The beautiful island of Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, to the south east of Greece and south of Turkey. The island enjoys a mild climate and has a rich natural heritage.

The following are just a few of the many natural attractions for visitors to explore on their cheap package holidays to Cyprus.

Cyprus Beach

The Beaches

Cyprus offers a variety of different beaches to suit everyone. These include golden, white and dark sandy beaches, pebble and rock beaches, isolated in green or desert environments, lagoon style to rough sea-like waters; this list goes on and on. All of the beaches are very clean with more than 50 having been awarded the Blue Flag. More than 30 of the islands beaches have facilities for handicapped visitors. The Ayia Napa Nissi Beach, Protaras Bay Beach and Konnos Beach in the east have soft golden sands and calm clear waters while the beaches in Larnaca have much darker sands. Limassol beaches have many hotels right on the shoreline while the Pissouri there are high cliffs on two sides of the bay. Paphos beaches are similar to those found in Limassol but if you are looking for more isolated beaches you should go to Latchi or Polis. For complete isolation the Lara coast, west of the Akamas peninsula, will give you the complete solitude you are looking for! Read more »

There are so many amazing places to see in Cyprus, the list seems endless. The following are just a few of the many wonderful places that we think are worth a visit on your holidays to the beautiful island of Cyprus. Take a look at this site if you are looking for those last minute bargains to Cyprus.

Paphos Harbour

Paphos Harbour
Visitors flock to Paphos harbour for the excellent views out to sea and the brightly painted fishing boats which frequent the harbour. Enjoy relaxing and watching the world pass by at one of the fish restaurants, tavernas or cafes which line the harbour side. To explore the areas coastline and beaches you can take a boat tour from the harbour. Read more »

Cyprus has many fascinating places to visit which reflect the islands long and fascinating history.

MOUNT OLYMPUS

Mount Olympus is the highest point (6,404 ft) of the Troodos range. The Mount is perfect for nature trail hikes in the summer and skiing in the winter. On the summit of Mount Olympus sits the dome of a British military radar station.

TOMBS OF THE KINGS

These rock-cut tombs are beside the sea and date back back to the 4th century BC. It is here that the leading citizens of Paphos were buried.
Steps carved out of rock lead down to the burial chambers where archaeologists are still disconering more graves.

ROCK OF APHRODITE

This unusual rock formation on the Lemesos to Paphos coastal road is the spot where it is said that Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love) was born and was washed ashore on a seashell.

STRAVROVOUNI MONASTERY

Sitting high on a 2,000ft rocky outcrop the Stravrovouni Monastery, originally called the Mountain of the Cross Monastery, was founded by St Helena in 327AD. St Helena was the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, making it ironic that women today are not allowed any closer than the monastery carpark.

HALA SULTAN TEKKE

Standing on the shore of Larnaka’s Salt Lake, this mosque is home to the Tomb of Hala Sultan, a relative of the Prophet Mohammed, who died in Cyprus in 649AD.

KOLOSSI CASTLE

Situated about 8 miles from Lemesos, Kolossi Castle was the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, and later of the Knights Templar, after the crusaders were driven out of the Holy Land in 1291. Carved on the walls there are Fleur-de-lys symbols and the entrance hall of the keep has a mural of the crucifixion. The central keep is still intact and there are the remains of a basilica, sugar factory and aqueduct.

LARNAKA FORT

Built in 1625, Larnaka Fort is home to a medieval museum which displays armour and historic objects.

CYPRUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Located in Lefkosia, this museum is home to a magnificent historical collection, including the Aphrodite of Soli and a bronze statue of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus.

CHOIROKOITIA NEOLITHIC VILLAGE

On a bleak hillside in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains near Larnaka you will find the circular foundations of homes which were occupied by stone age people in the 7th to 4th centuries BC. These stone age people buried their dead under the floors of these houses.

OMODUS

This is a restored village in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains where residents give tourists guided tours of their traditional homes.

The above are just a few of those places not to be missed when on your bargain holidays to this wonderful island.

There are lots of great late deals to Cyprus available throughout the internet.

The beautiful Akamas Peninsula covers about 230 sq kms and is located on the north west coast of Cyprus, near Paphos.

The peninsula is home to untouched landscapes, cliffs, sandy bays, sand dunes, deep gorges, pine and juniper forests,maquis forests and 530 species of plant, 126 of which are endemic to Cyprus.

An abundance of wildlife is found here, including 168 varieties of birds, 20 types of reptiles, 12 types of mammals and 16 different species of butterfly.

Lara Bay, where the endangered green turtles and hawks-bill turtles breed and are protected by UNESCO, is located in the Akamas Peninsula.

There are lots of bargain holidays to Cyprus available which enable you to visit this fascinating area. Here are a few of the places on the Akamas peninsula that i have visited while holidaying on this wonderful island.

Lara Bay

This is my favourite beach. Here you can see the turtles who come here to build their nests and lay their eggs year after year.

Coral Bay

This is a lovely sandy beach where you can just relax or partake in one of the many watersports available here.

Lempa Neolithic Village

The earliest settlers to Cyprus made Lempa their home more than 5500 years ago. Archaeologists have rebuilt homes here which date back to the Chalkolithic era.

Agios Georgios and Cape Drepano

On the headland of Cape Drepano is the once Byzantine Cathedral with its fascinating floors which are made up of mosaics of sea creatures.

Cape Arnaoutis

Forming the western tip of Cyprus, although very barren, this is a beautiful headland of limestone cliffs.

Latsi

A small harbour with clean pebble beaches and excellent fish restaurants.

Polis

Here you will find a small museum and the church og Agios Andronikos which has some very nice frescoes.

Pano Panagia

Near to this quaint hillside village is the monastery of Chrysorrogiatissa with its collection of icons.

Drouseia

This small village stands on a wooded ridge high in the Akamas penisula and offers the best views of the beaches and surrounding area.

Paphos is a treasure trove of ancient archaeological sites and mesmerising historical architecture. Here in Paphos modern beach resorts combine with spectacular heritage.

Medieval Castle Paphos

Medieval Castle of Paphos
This ancient fortress was built by the Byzantines to guard Paphos harbour and was restored and strengthened in the 13th century. The structure was destroyed by the Venetians in 1570, but rebuilt once again by the Turks. Together with the Saranta Kolones, the Medieval Castle provided a formidable obstacle to any sea invaders and is today, one of the most iconic symbols of Paphos. The ramparts offer spectacular views and the square in front of the castle is the venue of many traditional festivals.

Tombs of the Kings

Tombs of the Kings
This impressive network of tombs was constructed from the 4th century BC. The entrances feature magnificent Doric pillars, with the tombs themselves being carved out of solid rock. The name ‘Tombs of Kings’ is a little misleading, as it is high ranking officials rather than royalty that are buried here.

Odeon Theatre
This ancient and magical amphitheatre is one of the most famous in the world despite its tiny size. It was erected in the 2nd century and is still in use to this day, hosting a variety of summer music concerts and performing arts productions.

Paphos mosaics

Mosaics
Paphos is famed for its collection of ancient mosaics, located in five great ‘houses’ dating from the Roman era, situated in the Paphos Archaeological Park. The House of Dionysus is a good starting point for a mosaic tour, with its perfectly preserved collection of mosaic decorations and the mythological compositions dating back to the 2nd century AD. Dionysus, the God of Wine, is depicted in many of the house’s mosaics. Nearby, the contemporaneous House of Theseus has some excellent geometrical mosaics as well as mythological ones including ‘Theseus Killing the Minotaur’ and ‘Achilles Birth’. The 4th century AD House of Aion has more wonderful mythological mosaics, as do the House of Orpheus and House of Four Seasons, both of which date from the 3rd century.

Pillar of St Paul

Pillar of Saint Paul
Saint Paul visited Paphos in 45 AD in an attempt to convert the ruler of the time to Christianity. He was successful in his efforts, but not before being tied and whipped to this otherwise unremarkable lump of stone. The Pillar of Saint Paul is one of several popular stops for pilgrims who come to see the religious sites of this early bastion of the Christian faith.

Temple of Aphrodite
One of the most important religious sites of the ancient world was the Temple of Aphrodite, located amid the Sanctuary of Aphrodite in Kouklia, several kilometres east of Paphos. Although the site is now in ruins, it still attracts many pilgrims and tourists who explore the ancient 12th century BC remains. Excavations at the site uncovered numerous important artefacts which can be viewed in the Lusignan Manor.

Baths of Aphrodite

Baths of Aphrodite
Just outside of Paphos are the Baths of Aphrodite, where it is said the goddess Aphrodite would take a bath in a cave. Located on the Akamas Peninsula, the area is filled with spectacular natural beauty, and there are delightful trails and beaches to explore. The baths are almost 50kms north of Paphos, near the city of Polis.

Museums
Paphos has a couple of great museums, although many of the best artefacts have been whisked away to Athens. The highlight is the Paphos Archaeological Museum, which features hundreds of priceless artefacts dating from Neolithic times to the 18th century. Most of the artefacts here are finds from local excavations, although some come from other archaeological digs from across western Cyprus. The most popular exhibits are the tombstone from Mario and the marble statues of Aphrodite and Asklepios. The Byzantine Museum has many stunning artworks including rare icons and other religious artefacts of the era, collected from churches in and around Paphos. The highlight of this museum is the lovely Virgin Eleousa, an icon from the Monastery of St Savvas tis Karonos. The Ethnographical Museum, formerly known as the Folk Art Museum, is home to a private collection of thousands of items documenting the local archaeology, history, folk art and literature. The collection was amassed by Mr George Eliades and is displayed at his house on Exo Vrysi street. The displays are a great primer for anyone intent on exploring the small villages that dot the coastline and mountain regions surrounding Paphos.

There are many places of interest in Cyprus, anywhere from the historical, to the environmental, to the sites of pure spectacle.

Omeriye Mosque

 Nicosia
Nicosia has been the capital of Cyprus since the 12th century, and holds such sites as the Cyprus Museum packed with archaeological treasures of Cyprus, the Folk Art Museum of Cyprus, the Archbishop’s Palace, St. John’s Cathedral, numerous Byzantine churches, the Byzantine Museum and Makarios Cultural Center, and the famous Omeriye Mosque of Cyprus.

Monasteries and Churches of Cyprus
The Royal Tombs of Cyprus and the Agios Irakleidios Monastery at Tomassos are two extraordinary locations. There is also the 5-dome church and mosque in Peristerona and the Panagia Chrysospiliotissa Church in the famous cave near Deftera.

Kition,Larnaca

Museums of the Resort Town of Larnaca
In the resort town of Larnaca there is the Agios Lazaros Church of Cyprus and adjoining Byzantine Museum.
You will also find the famous Larnaca fort and District Archaeological Museum, one of the best in Cyprus.
Also in Larnaca are the Pierides Museum, the Natural History Museum of Cyprus, and the Tornaritis-Pierides Paleontology Museum, alongside the ancient ruins of Kition.

The Historical Mosque of Cyprus on Larnaca’s Salt Lake
There is an historical mosque near the airport in Larnaca called the Hala Sultan Tekkesi, brought-about by the Turkish influence in Cyprus. This very special mosque of Cyprus stands beside the beautiful gardens on the edge of Larnaca Salt Lake.
If you are a fan of flamingos, this is where they make their winter home. Their striking, bright pink beauty and grace can only be rivaled by the extraordinary salt lake of Cyprus, and the enchanting gardens on its shore.

Stavrovouni

The Limassol Castle and Museums of Cyprus
In the village of Lefkara in Cyprus you can shop for handmade lace and take a tour through the Convent of Agios Minas.
Off the Limassol Nicosia road you will find the hilltop monastery known as Stavrovouni and not far away is the Crusader-era Chapelle Royal near Pyrga, Cyprus.
The Limassol Castle stands watching over the old harbour and includes the Cyprus Medieval Museum.  Not to be missed are the Folk Art Museum of Cyprus and the Limassol District Archeological Museum in the Municipal Gardens.