Best Places to Visit in Cyprus

Paphos

Culture + coastWest coast

Paphos splits into a harbour-and-ruins district (Kato Paphos) and a modern town above it. The UNESCO-listed Roman mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings are the headline sights, and the Akamas, Coral Bay, Peyia, Kouklia and Polis are all within day-trip range. Read our Paphos overview.

Worth it?A strong base if history and a quieter coast matter more to you than city nightlife: the Roman mosaics are in town and the Akamas, Coral Bay and Kouklia are all within day-trip range.

Skip ifYou want a lively city centre at night.

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Limassol

City + centralSouth coast

A major commercial city, with an old town, a long seafront and a large restaurant scene. It is also a central base: Kourion, Kolossi, the wine villages and the Troodos are all reachable for a day. Read our Limassol overview.

Worth it?A strong base if you want to do a lot without changing hotels, because Kourion, Kolossi, the wine villages and the Troodos are all day trips from here.

Skip ifYou want a beach-first holiday: the city beaches are serviceable rather than special.

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Larnaca

Easy + practicalSoutheast

A walkable seafront, a small old town and a salt lake right by the airport. It is the logical first or last night, and a good base for Lefkara and Choirokoitia. Read our Larnaca overview.

Worth it?Better as a short stay than a destination: it is practical for the airport, Lefkara and Choirokoitia, but has no standout attraction of its own.

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Ayia Napa

Beaches + nightlifeEast

One of Cyprus's best-known resorts for sandy beaches, boat trips and nightlife, with Cape Greco's coastal park next door. Read our Ayia Napa overview.

Worth it?The right choice if sandy beaches, boat trips and nightlife are the priority.

Skip ifYou want quiet nights or historic character.

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Protaras

Calm beachesEast

A calmer neighbour to Ayia Napa, known for Fig Tree Bay and a family-oriented atmosphere. Read our Protaras overview.

Worth it?Suits families who want calmer beaches than Ayia Napa, which is busier and livelier.

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Nicosia

CityInland capital

A walled old city divided by the buffer zone, with museums and a distinctive street life. Read our Nicosia overview.

Worth it?A good city day if you like museums and old streets; it is not a base for a beach holiday.

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The Troodos mountains

MountainsCentral

Pine forest, cool air, painted churches and wine villages. It is a strong contrast to the coast, and easy to under-allocate time to. Read our Troodos overview.

Worth it?Give it at least a full day, ideally an overnight, because the villages, churches and trails are spread out and the roads are slow.

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Omodos

Wine villageSouthern Troodos foothills

A cobbled village around a monastery, surrounded by vineyards. Busy at midday, lovely early and late.

Worth it?Worth a stop on a wine-villages day. Go outside the tour-bus hours: it is busy at midday and quieter early and late.

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Lefkara

Craft villageBetween Larnaca and the mountains

Known for lace and silverwork, with narrow lanes and views. It is an easy day trip from Larnaca or Limassol.

Worth it?Works as a half-day trip from Larnaca or Limassol, and pairs well with Choirokoitia.

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Polis and Latchi

Quiet coastNorthwest

A low-key corner of the island and the gateway to the Akamas Peninsula, with boat trips from Latchi. Read our Polis overview.

Worth it?Suits walkers and anyone who wants an unhurried week near the Akamas.

Skip ifYou need plenty of restaurants and nightlife.

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Kouklia

ArchaeologyEast of Paphos

A village on the site of ancient Palaepaphos and its sanctuary of Aphrodite. A stop, not a base.

Worth it?A short stop for history lovers, useful if you are driving between Paphos and the south coast.

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