March 2025

Charming Cyprus 

Cyprus is a super fun, charming spot just under a 4-hour flight from Dubai. This Turkish-Greek island offers the perfect blend of relaxation and sightseeing. We visited in spring when the temperatures were a pleasant 20-25°C. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, covering around 9,300 km², with only Sardinia and Sicily being bigger.

Where we stayed

3 nights Paphos; Casa Mespilea; a traditional Bourgeois Townhouse in the center of Paphos. 

2 nights mountain village of Lefkara; Ample Places; eat, sleep en live in an authentic rural house of a local. 

We pre-booked a car at the airport, so we were ready to hit the road as soon as we arrived.

Visa Requirements 

No visa needed for Cyprus if you're traveling with a valid Dutch passport or ID card.

Pano Lefkara

 

 

 

 

Our Highlights

  • Paphos

  • Akamas Peninsula| hiked the Aphrodite Trail

  • Avakas Gorge

  • Aphrodite's Rock | Troodos Mountains | Omodos | Olympus, or Chionistra, at 1,952 metres (6,404 ft), the highest point of Cyprus | Lofou

  • (Pano) Lefkara (famous for its handmade lace and silverware)

  • Larnaca | Ottoman-era Larnaca Fort | Larnaca Salt Lake

  • Nicosia (the last divided capital in Europe). 

  • Konnos Beach |  Lover’s Bridge

Travel journey 

The first days of our trip to Cyprus we spent in Paphos, the largest city on the island’s west coast. It’s full of history, from Roman mosaics to the medieval ‘Paphos Castle,’ which dates back to the 13th century. Originally built for defense against invasions and piracy, today the castle offers stunning views of the Mediterranean and is a must-see.

Hiking the Aphrodite's Trail

From here, we drove to the Akamas Peninsula, a nature reserve with untouched bays and rugged landscapes. We hiked the Aphrodite Trail, which winds through forests and cliffs, offering amazing views of the sea. The hike is a loop of approximately 7.5km, took us to a viewpoint at the summit before looping back down the other side. We started at the Baths of Aphrodite, ascended 340 meters over the course of about an hour, reaching the Moutti tis Soutiras plateau, where we've got rewarded with stunning views of the peninsula below.

Avakas Gorge

Another highlight was Avakas Gorge, one of the island’s most stunning natural wonders. The gorge was formed by a wild stream over thousands of years, creating towering limestone walls and beautiful rock formations. The first part of the gorge is the most impressive, before it leads into a peaceful valley.

Aphrodite's Rock

After three nights in Paphos, we headed to the south side of the island. To get there, we took a scenic road trip. First we stopped in Petra to Romiou, to see the landmark Aphrodite's Rock. 

Troodes Mountains

Then we followed our way to the Troodos Mountains and stopped in the village of Omodos. It’s a beautiful place to explore traditional architecture and local crafts, plus there are plenty of great lunch spots.

We drove on to Olympus, or Chionistra, at 1,952 metres, the highest point of Cyprus. Via the village of Lofou, we drove on to Lefkara, via the coast. Lofou is a beautiful village hidden in the Ampelochoria.

Lefkara

Our end destination was the mountain village of Lefkara, where we stayed for 2 nights in a beautiful rural house. This village is famous for its handmade lace and silverware. It’s a hidden gem!

Lover's Bridge

larnaca

From here we visited Larnaca, known for historical sites like the Ottoman-era Larnaca Fort. The city also has a lively promenade with cafes, restaurants, and shops (we ate here quite a bit!). On the southwest side, there’s the Larnaca Salt Lake, where flamingos hang out during the winter.

Nicosia

We also explored Nicosia, the island's largest city, which is unique because it’s the last divided capital in Europe. The border cuts right through the center, separating the Greek Cypriot south from the Turkish Cypriot north. We visited the Venetian city walls and the stunning Gothic Cathedral of St. John. The southern part of the city has a lovely square, Eleftheria Square.

Konnos Beach - Lover's Bridge

For our last day, we spent a few hours at Konnos Beach, with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft sandy shores. We also visited Lover’s Bridge, a beautiful spot to wrap up our trip. 

Until we meet again..! 

Our time in Cyprus was over and we flew back from Larnaca International Airport.

More Greek vibes

Greece is just a wonderful travel destination. You can read our blog about Crete here.

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