Cyprus Things to do

Visitors flock to the beaches all along the coast of this sun-drenched island, with the string of golden sands, clear warm waters and convenient tourist amenities offering all that many holidaymakers require. From secluded spots in hidden coves and bays, and quiet fishing villages such as Latchi, to the elegant Kyrenia and well-developed Ayia Napa, the beaches are the main focus for most visitors to Cyprus each year.

Southern Cyprus offers the best diving on the island, with the calm seas and warm clear waters meaning excellent visibility at the many popular sites. PADI-approved schools offer tuition and organised daily trips, with the best places to dive being around Ayia Napa, Paphos and Larnaca - which is home to one of the best wreck dives in the world, the Zenobia.

The beaches offer plenty of active water sports for energetic guests, with the best facilities found at the more developed resorts. Choose from jet-skiing, pedalos, banana boat rides, snorkelling, windsurfing, water skiing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and parasailing whilst on a holiday to Cyprus, with fishing and boat trips popular. Land-based activities include tennis, golf, mini-golf, volleyball, bowling, shooting, horse riding, mountain biking and go-karting, with skiing possible in the mountains during the winter.

Dining can be both traditional and international on holidays to Cyprus, with experiences ranging from lingering over the catch of the day and meze at a waterfront taverna, to snatching fast-food late at night, with something to suit all visitors. Ayia Napa is the main party resort on the island, with a huge selection of bars, clubs and discos, whilst quieter resorts such as Latchi and the mountain town of Kakopetria feature cosy evening drinks in local bars and inns. 

The spectacular Troodos Mountains in the south of the island offer some stunning walks and hikes, with marked paths and trails leading visitors through breathtaking landscapes, full of dramatic gorges, dense forests and beautiful hillsides covered with wildflowers. Other areas with excellent walking include the Kyrenia Mountains in Northern Cyprus, and the Akamas Peninsula on the northwest coast. Mountain biking and horse riding are also available all over the island.

There are a number of water parks to visit, such as WaterWorld Water Park, Paphos Aphrodite and Wet 'n' Wild, offering a change from the beach and a great chance to cool off whilst having fun. Other attractions include Pafos Birdpark, the Osterich Themepark in Nicosia, the Limassol Donkey Sanctuary and the camel park at Larnaca.

This richly historic island boasts a great number of ancient sites to tour, with popular attractions being the World Heritage Site of Paphos, the ruins at Korian and Limassol Castle. There are also many Byzantine churches to see, and ancient monasteries, such as the 11th-century Kykko Monastery, with the capital, Nicosia, retaining its charming old quarter, full of riches from years gone by at every turn.