Cyprus attractions

With cool air and evergreen forests, the highest peak in Cyprus towers above the surrounding Troodos Mountains. In the summer months, hikers and cyclists flock to a network of trails wrapping the peak. When winter brings snow to the summit, the Cyprus Ski Club operates four lifts on Mt. Olympus to access the island’s only downhill skiing.

Pilgrims flock to this 2,000-year-old pillar, where St. Paul was said to have been tied up and whipped as punishment for preaching Christianity. Despite initial resistance from the Romans, Governor Sergius Paulus was eventually won over by the apostle, making Cyprus one of the world’s early adopters of Christianity.

A highlight of Paphos Archaeological Park, the House of Dionysos is the largest of four Roman villas, nicknamed the Mosaic Houses for their elaborate floor mosaics. The mosaics, painstakingly crafted from limestone tiles, date back to the second and third centuries AD and remained hidden until a local farmer discovered them in 1962.

On the edge of Cape Greco, the Love Bridge is a natural rock arch that extends into the water. According to local lore, if you and your beloved walk out onto the bridge and kiss each other while making a wish, the wish will come true.

Once famous for its sacred gardens, dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite, these days the sleepy village of Geroskipou is best known for its production of lokum, the age-old Cyprian sweet known elsewhere as Turkish delight. It’s also a great place to soak up some local atmosphere, with interesting old sites and a lovely beach.

Ayia Napa Harbour is a lovely place to go for a stroll, thanks to its numerous seafood restaurants, bars with outdoor seating for people watching, and plenty of places to spot fishing boats. As the main port in Ayia Napa, it's also the main departure point for boat tours in the area.

Spanning more than 100,000 square meters, WaterWorld is the largest themed water park in Cyprus, as well as one of the largest in the world. It’s located just outside of Ayia Napa, and features pools, water slides, an activity pool, a wave pool and various water rides, all with a Greek mythology theme.

Golden sand and clear water draw crowds to scenic Fig Tree Bay, an umbrella-dotted stretch of beach with an offshore island you can swim to. Its sheltered location ensures the sea is generally calm, offering ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling. Nearby Protaras Coastal Promenade links the beach to restaurants, bars, and shopping.

On the southwestern end of Cyprus, the Cape Greco Viewpoint is among the top spots in Cape Greco National Park for anyone keen to enjoy the beautiful sea views, whether by day or sunset. You can visit the viewpoint on foot or get a different perspective of the cape by heading out to sea aboard a boat or kayak.

Wine has been produced in Cyprus since ancient times and the Cyprus Wine Museum celebrates that history. Displays explore traditional techniques for grape cultivation and wine making, as well as the story of the island’s famed dessert wine Commandaria. After checking out exhibits, head downstairs for tastings of locally produced wines.

Stretching for almost 2,000 feet (600 meters), Nissi Beach is a Blue Flag beach that attracts droves of sun worshipers with its soft sands and crystalline waters. It's a great place to go swimming, with relatively calm and shallow waters closer to the shore that make it popular with families.

At Tsangarides Winery, on the edge of Lemona village, vineyards cover the lower slopes of the Troodos Mountains and surround its neat stone cellar. Bottles and casks of full-bodied reds and dry aromatic whites are stored in the cellar, while outdoor terrace seating is the ideal place to enjoy samples, snacks, and the rustic hillside scenery.

Subtle pink flamingo feathers add color to Larnaca Salt Lake's pale landscape in the city’s south. Rocky flats, scrubland, and an informal trail surround the salt lake. A lush burst of greenery surrounds the impressive and holy Hala Sultan Tekke mosque complex. Viewpoints for watching birds and the sunset dot much of the lake’s eastern bank.

Large, open terraces surround the tiny stone beach at Paphos Municipal Beach, also known as the Paphos Municipal Baths. Unlike the open sand beaches farther down the coast, this small beach in the heart of Kato Paphos features wooden decks for sunbathing and a small break in the rocky coastline for entering the water to cool off.

The Protaras Ocean Aquarium is Cyprus’ only purpose-built aquarium. This popular family attraction is home to more than 1,000 marine animals, as well as an aviary and a series of tropical gardens.

On the seafloor just off the coast, the Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (MUSAN) features over 90 works of art by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. It's billed as an "underwater forest," filled with sculptures of trees, people, and hybrids of the two.

The Cyprus Historic & Classic Motor Museum exhibits classic and historic cars that range from a Ford Model-T dating back to 1912 to the former rides of famous politicians. Along with the 90-strong collection of well-preserved cars, there’s a movie space where a film short calledMotoring through Ages plays on a loop.

An original Ottoman caravanserai just north of the border that carves Nicosia in two, the Buyuk Han is one of the city’s best-preserved historical landmarks. The rooms around the courtyard may now host cafés and shops, but this former inn hasn’t changed too much, with a Muslim prayer room and ablution fountain still at its center.

Situated at the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea on Cape Greco, Agioi Anargyroi Church is a lovely little church that's dedicated to Saints Anargyri Cosmas and Damian. Although the church is rarely open, many people still come here to admire the surrounding sea views.

Just west of central Ayia Napa, on the southern coast of Cyprus, Makronissos Beach has long been known for its powdery sands and its great swimming, sunbathing, and water-sports opportunities. Though it once was considered a party beach, it's shed its reputation and now attracts a fair number of families and couples looking for a place to soak in the sun.

Often overlooked by ruin-hungry travelers, Fabrica Hill is strewn with ancient remnants, including a Hellenistic pebble mosaic, a network of quarry caves, and a Roman theater carved into its southern slope. The summit provides stunning views out across Kato Paphos, Paphos Archaeological Park, and the Mediterranean beyond.

Originally built in the fourth century, this early Christian basilica was destroyed during Arab attacks in the seventh century, and another church was built on the site in the 13th century. Though only remnants of the original survive, the foundations and scattered columns give an impression of scale, while mosaics showcase the artistry involved.