I knew I would be on an adventure the moment I stepped foot in Cyprus. First I felt the cool Mediterranean wind, then the warm sun caressing my flesh. My heart raced with delight at the sound of laughing from neighbourhood bars, the smell of grilled halloumi, and the sight of whitewashed towns against blue waves. Cyprus, where old tales collide with contemporary appeal, had already begun to enchant me.
I was about to start a voyage via sun-kissed beaches, ancient ruins, energetic cityscapes, and mountain communities locked in time. Every stop has an own narrative, flavour, and cadence of life. And thus my trip throughout Cyprus started.
Paphos: Gem of UNESCO heritage
I began at Paphos, a place where history is underfoot, around every turn, and even murmurs in the waves rather than only discovered in museums.
A morning among the kings.
Waves lapping against the coast greeted me as I awakened. Sitting on my balcony and watching the daylight light the Tombs of the Kings, the fresh smell of sea salt blended with the perfume of strong Cypriot coffee. From the 4th century BC, this ancient necropolis was frighteningly beautiful, a network of subterranean tombs cut straight into the rock.
Wandering the Paphos Archaeological Park, I felt as though I was a treasure hunter exploring. With their complex narrative and themes from Greek mythology, the mosaics of the House of Dionysus shocked me. Later, I stood at Aphrodite’s Rock and watched the waves lap against the fabled birthplace of the Goddess of Love. Three times swimming around it will truly gift me with everlasting love and youth. I dived straight in; I was not playing any risks.
Paphos Taste
Following an exploratory morning, my stomach took me to a classic taverna hidden down a peaceful lane. A cheerful elderly man, the server suggested stifado—a slow-cooked beef stew flavoured with red wine and cinnamon. One mouthful and I found bliss.
Where would one stay in Paphos?
Five-star beachfront resort Elysium Hotel resembles a castle with an infinity pool gazing over the sea.
Boutique: Stylish, small, bursting with Cypriot flair Annabelle Hotel.
Budget: Axiothea Hotel—a straightforward but pleasant place right in the middle of the old town.
Nicosia: The Last Splashed Capital
Dealing Through a Divided City
Entering Nicosia seemed as though one were strolling over two planets simultaneously. One minute I was wandering down Ledra Street in the new Greek-Cypriot south, surrounded with fashionable stores and cafés. The next stop was the Green Line into the Turkish-Cypriot north, where Ottoman minarets lined the horizon and the air smelt like spicy kebabs.
I came up close to relics from thousands of years in the Cyprus Museum, but the true enchantment was in the present—the tales of the people, the resiliency of a split but vibrant city. At a secret courtyard café, I drank a thick, fragrant Cypriot coffee and let the rich tastes jolt me to the contrasts of the city.
Cultural Exchange
An old woman demonstrated to me how to create a Lefkaritika lace, a centuries-old custom, at a little handcraft store. She replied, smiling warmly, “Every stitch tells a story.”
Where would one stay in Nicosia?
Luxury: Hilton Nicosia boasts a first-rate spa and is modern, beautiful.
Boutique: The Classic Hotel Nicosia – Handwritten Collection; a lovely stay on the Green Line in the ancient town.
Gate Twenty Two Boutique Hotel: where modern luxury meets timeless elegance in the heart of Cyprus.
Ayia Napa: The Peak Beach Destination
Sun, Sand & Unrestricted Energy
Ayia Napa greeted me with lively nightlife and gorgeous beaches. Nissi Beach was a dream come true—soft sand under my toes, glistening in fifty tones of blue, and the sound of lively music floating from adjacent beach bars.
My time here’s high point? Under a blazing sky, everyone—local and visitor alike—danced in a sunset boat party as the ocean wind combined with the flavour of fresh fruit drinks. Beyond the festivities, though, Cape Greco gave me comfort as I hiked over difficult paths with expansive sea views running forever before me.
Adventure Right Ahead
Diving into the Ayia Napa sea caves, where the chilly water was crystal-clear, appealed to me. Investigating the caverns was like finding a secret world under ground.
Where on Ayia Napa should one stay?
Luxury: Five-star excellence views Nissi Beach from the NissiBlu Beach Resort.
Alion Beach Hotel is a peaceful beachside haven.
Christabelle Hotel Apartments are reasonably priced and vibrant, ideal for party attendees.
Troodos Mountains: The Dream of a Nature Lover
Into Wild
Days of beach-hopping, then I yearned for the cold, clear air of the Troodos Mountains. As I walked towards Mount Olympus, the highest point in Cyprus, my lungs smelt pine and fresh ground.
I meandered around cobblestone lanes in Kakopetria Village, where the air smelt like freshly made bread. “Kalimera!” locals hailed me as I tasted warm soutzoukos, a classic Cypriot grape sweet.
Where on Troodos should one stay?
Luxury: Casale Panayiotis is a spa in a rebuilt hamlet.
Petit Palais Platres Boutique Hotel: Cosy, real, surrounded by nature.
Budget: Simple and lovely Mountain Rose Hotel & Restaurant.
Limassol – The Global Hub
From castles to cocktails.
Limassol felt really great. I was drinking a beverage by the Limassol Marina, watching boats sparkle in the sun, one minute I was exploring Kolossi Castle, a historic Crusader fortification.
Standing in the old amphitheatre in Kourion, my footfall resounded across millennia of history. Later on I was at a classic Cypriot meze meal, a never-ending feast of grilled halloumi, souvlaki, and creamy tzatziki.
Where may one stay in Limassol?
Pure luxury is what Royal Apollonia by Louis Hotels offers.
The fashionable lodging in the old town is the S Paul City Hotel.
Budget: Comfortable and reasonably priced Pefkos City Hotel.
Thoughts on Final Notes
Cyprus is an island of contrasts, where every visitor discovers their own narrative to share, where old tales mix with modern conveniences, where mountains and beaches live in perfect harmony.
If you have never been, now is the right moment. And if you have, as Cyprus never ceases surprise you already know.
Of these sites, which one most appeals to you? Let us discuss in the comments.