5 Days in Cyprus
Anastasia Pavlou
Contributor. Columnist
British born Greek Cypriot. Mother of 3 and wife. Magazine columnist, photographer and fashion model.
My article is a guide to help you plan your next holiday abroad, hopefully when we can all travel safely again and Covid-19 is no longer a threat to us.
Cyprus is known as the island of love. Not only does it attract the likes of young loved up couples and newlyweds, it is also home to many retired Brits.
Cyprus is a small island in the Mediterranean, but is the third largest and third most populous. It is located south of Turkey and southeast of Greece and boasts an appealing climate.
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5 Days in Cyprus
The island has been split in two parts, Turkish side and Cypriot side since the invasion in 1974. Assuming you are travelling to the Cypriot side of the island you will find yourself landing at one of its two airports, Larnaca or Paphos. The island has long warm and dry summers which span from as early as April/May to October, but the winter months can get cold and there is often some rainfall.
There is so much you can see and do in Cyprus, but what if you have only five days to do it? No problem, Travelisto have got the perfect itinerary to get you in the mood.
Day 1
On arrival to Cyprus, you can head straight to your hotel using one of many transfers available including taxi, coach service, bus or hotel shuttle service if included in your package. Whatever part of the island you find yourself, there is always plenty to see and do no matter what time of the year you visit. You are likely to want to explore your options…so if you like history and want to experience the culture or learn more about the Orthodox religion you can visit one of the many Orthodox churches on the island. If you are based in Paphos, you can head to the Aphrodite Hills and explore the archaeological grounds and learn about the myth of Aphrodite and the magic baths. If however you prefer to spend the day at one of the islands beautiful beaches, you can travel to Coral Bay or take a trip along the ocean road and soak in the phenomenal views while surrounding yourself by the seemingly endless Mediterranean Sea. A popular tourist spot and shingle beach is Aphrodite’s Rock, better known as Petra tou Romiou. Once here, you can immerse yourself in its sheer beauty and it’s rich archaeological rocks.
Paphos is home to a castle, an Archaeological Park and for the warmer months a popular waterpark. The popular harbour offers quaint and friendly restaurants which all serve up seasonal fresh fish and other tasty options. The town also offers great entertainment and many bars, cafes and clubs are available to suit all ages.
Day 2
After breakfast at your hotel, you can choose to join a guided tour to explore the many natural wonders that Cyprus has to offer or you can use your car rental or local transport to plan an itiniery to suit your needs. If you prefer to cycle, you can do this too, but to get around the island and see as much as you want in 5 days, a rental car is recommended. If you are based in Larnaca, you may wish to explore the long dark sandy beaches or trawl along the town square visiting the many shops selling souvenirs and lace. There are numerous bars, cafes and clubs to keep you busy.
Day 3
If you are not afraid of heights and don’t suffer from vertigo, you may want to venture up the mountains. Mount Olympus peaks at approximately 1,952 metres and is the highest point in Cyprus. It is located in the Troodos Mountains and falls under the territory of Platres in District of Limassol. If you visit in the dense of the winter months, usually from the beginning of January until the end of March. You can enjoy skiing on the slopes of Mount Olympus, but you will need a 4×4 or a car fitted with wheel chains to drag yourself to the top.
If you are not one for heights and want to explore the capital, why not take a trip to Nicosia. Nicosia is home to a mall and many bars, cafes and close to the border whereby you can choose to cross over to the Turkish side of the island… permit and passports required.
Day 4
You can change things up a little and venture towards the town of Limassol. The seafront is home to a dark sandy beach which stretches for miles and backs off many 3, 4 and 5 star hotels. Along the same stretch, you can find waterfront dining at the newly built and popular Limassol Marina. There are stylish shops and a plentiful range of designer boutiques on offer alongside convenience stores, kiosks, cafes, bars and even an art gallery. For those who delight in sheer luxury, the Marina houses an oasis of tranquility in its spa and fitness club and offers a choice of services to suit individual lifestyle goals.
The seafront is equipped to entertain avid watersport fanatics and it has a long promenade. If you enjoy the walk, it is a long one, however, a bus follows the same route on a parallel road. The promenade is well maintained and has several restaurants, shops, beach bars, children’s play areas and gym equipment dotted along it. It is popular amongst joggers, roller skaters and especially cyclists who have their own cycling path. It also attracts fishing spots along its mini piers.
Away from central Limassol, but still within the district of Limassol one can find one of the biggest waterparks in the Med (Fassouri Waterpark) for endless hours of fun. There is also the Curium archaeological grounds and Zoo to visit.
Day 5
A great way to end your Cypriot getaway is head towards the blue lagoon. Ayia Napa is ideal for sun worshippers, but mainly attracts 18-30’s if you want to sleep all day and party all night. If you’re looking for a more family oriented or just a relaxing, lush beach holiday with all the trimmings then head to Fig Tree Bay in Protaras which is set amongst white sandy beaches, home to snorkelling, jet ski, paragliding, glass bottom boats and pirate ship trips and more. The restaurants, bars and night life accommodate all ages with food varieties to suit all taste buds. Cyprus is a beautiful island and will always guarantee to leave you craving your next visit.
Ready to book a Cypriot vacation? With the help of our dedicated team at Travelisto, we can help you plan your escape to the beautiful lsland of Love. Travelisto can build a package to suit individual needs and budgets. Excursions and car rental available on request
