Captivating Cyprus holidays & tours
Legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, Cyprus is best known for its endless golden sandy beaches and ancient archaeological sites. But look beyond the coast, and you’ll discover dramatic mountain scenery and a very different slice of history in the north of the island on our Northern Cyprus tour.
Uncover a more traditional side to this popular island as you explore the beautiful north, home to Nicosia, the world’s last divided capital. Follow in the footsteps of travellers through the ages, stopping at Büyük Han, a caravanserai which lay on the trading route of the Silk Road. Crossing the Green Line between north and south, you need only travel minutes to find a completely different atmosphere.
Discover Kyrenia, a maze of narrow lanes leading to a picturesque harbour, overlooked by sun-drenched ruins and castles. Sit with a cool drink as you watch bobbing gülets, the traditional Turkish yachts, which have sailed this corner of the Mediterranean for centuries.
From the atmospheric allure of Bellapais Abbey and its romantic Gothic ruins to the ancient remains of Salamis city and the ghost town of Famagusta, you’ll be captivated by turquoise blue seas and honey-coloured stone shaded by swaying palms on our fantastic North Cyprus holidays.
Alison Porter
Product Manager
What our experts love about Cyprus holidays
I especially love the local food - in particular the many mezze dishes are delicious, especially when enjoyed at an outdoor restaurant in pretty Kyrenia harbour with views overlooking the boats and out to sea.
What are the best places to visit in Cyprus
When you’re planning your Cyprus holiday, most tours will take you either to northern Cyprus, home to the capital Nicosia, great walking and historic cities, or to the southern part of the island, including the Troodos Mountains and ancient Paphos.
Famagusta
The walled city is an unmissable stop on a northern Cyprus holiday, a string of historic landmarks tucked away amid winding streets lined with shops selling silver and copperware. Once a major Mediterranean port, the town is home to the Church of St George of the Greeks, the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque and Venetian Palace Ruins, giving you a taste of some of the many cultures who’ve influenced the country pver the years. It’s easy to combine with a visit to the ancient city of Salamis too, with its Roman theatre and baths.
The walled city is an unmissable stop on a northern Cyprus holiday, a string of historic landmarks tucked away amid winding streets lined with shops selling silver and copperware. Once a major Mediterranean port, the town is home to the Church of St George of the Greeks, the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque and Venetian Palace Ruins, giving you a taste of some of the many cultures who’ve influenced the country pver the years. It’s easy to combine with a visit to the ancient city of Salamis too, with its Roman theatre and baths.
Nicosia
The world’s last divided capital city, Nicosia is one of the best places to understand the history of Cyprus. In north Nicosia, the 16th-century Great Inn, or Büyük Han, is the largest of the island’s roadside caravanserai, where traders and travellers would stop on their journeys. Inside Nicosia’s Venetian walls, you’ll also find the Arab Ahmet and Selimiye Mosques, the latter within the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Sophia, as well as the Dervish Pasha Mansion with its small museum. Or on the other side of the Green Line diving the city, trace centuries of Cypriot history at the Cyprus Museum.
The world’s last divided capital city, Nicosia is one of the best places to understand the history of Cyprus. In north Nicosia, the 16th-century Great Inn, or Büyük Han, is the largest of the island’s roadside caravanserai, where traders and travellers would stop on their journeys. Inside Nicosia’s Venetian walls, you’ll also find the Arab Ahmet and Selimiye Mosques, the latter within the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Sophia, as well as the Dervish Pasha Mansion with its small museum. Or on the other side of the Green Line diving the city, trace centuries of Cypriot history at the Cyprus Museum.
Kyrenia
Set around a horseshoe-shaped harbour, Kyrenia’s old port is overlooked by a 12th century castle – now home to a shipwreck retrieved from the water nearby, dating from around 300 BCE. Once you’ve strolled through the picturesque Old Town, there are two more remarkable sites nearby. Sitting on a rocky crag overlooking the sea, the former monastery of Saint Hilarion is the best preserved of the island’s Crusader castles. Not far away, you can still see the frescoes in the tranquil ruins of Bellapais Abbey, a 13th century Gothic monastery, which owed its riches and influence to donations from crusading knights.
Set around a horseshoe-shaped harbour, Kyrenia’s old port is overlooked by a 12th century castle – now home to a shipwreck retrieved from the water nearby, dating from around 300 BCE. Once you’ve strolled through the picturesque Old Town, there are two more remarkable sites nearby. Sitting on a rocky crag overlooking the sea, the former monastery of Saint Hilarion is the best preserved of the island’s Crusader castles. Not far away, you can still see the frescoes in the tranquil ruins of Bellapais Abbey, a 13th century Gothic monastery, which owed its riches and influence to donations from crusading knights.
Troodos Mountains
Home to traditional villages and wineries among the pine-clad peaks, the Troodos Mountains feel a world away from the beaches of the south. The perfect place to go hiking, with medieval stone bridges arching over dried-up riverbeds, it’s home to the island’s highest peak, the 1952m Mount Olympus, and the Chantara waterfalls. Save time to stop in pretty Omodos, the site of the Monastery of the Holy Cross, one of the island’s holiest Christian sites, or Pano Platres, for a taste of how life has traditionally been lived on Cyprus.
Home to traditional villages and wineries among the pine-clad peaks, the Troodos Mountains feel a world away from the beaches of the south. The perfect place to go hiking, with medieval stone bridges arching over dried-up riverbeds, it’s home to the island’s highest peak, the 1952m Mount Olympus, and the Chantara waterfalls. Save time to stop in pretty Omodos, the site of the Monastery of the Holy Cross, one of the island’s holiest Christian sites, or Pano Platres, for a taste of how life has traditionally been lived on Cyprus.
More information about Cyprus
Tap water in Cyprus is generally safe to drink, including in urban areas in northern Cyprus. However, you may find a slightly salty or chlorine taste to the water here and may prefer to stick to bottled water. In rural areas, bottled water may also be a better choice. Your Cyprus holiday tour guide can also advise for specific areas.
UK citizens can travel to Cyprus, including northern Cyprus, for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. Time spent in either part of the island will count towards the 90-day total. Requirements can change, though - for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page.
Cypriot food will be very familiar to anyone who’s travelled in Greece or Turkey, with some added Middle Eastern influences. Expect plenty of mezze with dips such as hummus, tzatziki and baba ganoush, plus borek (fried pastries stuffed with cheese), dolmades and grilled halloumi with fluffy pitta bread, as well as souvlaki (grilled meat), gyros and traditional stews like stifado. In northern Cyprus, you’ll also find a type of Turkish pizza called lahmacun, using flatbread topped with minced meat and vegetables, often flavoured with chilli and paprika.
The best time to visit Cyprus is the months either side of peak summer, in May, June, September and October. The weather is still warm and dry but avoids the searing heat of July and August, when temperatures can be in the high 30Cs. The weather is cooler and wetter from November to March, although you can still expect sunny days and mild temperatures year-round. It’s cooler in the mountains, pleasantly so in summer but you can see snow in the peaks during the winter months.
Tipping isn’t compulsory in Cyprus, although it’s usual to add around 10-15% to the bill in restaurants, and tips are always appreciated. It’s also common to round up the bill in cafes or for taxi drivers. Your tour manager can advise on tips for drivers and guides; you can also find suggested amounts in our useful information sheet, which will be sent to you before you travel. Porterage is included in our Cyprus escorted tours.
There are direct flights from the UK to Larnaca and Paphos airports, with a flight time of around four hours 30 minutes. This is the option usually included in any Cyprus holiday package. There are also indirect flights from the UK to northern Cyprus via Turkey.
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