Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats
Cyprus
This monastery was founded in AD 327 by the first Byzantine governor of Cyprus, Kalokeros, and patronised by St Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. A…
Must-see attractions in Cyprus
Cyprus
Settlement at Enkomi dates back as far as 1800 BC. The city rose to prominence when it became a large copper-producing centre during the late Bronze Age …
Cyprus
One of Cyprus’ ancient city kingdoms, Soloi was originally referred to as Si-il-lu, on an Assyrian tribute list that dates from 700 BC.
Cyprus
The best vantage point on the Karpas is from this Lusignan Gothic castle, one of three in Cyprus. Kantara Castle is the furthest east and the lowest in…
Cyprus
Perched 668m high at the peak of Stavrovouni (literally ‘Mountain of the Cross’), this monastery is revered as the oldest on the island and is said to…
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
Tamassos’ main claim to fame was its once seemingly endless supply of copper – the mineral from which the name of Cyprus (Kypros in Greek; Kıbrıs in…
Cyprus
Probably the most eccentric sight in Northern Cyprus, Mavi Köşk (Blue House) was supposedly built by Paulo Paolides, lawyer to Archbishop Makarios III…
Pafos
This small fort guards the harbour entrance and is entered by a small stone bridge over a moat. In 2017, to commemorate Pafos' stint as European Capital…
Pafos
One of the loveliest churches in the Pafos area is this six-domed Byzantine church in Geroskipou, 4.5km east of Pafos. Most of the surviving frescos date…
Cyprus
An arc of fine pebbles and sand sheltered by low, white cliffs and backed by olive trees, this is one of the best beaches in the region. It’s signposted…
Cyprus
Occupying a well-defended hillside with a large perimeter wall, this small but well-preserved neolithic site is the earliest permanent human settlement…
Cyprus
Located 4km east of Episkopi, off the B6 Lemesos–Pafos highway, the Cyprus Wine Museum offers an insight into the history of Cypriot winemaking. There are…
North Nicosia (LefkoÅŸa)
Renovated as part of the Nicosia Master Plan, the imposing Bedestan dates from the 6th century, when it was built as a small Byzantine chapel. It was…
Lemesos (Limassol)
Spread over six rooms and a past winner of the prestigious Europa Nostra Award (EU prize for cultural heritage), this museum hosts beautiful…
Cyprus
The ruins may be sparse but the views here are truly glorious and well worth the trip. On a superb hilltop location, this ancient site originally housed a…
Cyprus
The quaint village of Karmi (officially called Karaman, but still known as Karmi by everyone) is all traditional stone villas, whitewashed cottages,…
Cyprus
This is a lovely beach of sand and small pebbles; the area is windy and attracts windsurfers and kiteboarders, as well as those who just want to chill out…
Cyprus
An extension of the Old Town’s walls, Othello’s Tower was constructed during Lusignan rule, in order to protect the harbour. In 1492 the Venetians further…
Lemesos (Limassol)
With haute-couture boutiques, world-class art galleries, gourmet restaurants, stylish bars and, if that's not enough, a place to park your luxury yacht,…
Panagia Absinthiotissa Monastery
Cyprus
Located on the flank of the BeÅŸparmak Range, this monastery sits idyllically among juniper trees, taking in the views over the Mesaoria plain.
Cyprus
During winter this protected reserve fills with rainwater, creating an important migratory habitat for flamingos, wild ducks and water fowl. As summer…
Cyprus
This national park has sweeping views of the sea and coast, and is excellent for leisurely day hikes and cycling. Although much of the park is accessible…
Archbishop Makarios III Cultural Foundation – Byzantine Museum & Art Gallery
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
This foundation next door to the Archbishop's Palace is home to the magnificent Byzantine Museum, which holds a collection of more than 300 icons and…
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
It’s a fair hike out to this sprawling monastery perched in the foothills of the eastern spur of the Troödos Mountains and under the all-seeing radar…
Cyprus
This ancient cemetery dates back to the 7th and 8th centuries BC and consists of a scattering of 150 graves spread out over the wide field.
Cyprus
This doll's house of a castle (more like a fortified tower) perches on the edge of Kolossi village. It's an interesting reminder of the rule of the…
Cyprus
Surrounded by date palms, cypress and olive trees, this late-18th-century mosque and tekke (shrine) sits wistfully on the edge of Larnaka’s salt lake…
North Nicosia (LefkoÅŸa)
This eclectic museum in the New City is the work of Ergün Pektaş, who scoured Northern Cyprus to salvage and preserve local craftwork, day-to-day objects,…
Cyprus
This 7km stretch of hard-packed sand and pebbles is a popular weekend beach. Named after a horse belonging to a colonial governor who exercised his mare…
Cyprus
This is one of Kyrenia’s best swimming beaches. It’s hugely popular and during summer you should get here early to find space. Swimmers should be mindful…
Pafos
This unusual museum is located 4km north of Kato Pafos on the spot where the caïque Agios Georgios (now the museum’s prime exhibit), captained by EOKA…
Monastery of Agios Irakleidios
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
A visit to this historic monastery – a nun's convent since the 1960s – is easily combined with an excursion to the nearby archaeological site of Ancient…
Cyprus
With its soft sand and big, flat sea rocks, this is a fantastic beach some 5km north of Dipkarpaz. It’s also a turtle-hatching beach and a great place to…
Agia Solomoni & the Christian Catacomb
Pafos
This modest tomb complex is the burial site of the seven Machabee brothers, who were martyred around 174 BC. Their mother was Agia Solomoni, a Jewish…
Larnaka
Built in the Lusignan era, the fort stands at the water’s edge and separates the Finikoudes promenade from the old Turkish quarter. Its present form is a…
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
The somewhat forgotten site of the 16th-century Gothic church of Agios Mamas is like an exercise in nonstarters: it was never finished in the first place,…
House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
From 1779 to 1809 the House of Hatzigeorgakis Kornesios belonged to Kornesios, the Great Dragoman of Cyprus, who accumulated his vast wealth through…
Cyprus
Sanctioned in 1746 by Ottoman governor Bekir Pasha, and built in classical Roman style – some historians believe it is actually a Roman creation that was…
Cyprus
Right on the shoreline on Lapta's eastern edge, you can see three large square pools hewn out of the rock, and interconnected with water channels. The…
Pafos
This noteworthy museum is worth visiting for its ecclesiastical vestments, vessels, copies of scripture and collection of impressive icons, including a…
