Cyprus Weather | Cyprus Holidays

There are many things that make Cyprus holidays quite remarkable and it's not just the Cyprus weather! This small Mediterranean island may be very European in its outlook, but it’s actually just a stone throw from Turkey and Syria so there is also more than a hint of eastern promise. When you are in the tourist centres like Ayia Napa and Pafos which are popular Cyrpus holidays destinations, then empty beaches or sleepy mountain villages may seem a million miles away; but they aren’t. The glorious Troodos Mountains are only around an hour from Paphos or Aiya Napa; they are best explored by car but can be reached on limited bus services. The Troodos Mountains are a perfect place to get away from the hustle bustle for walking, cycling or exploring the medieval monasteries. If you want to enjoy alone time on the beach then think about heading north to the Karpas Peninsula. The peninsula is sometimes described as the panhandle, stretching as it does from the harbour town of Kyrenia out to see, pointing towards Asia.

There isn’t really a bad time for a Cyprus holiday; the high season runs from June to September when the scorching Cyprus weather means long sunny days with little chance of rain. Don’t be afraid to come in the off season though, when temperatures remain kind and there is plenty going on. In the guide you will find information on festivals like the Afamia Grape Festival and the Palouze festival which come at the end of the wine harvest in September and October. The Limassol carnival is ten days of revelry before lent (normally late February or March) making an early start to the year an equally appealing prospect. In winter Cyprus is the only place (that I know of) when you can be on the ski slopes in the morning and sunbathing at the beach in the afternoon!

Cyprus is an island with a fascinating history as well as a remarkable natural beauty. If you are ready to explore a little deeper you will find crusader castles, hill top monasteries, roman baths and Orthello’s tower. Consider crossing the UN patrolled border to make a trip into northern Cyprus. Day trips with English speaking guides run to the ‘ghost town’ of Famagusta from Paphos and there are more comprehensive day trips from both Paphos and Limmasol that take in Nicosia and Kyrenia.

Area: 9,250 sq km (3,572 sq miles)

Population: 754,064

Capital city: Nicosia (Lefkosia/Lefkosa) (population: 195,000)

People: Greek Cypriot (78%), Turkish Cypriot (18%), Maronites, Latins (4%)

Languages: Greek, Turkish, English

Religions: Greek Orthodox (78%), Muslim (18%), Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other (4%)

Currency: Euro (Turkish Lira in the northern part of Cyprus)

Last Edit by BoatingJoe on 28/05/2011 EDIT NOW >>

Not Logged In

Register now / Login to take advantage of all that HeadingThere.co.uk has to offer.

Be the first to ask a question using the question box above.

Climate
Visas
Health
Money
When to Go
Security
What to Take

Weather in Cyprus

Cyprus weather remains pleasant year round with an average temperature of 12 degrees even in the coolest months of January and February. In the summer it reaches hot (but bearable) peaks of 26 degrees in July and August. The rainiest months are December and January with just over 100mm of rainfall.

The best Cyprus weather is undoubtedly over the summer months of June to September when temperatures are in the 20s and rainfall is minimal, but you really can visit at any time of year.

Avg Temp (c) Rainfall (mm)

January 12 103

February 12 76

March 13 56

April 16 26

May 20 12

June 23 4

July 26 3

August 26 2

September 24 3

October 21 31

November 17 53

December 14 106

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 4:59 pm EDIT NOW >>

Visa Requirements for Cyprus

British nationals are able to enter Cyprus for up to 90 days visa free. Although Cyprus is a full member of the EU, Cyprus is not currently covered by the Schengen agreement; other nationalities should check if they need a visa.

You can enter the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus without a visa by showing your passport at the border. Although there are stories of people having issues on their return to southern Cyprus the FCO website states:

“Cyprus immigration authorities have confirmed that EU passport holders with a “TRNC” stamp in their passport will not experience difficulties when entering the Republic of Cyprus.”

With a situation like this best advice would be to check at the time of travel, the FCO website is a good source of information for UK passport holders: FCO advice on Cyprus.

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 6:14 pm EDIT NOW >>

Health in Cyprus

There are private and public hospitals in Cyprus and British passport holders are entitled to free emergency care in public hospitals if they are holders of the EHIC card. EHIC cards are not accepted in northern Cyprus so if you are going there insure you have adequate travel insurance.

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 9:02 pm EDIT NOW >>

Cyprus Currency

The euro is used in Cyprus except in the north where the Turkish Lira is used. ATMs are widespread in the south although in the north you are only likely to find them in the major centres of North Nicosia, Famagusta and Kyrenia.

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 6:18 pm EDIT NOW >>

Best Time to Visit Cyprus

Temperatures in the 20s and little chance of rain makes June – September a popular time to visit Cyprus, but the weather remains mild outside these times and there are some great festivals in off season that make a visit to Cyprus a very appealing prospect outside the summer months. The revelry of the Limassol carnival in the final ten days before lent can be a great time to visit Cyprus.

Running from late August to early October the Afamia Grape Festival is another great reason to visit Cyprus during the low season. The festival is held in the small village of Koilani (near Limassol), the village is in the centre of the oldest wine growing area of Cyprus and despite its small size is home to 4 wineries. Events during the festival include visits to the village’s cultural sites, traditional music and dancing, open air markets as well, of course, as the chance to taste lots of local wines!

A similar event celebrating the grape harvest is held at Vouni in September. The Palouze Fair is named after the delicious wine blancmange invented in this part of Cyprus, and since it is none alcoholic you can get into the festivities and indulge as much as you like without risking a hangover. There will be plenty of local food, wines as well as even more music and dancing. Think about visiting the donkey sanctuary while you are here, it is free to come for a look around and if you call a day or two in advance you can also help to groom and walk the donkeys which makes for a great family day out. The village and sanctuary are situated in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains so there is plenty to explore in the area.

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 5:50 pm EDIT NOW >>

Security in Cyprus

There are no specific security concerns for Cyprus. As with all overseas travel exercise common sense to ensure your safety.

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 9:04 pm EDIT NOW >>

What to Take to Cyprus

Write an Introduction on What to Take to Cyprus EDIT NOW >>

Rail
Air
Tours
Buses
Driving
Ferries
Crossing Borders

Trains in Cyprus

There are no train services on the island. The main forms of public transport on the island are bus and shared or private taxi.

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 9:26 pm EDIT NOW >>

Cyprus Flights

Cyprus is served by two international airports; Larnaka and Paphos. Both have regular direct flights to airports all over the UK. You will find flights with Thomson and Thomas Cook (who of course also sell package holidays to Cyprus), British Airways, Monarch and easyJet.

There are no direct flights into northern Cyprus.

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 9:47 pm EDIT NOW >>

Cyprus Tours

Write an Introduction to Tours in Cyprus EDIT NOW >>

Buses in Cyprus

Cyprus has a great bus network that covers much of the country, and is very cost effective. Day tickets covering the country cost just ten Euros per day, but this may still not be the cheapest option for a simple return journey. A weekly ticket will set you back 50 Euros, but again spend some time looking at the bus routes to decide whether you would be better off buying tickets for each journey.

Information on national bus travel is available on this official website. All the Greek content is repeated below in English: http://www.intercity-buses.com

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 9:24 pm EDIT NOW >>

Driving in Cyprus

Driving is permitted in Cyprus on a UK driving licence. Be aware that you can be fined heavily for driving without a seatbelt or riding a motorbike without a crash helmet and for driving while under the influence of alcohol or while using a mobile phone.

If you are hiring a car and plan to take it to the north of the country ensure you are insured to drive in the north.

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 9:07 pm EDIT NOW >>

Boats in Cyprus

Write an Introduction on Ferries and Cruises in Cyprus EDIT NOW >>

Crossing Boarders in Cyprus

Crossing the green line between south and north Cyprus is an interesting proposition. There are many things of interest in northern Cyprus and the relative isolation of the Turkish part of the country means that many would argue that the area remains unspoiled by tourism. In practice it is possible to cross easily between the two parts of Cyprus, you can even take day trips and you can take a hire car (as long as you ensure that you are insured to drive the car in the north).

By law though, the Republic of Cyprus (the south) considers entry to the country from the north to be entry by an illegal port of entry. They reserve the right to fine EU citizens who do this, although in practice they are not fining people for doing so at the moment.

As this is subject to change, before planning a trip to the north of Cyprus check the FCO website for the most up-to-date information: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/europe/cyprus

Content Last Edited by BoatingJoe on May 17, 2011, 9:57 pm EDIT NOW >>

Guide to Cyprus