Travel and Tourism Information

Travel - International

AIR

Over 40 airlines, including the national airline Cyprus Airways (CY) (website: www.cyprusairways.com), operate scheduled flights within, to and from Cyprus.

International Airports

Larnaca (LCA) is 5km (3 miles) south of Larnaka and 50km (31 miles) from Nicosia. To/from the airport: Taxis are available outside the airport terminal. Facilities: Duty-free shop, tourist information, bank/bureau de change, bars and restaurants, Cyprus Hotel Information and Reservation Office, first aid, facilities for disabled travellers, car hire (Alamo. Hertz, Budget, Thrifty and Europcar) and post office.

Pafos (PFO) is 15km (9 miles) east of the city (travel time – 25 minutes). Facilities: Tourist Information, Duty Free, Cyprus Hotel Information, cafeteria, special facilities for disabled people and car hire facilities.

SEA

Passenger ships from the ports of Limassol and Larnaca connect Cyprus with various Greek and Middle Eastern ports, including Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion, Haifa, Port Said, Jounieh and many Greek islands. Services are reduced during the winter months. For detailed information on ferry boats and shipping lines, contact the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (see Top Things To Do section). One day cruises are organised from May to October, weather permitting. Several cruise lines call at Cyprus, including Classical Cruises, Costa, Cunard Line, Euro Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess and Swan Hellenic Cruises. Louis Cruise Lines sail to Egypt and the Holy Land (tel: (25) 570 000 or (0800) 018 3883 toll-free UK; website: www.louiscruises.com). Paradise Cruises also operate many cruises to Egypt, Greece and Lebanon (tel: (25) 357 604; website: www.paradise.com.cy)

Travel - Internal

ROAD

Bus: Services connect all towns and villages on the island every day except Sunday and public holidays. Service is efficient and cheap.

Urban buses: They operate frequently during the daytime and, in some areas during the summer, timetables extend until midnight.

Rural buses: Limited to one or two services each day and can be slow; however, they are a good way of seeing the more remote villages.

Taxi: These run 24 hours a day between all the main towns on the island. Fares are regulated by the Government and all taxis have meters. Rural taxis can only be hired from the base station and do not have a taximetre installed. Transurban Service Taxis offers an excellent, cheap service using seven-seat taxis running fixed routes between main points. Taxis run to a timetable and delivery is door to door. Services operate every 30 minutes (Mon-Fri, 0600-1800; Sat and Sun, 0600-1700) and can be booked by phone. Fares under this system are often one-tenth of the usual rate.

Car hire: Cars are one of the best ways to explore the island. They may be hired at airports and commercial centres, but should be reserved well in advance during the summer season. Reduced tariffs are offered if cars are hired for more than a week. Road signs are in both Greek and English. Traffic drives on the left. Although most roads are of a good standard, the driving standards of others may be of a lower standard than that in the UK or elsewhere. It should also be noted that there are strict repercussions for those not wearing seatbelts or a crash helmet, or using a mobile telephone/under the influence of alcohol whilst driving.Visitors wishing to bring their car to Cyprus can do so for up to three months provided the car has a valid registration licence for its country of origin.

Motorcycles: Riders and pillion passengers should always wear crash helmets if the motorcycle is over 50cc.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit or national driving licence is accepted for one year.

URBAN

Nicosia has its own privately run bus company operating efficient services at flat fares, which offers a comprehensive service covering the urban area of Limassol and linking the port with the tourist area. For more details, contact the Limassol Urban Bus Company (E.A.L.) Limited, PO Box 51117 (tel: (25) 354 050. Taxis are widely available: a 15 per cent surcharge is in operation from 2300-0600. Tipping is expected.

Resorts & Excursions

Nicosia (Lefkosia)

The capital of Cyprus since the 12th century, Nicosia stands at the heart of the Mesaoria Plain. It is currently divided by the 'Green Line', a UN buffer zone that separates the Turkish-occupied north of the island and the Government-controlled south. The Old City, which is being renovated in part, is defined by 16th-century walls built by the Venetians. Among attractions and points of interest are the Cyprus Museum, a storehouse of the island's archaeological treasures, the Folk Art Museum, the new Archbishop's Palace, St John's Cathedral, Byzantine churches, the Byzantine Museum/Makarios Cultural Centre and the Ömeriye Mosque. At the end of May, the city hosts the annual International State Fair and at the beginning of June the Nicosia Arts Festival

Excursions: The Nicosia area has some interesting excursion possibilities, including the Royal Tombs and Agios Irakleidios Monastery at Tamassos; the five-dome church and the mosque in Peristerona; the Panagia Chrysospiliotissa Church, in a cliff-side cave near Deftera. Farther into the rugged Pitsylia Region, in the hills southwest of Nicosia, is Machairas Monastery, close to the restored and protected traditional villages of Fikardou, Gourri and Lazanias.

Larnaka & the Southeast

An industrious resort town, Larnaka has Cyprus' main international airport on its doorstep, a harbour with deep-water berths and a marina. The seafront promenade is fringed with palm trees and cafes and tavernas. Places of interest include the Agios Lazaros Church and its associated Byzantine Museum, Larnaka Fort, the District Archaeological Museum, the Pierides Museum (a private archaeological museum), the Natural History Museum, the Tornaritis-Pierides Palaeontology Museum and the scant ruins of ancient Kition. During the feast of Kataklysmos (the Greek Orthodox Whitsun), celebrated throughout Cyprus but with especial enthusiasm in Larnaka, crowds throng the shore for watersports, singing, dancing, eating and drinking

Excursions: Near the airport is the Hala Sultan Tekkesi, a historic mosque standing in beautiful gardens on the edge of Larnaka Salt Lake (dry in summer), a winter home of migratory flamingoes. Nearby, in Kiti, Panagia Angeloktisti Church contains a superb sixth-century Byzantine mosaic of the Virgin and Child.

In the hills to the west is the village of Lefkara, famous for its handmade lace, and the Convent of Agios Minas. Off the Limassol-Nicosia road are the hilltop Stavrovouni Monastery, and the Crusader-era Chapelle Royal near Pyrga. Further west, on a hillside at Choirokoitia, are the remains of a neolithic village from 5800 BC, one of the earliest settlements in Cyprus.

East of Larnaka, Larnaka Bay has a sand beach lined with hotels. Beyond the bay, and the Dekeleia British Sovereign Base Area, much of Famagusta (Ammochostos) District, including the town of the same name, lies across the Cypriot divide in the Turkish-occupied zone (the Turks call Famagusta 'Gazimagusa'). The part still under Government control includes the fertile Kokkinochoria (Red Villages) belt, where potatoes and other vegetables are grown for export.

On the coast south of Famagusta lie busy resorts, speckled with golden sand beaches, that are ideal for children, like those at Fig Tree Bay and Flamingo Bay. Agia Napa has a 16th-century monastery - and an increasingly boisterous reputation as a major clubbing resort. It also attracts families to its beaches, Waterworld leisure centre and Go-Karts track. Boat tours leave from the harbour. Family-oriented Protaras and Pernera resorts have good beaches, with cafes and beach bars. Other attractions in the area include watersports and rock climbing. Around Cape Gkreko, the coastline becomes indented with rocky coves and small sandy beaches, ideal for snorkelling and scuba-diving (both for experienced practitioners), explorations by boat and picnics. The Potamos Creek fishing harbour presents a scene of colourful fishing boats. Inland, the small town of Paralimni provides entertainment in its restaurants, dance clubs and cafe

Larnaka & the Southeast

Limassol (Lemesos) & the Southwest

The second-largest city in Cyprus, Limassol is the island's main industrial centre and port. It is also the focus of Cyprus' wine industry. In September, the town holds a wine festival, at which wine and food are served free. During the pre-Lenten Carnival, Limassol bursts into celebration, with bands, gaily decorated floats and dancing. The city is an important tourist destination, and has beaches like Dassoudi Beach and those at nearby Germasogeia, backed by cafes and tavernas. Limassol Castle stands guard over the old harbour and houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum. There is also a Folk Art Museum, the Limassol District Archaeological Museum and, in the Municipal Gardens, a small zoo

Excursions: There are several places of historical and archaeological interest around Limassol. Amathus, just outside the city to the east, was once the capital of a city-kingdom, but is now in ruins and partly covered by the sea. The Acropolis, Necropolis and the remains of an early Christian basilica can be seen, and excavation continues in the lower part of the ancient city. Further east lies Agios Georgios Alamanos Convent and the black sands of Governor's Beach.

West of Limassol, at Fassouri, are extensive citrus orchards and the Water Mania leisure park. Nearby Kolossi Castle was the headquarters of the Crusader Knights of St John of Jerusalem. The ancient city of Kourion, on a steep hillside near Episkopi, has a superbly sited Graeco-Roman theatre where concerts and Shakespearean plays are performed in summer. Kourion contains other interesting sites, including the House of Eustolios, which has beautiful mosaics; the Acropolis; the ruins of the Roman-era forum; the Christian Basilica; and public buildings. Beyond Kourion to the west are the city's stadium and the Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis. All of these sites lie within the Akrotiri-Episkopi British Sovereign Base Area.

South of Limassol, on the Akrotiri Peninsula (and also inside the British military base), Lady's Mile Beach is a long stretch of excellent sand. Nearby Akrotiri Salt Lake (dry in summer) is a winter home to thousands of flamingoes; on its southern shore stands the Agios Nikolaos ton Gaton Convent.

Pafos & the West

The booming main town and year-round resort in the west consists of Upper Pafos, built on a rocky escarpment that commands a superb view of the coastline, and Lower Pafos, with a taverna-fringed harbour and a long seafront lined with hotels. Pafos is rich in ancient sites, in particular a cluster of excavated Roman villas near the harbour, among them the House of Dionysos and the Villa of Theseus, that contain superb mosaic floors, and the Tombs of the Kings. Other attractions include the Pafos District Museum, the Byzantine Museum, Pafos Fort commanding the harbour, the remains of the Byzantine castle of Saranda Kolones, and Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church, the largest early Christian basilica on the island. Pafos Aquarium is of more recent origin

Excursions: Pafos is a good base for exploring the rugged west of the island. To the east and northeast, the land rises through vineyards and the Pafos Forest to Cedar Valley, part of the Tripylos Nature Reserve, centred on the Stavros tis Psokas Forest Station. Wild mountain sheep (moufflon) are being protected here. The Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery is situated in scenic surroundings and is an interesting stop on the way.

A main road skirts the foothills on the edge of this area, passing close to Agios Neofytos Monastery, and finally descending to the north coast at Polis, a small town that until recently was virtually undeveloped and is now a bustling resort, though it retains traces of its former 'alternative' character. Nearby, at the fishing port and resort of Latchi (Lakki), tavernas around the harbour serve freshly caught fish. Westwards, at the edge of the Akamas Peninsula, are the Baths of Aphrodite, a grotto containing a freshwater pool - legend says the Greek goddess of love bathed here. Going east from Polis, around Chrysochou Bay, the barely developed coast as far as the UN buffer zone at Kato Pyrgos gives an idea of what Cyprus looked like before mass tourism began on the island.

On the coast north of Pafos, Coral Bay is a fast-growing resort around a small but good beach. Farther on in this direction, the fishing harbour at Agios Georgios is overlooked by cliffs into which ancient tombs are cut; at the top is an excavated early Christian basilica. At Lara Bay, beyond the rugged Avgas Gorge, a reserve has been established to protect the dwindling number of loggerhead turtles that nest here.

In the opposite direction, southeast of Pafos, Geroskipou village - now little more than a suburb of sprawling Pafos - is the home of 'Greek Delight' (like 'Turkish Delight') and has a small Folk Museum. Farther along, at Kouklia, are the ruins of ancient Palaia Pafos and the Temple of Aphrodite. At the coast are Petra tou Romiou (Rock of Aphrodite) and a busy small resort at Pissouri Bay.

Troodos Mountains

The scenery in the forested - or, more accurately, reafforested - mountains is spectacular. Platres, 1128m (3790ft) above sea level on the southern slopes is the ideal base for excursions. It lies on the approaches to Mount Olympus, at 1952m (6404ft) the highest peak in Cyprus, with a summit that is invariably snow-covered in winter and has skiing slopes and facilities.

Prodromos, the highest village on the island, 1400m (4600ft) above sea level, is reputed to grow the best apples. Pedoulas in the fertile Marathasa Valley is famous for cherries (and in spring for cherry blossom) and other fruits. Kalopanagiotis also has orchards. Moutoullas is a source of mineral water bottled and sold locally as well as exported to the Middle East. Omodos, a restored conservation village, has the Stavros Monastery and a small Folk Art Museum. Foini is a centre of local craft pottery. On the northeastern slopes, Kakopetria, 670m (2200ft) above sea level and a touring centre like Platres, has a traditional quarter that is being protected and restored. Agros produces rose water, mineral water and wine. The Commandaria Region, midway down the southern slopes, where the grapes for the Commandaria sweet red dessert wine are grown, has attractive villages like Zoopigi, where almond and walnut trees grow.

Other places of interest include Kykkos Monastery, which houses a golden icon of the Virgin Mary; Throni tis Panagias, uphill from the monastery, where the tomb of the late Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of Cyprus, occupies a setting that commands a magnificent view; the small but prettily situated Kaledonia Falls; and the monasteries of Mesa Potamos and Trooditissa.

UNESCO has listed nine Byzantine churches in the mountains as World Heritage Sites for their magnificently frescoed interiors. These are Panagia tis Asinou near Nikitari, one of the finest examples of Byzantine art in the Levant; Stavros tou Agiasmati near Platanistasa; Agios Ioannis Lampadistis in Kalopanagiotis; Panagia tou Araka near Lagoudera; Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis southwest of Kakopetria; Panagia tis Podythou outside Galata; Archangelos Michaïl at Pedoulas; Panagia tou Moutoulla in Moutoullas; and Timiou Stavrou in Pelendri