Top Sights
1. Ancient Kourion
Vast ancient site, the most famous section is the theater and the House of Eustolios. Kourion or Latin: Curium, was an important ancient city-state on the southwestern coast of Cyprus. In the twelfth century BCE, after the collapse of the Mycenaean palaces, Greek settlers from Argos arrived on this site.
2. Larnaca
Larnaca (Larnarka) is a port city on the south coast of Cyprus. It's known for Finikoudes Beach, a sandy strip in the city centre backed by a palm-lined seaside promenade. Buzzing bars line the waterfront at Mackenzie Beach. Just offshore, the M.S. Zenobia wreck is a popular dive site. The 9th-century Church of Saint Lazarus contains the tomb of the saint said to have risen from the dead.
3. Girne
Picturesque port backed by the majestic Kyrenia Mountains. Kyrenia (Girne) is a city on the north coast of Cyprus, known for its cobblestoned old town and horseshoe-shaped harbor. The ancient Kyrenia Castle is a large fortification with a dungeon accessible by a stone bridge. The castle houses the Shipwreck Museum, with a shipwreck from the 3rd century B.C. The nearby Icon Museum displays religious icons inside the restored Greek Orthodox Archangelos Michael Church.
4. Akamas Peninsula National Park
Spectacular coastline, away from the crowds. Akamas, is a promontory and cape at the northwest extremity of Cyprus with an area of 230 square kilometres. Ptolemy described it as a thickly wooded headland, divided into two by summits [a mountain range
5. Paphos
Paphos is a city on the southwest coast of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Inhabited since Neolithic times, it has several sites relating to the cult of goddess Aphrodite, whose mythical birthplace was at Old Paphos (Kouklia). New Paphos is the modern city that incorporates the harbor, and the ancient ruins of tombs, fortresses, theaters and villas at Paphos Archaeological Park.
6. St. Hilarion Castle
One of the Mediterranean's most beautiful castle ruins. The Saint Hilarion Castle lies on the Kyrenia mountain range. This location provided the castle with command of the pass road from Kyrenia to Nicosia. It is the best preserved ruin of the three former strongholds in the Kyrenia mountains, the others being Kantara and Buffavento
7. Karpass Peninsula
Hiking and beaches away from crowds. The Peninsula of Karpasia, also known as the Karpas Peninsula or simply Karpasia, is a long, finger-like peninsula that is one of the most prominent geographical features of the island of Cyprus. Its farthest extent is Cape Apostolos Andreas, and its major population centre is the town of Rizokarpaso
8. Salamis Filoxenia
Archaeological site with marble ruins. Salamis is an ancient Greek city-state on the east coast of Cyprus, at the mouth of the river Pedieos, 6 km north of modern Famagusta. According to tradition, the founder of Salamis was Teucer, son of Telamon, who could not return home after the Trojan war because he had failed to avenge his brother Ajax.
9. Mazotos
Mazotos is a village 22 km away from Larnaca in Cyprus, close to the sea. The community today numbers about 1,200 predominantly Greek speaking Cypriots but with about 350 expatriates who are here on a permanent basis as retirees. In addition the village can accommodate a further 2,500 in 'holiday homes'.
10. Nicosia
Nicosia, also known as Lefkosia, is the divided capital city of Cyprus. South of the border, on the Greek side, the Cyprus Museum has archaeological finds from the Neolithic to Byzantine periods, including the Aphrodite of Soloi statue. Nearby, the old city’s 16th-century Venetian walls include the Famagusta, Kyrenia and Paphos gates. Inside the walls, a marble mausoleum sits next to 19th-century Faneromeni Church.
11. Argaka
Beaches and snorkeling. Argaka is a village in the Paphos District of Cyprus, located 7 km northeast of Polis Chrysochous. From a geological perspective, it is located upon the calcareous sandstones, the sands, and the marls of the Pleistocene period as well as the lavas and the magma rocks.
12. Cape Greco National Forest Park
Coastal national park featuring numerous trails & cycling paths, sitting areas, cliffs & sea views.
13. Kolossi Castle
Kolossi Castle is a former Crusader stronghold on the south-west edge of Kolossi village 14 kilometres west of the city of Limassol.
14. Troodos Mountains
Churches and monasteries. Troodos is the largest mountain range in Cyprus, located in roughly the center of the island. Its highest peak is Mount Olympus, also known as Chionistra, at 1,952 metres, which hosts the Sun Valley and North Face ski areas with their five ski lifts.
15. Famagusta
Famagusta, also known as Gazimağusa, is a city on the east coast Cyprus. It’s known for its preserved 15th- and 16th-century Venetian walls, which are surrounded by a now waterless moat. There are sweeping views from the top of the moat. The Porta Del Mare gate has an iron door and a statue of a winged lion. The huge, honey-colored Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque was a Gothic cathedral and dates from the 14th century.
16. Prodromos
Hill walking. Prodromos is the highest village in Cyprus at 1,380 metres above sea level. It is the island's main centre for winter sport, with three ski slopes located on nearby Mount Olympus. The village is part of the Limassol District. The monastry of Prodromos is built on the root of a cliff.
