Coral Bay in Southern Cyprus is a great family resort just 8 miles from Paphos. With a beautiful beach, Coral Bay is particularly popular with those seeking a relaxing beach holiday. The rugged coastline here provides plenty of coves to be explored and enjoyed.

Coral Bay

Coral Bay has plenty of hotels, villas, traditional restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. The nightlife here is mainly family orientated with the more adult nightlife on offer in nearby Paphos which is just a short taxi ride away. There is also a lovely harbour and ancient relics to be seen in Paphos.

The main reason families come to Coral Bay is for its long, sandy stretch of beach which is found between two headlands. The magnificent blue shallow water here is ideal for children, allowing the adults some relaxing time on the beach soaking up the sunshine. Watersports including diving, windsurfing, jet skiing, waterskiing and banana boat rides are available here at the beach. Coral Bay Beach is a European Blue Flag Beach.

Cape Lara

Places of Interest and Things To Do

Cape Lara which is a nesting ground for turtles.
The mountain monasteries of Ayios Neophytos and Chrysoroyiatissa.
Take a trip to Kato-Paphos where there are many relics and archaeological finds.
The hillside villages of Peyia and Yeroskipou with their traditional Cypriot tavernas and panoramic views.
Take a scuba diving excursion to the wreck of Zenobia which is one of the largest wreck dive sites in the world.

Zenobia

Climate

Coral Bay enjoys warm weather all the year round with more than 300 days of sunshine a year. The long hot summer runs from May till September with October till the end of April being slightly cooler.
June to September are the hottest months with an average of 12 hours of sunshine a day.
December through to February are the coolest months when temperatures average 17C and still enjoy around 5 hours of sunshine a day!

Easter is a lovely time to visit Coral Bay for your family holidays as it is less crowded and temperatures average 20C and above.

You will always find great holiday deals to Cyprus available throughout the internet.

Pissouri is located about 30 minutes away from Paphos and Limassol and consists of two areas, Pissouri Village and Pissouri Beach. Both the village and the beach area have retained their traditional Cypriot character despite becoming very popular with tourists during the summer months. The area is well known for growing grapes in the valley that stretches down to the beach.

Pissouri Village

Located on a ridge, the village offers magnificent views of the countryside, the coastline, the Mediterranean Sea and the Troodos mountain range. Although a traditional Cypriot village, it caters well for the tourists who visit. The village has restaurants, tavernas, bars, shops and banks. During the summer the village holds Cyprus nights in the village square where visitors can mingle with and get to know the local people. The village also has a great amphitheatre which offers opera, music and dance events.

Pissouri Beach

Back in the 1980′s the beach area had just a small jetty and a small taverna, today the area has several tavernas, apartments and hotels, and shops. Like the village, the beach area has retained much of its traditional Cypriot character. The safe, sandy and shingle beach is located about 3 miles from the village. Here at the beach there are a number of watersports on offer, including sailing, surfing, windsurfing and paragliding. There are also lots of diving sites nearby and Pissouri has its own diving school. During the summer the green and loggerhead turtles come to the beach to nest and lay their eggs.

Climate

June and July enjoy an average of 13 hours of sun a day and an average of 7 hours in January.
In April and May temperatures average 23-26C, around 27C in the summer and even around 21C in November.
There is very little rainfall, most of which falls in December.

There are lots of bargain holidays around for the whole family to enjoy the enchanting island of Cyprus.

If you are looking for direct holidays to a location steeped in traditional, you won’t be disappointed with Pissouri.

Ayia Napa is one of the most popular resorts on the picturesque Mediterranean island of Cyprus, particularly popular with the 18-30 year olds who are looking for a fun packed holiday with great clubbing experiences.

Ayia Napa, although renowned for it’s club scene, is also a great resort for family holidays, with a beautiful beach and lots of child friendly areas.

For more information why not take a look at this interesting and informative destination guide to Ayia Napa which will give you an insight into this perfect holiday destination.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

If you are looking for cheap holidays to Cyprus, there are always great offers throughout the internet.

Located on the slopes of the Five Finger Mountain, around 10 kms west of Kyrenia, Lapta (Lapethos) is an area steeped in history and is the most historically interesting place of Cyprus.

Lapta

Lapta is spread over about half a dozen levels and has many natural springs which run from the mountain to the many citrus and orange groves of the town.

Lapta is home to the most beautiful stone mosque on the island and there are many whitewashed chuches throughout the town.

The main town is situated behind the tourist strip along the beach and has a

Lapta Mosque

good selection of hotels and restaurants, making it a popular destination for your holidays.

The town itself consists of two parts, Lapta Strip and the old town.

The Strip is the main road which runs through the town. Here you will find hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, casinos and the beach where you will find a variety of watersports.
The old town is more rural and historical.

Cyprus has an abundance of natural parks so when on one of the cheap holidays to Cyprus, why not visit these National Parks where there is plenty to do but doesn’t cost a lot!

Troodos National Forest Park

Troodos National Forest Park

The Troodos National Forest Park has four nature reserves within the 93 sq kms that it covers. The park, situated in the centre of the island, is part of the Natura 2000, the European network of protected areas.
Mainly covered by natural black pine and brutia pine, there are about 800 plant species here. Of these 800 species, 72 of them are endemic to Cyprus, 12 of which are exclusive to the park.
The park offers camping sites, nature trails, picnic sites and facilities for winter sports.

Tripilos-Mavrol Gremmoi Nature Reserve

The reserve covers an area of 34 sq kms and is situated in the middle of Pafos Forest. This reserve is of great ecological value as it is home to the endemic Cyprus Cedar and the endemic Golden Oak. This area is also part of the Natura 2000 network and is a designated Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive as it is home to the Cyprus Moufflon and rare birds of prey.

Akamas

Akamas, Pegeia and Meleti Forests

These forests cover a total of over 70 sq kms.
The Akamas Peninsula is home to 600 plant species, 35 of which are endemic to Cyprus, 168 bird species, 12 mammal species, 20 reptile species and many different butterflies.
The Lara-Toxeftra area is a protected Marine Reserve. The beaches here are nesting areas for the Green Turtle and the Loggerhead Turtle.

Petra tou Romiou National Forest Park

Situated on the south-western costal area, 10 kms from Paphos, this park covers an area of about 3.5 sq kms. Part of the Natura 2000 network, the park offers excellent scenery, nature and spot trails, look out points and picnic areas.

Polemidia National Forest Park

Covering about 1.25 sq kms, the park is found just outside of Limassol. Here you will find nature trails, sports grounds, childrens playground, cafe and picnic areas.

Macheras National Forest Park

The 45 sq km Macheras National Forest Park is situated in the middle of the island on the eastern end of the Troodos. Part of the Natura 2000 network, the park is of great historical and ecological value, with more than 600 species of plants of which 27 are endemic to Cyprus. The park has 5 nature trails, one of which has been designed for disabled visitors, and several picnic areas.

Athalassa National Forest Park

Athalassa National Forest Park

With man made vegetation, covering 8 sq kms, the park is situated near Lefkosia town and offers nature trails, botanical gardens, bird watching sites, picnic sites, volleyball and basketball pitches.

Paedagogical Academy National Forest Park

This small man made 0.5 sq km park is also situated near Lefkosia town, offering nature trails and picnic areas.

Rizoelia National Forest Park

Covering about 1 sq km this Natura 2000 network park is situated near Larnaca, offering nature trails and picnic areas.

Cavo Gkreko

Cavo Gkreko

This 4 sq km park, and the surrounding marine area, is also part of the Natura 2000 network and is situated in the south east of the island between Ayia Napa and Paralimni. Here you will find 300 species of plants, 11 of which are endemic to Cyprus, partridge, wood pigeon, crows, owls, foxes,hares and also migratory birds which use the island as a ‘resting point’. Facilities on offer here include hiking, cycling, horse riding, climbing, swimming, diving and picnicking.

Agios Nikandros National Forest Park

This new 0.25 sq km park is situated on the coastal area west of Ayia Napa. Although very new the park has a nature trails and a picnic area.

Liopetri National Forest Park

Situated on the coastal area west of Ayia Napa, this new 1 sq km park is being restored to preserve its unique scenery and natural features.

Paphos is situated on the west coast of Cyprus, 94 miles southwest of Nicosia, 84 miles west of Larnaca and 6 miles from Paphos International Airport.

Paphos Castle

Paphos is ideal for beach holidays, historic sightseeing, UNESCO World Heritage listed attractions, natural attractions including the Paphos Forest, the Akamas Peninsula and the Troodos Mountains, lively nightlife, good restaurants and luxury hotels.

The best time to visit Paphos is from May to October when the days are hot and sunny, and the sea lovely and warm. During July and August the temperature often reaches 34C.

Dining in Paphos has everything from British pub fare, Italian and Chinese to Lebanese, Indian and Mexican cuisine alongside the more traditional Cypriot tavernas. There are also lots of fast-food establishments, including fish and chip shops!

Paphos is an ideal resort for families with sandy beaches, lots of watersports, boat trips and a range of land based sporting activities including hikking in the Troodos Mountains and Jeep Safaris.

Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark

At the Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark you will find one of the biggest family rafting rides in Europe, white-knuckle waterslides, wave pools and fast and lazy rivers.

 
There are lots of small stretches of pebbly beach located next to the waterfront hotels of Kato Paphos but the main sandy Municipal Beach is centrally located.
Faros Beach is a quieter beach, and along with the Municipal Beach has been awarded EU blue flags for cleanliness.

Coral Bay

Another blue flag sandy beach is found at Coral Bay, 8 miles north of Paphos.

Ruins that date back to the 12th century BC, crumbling fortresses, ancient tombs and Roman remnants can be found around Paphos. Amongst the resort’s most popular attractions are the intricate mosaics of Nea Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings and the Archaeological Museum.

The Troodos Mountains, about an hours drive from Paphos, are a  full of hiking trails, green forest and wild sheep. Between November and March the area is covered in snow, so providing ski slopes and cross-country runs.
To the northwest of Paphos is the Akamas peninsula which is another great area for hiking in the summer.

Troodos Mountains

For evening entertainment there are Irish bars, Cypriot tavernas, sophisticated hotel bars and stylish cocktail lounges, and clubs.

Polis is a small town in north-west Cyprus, in the middle of Chrysochous Bay, and on the edge of the Akamas peninsula nature reserve. It is a quiet tourist resort, just a 30 minute drive from Paphos and 45 minutes from Paphos International Airport.  

Polis

Polis is in close proximity to the beautiful Akamas peninsula, a nature reserve area, with its renowned Baths of Aphrodite.

Polis is particularly popular with nature lovers and visitors who enjoy hiking, cycling, horse riding, golf, scuba diving and other water sports.
If you are looking for bargain holidays, there are always great offers to Cyprus throughout the internet.

 
Polis is served by the lovely, picturesque fishing port of Latchi, well known for its fish taverns and boat trips to Akamas. Latchi has a harbour and

Latchi Harbour

 marina.

CLIMATE
Polis is a very hot resort with temperatures sometimes exceeding 40C. July and August are the hottest months, with average temperatures of 35C and 13 hours of sunshine a day.
The winter months of January and February are the coldest, however the temperature during these months is usually around 15C.
From June to September the temperature rarely falls below 30C, making the sea warm and perfect for water sports.
 

THINGS TO DO AND SEE
POLIS BEACH is a quiet beach, located a short distance from the village square. This beach is a mixture of coarse sand and shingle.
LATCHI BEACH is a short walk from the harbour area along the main resort road. This is a pebble beach that is ideal for snorkelling due to the crystal clear waters.

Watersports are available from the beach, including snorkelling, windsurfing, surfing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, water-skiing, parasailing, fishing and sailing.

Baths of Aphrodite

Apart from the beach there are lots of nature trails to follow, boat trips from Latchi, an archaeological museum and a historical 16th century church.

There are lots of excursions on offer here, including the baths of Aphrodite, sightseeing tours of the Troodos Mountains, visits to vineyards and museums. 

DINING OUT
Restaurants in Polis mainly offer Cypriot cuisine and seafood, however there are restaurants serving British and Italian cusine.
All of the seafood served in the restaurants is caught locally.

NIGHTLIFE
There is a disco and a few bars in the centre of the town but on the whole nightlife here is very subdued.

SHOPPING
There are a few shops in the area, selling souvenirs, leather goods and jewellery.

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, located on the central Mesaoria Plain of the island. To the north of Nicosia are the Kyrenia mountains, with the unmistakable ‘Pentadaktylos’ (the five-fingered peak). Nicosia is often

Nicosia

ignored when visiting Cyprus because it is not on the beach, however it is well worth a visit when on your holidays in Cyprus as it is only a half hour drive from Larnaca and within easy reach of the Troodos mountains. 

Nicosia, the cultural centre of Cyprus, consists of ‘the old town’, surrounded by thick Venetian walls over 400 years old, and the modern city.

Eleftheria Square in the city centre links the ancient walled city with the modern city outside, where offices, hotels,  restaurants and gardens mix with the elegant old colonial buildings.

Because the restaurants in Nicosia cater for the home market, they are considered to be the best on the island.

ATTRACTIONS

Within the ‘old town walls’ there are many places of great historic interest.

The Cyprus Museum  has a  fascinating collection of Cypriot treasures from the Neolithic Age to the early Byzantine Period.

The Byzantine Museum and art galleries have a collection covering the period from the 9th to 18th century.

The Folk Art Museum has carved wooden objects, hand-woven textiles and pottery.

Ayios Ioannis Cathedral

There are also many religious buildings, including Ayios Ioannis Cathedral, Chrysaliniotissa Church and Omeriyeh Mosque.

One of the most beautiful buildings in the old city is the house of Hadigeorgakis Kornesios (The House of the Dragoman), found near the Omeriye mosque. The Dragoman, beheaded in 1808, held a powerful position as he served as translator to the Turkish governor and liaised between the Ottoman authorities and the Orthodox Christians.

Larnaca, located on the southern coast of Cyprus, is a major city and one of the six districts in the Republic of Cyprus. Larnaca is a major tourist resort and summer holidays destination on the island of Cyprus and is home to the island’s second most important commercial port.

Larnaca International Airport is situated to the south of the city.

The ‘Phinikoudes’ is Larnaca’s main tourist attraction. This is a strip of cafes, bars, clubs and restaurants on Larnaca’s beautiful sea front.

CLIMATE
The climate of Larnaca is the same as the climate all over Cyprus. The climate is typically Mediterranean that has significant differences in the seasons. Summers are warm and dry, and the winters are rainy and mild. Tourists can enjoy long hot summers from mid–May to mid–October and short dry winters from December to February, separated by short autumn and spring seasons. The beaches of Cyprus are among the cleanest and safest in the Mediterranean Sea with an average annual temperature of 20°C for the whole island.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Phinikoudes beach

Phinikoudes beach
One of the most famous hot spots of Larnaca, the name ‘Phinikoudes’ means small palm trees, and these were planted in 1922. The area in and around the beach is popular for its cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels and mini markets.

Marina
Larnaca’s 200 berth yachting marina is one of its main attractions. The harbour is lined with lovely palm trees and from here you can view all the yachts and boats that are sailing in the sea. There are lots of taverna’s and cafes at the harbour.

Alpha Divers Dive Centre
Alpha Divers is a scuba diving institute that specialises in scuba diving, snorkelling and water sports. The centre also offers water sport activities like parasailing, waverunners, kayaking, paddleboats and aqua cycles, which can be enjoyed by the whole family. The centre is located near the famous ‘Zenobia Ferry Wreck’.

Ancient Kition

Ancient Kition
The Ancient Kition is located in the north west of Larnaca and features some temples that date back to 13th century B.C. Worth visiting are the Phoenician Temple of Astarte and the city walls. The ruins of the temple were built on an earlier Bronze Age temple and are dedicated to goddess Astarte. There are also remains of tombs here made from gold, ivory and bronze.

Camel Park E.P Mazotos
Situated just 15 minutes from Larnaca, the Camel Park offers camel rides in the countryside of Mazotos village. The Camel Park also has a play area for children, restaurant and swimming pool.

Choirokoitia

Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement
This is one of the most famous Neolithic settlements dating from 7000 B.C. Located on the main Larnaka-Lemesos road, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1998. Farmers here grew barley and wheat. On view here are these farmer’s houses, tombs and defence walls. The artifacts and remains found here are displayed at the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.

Grand Mosque – Djámi Kebír
The Grand Mosque (Djámi Kebír) is situated next to the Larnaca Fort. Built in the 16th century, it is still visited by the local Muslim community. A good view of the mosque can be gained through the Larnaca Fort.

Hala Sultan Tekke
The Hala Sultan Tekke is the grave of Umm Haram who was the wife of Ouvadas Ibn who led the invasion on the island of Larnaca in 649 B.C. Overlooking the Salt Lake, the Hala Sultan Tekke is built on the place where she died. The simple grave has been transformed into a beautiful mosque. This is a sacred shrine, visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.

Larnaca salt lake

Salt Lake
One of the main attractions of Larnaca is the Salt Lake. It is home to nearly 80 species of migratory birds, with around 10,000 flamingos visiting the lake every year around Jan-Feb. In July-Aug, the lake dries up leaving a thick crust of salt measuring up to 10cm deep. In the Middle Ages the lake was used to mine salt for commercial purposes, but now it is just a tourist attraction. Situated nearby the Salt Lake is the holy site of tomb of Umm Haram (Hala Sultan Tekke).

St Lazarus Church – Áyios Lázaros
Built in 9th century A.D. and devoted to St. Lazarus, it is believed that the church is erected on the empty grave of the saint, who is actually buried in France. Eight days before Easter, the icon of Saint Lazarus is carried in a procession through the streets of Larnaca.

Pierides Foundation Archaeological Museum
This private museum contains findings and works of art from all over Cyprus. Collections ranging from prehistoric times, Roman Era, Byzantine empires and Middle Ages can be found here. Run by the Pierides family, it is the oldest private museum in Cyprus.

St Phaneromeni Church – Ayía Phaneroméni
The Church of Ayía Phaneroméni was built around 80 B.C. on the Phaneromeni Avenue. Devoted to Virgin Mary, it was rebuilt on the same location in the 20th century. It is said that the Church has mystical powers and cures illness if a person walks around it three times leaving behind a piece of cloth.

Statue of Zeno
The famous stoic philosopher Zeno of Citium hailed from the city. It is said he began his stoic teaching after losing everything he had in a shipwreck. A famous Athenian general, Kimon, died at sea defending the city of Citium in a major battle with the Persians of Xerxes. A statue of “Kimon the Athenian” stands proudly on the sea front promenade of modern Larnaca.

Stavrovouni Monastery
Stavrovouni is a hill in Cyprus, on top of which stands a Greek Orthodox Monastery. The monastery Stavrovouni was constructed on the peak of the mountain of the same name in the District of Larnaca. Stavrovouni (‘stavros’ meaning cross and ‘vouno’ meaning mountain), is dedicated to the Holy Cross. According to tradition it was founded in the 4th century by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who left a fragment of the Holy Cross to the monastery.