25 Best Things to Do in Cyprus
From turtle beaches to mountain waterfalls and meze that lasts all night — the definitive island-wide hit list, honestly ranked.
If you only read one guide before your trip, make it this one. Cyprus packs an improbable amount into a small island: Blue Flag beaches and wild sea-turtle coves, Greco-Roman theatres perched above the Mediterranean, pine-covered mountains with waterfalls and frescoed churches, wine villages that have been pressing grapes for centuries, and a nightlife scene that ranges from beach bars to legendary superclubs. The trick is knowing which of it is genuinely worth your time — and that is exactly what this list is for.
We have ranked 25 things to do in Cyprus across the whole island, mixing free natural wonders with paid attractions that earn their ticket price. We will be honest with you throughout: some famous spots get uncomfortably crowded in July and August, some boat trips are better than others, and a few 'must-sees' are really 'nice-if-passings'. Where a state archaeological site charges entry, it is a modest €2.50 or €4.50 — everything else on this list from gorges to viewpoints costs nothing but petrol.
One practical note before we start: Cyprus rewards drivers. The best of this list — the Akamas peninsula, the Troodos villages, the quieter coves — sits beyond the reach of hotel strips, so hire a car for at least part of your stay and the island opens right up.
The beaches everyone asks about (1–5)
1. Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa — the poster child of Cypriot beaches, and yes, the water really is that colour. A shallow sandbar links the beach to its little islet, the sand is soft and white, and the atmosphere in summer is a full-on party. Come early morning or in shoulder season if you want the postcard without the crowds. 2. Fig Tree Bay, Protaras — Nissi's calmer sibling: gentle, family-friendly water, a swimmable islet just offshore and a long promenade of cafés behind it.
3. Konnos Bay — tucked between Protaras and Cape Greco, this half-moon of turquoise framed by juniper cliffs is many locals' pick for the prettiest swim on the island. It is small, so it fills fast in high summer. 4. Lara Bay — at the other extreme entirely: a wild, undeveloped turtle-nesting beach on the Akamas coast with no sunbeds, no bars and rutted dirt-track access. Green and loggerhead turtles nest here, so respect the protected cages and take everything you brought back out with you.
5. Coral Bay — Paphos's flagship beach: a broad horseshoe of golden sand with calm, shallow water and full facilities. It is the sensible family choice on the west coast, and a good base for exploring the wilder sea caves and coastline just north at Agios Georgios.
Nissi Beach · Fig Tree Bay · Konnos Bay · Lara Bay turtle beach · Coral Bay
The wild west: Akamas and beyond (6–9)
6. Swim the Blue Lagoon — the single most spectacular patch of water in Cyprus, a bay of impossible aquamarine on the Akamas peninsula. Most people arrive by boat from Latchi harbour; the adventurous take a 4x4 or quad along the rough coastal track. Either way, go — but know that midday in August means a flotilla of boats, so aim for the first departure of the day.
7. Hike Avakas Gorge — a slot canyon where the limestone walls narrow to a few metres across and tower high overhead. The walk to the narrowest section is manageable for most reasonably fit visitors; wear proper shoes, as the streambed is rocky and can be slippery. 8. Baths of Aphrodite — the grotto itself is modest (a shady pool where the goddess supposedly bathed), but it is the trailhead for some of the best coastal walking on the island, with huge views over Chrysochou Bay.
9. The Edro III shipwreck — a cargo ship grounded on the rocks near Pegeia's sea caves, sitting photogenically close to shore. It costs nothing, takes twenty minutes, and delivers one of the most striking photographs you will take in Cyprus, especially at sunset.
Blue Lagoon · Avakas Gorge · Baths of Aphrodite · Edro III shipwreck
Ancient sites and landmarks (10–14)
10. Aphrodite's Rock (Petra tou Romiou) — the sea stack where the goddess of love is said to have risen from the foam. The pebble beach and that great hulk of rock against the open Mediterranean make this the island's defining view; come for sunset and you will understand the myth. 11. Kourion — the finest ancient site in Cyprus: a Greco-Roman theatre carved into a clifftop above the sea, plus mosaics, baths and a forum. The state entry fee of €4.50 is the best-spent money on this list.
12. Paphos's archaeological treasures — the town's UNESCO-listed mosaics and the rock-cut Tombs of the Kings are world class, and standard state entry fees (€2.50–€4.50) apply. Give the mosaics at least a couple of unhurried hours. 13. The Kamares Aqueduct — Larnaca's elegant Ottoman-era aqueduct, free to wander and at its most photogenic towards dusk; pair it with an evening stroll along the palm-lined Finikoudes seafront.
14. Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke — in winter and early spring the lake turns pink with flamingos, with the mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke mirrored on the water behind them. In summer it is a cracked white salt pan — striking in a different way, but no birds, so time this one to your season.
Aphrodite's Rock · Kamares Aqueduct · Finikoudes seafront · Larnaca Salt Lake
Into the Troodos mountains (15–19)
15. Chase waterfalls at Caledonia — the prettiest of the Troodos falls, reached by a lovely streamside nature trail near Platres; its neighbour Millomeris is an easier walk if you want a gentler option. 16. Walk the Artemis Trail — a near-level loop around the summit of Mount Olympus through ancient black pines, with views across half the island on a clear day. In winter there is often snow up here while people swim on the coast — one of the great Cyprus party tricks.
17. Kykkos Monastery — the richest and most famous monastery in Cyprus, glittering with gold mosaics and frescoed cloisters deep in the western Troodos. It is a working monastery, so dress modestly; the mountain drive to reach it is half the pleasure. 18. Omodos — the best of the wine villages: a cobbled square, an old monastery, and family wineries pouring their own whites and reds alongside the island's famous sweet Commandaria. Go in the late afternoon when the coach tours have left.
19. Kakopetria — the most atmospheric of the mountain villages, with a preserved old quarter of stone-and-timber houses stacked above a rushing river. Stay for lunch: locally farmed trout is the classic dish of the Troodos villages.
Caledonia Waterfall · Millomeris Waterfall · Artemis Trail · Kykkos Monastery · Omodos wine village · Kakopetria old village
East coast adventures and boat trips (20–22)
20. Cape Greco — the national forest park between Ayia Napa and Protaras is the east coast's natural highlight: sea cliffs, a whitewashed chapel, cliff-jumping coves and the dramatic sea caves carved into the headland. Walk the coastal path in the golden hour and you will forgive the east coast all its concrete. 21. Take a boat trip — seeing the sea caves and the lagoons from the water is a different experience altogether. Family-friendly pirate cruises sail out of Ayia Napa harbour, while glass-bottom and speedboat options run all along the coast.
22. Do a waterpark day — Cyprus does waterparks properly, with big themed parks at Ayia Napa, Paphos and Limassol. They are paid attractions and not cheap, but if you are travelling with children (or just enjoy a lazy river), one full day is money well spent — go on a weekday to dodge the longest queues.
Cape Greco park · Ayia Napa Sea Caves · Black Pearl Pirate Cruise · Yellow Submarine
Eat like a Cypriot (23–24)
23. Surrender to a meze night — the essential Cyprus food experience: a slow parade of small dishes, from halloumi and village salad through grilled meats or the day's fish. Do it somewhere unpretentious and family-run; in Nicosia's old town, Zanettos has been doing exactly this for generations. Arrive hungry and cancel your evening plans.
24. Eat fish by a working harbour — order whatever came off the boats that morning and eat it a few metres from where it landed. The fishing harbour at Ayia Napa is the classic setting for it, and the tiny fishing creek at Potamos Liopetriou shows you the older, quieter Cyprus that the resorts grew up around.
Zanettos Nicosia · Vassos Fish Harbour Tavern · Potamos Liopetriou fishing creek
After dark (25)
25. Sample the nightlife — Cyprus after dark runs the full spectrum. Ayia Napa remains the party capital, from the famous pool parties at River Reggae to the square's big clubs, with Castle Club the long-standing heavyweight. Limassol offers the grown-up alternative: cocktail bars in the old town, a polished marina, and sunset sessions at Guaba on the seafront. Pick your flavour — or, this being a small island, do both in one trip.
That is the 25. You will not fit them all into one week, and you should not try: pick a coast, add two days in the Troodos, and leave the rest as the reason you come back. Almost everyone does.
Castle Club Ayia Napa · River Reggae · Guaba Beach Bar
Frequently asked questions
- How many days do you need in Cyprus?
- A week covers one coast plus a couple of days in the Troodos mountains comfortably. Ten days to two weeks lets you do the island properly — west coast and Akamas, the mountains, and the east coast beaches — without spending your holiday in the car.
- Do you need a car in Cyprus?
- For this list, yes. Buses link the main towns and resorts, but the Akamas peninsula, the Troodos villages, waterfalls and the wilder beaches are all far easier with your own wheels. Cyprus drives on the left, which makes it an easy switch for British visitors.
- What is the best time of year to visit Cyprus?
- May, June, September and October offer warm sea, long days and thinner crowds. July and August are hot and busy, especially at the famous beaches. Winter is quiet and mild on the coast — and it is flamingo season at the salt lakes, with occasional snow in the Troodos.
- Are the ancient sites in Cyprus expensive?
- No. The state-run archaeological sites, including Kourion and the Paphos mosaics, charge modest official entry fees of €2.50 or €4.50. Many of the island's best experiences — gorges, viewpoints, beaches, village wandering — are completely free.
- Which is better for a first visit: Paphos side or Ayia Napa side?
- Choose by priority. The west (Paphos and Akamas) wins for nature, ancient sites and wild coastline; the east (Ayia Napa and Protaras) has the finest swimming beaches and the nightlife. The Troodos mountains sit within day-trip reach of either.
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