or babies – there are lots of steps and the village is set across a very steep hillside. There is an elevator to take visitors between the lower and upper parts of the village but this isn’t much help if you’re staying half way up the hill. Some rooms are quite a distance from the restaurants.

However, it worked perfectly for our family – the kids loved exploring the narrow pathways, wandering along the streets to breakfast, clambering to the top of the village to find the ice cream shop and discovering the play area which, just like the rest of the village, is situated on a series of terraces overlooking the valley.

The Troodos Mountains were doing Airbnb-style lodgings long before the internet helped us find a cheap room to stay in. As the owner of a little museum next to our accommodation explained to me, the villagers in Kalopanayiotis have a long tradition of taking in summer visitors escaping the heat of the capital and other lower lying cities. The village was famed for its thermal springs and the frescoes in the monastery. Local residents would move out of their homes or sleep on the sofa in order to accommodate guests and earn some vital income – the region has traditionally been very poor.

As we drove through the various villages we noticed there were quite a few empty and derelict hotels, partly due to the advent of air conditioning I was told but also no doubt as a result of the covid pandemic too. The Troodos Mountains, the villages and the overall landscape are stunning – I do hope some of these tourism businesses see an upturn in fortunes in the future.

If you’re interested in staying in Kalopanayiotis – do check out Casale Panayiotis or have a look at some of the good value alternatives in the village on Booking.com .

Highlights of the Troodos Mountains

Quad biking.

We spent three nights in the Troodos Mountains. As I am outnumbered three to one by petrolheads, I booked my family a quad biking adventure for our first full day. Along with another family, we were taken off road along mountain tracks – my fear of narrow hairpin bends with dramatic drop offs was well and truly tested. The kids loved the drive through the river valley, delighted by the highlight of splashing through the river.

Painted churches of the Troodos villages

After the petrolheads had had their fill of adventures, I managed to convince them to accompany me to the St John Lampadistis Monastery. The Troodos Mountains are famed for their painted churches – modest stone structures which hide within them quite remarkable frescoes.

Medieval Cypriots fled to the mountains in search of refuge from Arab invaders. Despite the tough conditions in the Troodos, they farmed the terraces and continued their Orthodox faith with the construction churches and monasteries – simple stone structures belying the incredible artwork hidden within.

The paintings at UNESCO-listed St John Lampadistis monastery have been restored so the scenes from the bible are displayed in surprisingly vivid colours.

Hiking in the Troodos Mountains

We enjoyed a really lovely circular seven kilometre hike from Kalopanayiotis, the path weaved its way up the rocky mountainside to reach the Lampadistis winery – another project by John Papadouris – before winding its way back down again through lush countryside, with wonderful views and countless wildflowers all around.

We passed the delightful little 12th century chapel of Theoskepasti which sits in the shadow of a 700 year old oak tree. The tree holds the chapel’s bell.

On another day, we drove up through the Troodos villages, passing through the remaining snow and over to Platres where we wandered along a trail to reach the Millomeri waterfall. (There is also a rather ugly shortcut route for those who don’t fancy the modest one kilometre walk from the village church). Despite the steep return leg, our kids loved this little hike which takes you along a narrow mostly wooded path. We arrived at about 5pm so it was quiet but I imagine it gets pretty busy in the summer.

Cyprus by car: driving from Troodos to Paphos

The drive from the Troodos Mountains south to Paphos passes through lovely scenery. Once you have dropped down far enough for the pine trees to disappear the landscape is given over to vineyards. There are signs everywhere inviting you to pop in to taste the wine.

Against my better judgement, we decided to skip the wine and head for the little olive oil museum Oleastro, about half an hour south of Platres. This is a good stop for a quick lunch – we enjoyed bread, oil (obviously) and cheese and tomatoes whilst watching a short film about the history of olive oil production. There’s a little play area and some animals to feed.

Where to stay in Paphos

As we hadn’t left the UK for three years and our kids were in dire need of some swimming practice, we pushed the boat out with a four night stay at the Almyra Hotel in Paphos. We booked interconnecting inland view rooms which handily backed onto the play area.

For most of our stay we enjoyed swimming in the heated pools – there’s an indoor one at the spa which families can use in the morning as well as the main heated outdoor pool. The hotel overlooks the sea although there is no beach – just a rocky seafront.

There’s a boardwalk in front of the hotel which takes you into the main tourist area where there’s a multitude of restaurants and shops.

Driving in the Akamas National Park

We managed to drag ourselves away from the swimming pools for a brain-rattling ride through the Akamas National Park. If you’ve heard of the Cyprus Blue Lagoon, this is where you’ll find it. The Akamas Peninsula is a surprisingly wild and undeveloped area to the west of the Paphos urban sprawl. It consists of a rocky coastline, very rocky roads and some rather spectacular views. Hidden along the coastline are some fabulous places for a swim.

I expect, like everywhere else we visited in Cyprus, the Akamas and its famous beach – the Cyprus Blue Lagoon – will be packed with day trippers come the summer but in April we had it almost to ourselves. There was just one tourist boat disgorging visitors from its stern whilst we were there.

Not content with having spent a day whizzing about the Troodos Mountains on quad bikes, we decided to take an ATV buggy out on the Akamas Peninsula. We hired a four seater buggy from Petrides Rentals , a friendly car hire firm in the small seaside resort of Latchi, about 45 minutes’ drive north from our hotel in Paphos.

The buggy comes complete with goggles (essential for when you pick up speed on the main road as there’s no windscreen) and a cool box for drinks and food. There are seat belts and a bar to hold onto for when you’re going over particularly bumpy terrain.

I had heard and read rather mixed reviews about the road conditions in the Akamas National Park so I was a little bit apprehensive about this particular outing. However, the suspension on the buggy was unlike anything I’d come across before – we drove along some ridiculously bad tracks which the vehicle tackled easily.

We came across a couple of normal vehicles which had tried to reach the infamous Blue Lagoon – I don’t think the drivers will be getting the excess back on their insurance. The road to the Blue Lagoon is not suitable for anything other than a 4WD.

Have you enjoyed a Cyprus road trip? What were your experiences of exploring Cyprus by car? Let me know in the comments below.

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Driving in Cyprus: The Complete Guide by a Local Expat

Driving in Cyprus? Sounds daunting? It doesn’t have to be!

If you are coming for a holiday in Cyprus and thinking about renting a car, I can’t recommend it enough.

I’ve spent 6.5 years driving and exploring Cyprus with a car , and I’m happy to share my insights and experience to help you navigate through some common issues and headaches you might experience.

Table of Contents

Forget about What You’ve Heard about Driving in Cyprus

Ok, so you probably know that in Cyprus we drive like in the UK, on the ‘wrong’ side of the road (that is for most Europeans).

But trust me – that will be the least of your worries.

You might have heard a lot of things about what driving in Cyprus is like, and most of these claims are made by someone who spent a short holiday on the island, or heard something from someone who was staying here for a holiday.

I would take a lot of those claims with a grain of salt (I get more into that later).

The fact is, local drivers (regardless of nationality) are not notorious for their respect towards traffic rules and the more you know about this, the better you will be prepared for the road trip.

Some of the rumours are true, but shouldn’t put you off from exploring the island by car.

Be Careful about Guides Written by Tourists

I came across quite a few “driving in Cyprus” guides where people who visited the island for 5 days are self-proclaimed experts on the topic .

Here is why I would take those guides with reservations:

Rental Tourist Cars

Rented tourist cars are clearly marked with red registration plates , distinguishing them from the rest of the local traffic. Local (myself included) generally keep a distance from these cars as people often don’t know where they’re going or make abrupt turns etc. You get the idea.

You will be generally more safe in a rented car than a local car without marked plates, people do keep their distance, drive around them more carefully and are more forgiving.

So anyone who has been browsing the island in a rented car would have generally not experienced the unforgiving nature the local traffic can sometimes have.

Off-Peak Travel Times

If you’re driving on holiday, you tend to travel in off-peak times and often outside cities, avoiding the busiest traffic. That’s why a lot of people would say that the claims about driving in Cyprus are exaggerated.

Again, another reason not to put all your trust in someone who has only been driving in Cyprus as a tourist for a few days.

Narrow Perspective

And one last reason to beware of such guides – a few hours spent in a car on your holiday can’t give you any sensible conclusions about the local traffic and driving mentality. It’s just your personal experience, but you can’t generalize that as advice for anyone who is coming to the island.

So why is this guide any different?

I’m no expert and certainly not an excellent driver but in my 6.5 years in Cyprus I’ve seen quite a bit and I’m happy to share my insights. I’ve experienced the island both in rented cars, but the majority of those years in my own car, in every single corner of the island (including the occupied Northern territory).

Basic Rules of the Road: Driving in Cyprus

Driving on Left – as a heritage of the British colonial era, we drive on the left on the island. The same applies if you would cross over to the Northern territory occupied by Turkey.

Road Signs – all road signs are in Greek & English, in standard European marking of speed limits in kilometres

Maximum Speed – 100 km/h on a highway and 50 km/h in a city or village. In certain areas like a village, it will be 30 km/h with plenty of speed bumps to remind you to slow down.

Alcohol Limits – 22 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milligrams of breath or 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milligrams of blood (more on that later). I think you should be fine with a glass of wine or a small beer, but not more than that. That’s my very scientific estimate.

Documents – always carry your driving licence and insurance documents (or documents from your car rental company). Also, a passport or other form of ID is great to have with you.

Parking – The National Olympic Sport of Cyprus

My favourite topic. Locals (all nationalities alike) have made the art of parking an extreme sport. There is no other way to describe it.

Any flat surface is a designated parking area, especially if it means you can only walk one meter from the car to the shop or kiosk.

Bonus points if you can park on a double yellow line, in front of stop or give way sign or ideally by the entrance to the parking lot or hospital.

From plain arrogant, questionable to “left me speechless” examples can be found and documented on this Facebook page .

While all that’s super amusing, it also means that some of these cars are putting the rest of the traffic in danger by blocking roads and obstructing the view of the traffic.

Best seen during big events, like the Limassol carnival – people were dropping cars literally everywhere. There were no pavements left to walk on as they were taken over by parked cars. I’m not sure if it’s the local mentality of “I don’t care” or a simple lack of consideration for anyone else other than themselves.

Parking used to raise my blood pressure a lot at the beginning, but it rubs off on you. If I don’t hit the designated parking area marked with white lines, I shrug my shoulder and say “I’ve seen worse”.

Double yellow lines are completely ignored on the island. I have never seen any police officers giving parking tickets, apart from those on the designated parking plots owned by the local council.

I got one myself, with total damage of 8 eur. That wasn’t the annoying part, the fun began when I started to investigate where to pay it and how to find the place (not the easiest task).

And that brings us to…

Road Traffic Rules Enforcement

There are two occasions when you encounter a police officer – if you have an accident or if you are speeding. I had the pleasure on both occasions.

Police officers are actually very friendly and easy to deal with – make sure you carry your driving licence and insurance papers at all times.

They all speak very good English and are happy to help.

• there are speed cameras around the island, but most of them are actually not working. Some of these are installed also on big traffic junctions, but again – they do not work. Waste of resources and potential revenue from fines – why it’s this way is still a mystery to me.
• I’ve never seen police checking busy traffic junctions or someone being stopped for jumping red light – and this happens on a daily basis.
• on weekends they tend to do random checks and test for alcohol , especially in bigger cities ( Limassol ) or tourist destinations (Ayia Napa). I was stopped only once in Paphos, they asked me if I had a drink and after I said no they simply let me go.
• on the alcohol topic – the fact that police does random checks does not put local off and they still drink considerably before driving home. Be careful when driving in the evening hours in cities and keep a distance from cars that can’t keep in their lane.
• if you get stopped for speeding , the police officer will issue a ticket and you have to follow directions to make the payment – in person in their office (no online payment as far as I know). These are not to be ignored as you can end up in court.
• speeding fines – I don’t know how they actually calculate them, but for an illustration, I paid 40 eur for going 70 km/h in 50 km/h zone
• most police checks are usually on the highway A6, I see speed check regularly on the way between Paphos – Limassol and back
• local officers like to give tickets to cars parked on communal parking places (found in cities and villages). This is often hit and miss – as you arrive at the parking lot you will see that 80% of the cars haven’t paid the parking ticket and displayed it.

Renting a Car and Driving in Cyprus

For the first few months when I moved to Cyprus , we used rental car services. There is a selection of big international rental companies and small local ones. I have experience with one of the smaller local ones and have not had any issues – it’s this one .

The price varies by season – in winter months (November – March) it’s usually cheaper and you can get the car as low as 10 – 15 eur per day, during the season it’s much higher around 30 – 50 eur per day. Price also depends on the type/size of the car you want, your age and so on.

Most rental companies will happily drive the car to the airport and meet you there, so you can drive off straight to your hotel or accommodation. Alternatively, you can find small rental offices close to big hotels or they will be happy to recommend a place. The big rental companies have a presence at the airports so you can just walk into their office and rent a car on the spot if you arrive in usual business hours.

Few things to keep in mind:

• most companies ask for large deposits (300 – 500 eur ) – the one I recommended above doesn’t require deposits. Always check before as not all of them will let you pay with a card
• contracts are given in Greek & English language
• you need an international driving license to rent a car in Cyprus
• if you’re renting a quad bike or similar, they will ask to keep your driving license – this is not something to be alarmed about. If the police stop you, show them the papers from the company listing your driving license number
• make sure any applicable excess is clearly written in the contract
• if you are renting a car in Cyprus (south side), you are legally and by contract not allowed to drive to North Cyprus (even though most people ignore the warning). It can be an expensive mistake – your car insurance is not valid there, you have to purchase extra one at the border and in case of an accident, you have to pay to get the car moved back to South.
• before you drive off, a good practice is to take a photo or video of the condition of the car as you drive off and notice the amount of petrol in the car. It saves you possible arguments about any scratches on the car or the level of fuel you need to return it with
• if you require child or baby seats , most rental companies provide this free of charge or for a small fee, or you can bring your own to the plane – which I would recommend as the ones from rental companies are not always in good shape and you would never know if they’ve been previously damaged or not.
• for navigation – you can pay the rental company (I think they usually charge 10 eur per day or in that range) or simply download a free app called Navigator (or other alternatives) and use it without the need of internet connection. Download the map of Cyprus and you’re good to go. To get from city to city, town to town, the roads are well sign-posted and you will have no trouble getting where you need to be. The navigation is handy if you’re aiming to get to a specific hotel, restaurant or a place of interest.
• most rental offices will also give you a free map of Cyprus which is more than good for navigating between cities or locations

Close Encounters with Local Way of Life: Also known as Car Accidents

In my 6 years on the island, I had one accident on a roundabout and numerous close encounters with bumpers, side mirrors and face to face situations.

As you venture into the wildlife also known as local traffic, in case it comes to the worst, please keep this in mind:

• as rule number ONE – NEVER move the vehicle from where it is located at the time of the accident. I didn’t know this when I had my accident.
• call 112 to get the attention of the police, especially if there is any injury or bodily harm. In case there are no injuries and it’s just a small bump, the insurance guys usually advise to call the insurance company only as the local police won’t bother seeing you. In case of a rented car, obviously, call the car rental office to notify them immediately.
• make sure you carry your passport or ID with you at all times so you can be identified.
• take photos of the scene if you can and let the rest be handled by the insurance agents and police (where applicable)

As I said before, If you’re driving in a rental car clearly marked with red plates, drivers around you will be generally more considerate and keep their distance. The likelihood that something will go wrong on your holiday while you are on the road is very low.

Driving in Cyprus: Getting Fuel

Petrol stations are readily available around cities and villages. On the main highway, the petrol stops are clearly marked and often don’t offer a wide range of services like elsewhere in Europe, where you would have a resting place with a restaurant next to it.

The staff of the petrol station usually helps you to fuel up and they are always grateful for a little tip.

Last Few Practical Tips for Driving in Cyprus

• Cyprus is HOT in summer – as you guessed. Always carry few bottles of water with you. Sometimes the cars tend to overheat and you need to top up the water levels in the middle of nowhere.
• Keep safe on the highway – it’s not uncommon to encounter rubbish hanging out in the middle of the road (my personal experience – a child car seat sitting in the middle of the highway during a night drive)
• Keep away from old pickup trucks – my personal statistics show that those are the ones to avoid at all costs. They drive completely recklessly and will not follow traffic rules.
• Locals are super friendly if you’re in trouble with your car – I got helped a lot when I was traveling alone and my car left me by the side of the road.
• If you want to venture to the mountains in the winter, 4×4 car is recommended as the ice on roads tends to freeze and is not cleared quickly enough
• Driving off-road with a basic rental car is prohibited, despite that I see small rental cars in Akamas on a daily basis. If you want to venture a bit further, get an off road or 4×4 vehicle otherwise you risk damage to the car that you have to pay for

Enjoy the Ride!

• for planned road trip itineraries, there are a lot of ideas in the Lonely Planet book or their website
• for some of the best views, enjoy the ride on B6 from Limassol towards Paphos , passing Petra tou Romiou
• stunning views from Troodos Mountains pretty much from anywhere
• the distances are very short in Cyprus, you can get from Paphos to Nicosia in around 1 hr 45 mins, from Paphos to Limassol around 30 mins and Limassol to Ayia Napa is around 40 mins.

I hope this gives you a bit more realistic expectations ahead of your trip! Driving in Cyprus is something that you shouldn’t be scared off, but it’s worth being informed. As I said it’s very unlikely you will run into any troubles if you’re renting a car in Cyprus. I’ve had dozens of friends visiting us over the years and none of them had any issues with rented cars or with the traffic in general.

I’m planning to prepare a few road trip itineraries, so if there is any specific route you’re interested in, please leave a comment below.

Stay safe and enjoy the ride!

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3 thoughts on “Driving in Cyprus: The Complete Guide by a Local Expat”

Thanks for the above tips.. Incase i need to have a driver with his car to drive me around and show us the best places in cyprus. What would you recommend. I am travelling with my wife a small daughter.

I can recommend a friend’s husband from Paphos. He is a taxi driver with a lovely Mercedes car, you can book him for a whole day and agree on the route. He speaks good English too. Alternatively, you can ask in taxi service and they will be able to give you a price. Most of the taxi services have very good, new cars so it’s a comfortable ride. If you’re staying in a hotel they tend to have this service available or can negotiate a price for you. Hope this helps Lucia

Really helpful article, thank you ☺️

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Introducing Cyprus

• About Cyprus
• Images of Cyprus
• History, language & culture
• Weather & geography
• Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

• Travel to Cyprus
• Where to stay

While you’re there

• Things to see & do
• Shopping & nightlife
• Food & drink
• Getting around

Before you go

• Passport & visa
• Public Holidays
• Money & duty free

Book your flights

• Larnaca International Airport
• Paphos International Airport
• Ayia Napa beaches
• Limassol beaches
• Paphos beaches
• Protaras beaches

Cruise Locations

Getting around cyprus.

Exploring the island by car is the best way to get around. Cyprus’s road infrastructure is excellent. The result is a traffic jam-free motorway drive that takes you from Paphos in the east straight into Limassol (A6) and on to the centre of Nicosia (A1), plus a branch heading off to Larnaca, Agia Napa and Protaras. Driving in the Troodos Mountains is good, albeit with roads that zig-zag around ravines. Off-road driving should only be done with a suitable vehicle.

Drivers wishing to reach the north of Cyprus need to cross the border, known as the Green Line, at one of five designated checkpoints (there are a further two checkpoints in Nicosia for pedestrians only). The Green Line is controlled by UN forces. The five crossings are Limnitis at Kato Pygros, Astromeritis near Morphou, Agios Dometios in Nicosia, Pergamos at Pyla and Strovilia near Agios Nikolaos. In Nicosia pedestrians can cross on foot at the Ledra Palace checkpoint and Ledra Street in the centre of the city.

Side of the road

Road quality.

Motorways and main roads are of a high standard. Inner city and smaller town roads are generally good, but infrastructure upgrades have resulted in uneven surfaces. Roads in villages are often poor. All roads are toll free.

Road Classification

Motorways: A; main roads: B; minor roads: E and F

Cyprus has car hire companies with offices in airports and towns, including major names like Hertz and Europcar. Cars should be reserved well in advance during the summer season.

You should be sure to check your agreement if you are planning to take a hired car across the Green Line as not all hire companies in the south permit taking their vehicles to north Cyprus. Cars hired in the north of Cyprus also cannot be taken across the border to the South. Insurance purchased on one side of the border is not valid on the other side.

The minimum driving age is 18. For hiring a car drivers need to have held a valid licence for three years, meaning individuals under 21 are unlikely to be eligible.

There are three types of taxi services in south Cyprus: urban, trans-urban (interurban), which are shared and can be booked, and rural. Taxis are safe and relatively inexpensive. In north Cyprus, taxis are available in the main towns only.

The government regulates fares and all taxis have meters. Shared taxis operate every 30 minutes between major cities. Rural taxis can only be hired from the base station and do not have a meter.

Uber does not operate in south or north Cyprus.

Cyprus encourages cycling and bikes are available for hire from most hotels.

Private coach companies operate in all the main cities and offer day excursions.

Regulations

The maximum speed limit is 100kph (62mph) on highways, 80kph (50mph) on most other roads and 30-50kph (19-31mph) in built-up areas. There are strict repercussions for anyone not wearing a seat belt or crash helmet, using a mobile phone or being under the influence of alcohol whilst driving. Children under the age of five must not sit in the front passenger seat, and must be strapped into a child seat fitted to the rear. Children five to ten years old may sit in the front seat with a seatbelt.

Breakdown services

Car hire companies offer a comprehensive breakdown service as part of their agreement.

Documentation

An International Driving Permit or national driving licence is required for driving in Cyprus.

Urban travel

Buses are modern, reliable and inexpensive. Bus fares start at just €1.50 per ride during the day, with special rates per day, week, or month.

There are four types of service: urban buses that run around town, intercity buses that link major towns, rural buses to service the villages and a shuttle between the airports at Larnaca and Paphos.

In north Cyprus, buses run between Nicosia and the main towns. The website for Public Transport Service for Cyprus busses is http://motionbuscard.org.cy/ .

Taxis are more expensive. Fares are regulated by the government and all taxis have meters. A 15% surcharge is in operation from 2300-0600. Tipping is expected.

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5 Days in Cyprus: The Perfect Itinerary Step-By-Step

Sandy beaches, a rich centuries-old history, and European living with a touch of the Middle East? Buckle up, friends! You’re about to land in Cyprus!

No worries, we already did the homework for you and have the ultimate 5-day Cyprus itinerary waiting!

A modern cosmopolitan, tourist, and cultural center, Cyprus is a beloved travel destination brimming with life and vibrancy- all day, every day, all year long.

Easily a place that never sleeps, Cyprus is a fabulous go-to destination for an upcoming holiday, a weekend break, or a mini-vacation. Rich in culture and breathtaking landscape, Cyprus has for years captivated visitors from all over the globe.

Though a small island nation, Cyprus has countless attractions that leave you befuddled. Do you w ant to sample the lukewarm sea along hundreds of miles of sandy shorelines? We got you covered.

Below, we’ve made a selection of some of Cyprus’ most important landmarks and points of interest to traverse in just five days- enjoy your detailed Cyprus itinerary below. 

A Word on Cyprus

The climate.

Generally steeped in the sun, Cyprus is not the summer-peak destination to visit. The best times to visit the island is either during early spring or late summer.

A bus ticket costs €1.50. Renting a car costs from €6 a day and higher, depending on the provider and the car category.

Accommodation

Cyprus offers a versatile selection of accommodations that fit everyone’s budget- from Airbnbs to hotels, motels, resorts, hostels, and even camping grounds. So we could find affordable stays with no problem and everywhere.

When booking your accommodation, always have a look at the latest reviews on Booking . Some hotels have changed their policy during and after the pandemic. That made the review score less reliable. So make sure you read the latest ones.

Here are the most up-to-date deals in Cyprus:

While accommodation costs vary depending on the perks provided, a hotel for two people averages €75. A meal around town will cost you between 10-15 euros (drink included). A taxi ride from A to B will cost an average of 10 euros, whereas various bus tickets might cost 15 euros altogether, or more.   

So you have guessed it: the best plan is to rent a car and stay away from touristy restaurants 😉

Airports in Cyprus

Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport cover 90% of the trial traffic and fly from Cyprus. Depending on your flight, you will be landing in either of these, and you will find both great car rental opportunities. (Book it in advance online as it will be much cheaper)

Day 1: Larnaca & Limassol

Arriving in larnaca.

Arriving by plane in Cyprus, chances are higher that you will land on the Larnaca International Airport, the larger of the island’s two main airports. It’s 4 km southwest of Larnaca. And that is where our itinerary will start.

Larnaca, the island’s third-largest city after Nicosia and Limassol, is a major tourist center located on the southern coast of Cyprus in the Larnaca Bay and known for its bustling sandy beaches, warm water, palm-tree seafront, and many historic buildings.

A shuttle bus is available from the airport to take you downtown Larnaca, and the best thing about this seaside town is that you don’t need a whole day to explore it.

Exploring Larnaca

Take a stroll around its cobbled streets and explore the town’s unique centuries-old architecture packed in shades of white stone and the occasional pop of color, and lined with market and grocery stands where locals sell the freshest summer fruits, vegetables, spices, teas, and Cyprus’ ever-beloved homemade coffee .

A walk around town will take you to the ever-famous Church of Saint Lazarus , a massive building dating from the 9 th century. The impressive structure is a testimony of Larnaca’s rich history -and just a street down- the Turkish neighborhood awaits.

Also known as the Old Bazaar , this vintage neighborhood, also referred to as Skala, is palm-infused and vivacious and makes the perfect location for lunch-on-the-go.

Of course, while roaming the streets, you will find yourself in front of the Larnaca Castle , one of its most intriguing monuments surrounded by blossoming vegetation and wonderful floral gardens you can explore free of charge, whereas, on the other side of the castle, a massive azure beach awaits!

Take your time sunbathing or enjoy your morning coffee soaked in rich sunlight that often requires having sunglasses and a hat on.

Recommended tour time: 2-3 hours Recommended dining spots: Ocean Basket, Paradosiako Fish, Vinaria

Hello Limassol!

If you did not rent a car, hop onto a 47-minute bus drive from downtown Larnaca to Limassol, Cyprus’ key port city and biggest tourist center.

Visit Limassol Castle

Any intercity bus will take you straight to the heart of Limassol , where you can begin your journey by visiting the medieval nearby Limassol Castle , where the English King Richard I married Berengaria of Navarre in 1191 on his way to a crusade in the Holy Land – all at a ticket price of €3.4.

Limassol is renowned for its outstanding landscapes and attractions, and you don’t need to go big to see them all.

A Walk to Remember

Just walking around town will bring you closer to vivid coffee shops, local dining cafes, and restaurants, as well as wineries where a glass of homemade white and a side of cheese will warm your soul and keep you full.

Boasting 16 kilometers of sandy beaches, you are welcome to walk your way to Dassoudi Beach , the town’s central hotspot, and take a few hours to yourself to just, well, take a breather and soak in the sun.

Eat a Gyros at Dassoudi Beach

All other beaches around Limassol are distant and known for their bewildering nature, so they might not be swimmer-friendly while amazing to visit. However, at Dassoudi beach, you can grab a lunch or early dinner, mainly from its local food shops, where they serve the finest Gyros on the go!

And don’t get me started about that soul-capturing sunset flashing its rainbow of colors!

Recommended time: 3-4 hours Recommended dining spots: Pixida Fish Tavern, Hobo Mediterraneo, Terry’s Place

Day 2: Paphos & Aphrodite’s Temple

Good morning- ready for your next Cyprus adventure?

Getting to Paphos

Hop on an intercity bus (the same website as above – you should be an expert now 😉 ) in Limassol and, in just 40 minutes, you will find yourselves in the old city of Paphos- staring into the wide Mediterranean horizon.

Located west of Limassol, Paphos offers a mesmerizing and picturesque coastline, boasting views that never leave a dull moment.

Explore the Tombs of the Kings

North of the city, and a 20-minute walk from its center, you will arrive at the Tombs of the Kings necropolis. Here, you can explore this exquisite UNESCO World Heritage Site, exhibiting Greek and Roman architecture samples, such as the classical Doric columns.

Keep in mind, a full day at this archaeological site ticket will cost you around €8.5.

The Goddess of Beauty and Her Rock

If you find yourselves at the Paphos main harbor , however, you can board a local bus or, even better- rent a car- and in 20-minutes time, you will find yourself at Aphrodite’s Rock – the actual birthplace of the Greek Goddess herself.

Aphrodite’s Rock forbids climbing, but the scenery alone sure is breathtaking .

While a short drive away, you might want to save a few hours to explore the region in detail. (Here is a great viewpoint !)

The venerated goddess has left a deep imprint on the island, particularly on Paphos, where also stood a temple in her tribute and for centuries a place of worship and pilgrimage before the emergence of Christianity.  

So, you might opt for booking a whole tour (and ahead of time!) when visiting this deity temple for a more detailed introduction. 

Aphrodite’s Rock offers many activities to embark on- from skydiving to lounging venues and, for the lovers of all things nature, good old sunbathing. At the same time, the entrance to its main baths will cost you zero parking fees and no entrance whatsoever!  

Recommended time : 5-6 hours Recommended dining spots :  Aphrodite’s Rock Microbrewery, Efraim Tavern, Melania Restaurant, Paphos .

Day 3: Akamas Peninsula National Park

Ready for your next day? It’s going to be epic!

Presenting – the Akamas Peninsula National Park, boasting some of Cyprus’ most inviting beaches.

Visit the Blue Lagoon and Lara Beach

The distinctly rugged turf, rocky cliffs, and, of course, sunny beaches- are a must-see, especially if you are keen on exploring unique national parks.

The park is perfect for lovers of underwater adventures, with water so clear that you can see the seabed without any special equipment or even a pair of swimming goggles.

Meet with Mother Nature

The Akamas National Reserve Park teems dense vegetation, stony cliffs, and diverse flora and fauna, making it a versatile place for a whole-day tour. That also includes 168 species of birds, 20 different reptiles, 16 species of butterfly, and 12 different varieties of mammals.

To explore this unique beauty more broadly, we recommend you book a tour and early access.

The site is majestic and broad, welcoming all eager explorers to spend the entire day at the beach by unsalted water bodies: secret rocky paths and its 230-square-kilometer maze of impressive forests, wildlife, and steep gorges.

Note that dining at the National Park venues is not available while dining at Lara beach is quite pricey (water bottles included!), so you might want to save a few bucks and fix yourself a picnic menu for the day.

Recommended time: 5-7 hours Recommended dining spots: Oz Cafe&Bar, Yeni Hayat Restaurant, Blue Lagoon Restaurant Day ticket: 5 euros

Day 4: Kyrenia (Northern Cyprus)

If you love northern scenery and a blend of beaches plus mountains- you’ll definitely fall head over heels with Kyrenia!

Cyprus’ northernmost hotspot, Kyrenia, might be the smallest of the island’s districts, but it is still one of the most attractive ones.

It is an hour or so away from Larnaca and Limassol, while from Paphos, it might take you up to 2 hours to arrive via intercity bus or rent-a-car.

Enjoy the Northern Coast

The district covers a large portion of Cyprus’ northern coast and offers a fantastic sea outlook.

For a day of lounging and chilling, you are always welcome to uncover Kyrenia’s most precious beaches, such as Alagadi Turtle Beach, or party it up at the Escape Beach Club.

Kyrenia Mountains

The Kyrenia Mountains invite you to have a blast!

Stretching for about 160km along the coast, the mountain slopes promise a memorable view and some historical sights to visit as well.

A clearly designated path will easily take you to the Kantara Castle, the Buffavento Castle , and the St. Hilarion Castle – all within a few kilometers of each other. Put your best forward and explore these sites on foot to properly take in the ravishing landscape, vibrant vegetation, and historical relevance of the area.

If arriving by car, you can always leave your vehicle at the Kyrenia harbor or book a parking spot online in advance.

Recommended time: 5-6 hours Recommended dining spots: Kyrenia Tavern, Eziç Peanuts, Azure Cyprus

Day 5: Nicosia & Ayia Napa

Last but not least, you should make a round tour of the nation’s capital, Nicosia.

In Nicosia, we had a very cozy stay at Lordos Hotel Apartments . It is in a calm neighborhood, and the staff was so helpful.

Lodged between the Kyrenia Mountains to its north and the Troodos mountain range to the south, in Nicosia, you can find it all: Cape Greko , Stone Arch, Konnos Beac h , Fig Tree Bay, and the ‘it’ party zone of Europe- Ayia Napa and its Nissi Beach !

Popular for its remarkable beaches, its wind-down lifestyle, and the beat of music echoing around town, Nicosia makes a fit destination for all travelers out there!

Roam in Nicosia Streets

In the morning, visit Nicosia’s Ledras Street to wake up properly over a rich cup of Cyprus-original coffee.

As the town is governed by two different rulers, it might be interesting to see both sides at once- the southern part, ruled by Greece, and the northern part, ruled by the Turks. Interestingly, just a walk around the neighborhood will bring you closer to the city’s very own street border- the actual place that parts the two governments.

Nonetheless, a city of contrasts treats you with a walk down Buyuk Han , an oriental market located on the Turkish side of town. Here, you will find countless antique shops, local dining spots, and souvenir stands, where all gifts and products are fairly priced and super-original.

Head to Ayia Napa

As far as Ayia Napa is concerned, it is a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Nicosia and easily reachable with an intercity bus or a car. Once you arrive in Ayia Napa , don’t be surprised to find the town empty midday- after all, here, true life begins after 8 pm and lasts until 11 in the morning.

In the meantime, everyone’s at the beach or asleep!   

In Ayia Napa, we stayed at the Anonymous Beach Hotel . It was really calm and offered a generous breakfast. We also thought about Papouis Protaras Hotel as an alternative which also looked quite interesting.

Recommended time: 3-5 hours in Ayia Napa, 2-3 hours in Nicosia Recommended dining spots: Louis Tavern & Restaurant. Sushitime Nicosia, Roof Burger Bar

Bonus Cyprus Itinerary Hotspots

Keep in mind, five days should be just enough to cover the island from top to bottom.

But, if it seems like too much for such a short time, some of the places can always be included as a bonus in your itinerary.

Stavrovouni Monastery

Perched on a 2,260-foot (689-metre) peak on the Stavrovouni hill overlooking a wide valley in the Larnaca district is the eponymous Stavrovouni Monastery. You can arrive at the monastery by car from Larnaca. It is about a 35-minute drive from the city to the monastery itself. When visiting, know that taking pictures or recording inside the monastery is prohibited while a free parking lot is available in its surroundings.

Credits: The Island of Cyprus

the Avakas Gorge

Between Lara Beach and Coral Bay is another popular attraction for those adventurous souls: the Avakas Gorge. Located just about 16km west of Paphos. While you can travel by car, it might be preferable to take a 4×4 terrain vehicle to properly penetrate the region.

Of course, a bit of hiking is inevitable and desirable, and you can find the main car parks down by the sea and begin your on-foot journey from there. Be advised, as you might not be able to visit the gorge in winter due to the increased level of the river.

Final Thoughts about Cyprus Itinerary

As a place in continuous flux, Cyprus has been adapting well to modern times while at the same time cultivating its deep historical roots.

Yet despite its numerous treasures, for some reason, it remains a blindspot on many travel maps.

Read now: Best Waterfalls in Cyprus

It has usually passed as just “another” of the thousands of islands in the expansive Mediterranean when, in fact, it is one in a million.

Here’s hoping we can change that.

Let’s get planning- exquisite Cyprus awaits!

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Achraf is the cofounder of Walk Beside Me Blog. He is an expert traveler who spent 10+ years exploring 70+ countries around the world. Thanks to his passion for writing and photography, he could document his journey on 100+ blog posts on Walk Beside Me where he shared all his knowledge, expertise, and advice for like-minded travelers.

10 Insane Waterfalls in Cyprus (+ How to Reach Them)

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Provide amount for 5 day tour for Cyprus from India , Mumbai

Hey Bashir! I would say plan about 50-70$ per person per day in Cyprus. That will cover food and accommodation (this also depends on your traveler profile 😉 )

Hello, nice blog on Cyprus.May I ask is it possible to take the public bus going around Cyprus.We are booked in Ayia Napa for 7 days.

Hey Alvin, thanks! You can check the local bus timetable here: https://www.cyprusbybus.com/routes.aspx?sid=7 However, I would recommend renting a car to be more flexible.

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Transport in Cyprus: how to get around the island and how much it costs

Public transport is quite well developed in Cyprus: it is easy to get to any corner of the island. There are no railways, but buses run regularly.

As a rule, residents of Cyprus travel by their cars, so tourists mainly use public transport.

But many tourists prefer to rent a car: this is a popular service in Cyprus.

The number of transport and the schedule in summer and winter may differ: in summer there are more tourists, buses run more often.

Buses between cities stop running quite early. It should be borne in mind that intercity transport does not run until late in the evening: the last flight can be at 6-7 pm. If you are planning a trip for the day, you need to plan your return flight so that there is time to leave.

Buses run from 05:00 to 23:25 every half an hour, sometimes once an hour. Cost of the trip for an adult:

• 5 euros during the day (0.75 euros for students)
• 5 euros at night (1.25 euros for students). Night rate in Cyprus is valid after 21:00

Travel for children under 6 years old is free, and up to 7 years old - a 50% discount.

You can pay the fare in cash from the driver.

Check the current schedule: it may change, especially on weekends. During peak season transport is full. In winter and autumn - half empty.

Transfer in Cyprus

Cyprus has two international airports: Paphos and Larnaca . How to get from them to cities?

• Bus . The cheapest option. Its cost is 1.5-2 euros depending on the time of day. There are 6 routes to the city center that can be caught from 6:00 to 22:45. The road to the city will take about 30 minutes. The most convenient - bus number 417, 429, 425. The stop is located immediately on the left, near the exit.
• Transfer from the airport . It should be ordered online in advance. And then the driver with a name plate will meet you near the exit from the airport. The service is paid for at the time of booking.
• Taxi . Near the exit from the departure area there is a car park where you can easily find a taxi. The night rate is 15% higher than the day rate. Its duration is from 20:30 to 6:00. There are private and public taxis in Cyprus. You can only bargain with private traders. The average cost from Larnaca airport to the city is 20 euros, to Limassol - 60-70 euros.
• Car rental . You can rent a car directly at Larnaca airport. The cost is from 15 euros per day.
• Intercity buses . From the airport you can easily get to other resorts, such as Limassol or Larnaca. Limassol bus leaves from Paphos airport express. The fare is 9 euros. On the way, about 45 minutes to Larnaca airport.

• Bus . It is easy to get from the airport by public transport. The fare is 1.5 euros one way. Until 4:00 in the morning there is a night rate: travel from the airport to the city - 2.5 euros. The ticket can be bought from the driver. There are three main routes from the airport to Paphos: No. 612, 613 and 643. The journey takes about 30 minutes. But the schedule depends on the time of year. There is more traffic from April to December than from December to March. Route number 613 reaches the bus station Karavella Bus Stop, which is located in the center of Paphos. No. 643 goes to Polis to the resort town.
• Taxi . The cost of a trip to the center of Paphos from the airport is about 30 euros. Taxi is located right at the exit of the terminal.
• Transfer . The best option if you have a night arrival or a large company. It is convenient to book an airport transfer online. The reservation comes to the post office, the driver meets at the airport with a sign.
• Car rental . On average, from 15 euros per day. It is better to book the service in advance.

Cyprus buses and their varieties

The bus is the main form of public transport in Cyprus. Each city of the island has a fairly large network of bus routes. They run exclusively on schedule and help build your route around the island. Buses run every 15 minutes during the day and about half an hour in the evening. On less popular routes, transport is less common.

• Tickets can be purchased from the driver upon boarding or at the station ticket office.
• You can enter through the front door and exit through any door.
• Buses in Cyprus are comfortable, with comfortable seats and air conditioning.
• They stop exclusively at bus stops. However, there are also stops on demand. Press the button on the handrail if you are about to exit. Otherwise, in unpopular places, the driver can simply drive through the stop.
• Stops are not announced, but you can ask the driver to tell you where to drop off. Also, tips are sometimes visible on the electronic scoreboard in buses.
• Stops in the cities of Cyprus are indicated by a canopy, sometimes there is air conditioning.
• Night buses are found only in large cities, for example, in Larnaca, Nicosia, Paphos, Limassol. They run on schedule approximately every half an hour. And in the summer, daytime routes finish work closer to midnight.
• Intercity buses can finish work at 6-7 pm.
• Sometimes buses in Cyprus can fail and not come.

Fare in city buses in Cyprus

The ticket price depends on the number of trips and time of day. Tickets are day, night, one-time, weekly, monthly.

• The cost of a single daily pass is 1.5 euros. A single day ticket is valid for one flight and only within the city or suburbs from 4 am to 9 pm.
• A single night ticket is valid for one flight within the city and suburbs from 21:00 pm to 04:00 am. If you are traveling after 21:00, the fare is 2.5 euros.
• Day pass - 5 euros. The day ticket is valid throughout the day until 21:00.
• The weekly ticket is valid for a week from 4:00 am to 9:00 pm. A week pass costs 20 euros.
• Monthly pass - 40 euros. Valid for a month when traveling within the city or suburbs.

Discounts are provided for students: tickets are sold for 50% of the cost, but there must be a student ID.

Children under 6 years of age or students with a student ID are allowed into the salon free of charge.

By the way, these tariffs are valid not only in the city, but also in the suburbs.

The cost of intercity buses in Cyprus

Different types of intercity buses run between the cities of Cyprus. They do not depart as often as city ones. The current schedule should be checked on the websites of the carriers themselves or at bus stations.

Each region of Cyprus is served by separate companies. Many of them have purchased new buses. As a rule, the name of the company is written on the bus on the windshield or on the body. One of the best - Intercity buses: usually big green buses. The schedule can be checked at intercity-buses.com . They offer to purchase both a travel card for a long period, and for a week or a one-time trip.

Approximate cost:

• Larnaca - Paphos - 7 euros
• Larnaca - Famagusta - 4 euros
• Larnaca - Limassol - 4 euros
• Nicosia - Larnaca - 4 euros
• Nicosia - Limassol - 5 euros
• Nicosia - Famagusta - 5 euros
• Nicosia - Paphos - 7 euros
• Limassol - Paphos - 4 euros
• Limassol - Famagusta - 5 euros
• Paphos - Paralimni - 7 euros

When you travel on an international flight, it is more profitable to immediately buy tickets in 2 directions. Basically, it's like a day pass. An example of savings with 2-way tickets:

• The trip from Limassol to Nicosia will take about 2 hours. The fare is 5 euros one way and 9 euros two ways.
• From Larnaca to Nicosia, the trip takes 75 minutes. The fare is 4 euros and 7 in two directions.
• Nicosia - Paphos: ticket price 7 euros and 13 euros for a 2-way ticket. On the road two hours.
• Larnaca - Limassol: 4 euros and 7 euros in two directions. The journey takes about 90 minutes.
• Larnaca - Ayia Napa - Paralimni: fare - 4 euros or 7 euros for a trip in 2 directions.
• Paralimni - Ayia Napa - Larnaca - Paphos. The cost is 17 euros, the journey takes 3 hours.
• Limassol - Paphos. The fare is 4 and 7 euros respectively.

Naturally, if we are not planning a return trip, it is more profitable to take a one-day pass. If we are going to come back, take two at once.

Rural buses

Village buses are a different story. They are cheaper and run between small villages that connect them to the nearest cities. You can travel not only between the main cities, but also see the surroundings. For example, if you are traveling from Larnaca to Ayia Napa, you can leave by intercity bus Intercity. But there is also a rural bus option that takes longer but costs less. These buses are not as comfortable, but still quite convenient for tourists. Village flights are few.

Taxi cost: day and night rate

City taxi operates around the clock. All taxis in Cyprus are equipped with meters. But sometimes taxi drivers can offer a flat fee.

There are three tariffs: day, night and holiday.

• The daily rate is valid from 6:00 am to 20:30 pm. The cost of a kilometer is 0.73 euros, landing is 3.42 euros, waiting is 13.66 euros per hour. Payment for baggage weighing more than 12 kg - 1.2 euros.
• Night rate : valid from 20:30 to 6:00. Landing - 4.36 euros, 1 km - 0.85 euros, waiting - about 16 euros per hour, surcharge for luggage weighing more than 12 kg - 1.2 euros.
• Surcharge for holidays - about 2 euros.

For example, the cost of a trip to Limassol is about 20 euros. Sometimes calling a taxi is even more profitable than renting a car. But this does not apply to long trips. If you want to travel from Limassol to the village of Lefkara, famous for its lace, and the duration of the trip in two directions will be 4 hours. Its cost is about 100 euros.

You can catch a taxi on the street or call by phone. Apps like Uber also work.

Before boarding that taxis turn on the meter or agree on a fixed fare before the trip starts.

Most often taxis in Cyprus are Mercedes with air conditioning. Especially a lot of Mercedes in Ayia Napa.

Surcharge is charged for demurrage, excess baggage (bags weighing more than 12 kg), you can transport pets in cages.

Fixed-route taxi "dolmushi"

Fixed-route taxi is a separate type of public transport in Cyprus. They are also called dolmushi. The car can accommodate 4-8 passengers and runs between cities every half an hour.

• The fare is from 10 to 20 euros, depending on the carrier and the time of day. The fare is higher than the bus, but you will pay less than a taxi.
• Payment is made in the car.
• You can find the schedule at bus stations or at bus stops.
• Seats can be booked by phone, passengers are picked up and dropped off within the city on demand.
• They run every half an hour from Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 18:00, and on Saturday - until 17:00.
• On public holidays, this type of taxi does not operate.

One way cost example:

• Limassol - Larnaca airport - about 14 euros
• Limassol - Paphos - about 11 euros
• Larnaca - Ayia Napa - about 10 euros
• A trip around the city - 10-12 euros.

It differs in that it does not have counters. For a fixed fee, a taxi rides between small towns and nearby villages. Taxi is located at special stands in the villages, which are the final drop-off point for passengers. The cost of such a taxi is approximately 15% lower than the city taxi.

Trains in Cyprus

Alas, now there are no trains outside of Cyprus. By the way, there really was a railway in Cyprus: it was built by the British. Its length was more than 120 km. The railway transport functioned in Cyprus from the beginning of the last century until the 50s, connecting 39 stations. The railway connected the port city of Varosha with the capital of the island, Nicosia. The terminus went to the Troodos mountains.

How to get directions in Cyprus

City buses allow you to make a kind of city tour and see the most interesting. For example, you can take a ride to the best places in Limassol on bus number 30, which runs through the very heart of the city. In Paphos, a good option for exploring the city is bus number 631. It goes from the Harbor to the Stone of Aphrodite and makes stops near the main attractions of the ancient capital of the island.

• Look at the sites intercity-buses.com , publictransport.com.cy and get acquainted with the routes of the main cities, such as Limassol, Paphos, Nicosia, Larnaca, Famagusta, Ayia Napa.
• Plan a route from one point to another by bus, taking into account the current schedule. If you plan to return on the same day, check the return schedule.
• When you enter the point of departure on the site, you will be shown the travel time, transfers, as well as route maps. For example, we are laying a route from Larnaca airport to Ayia Napa: the trip can take one and a half to two hours, depending on the transport, and we will need to make 2-3 transfers. You can also see the points where you need to make a transfer, find out how many stops await us along the way.

Car rental in Cyprus

Of course, it is difficult to travel around all the beauties of Cyprus by bus. But by car you can look into the most amazing corners of the island. For example, go to Golden Beach Beach, get to the Akamas gorge, Polis, look deep into the island, climbing the mountains.

Car rental in Cyprus is very popular. You can rent a car from 15 euros per day. But there is also a fly in the ointment: left-hand traffic, which Cyprus inherited from the British, who previously colonized the island. This is somewhat inconvenient for those who are used to the right-handed order.

What you need to know when renting a car in Cyprus

• Before the trip, you can compare car rental sites and choose the best option by booking a car.
• What are the conditions for car rental in Cyprus? They can take an advance payment of 15%, although the amount of the advance payment depends on the distributor. But there are times when cars are rented without a deposit. They can accept cards and cash. Franchise conditions can be with a minimum deposit of 50 euros or up to several hundred euros.
• You can rent a car immediately upon arrival. It will be delivered free of charge to the airport of Larnaca or Paphos.
• There are services with free cancellation and a full refund of the prepayment if the cancellation is made a day before receiving the car. Be careful, specify the amount of the deposit: a fairly significant amount can be frozen on the card. For a week of rent, 900 euros can be frozen as a guarantee on the site. It is worth considering when planning the budget of the trip. In this case, you can buy additional insurance for 5 euros per day to reduce the deposit several times.
• Book a car in advance during the season. The island is small, and there are many guests who wish to rent a car.
• Not everyone is ready to accept a cash deposit, so check your card before you travel.
• Traffic is left-handed as in England or Southeast Asia. Think about whether you can cope with left-hand traffic, or is it still better to take a car for a day with a driver and view the beauty of the island.
• All rented cars have red license plates. So the tourist can be seen from afar, so the locals are sympathetic to the peculiarities of foreign driving.
• You cannot drive a car rented in the Republic of Cyprus into the territory of Northern Cyprus. Insurance issued in the Republic of Cyprus does not cover troubles that came in the Northern part of Cyprus. But the problem is solvable: it is enough to buy insurance at the border. Its cost is only 20 euros for 3 days.
• Your car insurance will expire when you drive onto a dirt road.
• For mountainous areas, choose a car with a 16 liter engine or an SUV. A more modest car just might not be able to handle the climb.

What do you need to rent a car in Cyprus?

• To rent a car in Cyprus, you will need a driver's license, in which the data is indicated in Latin letters. By the way, it is not necessary to have international rights in Cyprus. And also take a passport to the car rental office.
• The age of the driver must be over 25 years old, although some car rental companies rent cars to drivers over 21 years old.
• Driving experience must be at least 3 years.

You need to carefully inspect the car and record all damage and scratches so that they are not later deducted from your deposit.

Before signing the contract, check whether everything works in the car: air conditioning, turn signals, headlights, electronics. All damage should be photographed. The car is rarely brought with a full tank: more often, only a quarter of a liter is poured.

Car rental cost

• The cost of car rental in Cyprus starts from 15 euros for a car with a manual transmission.
• Mechanics with air conditioning - 15 euros per day.
• Small car on the machine - from 25 euros per day.
• Middle class - from 35 euros per day.
• SUV - from 60 euros per day.
• Convertible - 90 euros per day.

The longer the rental period, the cheaper the car will cost per day. For example, a weekly rental costs 55 euros, and for three days - 70 euros.

• Book a car with collection and delivery at the airport. This will save you extra money on taxis.
• To save money, you should book a car in advance. In place in the season of the same machine may not be.
• Gasoline in Cyprus is quite expensive. Ideally, choose a small car if you are not going to conquer the mountains. Gas stations are mostly self-service, the machine does not give change.

Transport in Cyprus is so well developed that if you wish, you can easily travel around the entire island in a couple of weeks, seeing all the beauty.

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More than 50M Americans are traveling this weekend: The best, worst times to drive

If you’re planning to take a trip for the Fourth of July weekend, get ready for busy airports and roads. 

AAA projects 50.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or farther from home over the holiday weekend, marking a record high for the holiday, the membership organization said Monday. The previous record was 49 million travelers in 2019.

Domestic travel will rise by 2.1 million people compared with 2022 numbers, according to AAA.

“We’ve never projected travel numbers this high for Independence Day weekend,” AAA Senior Vice President of Travel Paula Twidale said in a news release . “What this tells us is that despite inventory being limited and some prices 50% higher, consumers are not cutting back on travel this summer. Many of them heeded our advice and booked early, another sign of strong travel demand.”

AAA’s forecast defines the holiday travel period as June 30 to July 4.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

What can travelers expect during July 4 weekend?

Fourth of July weekend is expected to see record numbers of road trippers and air travelers alike. AAA projects that 43.2 million people will drive, up more than 2% from 2022, when gas prices were higher. That number is also 4% higher than 2019.

The organization expects 4.17 million travelers to fly, up more than 11% from 2022 and higher than the previous record of 3.91 million in 2019. “The share of air travelers in the overall holiday forecast this year is an impressive 8.2% – the highest percentage in nearly 20 years,” AAA said in the release.

Some will take other kinds of trips. A predicted 3.36 million people will travel by bus, train or cruise during the holiday weekend, AAA said. That number is 24% higher than in 2022.

What are the best times to drive on July 4 weekend?

INRIX, which works with AAA on holiday travel projections, said roads are likely to be busiest on Friday, with average travel times almost 30% higher than usual. The transportation data and insights provider predicts drivers in major metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., Boston and Seattle will face the worst traffic.

“With record-breaking travelers expected on the road this holiday weekend, drivers should prepare for above-average delays to their favorite destinations,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in the release.

Sunday and Monday are expected to see minimal traffic, however.

➤ These are the best times to drive on the other days: 

• Thursday, June 29: Before noon.
• Friday, June 30: Before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Saturday, July 1: Before noon.
• Tuesday, July 4: Before 11 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 5: Before 2 p.m.

➤ These are the worst times to drive:

• Thursday, June 29: Between 4 and 6 p.m.
• Friday, June 30: Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Saturday, July 1: 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 4: Between noon and 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 5: Between 3 and 6 p.m.

“Using traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services are key to minimizing holiday travel traffic frustrations this Independence Day,” Pishue said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

'Out in the World' guidebook helps members of LGBTQ+ community travel

PHILADELPHIA -- As we celebrate Pride month, there is a new book helping people in the LGBTQ+ community travel.

It's called Out in the World by authors Amy B. Scher and Mark Jason Williams.

They say the queer community is often left out of main travel guidebooks, so they wanted to create something inclusive.

The book features over 100 destinations that include queer-owned and welcoming businesses, as well as memorable activities.

Locally, the book features Philadelphia, New Hope, and Cape May, among many others.

You can pick up Out in the World everywhere books are sold.

It's published by Disney Press and National Geographic, which are owned by 6abc's parent company.

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37 Best Car Accessories on Amazon That Are (Almost) All Under $50

Spruce up your car's interior with the most popular gadgets that have thousands of five-star reviews.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

When curating this list, we considered car products experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute have evaluated over the years as well as read through satisfied (and unsatisfied) customer reviews to find the best accessories worth adding to your car. You’ll find helpful all-weather necessities like a set of floor mats , to niche products you didn’t realize you needed. We left out a few trendy gadgets that may pose safety concerns when operating a vehicle; we recommend referencing the original equipment manufacturer's manual before purchasing a car accessory to ensure it's safe to use when operating your vehicle.

If you've gone through our round-up of the best Amazon car accessories and are looking for more top-rated picks, check out our guides to the best windshield wiper blades , best car paint sprayers and car cleaning kits .

Loncaster Car Phone Holder

Priced under $15 and available in six colors, reviewers say this best-selling car phone holder makes it easy to insert and remove your smartphone. It stays attached to your dashboard via a silicone pad on the bottom, and users appreciate that it offers a strong hold without leaving any sticky residue .

Limitless Innovations JumpSmart 10-in-1 Portable Car Jump Starter

If you ever find yourself with a dead car battery, you'll be grateful to have this handy jump starter in your trunk. According to Good Housekeeping's auto expert Rachel Rothman , this tool is a game-changer. “It’s so portable, compact and easy to use. If you’re ever in the position where your car battery has died, like in the cold winter months, this is a lifesaver.” In addition to being able to jump-start your car, it provides four modes of light and can power up your phone or other devices.

Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler (Set of 2)

Dropping items in the cracks of your car seats is a total headache. To prevent things from ending up in Car Narnia, try these neoprene fillers designed to stop items from falling into seat gaps. Based on our testing, we can confirm these seat gap fillers fit around most seatbelt catches, and the squishy, stretchy material works in most cars. We've tested it in over two dozen vehicles and have yet to have a problem.

Drive Auto Products Trunk Organizer

Whether your car is full of beach gear during the summer, ski accessories during colder months or camping gear for an upcoming trip, the trunk can get disorganized real quick. This collapsible organizer can be adjusted to fit small and large cars with large open sections and four side mesh pockets. We appreciate the sturdy tie-down straps that will help keep the organizer in place. One five-star review writes, "Works great and looks great. I can’t imagine not having this in my trunk now."

HOTOR Car Trash Can With Lid

Keep your car garbage-free with this $10 trash can featuring a built-in lid and side storage pockets. Hang the #1 Best-Seller from the back of your front passenger seat headrest for easy access — just don't forget to dump it once it gets full!

Car Chap Lip Balm Holder

Keeping a spare lip balm or chapstick in the car is essential, as is having a nifty place to store it so it's always within reach. An Amazon #1 Best-Seller with a 4.3-star rating, this mini holder sticks onto your dashboard and is 3/4" wide. (Keep this dimension in mind when adding to your cart as you want to make sure your balm will fit. One five-star reviewer says, "I looked all over for a solution for my chapstick... I hate having it loose, rolling around, having to dig for it when I'm driving, etc. This was such a perfect solution!"

LIFELINE AAA Premium Road Kit

All sorts of accidents can happen, so it's best to be prepared. This AAA-approved emergency car kit comes with 42 unique items for all sorts of unfortunate situations. It includes jumper cables, first aid supplies, a flashlight and other disaster preparedness essentials to keep you safe on the road.

ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner

It's time to finally get rid of those snack crumbs your kids have left all over your back seat. This popular car vacuum cleaner features an extension tube for getting into cracks and crevices, a brush cleaner for carpets and a flathead attachment for other hard-to-reach areas . It plugs right into your 12V outlet and its 16-foot cord makes cleaning rear areas easier. Once you're finished, pack up your tools into the handy travel bag.

Motor Trend Floor Mats

Per a Reddit thread discussing car accessories you need , a top contender was all-weather floor mats to more easily collect mud, slush and other dirt or debris so your interior stays clean. We like this Amazon's Choice set available in six different colors. It's designed to withstand wear and tear and has rubber nibs on the bottom to help keep the mats in place. You can also trim the frontseat and backseat mats to fit your car.

Super-Cute Emergency Automotive Escape Tool

While having a clean and organized car is important, so is road safety. This emergency tool features a glass-breaking hammer and a blade for cutting your seatbelt off in dangerous situations. It comes in pink or black and includes an adjustable car visor strap for easy access.

TICARVE Cleaning Gel for Car Detailing

Get the gunk out of tight spaces with this car detailing tool. This cleaning gel can be used on air vents and other car interior spaces that collect dust and can be difficult to clean. Reuse until the putty gets dark and then it's time for a new one — priced under $7 this cleaning tool won't break the bank.

Enovoe Car Window Shade (4 Pack)

Whether you want to write an email on your laptop or read a book from the passenger's seat, it can be frustrating when the sun is shining directly on you. This car window shade not only helps protect you from the sun and keep the car temperature down, but it fits most larger car windows (SUVs, minivans and full-size cars). We found it super easy to install — just stick it on the window, run your hand over it and you're ready to go.

LAICOMEIN Bluetooth Aux Receiver

Plug this little gadget into your car's audio input port to transform your older vehicle into one that's Bluetooth-equipped . Once installed, you can ditch all cables and connect your smartphone wirelessly to enjoy hands-free calls and audio streaming. No more fiddling on your phone so you can pay attention to the road.

Snow Joe 4-In-1 Snow Broom

When there has been a snowstorm, cleaning off your car is paramount to your safety and the safety of others on the road. You'll want this snow scraper to do the job. Equipped with a non-abrasive foam head as well as a built-in ice scraper on the other end, you'll be able to tackle both soft and hard snow or ice. We like that you can expand and contract the handle so you can reach the top of a tall vehicle and then store it in your trunk.

Cacturism Car Registration and Insurance Holder

The glove compartment is a common storage place for important vehicle documents — but when reaching for them in a hurry, it always feels like they're nowhere to be found. This holder is basically a wallet for your registration, insurance and other important car documents, keeping them all in one organized spot .

ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion

If your back or bum tends to feel achy after long commutes or road trips, this gel seat cushion will feel like a cloud . Made from memory foam with a non-slip bottom, it provides comfort for hours. We like that you can throw the cover in the wash when it gets dirty and that it features a handle so you can transport it with you from the car to your desk chair should you desire.

AVID POWER Cordless Tire Inflator Air Compressor

If you've been on the road for a while now, then you have probably had a flat tire once or twice. That's where a portable tire inflator comes in handy to help get you out of a sticky situation. This affordable pick has a comfortable handle and multiple features including a digital pressure gauge, USB port for charging other electronics and a built-in light so you can inflate your flat tire at night if needed. We also appreciate that you can power it via the included 20-volt battery or plug it into your car's outlet.

WixGear Magnetic Phone Holder for Car

Nothing feels easier than hopping into your car and sticking your phone onto a phone holder that magically keeps everything in place. We like this pick for its strong magnetic hold that keeps your phone attached even on bumpy roads . All you have to do is pop the phone holder into your car's air vent and stick a metal plate between your smartphone and your phone case. You can even rotate your smartphone as you drive for the best viewing angle!

EcoNour Car Windshield Sun Shade

There's no denying that your car can really heat up in the summer months. Make sure to pull out this lightweight sunshade to not only protect any valuables inside but also to help keep your car's temperature from skyrocketing . Once you're done fold it up and throw it in the backseat until next time.

WOLFBOX Mirror Backup Camera

If your car doesn't have a built-in backup camera, it's easy to add one. We named this Amazon's Choice camera our best overall pick in our most recent guide to the best backup cameras . It's loaded with features including a 12-inch display and a high-definition camera that can record and take pictures. Attaching it to your rearview mirror is pretty straightforward but you will have to run a cable through your car.

Raena Loper (she/her) is a fashion journalist and product analyst based in New Jersey whose work has appeared in Forbes, Good Housekeeping and O, The Oprah Magazine. Raena is a graduate from Montclair State University where she earned a degree in fashion studies as well as gender, sexuality and women's studies. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, cooking BBQ and spending time with family. 

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Finds on Amazon From the GH 500+ Club

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Understanding the Costco Car Rental Program and How It Can Save Money

A re you a Costco member who loves to travel? Did you know Costco offers an exclusive service for members that can save money on car rentals? This program can be accessed through Costco Travel’s services and collaborates with well-known car rental agencies to offer an extensive fleet of rental vehicles at discounted rates.

Understanding the Costco car rental program is vital for members planning on utilizing its services. It ensures transparency, prevents unexpected costs, and allows informed decisions on vehicles and exclusive member prices.  Though plenty of rental service options are available, Costco members are encouraged to take advantage of the many exclusive perks and discounts included with their membership. Not convinced yet? 

Let’s discuss, in detail, the advantages of choosing Costco’s car rental program for your future travel endeavors. Whether your travels include a week-long stay at a luxury hotel or an upcoming family road trip, knowing you have the best package on your car rental will give you peace of mind.

The Many Benefits of Costco Travel 

Costco Travel offers a myriad of benefits that make it a go-to choice for members looking for convenient and affordable travel options. One of the primary draws is the substantial cost savings and exclusive discounts available to Costco members. Through strategic partnerships with major car rental companies, Costco Travel ensures its members enjoy preferential rates, translating into significant savings on their travel expenses.

Moreover, the program boasts a diverse selection of available vehicles, catering to a wide range of preferences and travel needs. Whether members are searching for compact cars for city exploration, spacious SUVs for family adventures, or luxurious options for special occasions, Costco Travel provides vehicle options to suit every occasion.

In addition to cost-effectiveness and vehicle diversity, Costco Travel enhances the travel experience with additional perks and features. Members often benefit from complimentary extras like free additional drivers, unlimited mileage, and special promotions. These benefits add value to the rental and create a more enjoyable and stress-free travel experience.

Participating Car Rental Companies 

Costco Travel collaborates with major car rental companies, forming a robust network that provides Costco members with diverse choices and unique features for their rental needs. The program’s impressive roster of car rental partners includes well-known names in the industry, such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Alamo. 

This extensive partnership ensures members have access to a broad spectrum of rental options, from economy cars to premium vehicles, enabling them to tailor their choices based on their preferences and travel requirements.

Each car rental partner within the Costco Travel program brings its own set of unique features and advantages. For instance, Avis and Budget are renowned for their widespread global presence and premium vehicle options, while Enterprise is recognized for its exceptional customer service and extensive network of conveniently located branches. 

Costco car rentals are available in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii , as well as several foreign countries.

How to Access Costco Travel’s Rental Car Program

Accessing Costco’s car rental program is a straightforward process that begins with meeting membership requirements. To unlock the program’s exclusive benefits and discounts, individuals must first be Costco members. 

The program is accessible both online and in the store. The online platform provides a user-friendly interface where members can explore various rental options, compare prices, and make reservations at their convenience.

Costco’s brick-and-mortar locations facilitate access to the rental car program for those who prefer a more hands-on approach. The knowledgeable staff at Costco’s physical stores can guide members through the process, offering in-person assistance and ensuring every member gets the most out of the program.

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Understanding the rental process.

Understanding the rental process with Costco Travel is essential for a smooth and stress-free experience. The steps are as follows:

• Make a reservation (either online or in-store.) 
• Provide travel details.
• Select a vehicle.
• Select a pickup and drop-off time and location

Cost Factors and Considerations 

The breakdown of rental fees, as provided by Costco Travel, ensures transparency, allowing members to comprehend the full cost upfront, including base rental rates, taxes, and any applicable fees. This clarity aids in accurate budgeting and eliminates unexpected financial surprises.

However, members should also be mindful of potential additional costs. These may include fees for extra services, fuel policies, and charges for returning the vehicle late. Costco Travel often details these potential costs, empowering members to make informed decisions that align with their preferences and travel budgets.

To maximize savings, Costco Travel offers valuable tips. Members can take advantage of exclusive discounts, promotions, and additional perks to maximize their travel budgets when utilizing Costco’s rental car program.

Insurance Options 

Costco’s rental program offers comprehensive insurance coverage options, aiming to provide members with peace of mind during their travels. The available insurance coverage typically includes:

Liability Insurance:  

Covers bodily injury and property damage claims up to a specified limit, offering financial protection in case of an accident for which the renter is responsible.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW):  

CDW limits the renter’s financial responsibility for damage to the rental car, subject to a deductible.

Comprehensive Coverage:  

This coverage offers protection against non-collision incidents, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI):  

PAI provides coverage for medical expenses and accidental death benefits for the renter and passengers.

Personal Effects Coverage:  

This option protects personal belongings inside the rental car in case of theft or damage.

Exclusive Offers and Promotions 

As mentioned, Costco Travel frequently offers periodic promotions as exclusive perks for its members, enhancing the value of the Costco car rental Program. These promotions can include special discounts, complimentary upgrades, additional benefits, or unique packages, providing members with opportunities to save money or enjoy extra amenities during their car rental experience.

Staying updated on these special offers is essential for Costco members looking to maximize their benefits. Here are ways members can stay informed about periodic promotions:

Costco Travel Website:

Regularly check the Costco Travel website for announcements and featured promotions. The website often highlights ongoing offers, providing detailed information on the benefits and terms associated with each promotion.

Email Notifications:

Costco may send email notifications to its members, alerting them to the latest travel promotions related to the car rental program. Members can subscribe to receive Costco communications to stay in the loop.

Costco Connection Magazine:

The Costco Connection magazine, available to Costco members, periodically features travel-related promotions and offers. Members can peruse the magazine for insights into the latest travel deals.

Costco Travel Social Media Channels:

Follow Costco Travel on social media platforms, where the company occasionally announces promotions and exclusive offers. Social media channels often serve as real-time communication tools for companies to connect with their members.

Membership Account Alerts:

Costco members can customize their online accounts to receive alerts and notifications about special promotions. Doing so ensures they are promptly informed when new offers become available.

These are some of the most frequently asked questions concerning Costco’s car rental program.

Membership Requirements:

• “Do I need a Costco membership to access the car rental program?”
• Yes, a Costco membership is required to benefit from the exclusive discounts and perks offered through the Costco car rental Program.

Rental Duration:

• “What is the minimum/maximum rental duration allowed?”
• Costco Travel typically offers flexibility in rental durations. Check the terms and conditions for specific details and any potential restrictions.

Insurance Coverage:

• “What kind of insurance is included in the rental?”
• Costco’s rental packages usually include basic insurance coverage. Members are encouraged to review the details and consider additional coverage based on their preferences and needs.

Clarifying Misconceptions

As straightforward as Costco’s car rental program is, there are still some commonly misunderstood features. Here are two of them:

Exclusive to Costco Members:

• “The Costco car rental program is available to non-members.”
• No, the Costco car rental program is exclusive to Costco members, and the benefits are a part of the membership offerings.

Limited Vehicle Options:

• “Costco only offers basic car models.”
• Costco’s program works with major rental companies, providing a broad selection of vehicles, including economy, SUVs, and luxury options.

Providing Contact Information for Further Assistance

For further assistance or specific inquiries, Costco members can reach out to Costco Travel through the following channels:

• Customer Service Hotline:  

Members can contact the dedicated customer service line for assistance with reservations, clarifications, or concerns.

• Online Help Center:  

The Costco Travel website often features a comprehensive help center with FAQs and guides to address common questions.

• In-Store Assistance:  

Visit a local Costco store for in-person assistance from knowledgeable staff who can guide members through the program details.

Choose Costco Car Rental for Your Travel Needs 

As you consider exploring the Costco Travel offerings, remember the transparent breakdown of fees, potential additional costs, and valuable tips for maximizing savings. Understanding the rental process, from reservation procedures to pickup and drop-off details, adds to the seamless experience Costco aims to provide. You’ll travel with confidence when you choose a Costco car rental for your future travel needs.

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I've traveled 18,000 miles in an electric car. Here are the 4 things that surprised me about long-distance EV road trips.

• Gia Mora bought the Hyundai Ioniq 5, an EV with a 250-mile range, to reduce her need to fly.
• She and her partner have traveled 18,000 miles in the electric car on multiple road trips. 
• Mora was surprised by how temperature affects charging times and how often she charges at Walmart.

When I decided I would fly only once every three years for environmental reasons in 2021, my main concern was how to tackle long-distance travel.

My partner and I live in Los Angeles, but my family is in Colorado, and my adventurous other half fretted over the limitations on our holidays.

We compromised last June when we traded in our hybrid SUV for the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 . With its fast-charging 350-kilowatt capacity and 250-mile range battery, the Ioniq 5 allows us to travel long distances for a third of the emissions of our hybrid. 

We paid the sticker price of $54,000, before the $7,500 federal rebate. 

Our first EV excursion to Scottsdale, Arizona, from LA was a success. We've since gone to San Diego, visited family in Colorado, and did a mountain-bike road trip through Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico, racking up over 18,000 miles. 

The Ioniq 5 also came with two years of free charging at any Electrify America charging station — the largest public-charging network in the country. 

We can charge the car at any station or at home, but we plan around Electrify America locations. We only charged somewhere else three times last year. According to the Electrify America app, it's saved us over $2,600 in fees. 

Initially, I was skeptical about owning an electric car, let alone road-tripping in one. Fears of long charging times at isolated stations or getting stranded with a dead battery are enough to stop anyone from switching to electric.

A year after purchase, I'm sold on long-range EVs.

Here are four things people should know if they're planning to travel long distances in an EV.

Plotting out charging is a breeze

Because charging stations aren't as ubiquitous as gas stations, traveling long distances in an electric vehicle requires more planning than a traditional road trip.

The Electrify America app makes finding and getting directions to chargers easy. Plus, it's compatible with Apple Maps and Hyundai's Car Play system, so we can view the route on our dashboard display.  

We arrange to fill up at an Electrify America station every 150 miles or so. The network offers 3,500 fast chargers at 800 stations in 47 states. 

We've never had trouble finding a station and never had to drive more than a mile or two off a major highway to access one.

If we are driving on a Sunday afternoon, we build extra time into our plans, because that's when charging stations are the busiest. 

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In all our travels, we've only encountered one situation when we had to wait 20 minutes for an open charger. With proper preparation, we can avoid charging during peak hours and reduce any delays to our adventures. 

It's faster to travel long distances in the summer in an EV 

EVs are the opposite of gas cars when it comes to temperature regulation. All electric cars, including the Ioniq 5, use more energy to heat than to cool.

That's why EVs experience range loss in colder weather . By our estimates, the Ioniq 5 travels about 15% fewer miles on the same charge in the cold as it does in the heat. It also drastically affects charging times. 

In moderate temperatures, with the 350-kilowatt Hyper-Fast chargers, the Ioniq 5 can go from 10% to 80% charged in under 20 minutes. But on days when the temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it can take as long as 30 or 35 minutes.

Because we charge so frequently, the distance we can cover in a day isn't affected by the cold, but it does mean that we have to be prepared to spend more time waiting for the car to charge.

Conversely, cooling the Ioniq 5 has very little effect on range and charge time.

Last summer in the Phoenix heat, it only took an extra minute or so to reach full charge, and it's much more comfortable to wait 20 minutes in air-conditioning than it is to spend five minutes outside in 100-degree temperatures filling up at the gas pump. 

I gained a newfound appreciation for Walmart

Walmart plays a bigger role in our road-tripping than I ever anticipated.

The vast majority of our charging stops are at one of the 280 Walmart and Sam's Club locations that host Electrify America and EVgo stations. 

I feel safe charging in Walmart's well-lit parking lots, even at night. While charging, we can use the sparkling-clean restrooms or take advantage of the store's extended operating hours to grab any necessities. 

It felt like a serious upgrade from grungy gas-station toilets and limited convenience stores typical of highway pit stops. 

Last month, Walmart announced plans to quadruple its network of chargers. Since 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart , this expanded infrastructure could make road-tripping easier and make EV adoption accessible to more people.

More remote charging stations can be adventures in themselves

Plenty of charging stations look exactly as you'd expect, but when we ventured outside of major metropolitan areas, we discovered some unique stops. 

Green River, Utah, is home to 847 people, one Tesla Supercharger, and four Electrify America stations located beside the tiny, quirky Green River Coffee Company . A painting of the establishment's mascot — a scraggly but disarming vulture holding a steaming cup of coffee — keeps watch over the chargers which are available for use 24/7.

One night just outside of Yosemite National Park, we pulled in to charge at a small lodge. Seeking respite from the rain and a public restroom, we went into the Lucky Buck Cafe . 

The locals at the bar welcomed us and were delighted when I sat in with the live guitarist to sing a few country classics.

Road-tripping in the Ioniq 5 is enjoyable 

Despite any challenges, road-tripping along the Electrify America network in our Ioniq 5 is an enjoyable option compared to costly airline tickets and pollution. 

With more charging infrastructure on the horizon, I'm excited to see more people opting for all-electric travel plans.

Watch: Why it's so hard to recycle electric-car batteries

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