Holidays in Cyprus: detailed guide. What does a tourist need to know about Cyprus? All about Cyprus, why go there on holiday

Cypriots are very emotional people; they can very well discuss something very loudly in a cafe or argue very furiously and noisily about something, actively gesticulate, “talk with their hands.” Fortunately, they are kind and friendly.

However, they have their own ideas about the boundary between acceptable emotionality and aggression. If you behave like them, your emotionality may be misinterpreted.

Cypriots do not like rules and laws. They smoke anywhere, although just recently a new anti-tobacco law came into force on the island, as we wrote about in the article “”. They can drink alcohol right on the street, although their laws prohibit this, as we discussed in the article “”.

Cypriots make noise at night and early in the morning, no one is surprised here. When meeting, they can ask a bunch of questions that we are not used to asking even good friends - marital status, how much you earn, and the like. Don't be surprised or scared.

Bicycles

Bicycles are becoming increasingly popular in Cyprus. The infrastructure for cyclists is currently being actively improved. Bicycle paths are marked with blue markings and special signs.

Recently, cycling tourist routes have been gaining popularity: to the mountain range, along, on the Akamas Peninsula, along the streets of Nicosia, to. Both have successful rental programs; you rent a bike at one of the rental points and return it at another.

If you decide to go on a bike ride, be sure to follow the markings. Cypriot drivers are not very disciplined; driving on public roads can be dangerous.

Fines for drivers

The Cyprus traffic police are not very active; they do not carry out large raids. However, the chances of getting an unpleasant fine are quite real.

Failure to fasten your seat belt – 90 euros. Talk on the phone without using a “hands free” headset – 150 euros. Exceeding the speed limit – 2 euro fine for 1 km/h of excess. You cannot drink or eat while driving, and you cannot smoke inside the car if there is a person under 16 years of age nearby. Be especially careful where and how you park.

Attention photographers

At many attractions it is prohibited to take photographs, or you need to buy a special permit at the ticket office along with your ticket. Watch for prohibitory signs.

It is strictly forbidden to photograph military facilities, this applies to the facilities of the Cypriot army, British bases, and UN peacekeepers.

Almost all tours sold on the island. Cyprus has a fairly high price, which rarely goes down. And there is an explanation for this:

• O. Cyprus is a very popular destination for a beach holiday. The beaches of Cyprus are not just good, they are some of the best, because most of them are marked with the Blue Flag, confirming the status of the cleanest coasts;


• the climate in Cyprus is mild and comfortable for any category of tourists;


• a wide variety of hotels in Cyprus and a high level of service in them, often regardless of the number of stars.

Everything you need to know about Cyprus

• Official name
  Republic of Cyprus;


• Capital
  city ​​of Nicosia;


• Territory
  area more than 9,251 km²;
  island width - 100 km, length - 240 km;


• Official language
  Greek and Turkish.
  The second most important language is English.
  Currently the staff and people
  those related to the tourism business speak good Russian;


• Population
  in the south - Greek Cypriots, in the north - Turkish Cypriots.
  The total population of Cyprus is 838,897 people (data from 2011), including:
  • 160,000 people are Turks;
  • 17,000 people are British;
  • more than 40,000 people are Russian.


• Religion
  The Greeks profess Orthodox Christianity, the Turks profess Islam;


• Time difference between Moscow and Cyprus
  In winter - minus 2 hours:
  (at a time when it is 12:00 in Moscow, 10:00 in Cyprus);
  In summer time - minus 1 hour:
  (at a time when in Moscow it is 12:00, in Cyprus it is 11:00).

Geographical location of Cyprus

If you look at the world map and try to understand where the island of Cyprus is located, then it will not be at all difficult: the state is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with an area of ​​9251 km2.

Knowing the geographical location of the island, it becomes obvious which sea in Cyprus will delight vacationers here with warm and crystal clear water.

The entire territorial possession of the island stretches for a distance of 240 km from east to west, and 100 km from north to south, and geographically belongs to Asia.

A few words about Cyprus' neighbors:

• on the northern side, the closest neighbor is Türkiye, the distance to which is only 75 km;
• the eastern neighbor, approximately 104 km away, is Syria;
• on the southern side, Cyprus neighbors Egypt, which is the farthest neighbor, the distance to which is as much as 370 km.

The entire territory of the island of Cyprus is divided by ownership as follows: 98% is owned by the Republic of Cyprus, and 2% belongs to the British military bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Few tourists know about Cyprus and that the Republic of Cyprus is not only the island itself, but also nearby islets such as Agios Georgios, Geronisos, Glyukiotissa, Kila, Kiedes, Kordilia and Mazaki.

In fact, all the possessions of Fr. Cyprus is controlled by three states: the Republic of Cyprus has at its disposal the largest part of the island - almost 60%, just under 40% is at the disposal of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, 3% of the territory is occupied by the UN and 2% of the island is owned by Great Britain, whose territory is military bases.

Everything you need to know about Cyprus resorts

All resort areas of the island occupy the southern coast of Cyprus.

• Paphos, located in the western part of Cyprus, is considered an elite resort on the island - suitable for a relaxing holiday;


• The youngest and noisiest resort in the southeast of the island is Ayia Napa, ideal for youth holidays in Cyprus, where life does not subside even at night;

• Another resort on the south-eastern coast of the island - Larnaca - is an ideal holiday destination for any category of tourists, considered the most economical holiday destination on the entire island;


• The place in Cyprus where you can meet the largest number of Russian tourists is the Limassol resort - the entertainment industry is very well developed here, which attracts tourists here even in winter (the period of tourist lull on the island);


• The easternmost resort in location - Protaras - is an ideal place to relax with children in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

All the most important things about the climate of Cyprus

A temperate climate prevails on the island. Cyprus, which has the following features:

1. A large number of sunny days a year;
2. Short winter with a mild climate with an average temperature of +17-19ºС;
3. Quite long swimming and beach holiday seasons in Cyprus, starting in mid-May and ending only in mid-October;
4. High air temperatures are perceived quite comfortably - all thanks to the low humidity levels on the island.

Thanks to the climate, Cyprus can be declared as a year-round resort, because even in the coldest winter month (February) the water temperature does not drop below +14ºС. Therefore, the decision about when is the best time to relax in Cyprus is up to you.

Currency exchange in Cyprus

The largest bank in Cyprus is Bank of Cyprus.
In 2008, the Cyprus currency, the Euro, was officially introduced on the island. Not everyone knows what's on about. It is better to fly to Cyprus from the Euro: dollars here will be gladly exchanged for local currency, but at a very unfavorable rate. !!! Often, exchange offices charge a commission, which is written about in the most inconspicuous place. With rubles, things are even worse in Cyprus: the exchange rate for the Euro is extremely unfavorable and they are accepted only in large banks, and therefore we strongly do not recommend traveling to the island with Russian currency. !!! For those who like cashless payments, Cyprus has all the conditions for this: Credit cards are accepted everywhere, and withdrawals from cards at ATMs occur with minimal fees.

Visa to Cyprus

All tourists who want to relax on the island and learn a lot of interesting things about Cyprus when planning a trip are required to check with the travel agency whether a visa to Cyprus is required. Tourists from Russia require a pre-issued visa to stay on the island. As a rule, tourists going on vacation on a tour package are issued a temporary visa (provisa), which is exchanged upon arrival at the airport for a stamp in the passport, giving the right to a one-time stay on the territory of the Republic for a period of no more than 90 days.

All about the safety of tourists in Cyprus

Cyprus is an island that can be called an absolutely safe holiday destination for tourists.
Everything that tourists who want to relax in the resorts of Cyprus can be warned about only concerns compliance with the rules of behavior and compliance with the laws of another country:

• the island has some of the strictest smoking rules in public places in the European Union;
• be careful on the roads: on the island, traffic is on the left, so unusual for us;
• do not park your car in unauthorized places; parking in a prohibited place will result in a heavy fine;
• keep valuables and documents in safes provided in each hotel free of charge or at a certain cost;
• resort to the help of the police if an unpleasant situation arises: Cypriot police are very attentive to the problems of tourists.

Beaches of Cyprus

Almost all beaches about. Cyprus municipal and free! But! The service provided on the best beaches of Cyprus is paid, namely: renting a sunbed and umbrella will cost money (on average 5 Euros/day). Want to save money? Sit completely free on a blanket on any of the beaches you like. Most of the island's beaches are awarded the Blue Flag. The beaches in Cyprus are different: some with golden-gray sand, others with snow-white and fine sand, and still others that boast only pebbles.

All about the cuisine and restaurants of Cyprus

In Cyprus, you can taste Greek cuisine in any of the local restaurants. On the island, seafood is more actively used in cuisine than on the mainland.

All restaurants on the island differ in their range of meze dishes. Speaking about the cuisine of Cyprus, it is worth noting dishes made from feta and halloumi cheeses, as well as on the list of things you should definitely try on the island, you must include green walnuts in syrup. For lovers of alcoholic beverages, Cyprus has a lot to offer: locally produced wines, liqueurs and local grape moonshine “Zivania”. As for tips, all restaurants already include a 10% service charge in the bill. Whether or not to leave a tip as a sign of gratitude is a personal matter for each tourist.

Hotels in Cyprus

The island has hotels of absolutely all categories: from 2* to 5*, and even hotels with the lowest star rating will have a decent and decent level of service. Hotels in Cyprus 2* - apartments. For many tourists, it is surprising that all sockets in Cyprus are three-phase and adapters are needed to use them. Most vacationers find out about this upon check-in. Don’t be upset - in every hotel at the reception you can take such an adapter for a deposit or buy it for a small price in any nearby store.

Transport in Cyprus

Taxi
Taxis on the island are very popular among tourists. You can order a car by stopping it on the streets of the city, or by calling it by phone.
There are two tariffs for taxi travel in Cyprus:

• daytime from 6:00 to 20:30;
• nightly from 20:30 to 6:00.

The night rate is usually 15% more expensive than the day rate.
It is possible to hire a vehicle to travel around the cities for sightseeing. The cost of renting such a car is discussed in advance with the driver.

Rent a car
An ideal option for those who want to independently explore all the most beautiful places on the island. Car rental in Cyprus is available to tourists who meet the conditions and requirements of companies providing car rental:

• The tourist must fall within the age limit scale - 25-70 years;
• Rental companies always ask about driving experience and require at least 2 years of experience.

When renting a car for a long period of time for trips in Cyprus, unlimited mileage is provided. The average rental cost is 35 EURO/day. The rental price does not include insurance and VAT (15%).

Now you know and have the most important and necessary information for a trip to Cyprus. Make up your mind, the resort places of the island deserve attention and are worthy of your visit.

Have a nice holiday!

“The Island of Aphrodite”, the “golden apple of the earth” is called Cyprus - an island in the Mediterranean Sea, which over the past ten years has been popular as one of the best resorts for beach holidays. The island is amazing: a forested mountain range, rocky shores, sandy beaches - these landscapes captivate the imagination of tourists.

Weather

The island, where the sun is said to shine 340 days a year, has a mild Mediterranean climate. Winter is wet, with frequent rain from December to February, but there are still many clear sunny days. The air temperature stays around +12°C...+14°C in coastal areas and somewhat lower in central areas where the mountains are located.

Autumn and spring fly by on the island unnoticed, as they are short-lived. Spring begins in the country from March and lasts 2 months. At this time, the weather is warm enough to, if not swim, then relax on the beach. Autumn begins at the end of September, but the weather changes significantly only a month later in November.

Summer begins in May and lasts until mid-September. By the end of May the temperature reaches high levels, and in July-August the scorching heat burns the skin. And if on the coast it is easier to bear thanks to the fresh breeze, then traveling inside the island is unlikely to seem comfortable.

How to get there

The island is separated from Turkey by 75 km, from Syria – 100 km, from Egypt – about 400 km, so you can get to Cyprus only in two ways: by sea and by air.

A ferry service connects the island with Greece, Israel and Turkey. In Greece it departs from Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki. Those who choose to travel from Israel need to get to Haifa. From the territory of Turkey (Tushucu, in the summer also Alanya, Antalya) you can only get to Northern Cyprus.

A faster and cheaper way is to travel by air. Regular direct flights, taking about 4 hours, are made only to Larnaca. There are flights to Paphos and Nicosia. In addition, there are many charter flights that also allow you to get to the island.

Popular resorts

On the Island of the Sun, everyone can find a resort to their liking: with constant fun or seclusion, full of attractions or amazing infrastructure, with a sandy or pebble beach. And we will try to help you with this.

Beach

To relax on the beach, you can choose any resort on the coast (read here). But young people traditionally choose Ayia Napa, where nightclubs, discos, restaurants, karaoke bars are located on the main street, and water activities await tourists on the beach: diving, paragliding, windsurfing, water skiing, catamarans, etc. By the way, because of the first-class Young people often go diving to Protaras.

Couples with children often stay in Limassol, Larnaca and Protaras. And if the latter is distinguished by the almost complete absence of noisy parties and discos, then Limassol and Larnaca are chosen because of the abundance of entertainment provided, shallow waters and sandy beaches.

Respectable couples can be advised to choose Paphos, which will undoubtedly enjoy a comfortable and relaxing holiday. It is famous for its wonderful restaurants on the coast. However, you can't call it cheap.

Those who would like to take a break from civilization and enjoy the natural beauty of the local nature should go to Polis.

All of the cities listed are already somewhat Europeanized. If you want a real Cypriot flavor, then you are in Pissouri, where houses are built in a traditional style, where life is leisurely, and people gather to discuss the latest news in a tavern over delicious food.

For your health

As such, there are no specialized medical resorts in Cyprus, although the combination of climate-ecological conditions-nature is conducive, if not to therapeutic, then to health-improving holidays. Therefore, most cities on the island offer accommodation in resort hotels, so called because of the expanded range of spa services.

The best spa hotels are located in Paphos, Limassol and Ayia Napa.

Ski

The expression “ascend to Olympus” in Cyprus can be fully realized. Not everyone knows that Cyprus has not only beaches, but also mountain ranges. One of them, which is located on the territory of Greek Cyprus, is called Troodos, and its main peak is Olympus. So you can climb to Olympus even without being a god.

Interestingly, even when it becomes comfortable to sunbathe on the coast, the mountain peaks are covered with snow and tourists enjoy skiing and snowboarding.

Hotels

The island's resorts offer more than 2.3 thousand accommodation options, including well-known hotel chains. All of them correspond to the usual European categories, and as elsewhere, the price will depend on the distance from the sea and the center, the development of the territory and the development of infrastructure. Prices here are higher than in Turkey or Egypt, but the conditions are completely different.

Numbers

Hotels of the 2nd and 3rd categories are often distinguished by non-modern buildings, but they are being renovated. The rooms there are not particularly spacious, but have modern equipment: TV, air conditioning, refrigerator, private bathroom (in a 2-star hotel it is better to check).

The 5-star hotel features comfortable rooms. Usually these are entire complexes, including spas, swimming pools, sports and children's areas, children's animation and evening shows, and much more.

Location

The island's resorts are distinguished by their hotel facilities. So, Paphos is mainly 4 and 5 star hotels, which are most often located not on the coast. And the best beaches are located in more modest 3-star hotels. This is explained by the fact that the resort was aimed at Germans, and did not involve so much a beach holiday.

Larnaca, on the contrary, is considered budget; most hotels here have 3 stars. Please note that these are mainly city hotels, i.e. their territory consists of a building, a swimming pool, and sometimes a separate standing restaurant. You should look for hotels with developed areas and animation on the coast. Their category will be at least 4.

In Limassol, on the coast there are both 3-star and hotels of 4 and 5 categories. However, the best beaches are undoubtedly at 5-star ones.

Ayia Napa has a variety of accommodation options, but here the choice directly depends on the nearest beach.

Protaras can surprise tourists with relatively low prices in 4 and 5-star hotels with high quality service.

Nutrition

The food system depends on the level of the hotel. 2-3-star hotels often offer “breakfast only”, less often “half board”. A 4th category hotel is more likely to offer half board or board. The last option is also typical for 5-star. Meals are served buffet style.

By the way, many hotels are switching to an all-inclusive system, regardless of their category. If in a hotel of categories 2-3 the service concerns only food, then in categories 4-5 it involves additional services: courts and game rooms, visits to the spa and children's club. Everything will depend on the chosen place of residence.

We would also like to note that hotels do not serve local fruits, but this warm country is rich in them. Therefore, depending on the time of your vacation, find out which ones are in season and be sure to visit the local markets to buy them.

For children

Holidays in Cyprus are aimed at staying with children. This applies to a greater extent to 4-5-star hotels, which provide a crib upon request, a special menu, a playground, a children's club and animation.
In most 3-star hotels, apart from a crib and an equipped place in the pool, there will be no services for staying with children.

Entertainment

Even relaxing on the best beaches can get boring. ? Cities in Cyprus have the following to offer:

• Zoos are located in Paphos and Limassol. In addition, there is also a camel farm in Limassol, where children can ride leisurely animals, and in Paphos, the bird park is a favorite place for children. For those staying in Ayia Napa, we recommend visiting the donkey farm with your children, whose long-eared inhabitants always evoke pleasant emotions in children. The same farm is located 30 km from Larnaca, and 17 km from the resort there is also the Camel Park entertainment center, which, in addition to animals, includes attractions, playgrounds, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a Bedouin tent.
• The best aquariums in Cyprus are located in Paphos and Protaras.
• 3 resorts boast water parks: Paphos, where Aphrodita is located, Ayia Napa, where Water World was built, and Limassol, whose water park Watermania is no less famous.
• Luna parks are located in Ayia Napa “Parko Paliatso” and in Limassol on the territory of the entertainment center “Galactica Luna Park & ​​Bowling”.
• Famous adventure parks you need to look near Limassol (“Sayious” and “Santa Marina Retreat”) and Paphos (“Ithaki Amusement Park”).

In addition, in Protaras you can admire the show of singing fountains and play minigolf, and in Larnaca you can race at the Go Karts karting center.

Shopping

We can please those who are planning to replenish their wardrobe in Cyprus - local shops and shopping centers offer customers well-known brands. The best places to shop are in Limassol, Ayia Napa and Paphos. You can also find interesting things in Protaras, but a small town cannot amaze with the variety of goods. Many tourists consider Larnaca expensive in terms of shopping.

Limassol is home to the largest shopping center on the island, My Mall. A slightly smaller range is offered by Palladium and the British Debenhams Olimpia. In addition, many shops are located on Anexartesias Street.

In Aina Napa, feel free to go to the city center - this is where the brand stores are located: “Aquarium”, “Brand Fashion Shop”, “Bata”, etc.

In Paphos, be sure to check out Kings Avenue Mall, Fabula Boutique, Debenhams and Pink Woman.

Souvenirs

Surely you will want to bring something from Cyprus. We suggest you familiarize yourself. Perhaps you will like something too.

So, here's a small top:

• figurines of Aphrodite and donkeys;
• porcelain dishes with national ornaments;
• olive oil;
• sweets;
• alcohol: Komandaria wine and Zivania vodka;
• Lefkara lace;
• Leather Products;
• Cypriot silver.

And finally, the only thing left to decide is to relax in comfort, taste local dishes in a restaurant a couple of times, attend excursions, and not forget about souvenirs.

Cyprus is the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean Sea. Geographically it belongs to Asia. Cyprus is located in the eastern Mediterranean at a distance of 380 km from Egypt, 105 km from Syria and 75 km from Turkey. The island stretches for 240 km from east to west, and reaches a width of 100 km from north to south. Area - 9251 km². In fact, the island is divided between three states: 36% of the territory is controlled by the partially recognized state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, 3.7% by the UN (buffer area), 2.7% by Great Britain (military bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia), the rest 57.6% by Republic of Cyprus. Briefly about what tourists need to know about Cyprus in this article.

For tourists about Cyprus - useful and practical information

Relief of Cyprus

Most of the island is occupied by mountains. It stretches along the northern coast in a latitudinal direction. Its width in the western part is 15 km, to the east it expands to 25 - 30 km. The western part of the Kyrenia ridge is higher; individual peaks exceed 1 thousand m. The highest point of the ridge is Mount Akromanda (1023 m). The southwestern half of the island is occupied by a wide mountain range, indented by longitudinal river valleys. Its northern part is the highest; the highest point of Cyprus is also located here - (1952 m).

Climate of Cyprus

Population of Cyprus

The population of Cyprus has for several centuries consisted of two ethnic groups: Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. After the division of the island, the vast majority of Greek Cypriots live in the south, while the Turks live in the north. The total population is about 900 thousand people, of which Greeks - 650,000, Turks - 160 thousand. Also in Cyprus live 17 thousand Englishmen, from 20 to 50 thousand Russians, 4 thousand Armenians. After the 1974 war, some 180,000 Greek Cypriots fled or were forcibly resettled to the south. About 42 thousand Turks moved to the north. And only in the village of Pyla in the district, under the administration appointed by the UN, both groups of the population live.

Religion of Cyprus

The majority of the population of Cyprus is made up of ethnic Greeks who practice Orthodox Christianity and ethnic Turks who practice Islam.
The Cypriot Orthodox Church has the status of a quasi-state institution and plays a prominent role in the socio-political life of the country; Primate of the Church of Cyprus - Archbishop of New Justiniana and. In addition to the temples (more than 500) found in almost every village, the church has 11 monasteries in Cyprus, which own significant and most fertile lands on the island, with year-round artificial irrigation, and other large property.
The Armenian, Catholic, Maronite churches are represented, as well as Judaism and other faiths.

Political system of Cyprus

After gaining independence, the Republic of Cyprus became one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, despite the fact that all three guarantor powers (Great Britain, Greece and Turkey) were members of NATO. In 2004, Cyprus left the Non-Aligned Movement in order to join the European Union, but retained special observer status in this organization. The 1960 constitution envisioned a presidential republic with separation of powers between executive, legislative and judicial, and quotas to protect the interests of ethnic Turks. The President and Vice President were elected by the Greek and Turkish communities respectively for a five-year term, and had the right to veto certain initiatives of the legislative and executive branches.

The House of Representatives was elected on the basis of separate votes from both communities. Since 1964, the seats of the Turkish community have remained unoccupied. After the split of the island, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is headed by a President and a Prime Minister, responsible to the National Assembly. The TRNC authorities reject the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the entire territory of the island, and call it “the Greek authorities of Southern Cyprus”. Accordingly, the Republic of Cyprus and other UN member countries, with the exception of Turkey, do not recognize the TRNC, and designate it as “territories occupied by Turkish troops.”

Since May 1, 2004, the Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the European Union. The legal route of arrival to the island, according to the jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus, is through or, or the seaports of Larnaca or Limassol. Legal under the jurisdiction of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - through Turkey, and the ports of Northern Cyprus, sea or air. Since January 1, 2008, the Republic of Cyprus has been part of the eurozone, that is, its national currency - the Cypriot pound - has been replaced by the euro.

It can be useful

The Republic of Cyprus adheres to a policy of non-alignment and is not a member of NATO.
The Turkish sector is indicated on maps of the Republic of Cyprus as “territory inaccessible due to Turkish occupation”, the same on the map of the northern part. The names of the cities in Northern Cyprus are given as of 1974; there are no road signs for these cities.

Properties located in Northern Cyprus, which were owned by ethnic Greeks until 1974, continue to be considered their property. The purchase of such real estate may be considered legal in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, but the authorities in the Greek sector may regard such a step as buying stolen property. Formally, 98% of the island’s territory is under the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, minus the British military bases. De facto, 38% of the territory is occupied by the partially recognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. islands are free, provided you have a visa from the Republic of Cyprus, but only in certain areas.

A visa for the partially recognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is issued upon entry. Insurance coverage may not apply to Turkish territory. When returning from the northern part of the island, a customs inspection may be carried out. Since prices in Turkish territory are significantly lower, the import of goods from it is limited. The Republic of Cyprus may refuse entry to persons who have a stamp in their passport indicating a visit to the Republic of Macedonia. This fact is connected with the dispute between this state and Greece over its name.
The Republic of Cyprus established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in August 1960. On April 7, 1992, the Republic of Cyprus recognized the Russian Federation as the legal successor of the USSR. Russian embassies are located in cities

Persons with a visitor visa are prohibited from working. A work permit must be obtained before arriving in the Republic of Cyprus. In April 2004, referendums were held in both Cypriot republics on unification into a single state. The proposed plan for unifying the island was named after its author, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. 65% of TRNC citizens participating in the referendum supported Annan’s plan, 75% of Greek Cypriots rejected the plan.

Economy of Cyprus

The economy of Cyprus is greatly affected by the division of the island into a Greek sector (Republic of Cyprus) and a Turkish sector (partially recognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). The Greek sector's economy experienced a speculative boom driven by offshore capital inflows between 1990 and 2008, but is heavily exposed to external risks. Growth rates in the 1990s reflect the island's dependence on fluctuations in tourist numbers and changes in economic conditions in Western Europe.

In January 2008, the Republic of Cyprus entered the eurozone, and its monetary policy is dictated by the European Central Bank, which reduced the republic's competitiveness in world markets and ultimately brought the country to the brink of a financial and economic crisis in 2012 - 2013. As a result of the crisis, prices for residential real estate have dropped significantly. Thus, in the municipal housing sector, the cost of housing ranges from 400 euros per square meter of construction. In the private sector, the cost of land per hundred square meters varies on average from 1,700 to 50,000 euros.

The Turkish sector represents one fifth of the population and one tenth of the GNP compared to the Greek part of the island. Due to the fact that it is only recognized by Turkey among UN member states, Northern Cyprus has difficulty obtaining international financing and foreign firms generally avoid investing there. Half of the workforce is employed in agriculture, government and military service. In circulation in the northern part of the island is the Turkish lira. Turkey also provides direct and indirect assistance to tourism, education, industry, etc. In the Turkish sector, there is a problem with water supply, and the construction of desalination plants is planned.

Transport in Cyprus

The roads in Cyprus are among the best in the European Union, and are divided into main, auxiliary asphalt, country roads and motorways. Driving is on the left. The main 4 roads run along the southern coast from Larnaca to Limassol and lead to Nicosia. The only form of public transport is buses. you can drive almost anywhere. There are three international airports in Cyprus, two are located on the Greek part of the island in Paphos (16 km from the city) and Larnaca (2 km from the city). There is also a full-fledged operating airport in Nicosia - Ercan. All flights to Northern Cyprus pass through Turkey. The main airline serving the Greek part of the island is Cyprus Airways. Larnaca Airport opened in 1975, following the forced closure of Nicosia Airport, and is partly located on land previously used by Britain as a military base. Large seaports, after the closure, are and.

Tourism in Cyprus

The tourism industry is one of the main sources of national income. The Cyprus Tourist Organization (CTO) is responsible for it. A significant part of the population works in this sector, and the profit brought by tourism is the main source of foreign currency income to the republic’s budget. Over the past 4 years, the number of tourists visiting Cyprus has increased by 29%, and income from tourism has increased by 40%.

Largest resorts:

Many beaches in the Republic of Cyprus have been awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union for environmental cleanliness and infrastructure. Most of these beaches are municipal; there is a fee for renting sun loungers and parasols. The city of Nicosia (Leukosia) is the capital and largest city of Cyprus. It is located in the center of the island and is divided by the “green line”. The urban areas to the north of it are controlled by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The second largest city in Cyprus is the seaport of Limassol, founded in Byzantine times. To the west of it is the British sovereign base of Akrotiri.

Among the resorts in the Republic of Cyprus, Ayia Napa is the center of club life and is aimed mainly at young people. For family holidays, mainly Paphos and Protaras are suitable. Ayia Napa is the only resort in the Republic of Cyprus where the surface layer of the beaches consists of white imported sand. , and from dark volcanic sand. The beaches of Portaras are mixed, mostly yellow sand.

included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, and is also famous for the fact that Aphrodite’s Bay is located nearby. According to legend, in this place the goddess of love and beauty was born from sea foam.

The British heritage includes, in addition to driving on the left, a power supply standard - three-pin sockets (one of them is grounding, analogous to the side contact of a Euro plug), but the voltage is not 230 V, as in the UK, but 240 V.

Many shops and banks on the island are closed on Wednesday afternoon and all day on Sunday, and on weekdays only from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:30 in winter, from 16:00 to 19:00 in summer.

There remains some tension in relations between the two communities. When communicating with people, it is not recommended to mention the Turkish occupation of the northern part of the island. A particularly painful topic is the “ghost town” of Varosha. Among the ethnic Greeks in Cyprus you can find a certain number of immigrants from the former USSR (Pontic Greeks).

Procedure for entry into the Republic of Cyprus

On January 1, 2004, a decree introducing a visa regime for Russian citizens came into force. According to the decision of the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus, citizens of the Russian Federation who have a valid Schengen visa (category C with multiple entry), and who have already visited the Schengen country on it, can travel to Cyprus without a national Cypriot visa and stay there for the period provided for by the Schengen visa in accordance with the rules for obtaining a Schengen visa stamped in their passport, and leave Cyprus no later than the expiration of the Schengen visa.

It is necessary to check the number of days to stay in the Schengen country. Days of stay in Cyprus are not deducted from the Schengen visa.
European Union passport holders do not need a visa to enter Cyprus, but are required to carry a valid passport or identification card, provided it includes a photograph and nationality.

Countries whose citizens are not required to obtain a visa to enter Cyprus for a stay of no more than 90 days, provided they are well-intentioned visitors to the country, include the following: Australia, Austria, Andorra, Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Brunei, Vatican City, Hungary, Venezuela, Guatemala, Germany, Holland, Honduras, Hong Kong, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Costa Rica, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, El Salvador, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, United States, Uruguay, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, South Korea, Japan.

If citizens of the Russian Federation are flying from outside Russia, they need to apply for a tourist visa in their passport; If a tourist has an open, valid Schengen visa, he can visit the territory of Cyprus with this visa.
Citizens of the Russian Federation need to enter the Republic of Cyprus.

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Best hotels in Cyprus

Protaras Hotels

Ayia Napa is a prestigious and very popular resort among tourists from all over the world. Today, this picturesque corner of the earth seamlessly combines natural beauty with vibrant nightlife. Therefore, a holiday in Ayia Napa is more suitable for young people. The city has a huge number of bars, nightclubs, taverns, restaurants, and shopping centers. Any entertainment establishment can boast a variety of Cypriot wines and delicious national cuisine.

Larnaca is the third largest city in Cyprus and the main air tourist gateway of the island. It is here that tourists from all over the world most often fly. Of all the resort towns in Cyprus, holidays in Larnaca are the simplest and most economical. The city is very democratic and therefore everyone will feel good here: families, young people, elderly couples, business people, and single tourists too. Everyone will find something to suit their taste here.

The city of Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus. This is a modern and business resort center. Limassol and its surroundings are the center of industrial corporations of foreign companies, as well as the Commandaria district, the center of Cyprus winemaking. Geographically, it is very attractive for tourists who want to visit different parts of the island. Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa can be reached by bus in just 1.5 hours.

Paphos is the most elite resort in Cyprus and is located on the west coast of the island. On the one hand, it is a classic old European resort town, and on the other, fashionable and modern. In general, the resort is aimed at the recreation of wealthy people. Many artists and businessmen who want high quality in everything come to vacation in Paphos. On the other hand, there are hotels and entertainment for people of different ages and incomes.

For advanced air passengers, he told me what things should be avoided in Cyprus if you want only positive memories from your vacation.

Perhaps this summer you will go on holiday to Cyprus. Perhaps even for the first time. And even if not for the first time, our advice may be useful to you. We have collected 10 things that you cannot do in Cyprus: it will not be the best waste of time and money. And each, of course, has an alternative.

So, once in Cyprus, you should not:

Buy halloumi cheese in hotel supermarkets

Halloumi can be fried either in a frying pan or on a grill. Delivering cheese packed in film - no problem

And in general in supermarkets in tourist areas. It is quite expensive there and often at the same time cheap - in the sense that in order to reduce the cost, cow's milk is added to halloumi, while the real one is prepared only from goat and sheep's milk. In hotels, by the way, they often fry it incorrectly, in thin slices - so it seems that the portion is larger. In fact, the correct thickness is about a centimeter.

For real halloumi, you can go, for example, to a donkey farm in the vicinity of Ayia Napa. No, that doesn't mean they add donkey milk to it, it's just a fun tourist attraction with a "village" theme. The cross-country donkey ride included in the program at first glance smacks of terry pop, but in fact it impresses even those who have always been indifferent to “riding a horse.”

Trying to get into Varosha

Varosha is an abandoned resort on the demarcation line between the Republic of Cyprus and the unrecognized territory captured by the Turks. Photos on the Internet attract lovers of post-apocalyptic landscapes, but in fact, the “object” is well guarded by the Turkish military, who, by the way, vacation there semi-legally, so it will not be possible to get there undetected.

If you need to “just look”, this can be done, firstly, during a boat trip from Ayia Napa: the boat comes quite close, everyone is given binoculars, and the line of gradually crumbling hotels along the beach can be studied in detail. Secondly, almost at the very “border” (Greek Cypriots do not consider it as such, because the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” is considered a temporarily occupied territory, much like Crimea by the Ukrainians) there is a museum of occupation, from the roof of which everything is also perfectly visible through binoculars, and here they will talk in detail about what happened in 1974.

Varosha from the Museum of Occupation. Grab your binoculars and go!

Thirdly, if you’re going to wander around, the Berengaria Hotel in the western part of the island looks much more interesting, where you can stop by on the way to the Kykkos Monastery, or even instead of the monastery.

Checkpoint at the “border” in Famagusta

Drive a rental car to Turtle Beach

This mosaic at Larnaca airport was actually taken from the abandoned Nicosia airport. Compared to the 1967 version, not all fragments have been preserved

Lara Beach is a place worth visiting. It is not a fact that you will see sea turtles that lay eggs there, but the place itself is quiet, deserted and surprisingly clean even by the standards of Cyprus, where the cleanliness of the beaches is one of the main advantages for vacationers. However, if you go there in a rental car, then, firstly, you will drive for a very long time. Secondly, there is a risk of breaking the road tires on sharp stones on the road (and this is an unpaved road that runs mainly on rocky soil).

On the beach, you will most likely only see fences around turtle nests. Large turtles come to lay eggs at night, and small turtles, as you understand, do not hatch every day either, but after hatching, they immediately crawl to the sea and swim away

Thirdly, although there is no outright off-road in the Russian sense (swamp), it is easy to put a bumper, threshold or muffler of a small car on uneven roads, for which you will then have to pay. An alternative is the so-called jeep safari. Of course, the safari has the same name, but riding on a bench in the trunk of a Defender is somehow more colorful. The main thing, if there is more than one jeep in your group, is to sit in the first jeep, because in the second you will swallow dust. By the way, choose trips that include a stop in the Avakas gorge along the way: these are natural beauties indescribable in the form of text, photos or videos (and there are no crowds of tourists there).

Check into a hotel on the coast of Ayia Napa

They specially posted the ugliest photo from the gorge so that you can go and see everything with your own eyes

It will always be crowded here in the worst sense of the word: crowds of vacationers will literally be lying under your windows, music will be constantly playing from beach bars, and the people at sea will be like in Simeiz.

Ayia Napa

Have you rented a room with a private terrace on the seafront in Ayia Napa? Well done, your territory is limited to a paved area

For a quiet, relaxing holiday, it is better to go to Paphos (we were at the Coral Beach Hotel and Resort: a wonderful place, although a little old-fashioned), and if you are in the eastern part of the island, then it makes sense to stay away from the sea.

Coral Beach in Paphos is quiet and peaceful. This is where you need to escape the noisy crowds

After all, you don’t run back and forth between the sea and your room, but come for a few hours. If so, you can get to the hotel in a few minutes using a free shuttle. And the beaches that such shuttles go to are not so crowded. An example of a good hotel of this type is St. Elias Resort, here you will live in small houses instead of multi-storey buildings, there are swimming pools with slides and, most importantly, Ultra All Inclusive, dear to the Russian heart, which is generally rare for Cyprus. Surprisingly, there are few Russians in the hotel - mostly English.

St. Elias Resort has swimming pools among two-story houses on a large area, only one and a half hundred rooms and many pools. Some houses have their own.

Eat in tourist restaurants on the shore

Oven for cooking kleftiko

This, however, is the advice of Captain Obvious, but, damn it, you go and there are people sitting there and eating who knows what. What should you eat in Cyprus? First, look for places where they cook “kleftiko” - this is lamb stewed in special vats in a special oven for so long that it loses the characteristic taste of lamb and melts in your mouth; It is difficult to find them in tourist areas; restaurants are located in areas where the local population is concentrated.

Another mandatory program is meze. Meze comes in fish and meat varieties, the latter being more typical for Cyprus. The idea is that one by one they bring you tiny portions of various dishes: ideologically similar to Spanish tapas, but here most of the dishes are hot. Ideally, you should also wash everything down with local wine, for which, by the way, it’s worth visiting the Kolios winery, where they also serve meze (meat). Locally bottled Persefoni wine at €5 a bottle is worth buying as much as you can take away.

The grapes grow on limestone; limestone is saturated with water during rains, and this is enough to feed the bushes; no one waters anything additionally. Therefore, the berry contains less water, which means the wine has a richer taste.

And if you want fish meze and still be on the shore, then you should at least once go to Sailor’s Rest on the territory of St. Raphael Resort in the vicinity of Limassol.

That ocean liner on the shore is actually not a liner, but a restaurant. A bit pricey, but worth it.

Go to the source of Aphrodite
We don’t have any other source of Aphrodite for you.

No, if you live very close, then you can go, but in general you will most likely be disappointed. The “source” is a small puddle in a grotto with water flowing down its walls. You won’t be able to swim there, or drink the water - in a word, it’s just a beautiful legend from the authors of guidebooks who needed to write at least something else.

And by the way, here you can swim to the rock

But if you do go in that direction, then know that in the immediate vicinity of the source there is a rather interesting arboretum, and also a beautiful wild pebble beach, where there are never people. However, keep in mind that you will first have to go down a winding staircase from a high cliff, and then climb back up along it.

Give vodka to pelicans on the promenade in Paphos

Alas, this idiotic entertainment is typical only for “Russo tourists”. It’s better to just take pictures with the pelicans, but in general, since you’re on the embankment, go and look at the ancient mosaics.

Even if you hate museums and all these thousand-year-old antiquities with all your heart, and your favorite entertainment is the TV show “Dom-2”, then you can still at least say: “Hey, hey, swastika!”, because the characteristic ornament is repeated in most these mosaics. At the same time, they will tell you that it has nothing to do with prohibited symbols, if you didn’t know that.

Buy an adapter for UK sockets

Yes, the sockets in Cyprus are different. This is not Greece (not to be confused with Crete), but a former British colony, and the outlets here are of the English type. The store will charge you 5, 10, or 20 euros for it, depending on how popular the brand is, but in reality you don’t need it.

Firstly, decent hotels rent an adapter. Somewhere there’s even no deposit, and somewhere else they charge 5 euros. Secondly, even if you were not given an adapter, there is a life hack: insert any available object (for example, a pen refill, a cotton swab, etc.) into the central hole, thereby opening the curtains of the main contacts.

We insert a regular Euro plug into them and take out the auxiliary item. In order not to bother with this every time, take with you from Russia the simplest extension cord with a tee. Alas, in a number of hotels there are still sockets of the old British standard BS 546 with round holes; Euro plugs don't fit in them, and an adapter is hard to find (so, again, don't buy an adapter).

Buy something from Duty-Free at Larnaca Airport

Some drinks in the dutik can be tasted for free, but in homeopathic doses

All local products are much more expensive there than in regular stores. Foreign drinks in general are also not cheap.

Look better at non-food products - glasses, perfume, etc., because you can also have a drink in the business lounge, where, by the way, there is a wonderful terrace from where you can watch the planes (and smoking is also allowed there).

Terrace in the business lounge of Larnaca Airport where smoking is allowed.

This is not the entire selection of alcohol in the LCA lounge.

By the way, you can watch the planes from Mackenzie Beach not far from the airport: there are few people, pleasant sand, you swim right under the glide path, and the end of the runway literally goes out onto the beach. Just don’t come close to the airport fence: a security car drives up from the other side very quickly, and from it they look at you with silent reproach.

Travel on your own during the season to save money

Fresh 737-800 Rossiyas fly to Cyprus, some of the planes are not even a year old

Many people consider package tours evil and do not want to feed tour operators, but this is not about Cyprus and not about the season. Yes, all hotels can be booked through bookings or islands, and you can buy tickets yourself, but it will be more expensive. To understand: a Cyprus hotel gives rooms to a tour operator for about half the price it sells them “at retail” to online travel agencies.

Even taking into account the tour operator’s margin, for the price of a room, if you organize your trip yourself, you will at least also get a free ticket, and with a good airline. The main tour operator is Biblio-Globus, it cooperates with Rossiya, which flies to Cyprus mainly on fresh Boeing 737-800 and, by the way, feeds quite well (plus you can order additional food).

The standard flight meals are satisfying, although without frills, you can order additional ones for an additional fee if you are flying from Moscow

Among the regions, this is generally almost no alternative; regular flights will, as a rule, have a transfer in Moscow, and for a ticket from a decent carrier you can pay almost the cost of a package tour. Don't forget about the transfers included in the tour.

Plane "Russia" in Larnaca

Taxis in Cyprus are expensive (from Larnaca to Paphos, for example, 100 euros), and when renting a car, keep in mind that traffic is on the left, that is, cars are right-hand drive. Accordingly, the cheapest options with a manual transmission, where you will need to change gears with your left hand, are unlikely to suit you.

A number of hotels from Biblio-Globus even have separate children's animation in Russian.

At Larnaca airport there are many counters for Rossiya flights: the airport tries to ensure that you don’t stand in queues and spend your money faster.