Cyprus. Which city to visit?

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island where you can find everything you need for relaxation and pleasant life. Although this is a small country, you will be amazed at how much there is to see, do and try here. Picturesque sandy beaches, wild nature, mild climate, high level of service, variety of prices, and add to this another 10,000 years of culture and history, UNESCO World Heritage Sites - archaeological monuments of ancient and Byzantine eras. 

Each city in Cyprus has special features and a unique character. Although the cities are relatively close, they differ in culture, history, and lifestyle.

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Paphos

City area: 18.09 km²

Population: 35,961 

A charming quiet town located on the west coast of the island. It was Cyprus's capital for several centuries of the ancient period.

According to _{Greek mythology}, Paphos is the birthplace of the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite. This small administrative center of the Republic of Cyprus is known as one of the most prestigious resorts in the Mediterranean and a place that keeps priceless cultural treasures of ancient times.

Today Paphos is on the official list of cultural and natural treasures of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and was also awarded as one of the European Cities of Culture in 2017.

Paphos has a reputation as the best Cyprus resort for a romantic trip or a quiet, respectable vacation. The city is surrounded by picturesque bays and secluded beaches where you can endlessly enjoy the sound of sea waves. Paphos is also perfect for real golf lovers - all professional golf courses in Cyprus are located around the city. 

What to see in Paphos:

● Archaeological Park of Paphos

● Villa of Dionysus

● Saranta Kolones Castle

● Odeon Theater

● Tombs of the Kings

● Catacombs of Saint Solomon

● Chrysoroyatissa Monastery

● Archaeological Museum

● Eleuthkia Botanical Park

● Sea caves

● Petra tou Romiou

● Baths of Aphroditein the area of ​​Polis

Climate. When is the best time to go?

Paphos and its surroundings are an amazingly picturesque place. The wide coastline and steep mountain slopes, covered with dense pine forests and terraced vineyards, form an incredibly attractive city landscape.

The Troodos Mountains create a natural barrier between the city and the rest of the island, thanks to which a unique microclimate has formed here.

The beach season of Paphos lasts almost half a year.

In April the air temperature warms up to + 22 ° С, and the water temperature reaches +18 ° С. And in May, these figures are approximately +25 °С and +20 °С.

From mid-autumn, the daytime temperature drops to +26 °C, and at night an average of +16 °C, the sea remains warm: +24 °C.

In November, it becomes windy, and waves rise in the sea. Sometimes it rains.

Winter in Paphos is also quite comfortable. During the day, when the sun is shining, it usually from +16 °С to +18 °С, and a bit colder at night 

In the summer in the city, it is usually from +27 °С to +30 °С, and the water temperature is from+23 °С to +26 °С.

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Nicosia

City area: 111 km²

Population: 273,642 

Nicosia (Greek Λευκωσία - Lefkosia) is the world's only capital of two states at once - the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It is the largest city on the island and its administrative center and the only city in Cyprus with no sea access. However, the lack of rich beach life is more than compensated by the historical heritage of the capital.

For more than 3,000 years of _{official existence}, the city has accumulated a rich cultural heritage, many historical monuments, and museum artifacts, so Nicosia can easily be called an open-air museum.

What to see in Nicosia:

● Archbishop's Palace

● Shacolas Tower Observation Deck

● Museum of ByzantineArt

● Old town and its shopping area Laiki Geitonia

● Archaeological Museum of Cyprus

Climate. When is the best time to go?

The climate of the capital is due to its unusual location. As a result of the lack of access to the sea, it is much hotter here than in other resort towns.

The usual Mediterranean climate of the island in Nicosia turns into a semi-desert. In summer, city thermometers almost always show +35…+38 °С if you do not tolerate heat and dry air, it is better to get acquainted with the capital in spring or autumn.

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Limassol

City area: 34.87 km²

Population: 230,000people

The main seaport, the ^{major resort} of Cyprus, is Limassol (Greek Λεμεσός - Lemesos). This city perfectly embodies the Cypriot philosophy that works should be combined with pleasure.

Limassol is located on the coast of the island, in Akrotiri Bay. Developed beach infrastructure, many hotels, and surroundings dotted with ancient monuments attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

Limassol has a reputation as the most Russian-speaking city in Cyprus. The hotel staff is fluent in Russian, and signs are in Cyrillic, and many locals are from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

And to visit all the historical sites of Limassol, you must prepare for the trips - most of the archaeological sites are located in the vicinity of the village.

What to see in Limassol:

● Ancient city of Kourion

● Ancient city of Amathus

● Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates

● Limassol Marina

● Molos Embankment and Sculpture Park

● Winery KEO

● Akrotiri Salt Lakeand Akrotiri Environmental Education and Information Center

Climate. When is the best  time to go?

Limassol has a classic Mediterranean climate: hot sunny summers, mild, bright autumns, and warm winters without snow. From a tourist's point of view, it is comfortable here in any season. Many tourists, having spent their holidays in Cyprus, are considering moving to this island.

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Ayia Napa

City area: 30.63 km²

Population: 2693people

The resort town of Ayia Napa is located in the eastern part of the island. Crystal-clear waters and golden sands are one of the most characteristic features of this region.

Life on the streets of Ayia Napa is full ^{swing 24 hours a day}. The coastline is dotted with venues with loud music, foam parties, and exotic cocktails. This is an ideal resort for those who love to dance until the morning and crave the most unexpected adventures.

However, lovers of a quiet holiday will also find a place for themselves here. The city's vicinity also has quite clean, secluded beaches. The top most visited sights of the town include the local monastery of Ayia Napa.

We recommend combining walks along the city streets with a visit to the Thalassa Museum of the Sea. There you can see all kinds of ocean creatures and a copy of the ancient Kyrenia ship that sank off the coast of Cyprus in the 4th century BC.

What to see in AyiaNapa:

● Ayia Napa Monastery

● Museum of the Sea "Thalassa"

● Cavo Greco National Park (Cape Greco)

● Nissi Beach

● Sea caves

● Fig Tree Bay

● Church of Elijah the Prophet (Profitis Elias Chapel)

● Ayia Thekla Beachand Chapel of the same name

● Bridge of love

When is the best time to go?

Ayia Napa belongs to the subtropical zone. The climate in the city is classic Mediterranean - long, hot summers and short, mild winters. 

However, the holiday season of Ayia Napa lasts only from April to November. With the advent of autumn, beach parties slowly fade away, and the city is almost completely closed until next summer.

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Larnaca

City area: 31.73 km²

Population: 51,468

Larnaca has a port, and it's a more _{industrial city}. The resort is located on the site of one of the most important ancient kingdoms of Cyprus, Kition.

This is the city of the great philosopher Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, who also welcomed St.Lazarus, who lived here 30 years after his resurrection. That is why the church of St. Lazarus is one of the most treasured monuments on the island.

Larnaca is a pleasant seaside resort with a palm-fringed promenade along the beach, a modern marina, and ancient districts. Larnaca is also very attractive for divers because the wreckage of the Zenobia lies at the bottom of the bay. The wreck is one of the top 10 wreck sites in the world, according to The Times!

Larnaca annually attracts many tourists because, compared with other Cyprus resorts, holidays here are inexpensive and save money. Couples with small children and older people often come here because the sea here is shallow with a uniform sandy bottom. 

What to see in Larnaca:

● Church of St.Lazarus

● Larnaca Salt Lake

● Angeloktisti Church

● Pierides Museum

● Neolithic Hirokoitia

● Tekke Hala Sultan Mosque 

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In conclusion, FORLIFY is highly recommending visiting and living in the Paphos region as the most peaceful, beautiful, safe, and financially attractive for a property investment if you're considering moving to Cyprus. But we will gladly assist you with it in any Cyprus town. Join our family!)

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