Share the article
Unpaired beaches supported by millennia-old ruined forts, culturally charged cities crossed by paved streets that seem to have come directly from a storybook cover, and of course all those fresh seafood and rich own, nasty wine …
There is just no hitting A good old Mediterranean summer.
That said, we know for sure that it is placing such as the French Riviera, or the Instagramable Amalfi Coast of Italy that immediately comes to mind when the old sea is called in reality, they are not the ones who lead this year:
Cyprus for the victory!
The lesser -known islandland Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean, is a ‘striking artist‘In 2025, with an increase of 15.4 percent in arrivals.
For some, that could be a surprise, especially in the pond, because most Americans are not even aware of Cyprus, or may have only heard of it vaguely, but it is a proven summer paradise for holiday briters, Germans and other Northern Europeans in general.
According to their own projections, They will organize 4.25 million tourists by the end of the yearOp of a personal record -breaking 4 million last year, and if you are not impressed, remember:
This is a small island about the size of Puerto RicoWith a population of 1.3 million – so no, it is not Greece Popularity levelBut it is enormous within its own ranks.
What’s so special about Cyprus?
That said, you might wonder Why Tourism continues to grow there year after year.
This is a Mediterranean country, so even if this is your first time that you are introduced in Cyprus, you can probably guess what some of the greatest draws are here.
The ancient culture, especially in view of the fact that Cyprus is in the wider Hellenic world – in the event that you do not know, most locals are ethnic Greek or Turkish, and Greek is the majority steel that is spoken – the warm weather, and A picturesque coastline.
A big plus for Cyprus, however, is that, unlike many of these Mediterranean outings, and here we think of Croatia, the Italian coast of Amalfi, and parts of the French Riviera, pebble beaches are not all that it has to offer.
Although there are rocky beaches, in places such as Protaras and Ayia Napa, in the southeast, you will find Beautiful pieces of white or golden sand Colored by turquoise seas, as if it were the Caribbean.
Even in the largely unexplored north, controlled by a separated Turkish Republic (more about it), there are endless kilometers of honey -colored, unparalleled sand to lounge, especially on the Karpass peninsula.
Cyprus is an affordable alternative to Italy and France
Another big plus for Cyprus is how affordable it can be compared to his Western Mediterranean counterparts, especially Italy and France.
In Ayia Napa, perhaps the busiest resort destination on the island, the average room price in 3-star hotels is per night A very reasonable $ 75based on 51 properties, according to Budget your trip facts.
In Larnaka, a reinforced port city operated by Larnaka International Airport, it is an even cheaper $ 54 per night, while prices in Limassol are around $ 67, and Paphos, West, is slightly more expensive, on average $ 68.
When it comes to food, you have to budget approximately € 10-20 (A median of $ 17.27) For a simple, sit-down meal in a local tavern and € 40-80 ($ 69) for a multi-dishes, fine dining experience in one of those chic harbor side, sunset restaurants.
The island around the island is also incredibly cheap, there are no trains in Cyprus, but the most important tourist destinations of the island are well connected by an extensive system of buses and tickets between city costs Between € 4-15, depending on the route.
Even access to tourist attractions and museums are located at the cheaper end of the range: a ticket for Paphos’s archaeological park only costs € 4.50, and it includes a visit to the UNESCO graves of the kings, one of the oldest necropolises of the Greek world.
A large ruin from the Greek era with a well-preserved old theater and Mediterranean view, Kourion costs a similar € 4 to explore, and the Cyprus Medieval Museum, housed in the imposing Limassol Castle, is again € 4.50.
In the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus
Now we have to tackle the ‘problem’ of the Turkish-controlled north of Cyprus.
But don’t worry, we will keep it uncomplicated and terribly simple. In short, the only thing you need to know is that the ethnic makeup of Cyprus as a nation exists countless Mediterranean populations.
Although the Greeks form of majority of around 77%, there are also Turks, Maronites and Latin, in which Turks become second with a share of 18% in the genetic pole.
Really History is always more complicated than such summaries will ever allow, but in the 70s, to hinder Cyprus to become a complete part of Greece, Turkish troops invaded the north and occupied it.
So here is the status quo today: the ‘South’, or 59% of the territoryMainly referring to the areas south of the UN buffer zone, is checked by the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus.
36% of the land mass, or the ‘north’, is managed by the non -recognized Turkish Republic of Noord -Cyprus -for the remaining 5%, well, that is British sovereign basic areas under the British jurisdiction.
Yes, we told you it was a complex matter. Nevertheless, you only need to know that, despite the current South-North Divide, There is no war on the island of CyprusAnd living traffic is possible between the two parts if you do this legally.
This means that you must first enter Cyprus via an authorized point of entry, controlled by the Republic of Cyprus: the airports of Larnaca and Paphos, and the Limassol port, when you arrive by Cruise ship, are part of that limited list.
Moreover, you need to know that there are significant differences between the Greek majority south, and the Turkish majority north: to begin with, in the south, they largely speak Greek and use the euro exclusively, while in the north Turkish is the primary language, and the Turkish lira is in widespread use.
If you plan to visit Nicosia, The last divided capital of EuropeAnd cross the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we strongly advise you to prepare in advance by reading this corresponding, well-rounded article.
All in all, Cyprus is a fascinating, (usually) cheap and awesome destination, and it is no wonder that it has received so much grip lately.
Register to receive our twice weekly newsletter With free travel hacks: The upgrade!
✈️Become a member of our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like -minded travel buddies!
Subscribe to our latest messages
Enter your e -mail address to subscribe to the latest Breeknieuws from Path, directly to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Traveloffpath.com
Opinions here are only the author, not those of a bank, credit card emitting, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been assessed, approved or otherwise approved by one of the entities that are included in the post.
