Top Things to Do in Cyprus: The Ultimate 2026 Travel Guide

Paphos Archaeological Park — A UNESCO World Heritage Site containing some of the finest Roman mosaics in the world, discovered beneath the modern town of Paphos. The House of Dionysus, the House of Theseus, and the House of Aion contain extraordinary floor mosaics depicting scenes from Greek mythology. Allow 2–3 hours.\n\nKourion — An ancient Greco-Roman city perched on a cliff above the sea, with a beautifully restored theatre (still used for performances), Roman baths, and panoramic views over the coast. One of the most impressive ancient sites in Cyprus.\n\nAphrodite's Rock (Petra tou Romiou) — The legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love — a dramatic sea stack rising from the turquoise water on the coast between Paphos and Limassol. The sunset here is spectacular.\n\nKyrenia Castle and Harbour (North Cyprus) — The medieval castle and the horseshoe harbour of Kyrenia (Girne) in North Cyprus are among the most beautiful in the eastern Mediterranean. Note: North Cyprus is administered by Turkey and requires crossing the Green Line from the south.\n\nNicosia (Lefkosia) — The world's last divided capital, split between the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north by the UN Buffer Zone. The old city walls, the Cyprus Museum (the finest collection of Cypriot antiquities), and the crossing into North Cyprus are all worth experiencing.

Cyprus has some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean — clean, clear water, golden sand, and excellent facilities.\n\nNissi Beach (Ayia Napa) — The most famous beach in Cyprus, a beautiful crescent of white sand with shallow, turquoise water. Very busy in summer — arrive early for a spot.\n\nFig Tree Bay (Protaras) — Consistently rated one of the best beaches in Europe, Fig Tree Bay has calm, crystal-clear water and a beautiful setting. Excellent for families.\n\nCoral Bay (Paphos) — A large, well-organised beach near Paphos with good facilities and calmer water than the east coast beaches.\n\nBlue Lagoon (Akamas Peninsula) — A stunning natural lagoon accessible by boat from Latchi harbour or by 4WD through the Akamas Peninsula. The water is an extraordinary shade of turquoise.

The Troodos Mountains in the centre of Cyprus offer a completely different experience from the coast — cool temperatures, pine forests, Byzantine monasteries, and traditional villages producing some of the best wine in Cyprus.\n\nKykkos Monastery — The most important monastery in Cyprus, founded in the 11th century and housing an icon of the Virgin Mary said to have been painted by St Luke. The monastery is richly decorated and the mountain setting is beautiful.\n\nKakopetria and Platres — Two of the most charming mountain villages in Cyprus, with traditional stone houses, good restaurants, and easy access to hiking trails.\n\nCyprus wine — The Troodos foothills produce excellent wine. Commandaria — a sweet dessert wine made from sun-dried grapes — is one of the oldest named wines in the world, produced in Cyprus since at least the 12th century.

Cypriot cuisine is a wonderful blend of Greek, Middle Eastern, and Ottoman influences.\n\nMeze — The Cypriot way of eating — a succession of small dishes covering everything from hummus, tzatziki, and halloumi to grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables. A full meze can involve 20–30 dishes.\n\nHalloumi — Cyprus's most famous food export — a semi-hard cheese that can be grilled or fried without melting. Made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk. The authentic Cypriot version (PDO-protected) is far superior to supermarket imitations.\n\nSouvlaki and sheftalia — Grilled pork skewers and Cypriot sausages, served in pitta bread with salad and tzatziki. The essential Cypriot street food.