Operates flights to Larnaca from Kazan on Thursdays and Tuesdays, from Moscow (Domodedovo) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
This company also operates flights to Larnaca from Austria, Great Britain, Germany, Spain and Finland.

Transaero operates flights to Paphos from Moscow (Vnukovo). In the period from March 30 to October 25 - one flight daily, in other months the number of flights is from one to four per week (depending on the period).

Siberia (S7 Airlines) operates flights from Moscow (Domodedovo) to Larnaca three times a week.

From a number of Russian cities (Ekaterinburg, Ufa, Rostov-on-Don, Moscow, Samara, etc.), as well as from many large cities in the UK, Germany, France and other European countries, charter flights are operated to Larnaca and Paphos. In summer, flight frequency increases significantly.

Budget airlines regularly fly to the Greek part of the island:
- easyJet - from Basel, Liverpool, London (Gatwick), Milan to Larnaca; from London (Gatwick, Luton), Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol to Paphos;
- Ryanair - from Kaunas, Krakow, Stockholm, Oslo, Thessaloniki, Athens, Chania, Milan, Rome, Brussels, Dusseldorf, London, Manchester to Paphos;
- Gulf Air - from Bahrain to Larnaca;
- UP www.flyup.com - from Tel Aviv to Larnaca.

Flights to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The main airport of Turkish Cyprus is Ercan. All Turkish airlines fly here:
- AtlasJet - from Adana, Antalya, Erbil, Istanbul (Ataturk Airport), Izmir, Tehran;
- OnurAir - from Istanbul (Ataturk Airport), Trabzon (regular flights), charter from Kassel-Calden (Germany);
- Pegasus Airlines - from Izmir, Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Gaziantep, Hatay, Istanbul (Sabiha Gokcen Airport);
- Sky Airlines - from Antalya, Istanbul (Sabiha Gokcen Airport);
- Turkish Airlines - from Istanbul (Ataturk Airport), Ankara (actual carrier Anadolu Jet).

By sea (ferries and cruise ships)

To the Greek part of the island

The most popular route is Italy - Greece - Cyprus - Israel, operated by Salamis-Lines and Louis-Cruises. On the section between Greece and Cyprus, the frequency of communication is up to three ships per day. There are also ferry connections to Egypt (Port Said), Lebanon (Beirut) and Israel (Haifa). The average cost of such cruises varies between $250-300 in both directions. Full schedules and prices can be found on the Salamis Lines website. It is strongly recommended that you carefully check the timetables and prices for ferries between Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel. Communication between these points was repeatedly interrupted during periods of aggravation of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

In 2009, ferry service between Haifa (Israel) and Limassol was resumed. Tickets for two to four-bed cabins cost from 160 euros one way, including dinner and breakfast. Tickets are sold in Israel by Rosenfeld Shipping Lines (www.rosenfeld.net), and in Cyprus by Salamis Lines.

Traveling to Cyprus by sea is not cheap, and it is often cheaper and faster to travel by plane. With the exception of regular ferries to Greece, all other destinations are cruise routes, which means high ticket prices.

To the Turkish part of the island

In the summer season, a speedboat runs from the port of Alanya (Turkey) to the port of Famagusta (journey time 2 hours 35 minutes). The cost is 75 euros one way and 135 euros round trip (summer 2013 prices).

Travel by land between the Greek and Turkish parts of the island

Since April 2004, all existing formal restrictions on free movement between the Greek and Turkish parts of Cyprus have been lifted. A condition for Cyprus's accession to the EU was the obligation to stop any criminal and administrative prosecution of tourists who entered the island through the Turkish part. Cyprus has accepted this obligation, reflected in the European Parliament Statement No. 866/2004EK. To visit Northern Cyprus by land from the Greek part of the island, a single-entry Cypriot visa is sufficient, regardless of the number of trips to the Turkish part. There are no time limits or restrictions for visiting Northern Cyprus from the Greek part of the island.

However, the government of the Greek part of the island (contrary to formal rules) still does not recognize entry and exit from the island through the ports and airports of Northern Cyprus (port of Kyrenia, port of Famagusta and Ercan airport). Therefore, a tourist who entered the Turkish part of the island and then crossed the border into the Greek part is still considered a trespasser. For citizens of the EU, Israel, USA, Canada, the punishment for this “crime” is conditional - oral explanations with the migration service of the Republic of Cyprus, “that this cannot be done.” Citizens of states with which Cyprus has a visa regime are treated much more strictly, including detention and a ban on entry in the future.

The following border crossing checkpoints operate between the two parts of the island (all of these crossings are open to the movement of tourists and vehicles):

Ledra Palace(Nicosia, Old Town, 24 hours a day);

Kato Pyrgos/Karavostasi;

Dherinia/Famagusta;

Ayios Dhometios(Nicosia, eastern part of the city, 24 hours a day);

Astromeritis(west of the country, near the town of Morfou, from 10:00 to 19:00);

Pergamos(center of the island, near the village of Pyla);

Strovilia(near Famagusta, west of the country, from 10:00 to 19:00).

It should be borne in mind that, with the exception of the two main border crossings in the center of Nicosia, no other crossings are connected by regular passenger services to major cities. Without your own car, getting to the Pergamos, Kato Pyrgos, Astromeritis and Strovilla crossings seems extremely difficult. This is especially true on the Greek side of the border, where transport links are much less developed than on the Turkish side. The Strovilla crossing can be reached by one of the three daily buses Larnaca - Paralimni, and you should get off immediately after the village of Versulles. Next you will have to either take a taxi or walk 5 kilometers to the border. The same bus goes through the village of Pyla, where you should get off to go to the Pergamos crossing. From Pyla to the border there are just under 4 kilometers, which you will have to walk due to the complete lack of transport.

It is also possible, with some logistical difficulties, to cross the border at Kato Pyrgos if you get to the village of the same name by public transport and then walk 3 kilometers to the border. On the Turkish side you will have to hitchhike to the nearby town of Lefke.

More detailed information can be found on the website

How to get to Cyprus

First of all, we must remember that Cyprus is divided into 2 parts: Greek - Republic of Cyprus, and Turkish - Northern Cyprus. In 2004, in order to join the European Union, the Greeks had to lift restrictions on crossing the border between the northern and southern parts of the island.

To visit the Turkish part as many times as you like, a single-entry Cyprus visa is enough. But, contrary to the rules, the Greeks do not recognize the entry and exit of tourists through the Turkish part.

And if the migration service may grumble to Europeans, Americans and Israelis that “it is undesirable to do this,” then a tourist from a country with which the Republic of Cyprus has a visa regime (including a Russian tourist) will be detained, expelled and denied further entry in the future.

Airplane

The fastest and cheapest way to get to Cyprus. There are 2 international airports in the Republic of Cyprus: in Larnaca And Paphos .

The main company, Cruise Cyprus, carries tourists from Greece to Limassol (including from the islands), a one-way cruise costs 250 euros.

There are cruises from Varna through the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean seas.

There are up to three ferries a day between Greece and Cyprus. One of the most popular routes: Italy - Greece - Cyprus - Israel, it is operated by 2 companies Salamis-Lines and Louis-Cruises.

Ferries also operate from Egyptian Port Said, Lebanese Beirut and Israeli Haifa, but here you need to carefully monitor the schedule, since these flights are often suspended during conflicts between the Arabs and Israel.

On Turkish territory, the port of Famagusta receives high-speed ferries from Alanya in the summer. The ferry takes 2 hours 35 minutes, a ticket costs 75 euros one way and 135 euros both ways.

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily and Sardinia, located in its eastern part, 75 kilometers from the coast of Turkey and 105 and 380 kilometers from the coasts of Syria and Egypt, respectively. Cyprus, which has an area of ​​9,251 sq. km., stretches for 240 kilometers from east to west and about 100 kilometers from north to south. Cyprus is a fairly mountainous island with two more or less large mountainous regions. The Kyrenia Ridge runs right along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the north-eastern part of the island, and its highest point is Mount Akromanda (1023 meters). The western part of the island is occupied by the large Troodos mountain range, where the highest mountain of Cyprus is located - the local Olympus with a height of 1952 meters.

Cyprus is one of the most popular resort destinations in the Mediterranean, although the situation on the island itself is quite tense. The fact is that since 1974, as a result of the Turkish invasion, Cyprus has actually been divided into two parts - the Republic of Cyprus (where all the tourists go) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus owns approximately 60% of the island's territory, 36 percent is occupied by Turkish Northern Cyprus. Both of these parts are separated from each other by a buffer zone controlled by the UN contingent and occupying about 3.7 percent of the territory.

In addition, 2.7 percent of the island's area is the British military bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The capital of both the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is located in the city of Nicosia (Turkish version - Lefkosa), divided by the so-called Green Line. About 300 thousand people live in the Greek part of the city, about 90 thousand live in the Turkish part.

The total population of Cyprus is 1,190,236 people, of which 864,236 people live in the Republic of Cyprus and 326,000 live in Northern Cyprus. More than 90 percent of the residents of the Republic of Cyprus are Greek Cypriots, the rest of the population is British, Russian and Armenian. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is home to Turkish Cypriots, Turks and some other nationalities. 77 percent of the population of Cyprus professes Greek Orthodoxy, 18 percent are Sunni Muslims, 5 percent are other branches of Christianity (Catholics, Maronites, Protestants, etc.).

Flight time:
(charter flights to Larnaca, 50 km)
from Moscow - 3 hours 40 minutes.
from St. Petersburg - 4 hours 25 minutes.
from Kazan - 3 hours 30 minutes.
from Yekaterinburg - 4 hours 30 minutes.
from Novosibirsk - 8 hours 20 minutes.

Current time in Nicosia:
(UTC +3)

The official languages ​​are Greek and Turkish. The majority of the population of the Republic of Cyprus speaks fluent English, which makes communication easier while holidaying on the island.

How to get there

Direct flights

The vast majority of visitors to Cyprus reach the island by plane. The two air gates of Cyprus are Larnaca and Paphos airports. The airport in the capital Nicosia is closed to civil aviation. From Russia, several airlines operate regular flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Larnaca Airport. First of all, this is the Cyprus carrier Cyprus Airways, whose planes fly at different frequencies depending on the season. Thus, during the summer months, several flights depart daily to Larnaca. Aeroflot aircraft also fly from Sheremetyevo Airport once a week and more often depending on the season.

Previously, aircraft from the Cypriot state airline Eurocypria Airlines, which was declared bankrupt in November 2010, also flew to Larnaca.

From Moscow Domodedovo Airport and from Pulkovo in St. Petersburg, Transaero Airlines operates flights to the city of Paphos. You can also get from St. Petersburg to Larnaca and Paphos using Rossiya Airlines flights. During the holiday season, there are charter flights to Cyprus from many large Russian cities, for example, from Ural Airlines from Yekaterinburg. Aero Sweet airline flies directly from Kyiv.

Connecting flights

With a transfer to Larnaca from Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can fly with flights of Austrian Airlines (via Vienna), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), Emirates (via Dubai, from St. Petersburg - from autumn 2011), " Malev" (via Budapest), "Aero Suite" (via Kiev), "Air Malta" (via La Valletta, only from Moscow) and "Norwegian Air" (via Oslo, only from St. Petersburg). Travel time for connecting flights will increase, but the cost of tickets will often be noticeably lower than for direct flights.

As for other Russian cities, you can get by air to Larnaca with a connection not only through Moscow, but also with European airlines flying to some Russian cities: Austrian Airlines (departure from Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk and Sochi with a transfer in Vienna) and Lufthansa (departure from Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Rostov-on-Don and Samara with a transfer in Frankfurt).

Transfers to resorts

Larnaca Airport offers direct transfers to Limassol and Nicosia. A one-way ticket to Limassol will cost 8 euros, to Nicosia - 7 euros. More information about the schedule of transfers to Limassol and Nicosia, respectively, can be found on the websites and.

Northern Cyprus

The main air gateway of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is Ercan Airport, which is not recognized internationally due to the non-recognition of Northern Cyprus itself. However, this airport receives flights from several airlines, notably Turkish Airlines from Istanbul Ataturk Airport and North Cyprus Airlines, the main airline of Northern Cyprus.

Since April 1, 2004, several border crossings have been opened between the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus, through which tourists can freely visit both parts of the island without any formal difficulties. There are currently 9 border checkpoints in the UN buffer zone separating the two parts of the island. Several border points are located directly in Nicosia (Ledra Palace and Aiyos Dhometios). It is worth mentioning right away that trips to Northern Cyprus do not cause much joy for the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, although from a formal point of view they do not pose a big problem.

Ferry service

Cyprus is connected to several countries by ferry, in particular to the Greek port of Piraeus and the islands of Rhodes and Crete, as well as to the Egyptian Port Said, Haifa in Israel, Latakia in Syria and Ankokna in Italy. The main sea gate of the Republic of Cyprus is the port of Limassol, from where not only the majority of ferries and merchant ships depart, but also cruise ships.

Customs regulations

A limited number of goods for personal use can be transported through Cyprus customs without paying duty.

Products purchased in the European Union:

tobacco products - 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars or 1 kg of smoking tobacco;

alcoholic drinks - 10 liters with a strength of over 22%, 20 liters with a strength of less than 22%, 110 liters of beer or 90 liters of wine (sparkling - 60 liters).

Products purchased Not in the countries of the European Union:

tobacco products - 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250 grams of smoking tobacco;

alcoholic drinks - 1 liter with a strength above 22%, 2 liters of wine or 16 liters of beer.

When entering Cyprus and leaving a country of the European Union, currency exceeding the amount of 12,500 euros (or the equivalent in another currency) must be declared. When entering from a non-EU country, you must declare currency exceeding 10,000 euros.

It is prohibited to import into Cyprus natural fruits and flowers, as well as meat and dairy products produced outside the EU (exceptions include packaged baby food products).

When importing pets, you must have an international veterinary certificate and a certificate of vaccinations for the animal, made 10 days or less before departure.

Naturally, the import of narcotic substances, firearms and bladed weapons, ammunition, pornographic products, non-domestic animals and birds into the island is prohibited.

Old antiques and items found on the seabed, as well as items taken from archaeological sites, cannot be exported from the country. Copies of ancient works are exported freely.

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Climate, weather in Cyprus

The island has a climate that is perfectly conducive to both a wonderful holiday and a healthy life. By the way, the life expectancy of Cypriots is even higher than in most Western countries, and they are not too aware of life-threatening infectious diseases.

Cyprus is located in the subtropics, so the climate here is appropriate - subtropical Mediterranean, the distinctive feature of which is fairly hot and dry summers (from +25 to +40) and warm and mild winters with precipitation in the form of rain and temperatures of approximately +10-20 degrees. Actually, Cyprus has the mildest winters in the Mediterranean, and snow can only be observed in the Troodos Mountains. The annual precipitation rate in lowland areas is approximately 300-500 mm, and in mountainous areas it increases to 1000-1300 mm. The snow cover in the Toroodos Mountains allows Cypriots to ski and snowboard during the winter months. Particularly popular in this regard are places in the Olympos area. Air humidity in winter is approximately 60-80 percent, and in the summer months - 40-60 percent. The wettest months on the island are December and January.

Thus, it is best to come to Cyprus in the summer, during the hottest months, or in September, when the traditional summer heat subsides, but the sea is still warm and you can swim. By the way, the most pleasant weather in summer prevails precisely in the coastal areas, in the interior of the island, in particular, in the capital Nicosia, the temperature sometimes reaches an uncomfortable 40 degrees. Although, as already mentioned, the climate of Cyprus is simply ideal for a holiday on the seashore.

Find out more about the climate of Cyprus by month and region, and the current weather forecast on the service.

Cities and regions

Main tourist cities of Cyprus

Larnaca

Larnaca is famous not only for its beaches, but also for quite interesting sights, among which it is worth highlighting the Church of St. Lazarus, the Stavrovouni Monastery, the ancient settlement of Khirokitia, located about 30 kilometers from the city, the famous Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque, considered the fourth holiest shrine of Islam in the world, the traditional the Cypriot village of Lefkara, as well as the ancient Phoenician city of Kition.

Limassol

Among the historical attractions of the city, it is worth highlighting the Limassol fortress, the sanctuary of Apollo of Hylates, the Kolossi castle, which was a government residence in different years, as well as the ruins of Kourion and Amathus. In addition to its historical content, Limassol has the reputation of one of the most popular resorts in Cyprus, with excellent beaches with various hotels.

Pathos

Paphos, even more than its beaches, is famous for its numerous historical sites, which were eventually included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among these attractions are the Villa of Dionysus, the Royal Tombs, the Catacombs of Saint Solomonia, the village of Kouklia, the Monastery of Neophytos and the birthplace of Aphrodite - Petra tou Romiou.

Also in Paphos are the most interesting museums in Cyprus - the Archaeological Museum, the Ethnographic Museum of Eliadis and the Byzantine Museum. In addition, in the Paphos area there is a beautiful Akamas National Park on the peninsula of the same name, which is considered an ideal place for walking and from where you can get to the quiet sandy beaches of Cyprus, where there are no such crowds of tourists as on city beaches.

Nicosia

Tourists can find many remarkable places here, since Nicosia is a fairly ancient city. It was founded back in the 7th century BC. BC, and such historical monuments as the Famagusta Gate, the Venetian Column, the Selimiye Mosque, the Archbishop's Palace, the library of Sultan Mahmud II, several medieval churches and other objects have survived to this day.

Famagusta

Today, many historical monuments have been preserved in Famagusta: the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, converted into a mosque today, the monastery of St. Barnabas, the Othello fortress, the ancient city of Salamis.

Kyrenia

Troodos Mountains

The island's main mountain range holds many treasures of its own, relatively remote from the main Cypriot resorts. In its depths there are some truly unique places that tourists should visit. In addition, the mountains themselves are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty, so even a simple trip along them can bring a lot of impressions.

The main pearls of the Troodos Mountains are the Kykkos Monastery and the Macheras Monastery.

Where to go in Cyprus

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Transport

Private guides in Cyprus

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Cyprus in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Getting around the country

Cyprus is a small island, so the transport system here is appropriate - small and not very well developed. Which may seem surprising, given the special resort status of the Republic of Cyprus and its great popularity among tourists. Some types of transport are simply not available - railway communication was discontinued as unnecessary in 1952, and domestic air traffic as such is also not provided. However, there are charter flights between Larnaca and Paphos on small pleasure planes, which are primarily aimed at tourists.

Buses

Strangely, the bus service in the Republic of Cyprus is not as developed as one would expect from a tourist region. However, there are a total of three types of buses in Cyprus.

Taxi

An excellent alternative to the undeveloped bus system is a highly developed taxi system of various types and ranges. A taxi, of course, will cost more than traveling by bus (although not much), but comfort and speed are guaranteed. As with buses, there are three types of taxis in Cyprus: intercity routes, intracity and village taxis.

Car rent

Holders of an international driver's license who are no younger than 25 and no older than 70 years old with at least 3 years of driving experience can rent a car. True, in some private offices the conditions are less stringent; for example, you can rent a car at 18 years of age. The minimum rental period for a car is 2 days. Gasoline is paid for independently, and insurance is included in the price. The number of kilometers is often unlimited.

• You can read more about Cypriot buses and taxis in our article “Transport in Cyprus”
• Read more about car rental on Aphrodite Island in the article “Car rental in Cyprus”

Communication

For tourists, the culture of the Greek part of Cyprus is of primary importance, since this is where all the main resorts are located. Northern Cyprus is ethnically composed of Muslim Turkish Cypriots, and there is a very strong influence of the culture of Turkey itself and the main language, naturally, is Turkish. Which, by the way, can become an obstacle to communication, because English is not that common among Turkish Cypriots.

The same cannot be said about the Greek part of the island, where English is the official language along with Greek itself, so the local population often speaks English better than the visitors themselves. Greek Cypriots are very proud of their culture, which dates back thousands of years and is based on Orthodox Christianity. As in Greece, Orthodoxy in Cyprus plays a very important role in society, but at the same time it is very organically integrated into it, unlike our country, which only evokes sympathy.

Thanks to the long presence of the British on the island, some traditions of Foggy Albion have taken root here, in particular, the English education system and the English business attitude to everything. Actually, it is this attitude that distinguishes the Greek Cypriots from the Greeks on the continent, who are famous for their somewhat disorganization, which cannot be said about the Cypriots. Perhaps this is why the Greek part of the island maintains a very high standard of living and material wealth.

If we return to the problem of communication, then in resort areas you can very often meet people who speak Russian. This is due both to the massive flow of Russian tourists to Cyprus, which began in the 90s, and to the fairly large representation of Russians themselves on the island, especially in Limassol. So sometimes domestic tourists don’t even have to strain their knowledge of English.

Kitchen

Cypriot cuisine is an excellent example of Mediterranean culinary traditions, in which influences from many other cuisines, primarily Greek and Turkish, are intertwined. This happened, naturally, thanks to the numerous vicissitudes of the history of the island, on which many cultures coexisted. From Greek and Turkish cuisines, the tradition of cooking food on the grill or in the form of thick soups and stews came to Cyprus. Also thanks to the Greeks and Turks, yogurt, parsley and garlic spread. But, unlike Turkish cuisine, Cypriot food is less spicy. The Italian presence on the island did not go unnoticed, after which they began to use mint, cinnamon, basil, coriander, arugula and other ingredients in cooking. The use of curry and ginger has also become established in Cyprus. Although in general we can say that the eastern influence prevails - sweet dishes, an abundance of spices and oils.

Most often, fresh vegetables and fruits are used in cooking, which grow in abundance on the island. These include potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, eggplants, as well as many fruits, primarily citrus fruits - oranges, grapefruits, lemons. Meat dishes in Cyprus are especially loved by local residents and are prepared mainly from pork, lamb, poultry and even rabbit. Due to the small number of cattle, beef is not very common on the island. It may seem surprising, but seafood dishes are noticeably inferior in popularity to meat dishes, since, as they say, there is no bite near the Cypriot shores, and the fish comes mainly from other regions of the Mediterranean. Egg and yoghurt dishes and halloumi cheese, for example, are also popular.

The most common dish is meze, which can be ordered in any restaurant. This is a set of all kinds of cold and hot snacks, the number of which can reach 20, although in practice it most often includes 8-10 dishes. However, there is simply no better way to experience Cypriot cuisine than meze. Meze usually includes tsakistes (olives seasoned with coriander, oil, garlic and lemon), tallaturi (a salad made from yogurt, cucumbers and mint), taramosalata (this salad contains fish roe, lemon juice, onion, vegetable oil), melinzanosalata ( eggplant salad), hummi kopanisti (nut mousse with parsley, dressed with olive oil) and various meat and sometimes fish snacks. Examples of meat dishes are souvlaki (lamb or pork skewers), sheftalia (small pork cutlets), aphelia (pork stewed in red wine) and many others. Rice, pasta and legumes are usually used as a side dish in Cyprus.

All kinds of soups are also especially popular - egg, chicken, lentil, nightshade and others. For dessert, they usually eat baklava and Turkish delight (this is fruit jelly with nuts, sprinkled with powdered sugar). The most popular drink in Cyprus is, of course, wine of various types. Commandaria wine is a sweet dessert wine that has long been a symbol of the island and one of the main Cypriot brands. There are several types of Commandaria, but the most delicious is often called Commandaria St. John." Other popular wines are “Othello” (red dry), “Aphrodite” (white dry), “Keo Hok” (white semi-dry) and some others. For those who want something stronger, there is Zivania, a rustic grape vodka that has been illegal on the island for a long time. Also common in Cyprus is coffee called “elinikos cafes” - “Greek coffee”, not very different from Turkish, but the word “Turkish” in the Greek part should not be used unnecessarily.

Purchases

What Cyprus is clearly not famous for is its shopping traditions. Although in the past the island was the center of rich trading ports, today's Cyprus is, first and foremost, a tourist Mecca. Of course, you can’t go without shopping, and the main objects of consumer interest in Cyprus are usually things that are traditionally part of the very culture of this island.

These are, first of all, very high-quality jewelry, famous Cypriot wines, olive oils and folk crafts, in particular Lefkara lace. Also, do not neglect purchasing leather goods - all kinds of handbags, purses, wallets, shoes and outerwear, since leather items in Cyprus are sold of fairly high quality and at reasonable prices.

You can read more about shopping on Aphrodite Island in the article “ Shopping in Cyprus”.

Connection

Mobile communications on the island are represented by three basic telecom operators and one virtual (MNVO). Basic operators: MTN (formerly Areeba), state operator CYTA (in cooperation with Vodafone) and Primetel. Virtual operator - Cablenet (based on CYTA). The cost of services of all operators is approximately the same: according to the German statistical agency Statista, published in the magazine Der Spiegel, Cypriot mobile communications are the most expensive in the European Union: for 1 Gigabyte of data you will have to pay 10 €, and this does not count the call time for which you will have to pay separately about 10¢.

Voice services are provided on 99% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, 3G, although it does not have 100% coverage, is generally present in all populated areas, and high-speed 4G communications (LTE) only covers the territory of large cities.

It is important to note that above we are talking about the territory of the Republic of Cyprus: when moving to the territory of the TRNC (Turkish part of the island), communication is maintained only near the border, and then disappears completely.

At the same time, if you are in roaming with a card of any country (except Turkey, with which Cyprus does not even have diplomatic relations), then there will be no problems with switching between networks serving the Northern and Southern parts: you will only receive an automatic notification about switching to service by Turkish operators.

On the territory of Turkish Cyprus, you will be happy to be served by two basic operators: Turkcell and Telsim (Vodafone), whose services, when purchasing the appropriate SIM cards, are 4 times cheaper than operators on the southern side, but when crossing the border in the opposite direction, the connection is also interrupted.

Thanks to the abolition of roaming in the EU countries in 2017, SIM cards from other EU countries have become widespread in Cyprus, solving problems with the high cost of services of Cypriot operators - therefore, if you still have a card from a trip to any European country - use it in Cyprus - services of any operator will be obviously cheaper than Cypriot ones.

The low prevalence of free (open) Wi-Fi hotspots aggravates the situation - you can connect to the Internet without a password only in large shopping centers and airports. Even in five-star hotels, Wi-Fi services are often paid, and restaurant chains (including McDonalds) are password-protected.

Cyprus city codes

Economy

Safety

Security in Cyprus is not a problem, as the crime rate on the island is extremely low, even lower than in Western European countries. The number of crimes is approximately 1,000 per 100,000 people, which is a very low figure. The disclosure rate is at a traditionally high level - approximately 70%. But in any case, in resort areas you should be more careful and monitor your belongings, and leave documents and large sums of money in the hotel safe, taking photocopies of your international passport and small amounts with you.

Order on the streets of Cyprus is ensured by the National Police - another fruit of the British presence on the island, since the police in Cyprus are organized according to English rules. In rural areas, police functions are performed by the gendarmerie.

In Ayia Napa, four and five star hotels generally meet European quality standards and are distinguished by both excellent service and beautiful and clean beaches. As for lower-level hotels, it often happens that a 3-star hotel located close to the sea is equipped like a 2-star hotel, and the service is lower than in standard 3-star hotels.

There are a lot of accommodation options in Larnaca - these include expensive five and four star hotels, cheaper and simpler hotels, and simple apartments that are not classified in any way. The most luxurious hotels are not located in the city itself, but on the coast away from it. In the city center there are many mid-level hotels - three and two stars, as well as various apartments. These places are usually visited by those who prefer a more independent and active holiday to simply lying on the beach and hotel show programs.

Many hotels in Limassol belong to well-known global and European chains, for example, Le Meridien or Atlantica Hotels, which are located in other Cypriot and Greek cities. Hotels of this level have a lot of options for recreation, including small clubs and entertainment centers. 5- and 4-star hotels often have several restaurants at once, specializing in a particular cuisine.

More modest hotels are located in the city center, where most of the clubs and bars are also located, so you won’t have to go far for entertainment. Limassol beaches are usually of very good quality, and many hotels are located directly on the first line. True, the service in hotels in Limassol may be slightly worse than in similar hotels in Larnaca.

Nicosia has its own hotels of the famous world chains Hilton, Intercontinental and Holiday Inn, which, naturally, are aimed at the wealthy public, in particular businessmen, because the situation with tourists in Nicosia is much worse than in coastal cities. These hotels have their own conference rooms, secretarial services, constant Internet access, and fitness centers, gyms, beauty salons and spas to keep guests in shape. The old town is filled with cheap 2- and 3-star hotels, in whose small rooms Europeans traveling around Cyprus usually stay.

Paphos, true to its name, is rich in pretentious luxury hotels - there are many 5 and 4 star hotels filled with all sorts of delights - from extravagant design solutions to luxurious restaurants with expensive dishes. Examples include the Alexander the Great, Amalthia Beach, Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills Resort or Elysium, built in the shape of a medieval castle.

Protaras also has its own characteristics. This quiet and not the most popular resort is perfect for a relaxing family holiday, so the hotels here are appropriate - mostly middle class, 3 or 4 stars, with quality service and good-quality rooms.

the site compares prices for air tickets to Cyprus across 728 airlines around the world. We do not sell air tickets ourselves, but here you will find the lowest possible fares and special offers.. The population of Cyprus is 1,102,000 people. The official currency is the Euro (EUR).

Prices of flights to Cyprus

The cost of tickets to Cyprus depends on the season, city of departure, airline and availability of sales. Below is a list of the cheapest air tickets to Cyprus found by our visitors in the last 48 hours *:

The cheapest air ticket to Cyprus found by our users in the last 48 hours: ticket Moscow - Larnaca from Aegean Airlines with departure 12/11/2019 and cost 3,650 rubles. Find this ticket

Fastest air ticket to Cyprus: ticket in the direction Adana - Nicosia from Atlas Global Airlines with the nearest departure 06/09/2019 and flight duration 45min. Find this ticket

Visa and flight

A visa is required to travel to Cyprus. Before you get a visa, take care of purchasing air tickets to Cyprus and booking a hotel.

If you have purchased air tickets to Northern Cyprus and are flying via Turkey, then a visa is not required in this case. In this regard, you can buy cheap air tickets to Cyprus (to the Turkish part of the island) all year round.

When looking for air tickets to Northern Cyprus, you should keep in mind that direct flights to Ercan Airport are only available from Turkey. From the ports of Israel, Greece and Egypt, Cyprus can be reached by private ships or ferries.

The travel search engine site provides services for selling air tickets online to Cyprus from both Russian and foreign air carriers.

The best time to buy air tickets and travel around Cyprus

The island's climate is temperate, with hot summers and mild winters. The tourist season lasts from April to November. July and August are the hottest months on the island. Do you want to relax at a comfortable temperature? It is better to book flights to Cyprus for May or June. During this period there is no strong rush and there are not many tourists on the beaches yet. The velvet season on the island is September and early October. The air temperature at this time is more than comfortable - up to 25 degrees, and the sea temperature - up to 26 degrees. A great time for both walking and relaxing on the beach. There is always an opportunity to buy cheap air tickets to Cyprus during the high season if you take care of choosing a tour in advance. The beginning of spring is a great time for sightseeing (in addition, you can buy air tickets to Cyprus and book a hotel at competitive prices).

By the way, visit Limassol in early September. A unique wine festival takes place here, lasting 10 days. You can not only taste aromatic wines from different regions, but also purchase them at a competitive price. You can get acquainted with the original traditions of the island’s inhabitants all year round if you book tickets to Cyprus, adhering to the calendar of local holidays. In this case, you can not only have a good rest, but also plunge into the cultural heritage of the island.

Time and communication

When booking flights to Cyprus, think about how to stay in touch with loved ones. There are several options: call from your hotel room, having previously specified the tariff schedule, use a pay phone on the street, or use a local SIM card. Moreover, mobile communications in Cyprus are much cheaper than in Russia.

You can connect to the Internet both in the hotel lobby and in your room (sometimes for an additional fee). Cafes and nearby beaches may offer free Wi-Fi.

The time difference with Moscow is an hour behind in summer and 2 hours behind in winter.

Money and shopping

The national currency of Cyprus is the euro. The official currency of Northern Cyprus is the Turkish lira, but euros and dollars are also accepted for payment here. Representative offices of Russian banks can be found in Cyprus.

They prefer to bring famous wines and liqueurs from Cyprus. For example, Commandaria wine is best purchased in Troodos. Of course, no one returns from the island without Halloumi cheese and Cypriot sweets: halva and Turkish delight. Among household items, handmade silver jewelry, leather goods and lace are selling well.

Transport and accommodation

To rent a car in Cyprus, you must be over 25 years old and have at least 3 years of driving experience. The average cost of renting a car is 35 euros. In Northern Cyprus, rent will be cheaper – from 20 euros. It is worth taking into account that driving a rented car from the Greek part to the Turkish part and vice versa is prohibited.

When searching for air tickets to Cyprus, it is recommended to immediately select convenient accommodation options. In Limassol and Ayia Napa there are popular youth hotels with entertainment programs and night discos. Prestigious hotels representing the largest chains are located in Paphos. Here guests are offered a high level of comfort. You can play tennis or golf in the area around the hotel. Apartments and small hotels in Larnaca will appeal to travelers who prefer a quiet and comfortable holiday. High category hotels offer guests their own private beach. The further the hotel is located from the city center, the greater its coastline.