Cyprus is a good holiday destination because of its richness in culture, heritage, nature, food, history, and people. Cyprus has warm weather throughout the year, which makes it easier to travel. Its history is simply magnificent. On top of that, Cyprus has the cleanest beaches in the whole of Europe.
Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean visited by millions of tourists every year.
“Ain’t no party like a Cyprus party” is actually a famous saying all over the globe.
What makes Cyprus so good for holidays?
Why do millions of people have a “Visit-Cyprus-Before-Dying” wish on their bucket list?
Today in this article, we will discuss what makes Cyprus a good holiday destination and why you should visit Cyprus at least once in your lifetime.
Enjoy the article.
English is widely spoken in Cyprus
As a tourist in a foreign country, if you couldn’t communicate with the local people, then you won’t enjoy your holiday that much.
But you don’t need to worry while traveling in Cyprus. The majority of people in Cyprus can speak and understand English.
Be it Shops, Malls, Markets, Restaurant, or even small areas; you will always find people there to communicate in English.
The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. Along with the English language, the majority of people speak Russian too.
You can read here to understand better what languages do people residing in Cyprus speak.
Warm weather throughout the year
Cyprus has one of the warmest climates and warmest winters in the Mediterranean region.
The weather in Cyprus is summer-like for at least 7 months a year. Starting from April and until the end of October, you will experience the warm summer weather in Cyprus.
Some of the world’s countries are only accessible to visit as a tourist only for 2 to 3 months in a year. It’s because that country is mainly either too hot or too cold, snowy, or windy for the rest of the year.
But with Cyprus, it’s different. Some of the days in Cyprus are windy, but they don’t stick for long.
The majority of the time, you can get to feel the warm climate in Cyprus. It doesn’t rain much in Cyprus. Even when sometimes it does, it just rains for a few hours. You can be certain of one thing, rains in Cyprus won’t ruin your holidays.
It barely snows in Cyprus. When it snows, it only snows in the mountainous region. You can click here to read more about snow in Cyprus.
One of the safest countries in the European Union
Cyprus is indeed one of the safest countries in the European Union with low crime rates and less violent activities.
Cameras are placed in almost every public place, which is why people don’t dare to commit a crime.
No country is 100% crime-free; we all know that.
Cyprus has its drawbacks regarding safety too.
Since 2015, Crime in Cyprus has constantly been decreasing. This year (2020), because of the COVID-Pandemic, crimes like robbery, burglary, suicide, theft, and vandalism have increased a bit.
But still, comparing it with other countries, crime rates in Cyprus are statistically low.
Good transportation system
As a tourist in a country, if public transportation is easily accessible for you, your travel will become more adventurous.
In some of the countries, you have to hire a cab to go to certain places and again hire them back to get to your hotel or the place you are staying.
Also, in some countries, you don’t even get to hire a cab. You have to walk miles to reach the destination. If you love trekking and have enough time, you can choose walking, but trekking mightn’t be a good option for you if you don’t have time.
Without proper transportation channels, holidays become tiresome and expensive.
Things are much easier in Cyprus in that case.
Public buses are available for everyone. They go to each and every corner of Cyprus. Buses are modern, fast, and effective.
Cyprus also doesn’t have much traffic like other countries.
You can hire a cab, but in most cases, you don’t have to. From the bus stop, you can simply walk to the destination because Cyprus has a wide network of highways spread all over the country.
Moreover, you can also rent a car and drive it yourself if you want.
While traveling in Cyprus, you won’t be disappointed by the transportation system.
Cyprus is rich in history and cultural heritage
Do you know, the earliest known human activity in Cyprus dates to around the 10th millennium BC?
Can you imagine how much history this place has seen, created, and preserved?
Cyprus has a very rich history, and Cypriots have diverse cultures and traditions.
When you visit Cyprus, you will get to see magnificent cultural heritages preserved for ages.
World Heritage Sites in Cyprus
Paphos
Paphos is a coastal city in southwest Cyprus and is the capital of the Paphos district. Paphos is an ancient city which, according to Greek Mythology, is the birthplace of Aphrodite(the Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Procreation).
A temple dedicated to her was built in the 12th century B.C. The city is also home to the remains of villas, palaces, and theaters, all of which are of great historical and architectural value.
UNESCO listed Paphos as a world heritage site in 1980 AD.
Painted Churches in the Troodos Region
Troodos village is located roughly in the center of the island.
There are over sixty churches in Cyprus with Byzantine and post-Byzantine wall paintings, out of which 10 of them are situated in the Troodos Mountains.
The Painted Churches in the Troödos Region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 10 Churches and Monastries are as below.
- Church of Agios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas) tis Stegis in Kakopetria
- Agios Ioannis (St. John) Lampadistis Monastery in Kalopanagiotis
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) Phorviotissa (Asinou) in Nikitari
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) tou Arakou in Lagoudhera
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) in Moutoullas
- Church of Archangelos Michael (Archangel Michael) in Pedoulas
- Church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) in Pelendri
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) Podithou in Galata
- Church of Stavros (Holy Cross) Agiasmati in Platanistasa
- Church of Agia Sotira (of the Transfiguration of the Savior) tou Soteros in Palaichori Oreinis
UNESCO listed 9 of these Churches and Monastries as a world heritage site in 1985 AD and one of the Church in Palaichori in 2001 AD.]
Choirokoitia
Choirokoitia is an archaeological site on Cyprus’s island dating from the Neolithic age(12,000 years ago).
It is situated in the Larnaca district. The site is known as one of the most important and best-preserved prehistoric sites of the eastern Mediterranean.
UNESCO listed Choirokoitia s as a world heritage site in 1998 AD.
Cyprus has a rich and varied history. Many invaders, settlers, and immigrants have come here over the centuries. The island has seen Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Lusignans, Genoese, Venetians, Ottomans, British, and Turks seek to take a part of Cyprus for themselves.
Beautiful and Clean water beaches in Cyprus
Dude, I don’t even know where to start. The beaches in Cyprus, ohh, they are just so enchanting and mesmerizing.
The water is so clean and crystal clear, you feel like never leaving Cyprus again.
A total of 65 beaches in Cyprus have received the prestigious Blue Flag award for 2019, reflecting excellence in environmental education, management, water quality, safety, and services.
The Blue Flag Beaches have to have the following criteria:
- A lifeguard is available.
- Medical facilities available
- Wheelchair access
- Showers & toilet facilities
- Safety markers for boat lanes and swimming
- No animals allowed
Most of the popular beaches of Cyprus are in Ayia Napa and Limassol. There are beaches for windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and just lounging around. Each one has a different vibe.
Nightlife and Party
A couple of weeks back, I met a guy from Romania in Nicosia. When I asked him what his main purpose for coming to Cyprus was, he said, and I quote, “To enjoy and party in Ayia Napa, my friend.”
Can you imagine? He came to Cyprus just to party.
Nightlife and Parties in Ayia Napa are world-famous. All cities in Cyprus have many nightclubs that are mainly targeted at tourists and visitors and promise you an unforgettable time in Cyprus.
Ayia Napa is internationally known as an ultimate party city. Limassol, Paphos, and Nicosia also have many hotels, restaurants, night clubs, and party places.
Mainly in the summer season, clubs and restaurants are open 24 hours a day.
If you are a party person and enjoy nightclubs, Cyprus is definitely a must-to-visit country.
Cypriot Cuisine (Foods and Drink)
Commandaria, the sweet dessert wine from Cyprus, is the oldest manufactured wine in the world, its origins traced as far back as 2000 BC. Did you know that?
I am sure you have heard about the Halloumi Cheese. You might even use it on a daily basis. D0 you know that the Halloumi cheese is actually Cypriot Halloumi cheese?
We don’t even need to talk about other Cypriot foods that are famous all over the world.
Cypriot foods and drinks are simply one of the most delicious cuisines you can find in Europe.
Using a traditional mix of herbs and spices, olive oil, and fresh local ingredients, Cyprus cuisine is considered by many doctors around the world to be the healthiest diet in the world.
Some of the famous and traditional Cypriot foods are:
- Sheftalies (Looks like Kebab)
- Koupepia (stuffed grape leaves)
- Mucendra (lentils)
- Spanakopita (spinach pie).
- Souvla (barbecued meat)
- Keftedes (meatballs)
- Moussaka (a savory pie-style dish)
- Louvi (Black-Eyed Beans)
- Kolokasi (Similar to sweet potato)
There is a lot of Greek & Turkish influence on the Cypriot kitchen, which means that you get all sorts of meat, like chicken, lamb, or pork.
Despite being an island, fish isn’t that big of a part of the Cypriot kitchen. But you definitely should taste one of those fish plates when you can get it.
Hospitable People
Cypriots are very hospitable and kind people. Though some of them are racists, other than that, the majority of Cypriots are helpful and kind.
Cypriots are always friendly and approachable.
In fact, the word hospitality in Greek is called “filoksenia,” which has two stems, namely, “filos” meaning “friend” and “ksenos” meaning “guest” or “tourist.” Cypriots are then friendly to their guests and tourists, as their mother tongue suggests.
In Cyprus, it is considered polite to accept at least a little of what is being offered to you even if you do not want it. This applies most often to food and drink.
In the beginning, they don’t get very close to you, but when they get to know you, you become their good friend.
Conclusion
Why is Cyprus a good holiday destination?
Because it has everything needed to make your holiday unforgettable.
I was in Cyprus for 2 years, and I believe Cyprus is one of the places everyone must visit once in their lifetime.
To know more about Cyprus, I suggest you read the following articles:
Pros & Cons of Living In Cyprus
Why does Cyprus drive on the left?
What does the Cyprus Flag represent?
