Which Cyprus resort to choose? Resorts of Cyprus. How to choose the right region for your holiday? Beach holiday in Cyprus which island to choose

I am often asked which city to choose for a holiday in Cyprus? I'll tell you the basics of choice.

Larnaca- the airport where most flights land often offers the cheapest vacation, good small beaches right within the city limits, but in itself it is of practically no interest - there are a minimum of attractions. But there are a lot of shops, again a minute’s walk from the beach, and a lot of restaurants and bars. Nightlife in the city is pleasant and vibrant. The city is convenient for families with small children (500 meters from the shore will be shallow - even a child is waist-deep, but you are knee-deep), for shopping, for evening gatherings in bars, and also close to the airport (7 km from the center, 12 euros per person). Taxi). Larnaca is also convenient for traveling around the island due to its geographically central position.

Pathos- a special place. The proximity of the second airport, and a lot of attractions, both man-made and natural, a zoo, a water park - all this makes the city universal and, probably, the most interesting for inquisitive tourists aimed at active recreation. You won't be bored! But there aren’t many good beaches in the city - you’ll have to look for sand. By the way, Paphos is the future European Capital of Culture in 2017.

Near Paphos is the city. Latchi(Latchi), a vacation in which nature lovers will remember (in close proximity to the Akamas peninsula-reserve). The area is valued for its good beaches, boat trips and good fish cuisine. A quiet place for a family holiday, and the Blue Lagoon beach is a fairy tale! You can go to the water park and zoo in Paphos.

Ayia Napa- a synonym for the word "party". Nightclubs, bars, restaurants, discos, shopping, amusement park and water park - everything is a lot of fun! Beautiful and cozy beaches complement the sunny picture. City of good mood and fun! Nearby there are beautiful natural landscapes and the old fortified city of Famagusta on the northern part of the island - for those who do not want to be left completely without interesting historical attractions, most of which are still located at the end of the island farthest from Ayia Napa. For those who prefer an educational holiday to a beach holiday, it is recommended to choose other cities.

Protaras, Paralimni- created for a quiet holiday with children or calm gatherings in quiet bars. Apart from the beaches, there is nothing interesting, but for those who want “life” - Ayia Napa and everything with all its advantages are very close!

Limassol- the business capital of Cyprus. Shopping. Few historical sights. Not bad and sometimes luxurious hotels, but not the most beautiful beaches and an indispensable view of the cargo ships docked at the port. A long bicycle path along the embankment is the only advantage of the city. Although, no, there is one more advantage - the proximity to the geographical center of the coast of the island, to the Troodos Mountains, makes Limassol a very convenient starting point for road trips around Cyprus.

Northern Cyprus I will single it out as an independent region. Gorgeous nature, numerous quiet and deserted beaches, a lot of historical monuments, low cost of rental housing - all this adds up to a powerful argument in favor of this part of the island for all tourists - both beach and excursion.

The only thing that is hard to find in the North is nightlife. It’s not impossible, but it’s difficult, so for those who want to hang out, I advise you to come in a big group and organize beach parties on the shore yourself!

True, they may object to me that northern Cyprus is one of the hottest places in Europe, full of legal brothels and casinos, but this is not exactly what I meant by the nightlife of a pious tourist;)

Rental of children's goods in Cyprus (strollers, chairs, toys, household appliances)

In the 60s, a military conflict broke out in Cyprus as a result of tensions between the Greek and Turkish ethnic groups. During it, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus became isolated on the island, which is currently recognized as a separate state only by Turkey. It is separated from the “Greek” southern part of the island by the so-called Green Mile, passing through the center of Nicosia and guarded by UN troops.

The most popular resorts among “package” tourists are concentrated in “Greek” Cyprus, although there are places for beach holidays on the “Turkish” half of the island. These include Kyrenia on the northern coast and Famagusta. The latter remained its tourist capital until the division of Cyprus in the 70s, and today remains only a popular destination for short excursions. Its main attraction is the ghost town of Varosha, a once elite area.

The most beautiful resorts in Cyprus

The best resorts in Cyprus, which come to life in May, are concentrated in the southern half of the island and are distinguished by the most modern infrastructure, the maximum amount of entertainment and attractions available for visiting. The absolute “favorites” of tourists from Russia and Europe are Ayia Napa, Protaras, Paphos and Limassol.

Ayia Napa - this resort area, which grew up in the 80s around a small seaside village, has firmly established its “youth” status. Due to the number of nightclubs on the marked Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa is even called the “second Ibiza”. The hotel stock differentiated by prices and classes and the best beaches in all of Cyprus make the city attractive not only for young people, but also for families with children who are looking for a vacation spot with an infrastructure close to the city format. This year, 14 Ayia Napa beaches were awarded the Blue Flag due to their exceptional cleanliness and amenities.

Protaras is a tourist area adjacent to Ayia Napa, built up almost entirely with hotels and residential buildings in which apartments and studios are rented. This place is most often chosen by those who prefer to live in a quiet area with a European appearance, but in close proximity to interesting entertainment and excursion centers. It is in Protaras that there are the most vacationers with children: local beaches are safe, protected from waves and with a large shallow water area.

Paphos is the greenest resort in Cyprus, the heart of which is the UNESCO-protected Old Town with a unique architectural heritage. Its beaches are some of the most picturesque on the island, and hotel prices are above average even in the low season. In general, the resort is aimed at elite independent, excursion and romantic holidays, but several large hotel complexes have services and amenities adapted for tourists with children. The most picturesque beach holiday spots in Paphos are Lara Bay, which is part of the green turtle marine reserve, and the sandy Coral Bay beach. Alykes, Pharos, Geroskipou, Laura, Pachamos and Vrisoudia are also marked with the blue flag.

Limassol - the name of this resort translates as “Middle City”. It really is the “golden mean” between the prestigious and quiet Paphos and the democratic, noisy Ayia Napa. In addition, Limassol is considered the most “Russian” resort in Cyprus. Holidays here come in a variety of formats: on the beaches there are couples in love, small children, and young people. In the city itself and its surroundings you can find 16 Blue Flag beaches, 2 water parks, several prestigious SPA complexes, attractions of the ancient and early Christian periods. By the way, from Limassol it is convenient to get to medieval churches with unique paintings in Troodos, included in the UNESCO heritage.

The cheapest resorts in Cyprus

In Cyprus, even in high season, you can find a place to stay on a minimal budget. Most of the inexpensive hotels and guesthouses are concentrated in Larnaca and Polis.

The cheapness of holidays in Larnaca is explained by three factors. Firstly, this is a city with a functioning port and airport, so it is almost always noisy and lively. Secondly, the coast of this resort is strewn with soft but gray sand, and therefore the beaches are less picturesque than in Paphos or Ayia Napa. Thirdly, the entry into the sea along the entire coastline is gentle: sometimes it takes 4-5 minutes to reach a depth of at least chest depth. However, these same disadvantages make Larnaca an ideal place for traveling with children - without a tedious transfer after arrival and with safe swimming places. In addition, the leisure infrastructure of Larnaca is developed at the most modern level - there are excursion destinations, water activities, and sports attractions.

Polis, in fact, is not exclusively a resort destination. Being the center of an important agricultural region with fish farms, tobacco and almond plantations, it “lives” all year round. The beaches here are semi-wild, but very beautiful; the most popular is Latchi. In addition, not far from the center of Polis, the Greenpeace-protected Akamas Nature Reserve begins, where the famous baths of Aphrodite are located. Hotel prices in Polis are below the average for Cyprus, and if you book early, you can save a lot even in high season.

Many tourists who travel to the island for the first time are faced with a difficult choice of which resort to choose.

People don’t know where to start, how to compare resorts and choose the best one for themselves.

In this article we want to help beginners figure out which island resort is the best for them, because whether it will be successful as a whole depends on the right choice of vacation spot.

First of all, Cyprus is associated with beach holidays, so let's start with the beaches.

About the beaches of Cyprus

Ayia Napa and Protaras are rightfully considered ideal for a beach holiday. This is where the azure water and golden fine sand are. There are long beaches:

There are bays where the water warms up faster at the beginning of the season (you can swim comfortably already in May) and there are no waves.

Famous for its shallow waters. The beach has grayish volcanic sand and small pebbles. It is important where the hotel will be located, in a tourist area or in the city itself.

On the central beach you will have to put up with cars passing by and planes landing at Larnaca Airport.

IN Limassol The beaches are somewhat reminiscent of Larnaca. Gray sand. But it doesn’t take that long to get to the depths, so it’s a little less preferable for children.

The beaches are pebble.

The most comfortable is Coral bay, bulk sand, but the seabed, again, is pebbly.

In some places in Paphos it is completely forbidden to swim, due to dangerous currents.

Infrastructure of Cyprus resorts

And, these are small tourist villages. Everything about them is made for tourists. Most of the buildings are hotels, cafes, souvenir shops, no businesses, the entire settlement is a resort. This allows residents of big cities to relax and truly feel like they are on vacation, surrounded by the same carefree tourists. Tourist villages are lively from mid-April to mid-November, and in the winter, they are almost empty, hibernating. There are no large supermarkets or fashion stores in Ayia Napa and Protaras, as it is not profitable for them to operate 7 months a year.

A minimum set of products, fruits, milk, cold cuts, and alcoholic beverages will be offered to you in numerous minimarkets. Baby food and diapers can be purchased at pharmacies. If you want to buy clothes, shoes or fashion accessories, it is advisable to get to the nearest city - Larnaca. There is a bus service, you can take a taxi (about 50 euros one way) or rent a car. The distance is about 50 km. You can also get to the regional center, the urban village of Paralimni. About 10 km.

It is impossible not to notice that Ayia Napa is often positioned as a bustling youth resort, the capital of the island’s nightlife. This often discourages tourists over 25 and young parents. The tourist village is built very intelligently. All nightlife establishments are located in the depths of Ayia Napa, and beach hotels are located on the coast. Tourists who rest in these hotels during their entire vacation, if they wish, may not feel the proximity of nightlife.

A city with a population of about 72,000 people. There is a port and an oil storage facility. There is a British military base next to the tourist area. The tourist area is located several kilometers east of the central part of the city. Here you can relax almost as calmly as in Protaras and Ayia Napa. But there are not many taverns and entertainment in the tourist area. In the city center, on the Phinikoudes and Mackenzie embankments, you can find cafes and restaurants to suit every taste. In the city center there are streets of branded clothing stores.

The second largest city, after the island's capital Nicosia, with a population of about 280,000 thousand people. During the high season, the number of people in the city practically doubles due to tourists and hired labor coming from Eastern European countries. Near the city there is the largest port in Cyprus, a concrete plant, a power plant and a British military base. The city itself has many offices of Cypriot and foreign companies and banks. This resort is for those who want not to lose the rhythm of the city while on vacation. Shopping lovers will find quite a few shops here to suit every taste and budget.

The city is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. In terms of population, it is the smallest city in Cyprus, with up to 50,000 people. It is especially good to relax here for those who came outside the swimming season and for those who want to independently explore as many sights as possible on their own on buses without excursions and within walking distance.

Which resort on the island is best for sightseeing?

Tourists may be faced with the categorical opinion that only Limassol is suitable for those planning to go on excursions. But that's not true! Cyprus is a small island. Its length from east to west is 240 km, from south to north - about 100 km. And with excellent and uncrowded highways, the road from the tourist village of Protaras (the eastern point of the island) to the city of Paphos (the western point) is only about 190 km. It will take 1 hour 40 minutes in a comfortable car. From any resort on the island you can go on trips; they will not tire you, and a route correctly compiled by an individual guide will be rich and interesting. You can find out as much detail as possible on our website.

Good luck with your choice!

If you have any additional questions regarding the resorts of Cyprus, write or call, we will definitely answer you.

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

Another summer season is coming and it’s time to think about a trip to Cyprus. Warmth has already arrived there, although the sea may still be cold, but the sun is already gentle and ready to give you the first tan. So, I propose to talk about the resorts of Cyprus, where it is better to go and what to expect from each of them. Recently, new resort places have appeared on the market, such as: Pissouri, Polis. But the main ones remained the same: Larnaca, Limassol, Ayia Napa, Paphos and Protaras. Tourist planes arrive at two airports: Larnaca and Paphos, so based on where your resort is located, you plan your final destination. For example, if you have chosen Paphos as your vacation destination, then it is certainly better to fly to the nearest airport to reduce the distance on the transfer; this is especially convenient when small children are flying with you. True, in the high season you often have to adapt to what’s left if you haven’t booked a trip in advance.

Map of Cyprus resorts.

The most popular resort in Cyprus - Ayia Napa. It is famous for its gorgeous beaches: Grecian Bay and Nissi Beach. All beaches here are municipal, awarded the blue flag for cleanliness. The town itself is not large; the hotel base mainly consists of apartments and 3* hotels. For more demanding tourists, the choice of accommodation facilities will not be large at all. But it is very quiet and peaceful here. In the center of Ayia Napa, all entertainment venues are usually concentrated, and this is a special street where all the nightclubs are located, but it in no way disturbs those around you, the main thing is not to book a hotel near it, otherwise even earplugs will not help. In my opinion, the resort is universal and will suit absolutely all categories of tourists, from families with children to active party youth.

Beach in Ayia Napa.

Next in popularity is a large port city Limassol. Here the picture of rest is somewhat different. In Limassol itself there are mainly 3* hotels. But tourists do not like to stay in the city center, preferring the outskirts. There is a large selection of high-star hotels, including chain hotels. Some have their own beaches. Many accommodation facilities already have good territory and well-developed infrastructure. The beaches in Limassol are gray sand, sometimes small pebbles. From the point of view of holidays with children, it is quite good here, and the hotels themselves have great opportunities, from playgrounds to children's clubs.

Limassol is perfect for families with children and for tourists looking for comfortable hotels with a high level of service.

The third resort where tourists go is Pathos. It attracts with its cultural values. The beaches here are more rocky; you can often find that 5* hotels are located further from the sea than 3* ones. There is such a nuance here. I would not recommend this resort to families with children. It is more suitable for a respectable, calm public who are looking for a quiet, comfortable holiday.

Paphos beach.

Protaras– a small resort town located not far from Ayia Napa. Famous for its sandy beaches and good access to the sea. It is very quiet and peaceful here. Most hotels are 3*-4*. Who needs a relatively inexpensive holiday should choose Protaras. This is especially true for families with children and elderly tourists. The drive from Larnaca airport to Protaras is not long, about an hour. The infrastructure in this place is also well developed, there are supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, shops. It definitely won't be boring.

Protaras

Larnaca– once upon a time, most tourists chose it for their vacation. There is a nice long and wide beach with yellow sand. The sea is shallow; to get to the depths you need to walk a considerable distance. With children this is definitely a plus. The main value of Larnaca is the palm embankment, which in the evenings attracts a large number of slowly strolling tourists. However, Larnaca has changed a lot recently. It became more like a metropolis, traffic jams formed, buildings began to grow in height. This is no longer the Larnaca it once was. Therefore, from old memory, tourists still come here, staying in 3* hotels or apartments, but in order to feel like at a resort, I would advise booking a hotel on the outskirts of Larnaca, for example, “Palm Beach”.

And now about two new resorts that have appeared on the menu on the Russian market.

Policy– located 30 km. from Paphos. A place with good sandy and wide beaches. A small infrastructure, so that tourists have somewhere to go out to eat, buy some necessary things and products. Polis is a place for those who want to take a break from civilization, to be alone with themselves and nature. Among the accommodation facilities, there are level 5 deluxe hotels and very simple apartments.

Pissouri is located between Paphos and Limassol. The resort can be called very young, but has been developing rapidly in recent years. In Pissouri you can still experience the whole Cypriot flavor, of which, alas, there is very little left. Holidays here are extremely calm and measured. Perhaps it is good for newlyweds, families with children, and elderly tourists to come here. The beaches in Pissouri are sand and pebble.

Is the answer helpful?

Cyprus is pleased to welcome tourists from all over the world and different age categories. On this magnificent island, the third largest in the Mediterranean, there is entertainment to suit every taste, even the most sophisticated traveler. All year round the island delights all visitors with its attractions and wonderful resorts. For those who are just planning to visit these marvelous, historical places, it will be useful to learn about the conditions that exist here.

In order to arrive and not be disappointed, you first need to decide which holiday option is closer to you - active or peaceful. Based on this, the tourism infrastructure of Cyprus is able to offer an option that will satisfy the tourist’s request. By and large, the resorts here can be divided into two groups: places where there is always fun and excitement, and calmer areas. The first includes Ayia Napa, Limassol, Larnaca. And all the others can be considered quiet resorts - Nicosia, Paphos, Polis, Protaras, Troodos. It is clear that this division is very arbitrary, since if you are in the right mood, you can throw a noisy party even in the most remote village. Here we are talking more about the presence of an active nightlife and round-the-clock noise and traffic.

Ayia Napa

Although this resort is quite young, it has already been dubbed the second Ibiza. Indeed, there is a round-the-clock holiday here; it seems that the city never sleeps. Owners of bars and discos are constantly finding new ways to create an atmosphere of fun and celebration. No one will be bored here, even if you happen to come on vacation alone. You will find a company quickly, as young people from various countries come here to recharge themselves with positivity for a long time. At the same time, everyone here is young, who loves drive and incendiary parties until the morning, despite the age on their passport. So tourists of different ages relax here, united by a thirst for positive experiences.

This resort also boasts the best beaches on the entire island. Golden sand, a wide shore, a gentle approach to the water, the absence of characteristic winds, and relative depth make this area attractive for vacationers. There is a magnificent water park here that attracts children with its antique interior. So this place will also be a good option for a family holiday. For youth holidays, Nissi Beach (pictured) is more suitable, and for families – Makronisos Beach and Grecian Bay.

Limassol

This resort is suitable for both adults and children. All kinds of entertainment are concentrated here. They especially took care of the younger generation - three water parks, a garden with animals, and an amusement park. Also, the largest number of Russian-speaking employees work here, which greatly facilitates communication. Residents of Limassol love to organize celebrations. For example, in September the whole city celebrates new wine, and in February there is a carnival that lasts two weeks.

Regarding the beaches, there are all comfortable conditions for a wonderful holiday. The only thing is, since the place is very popular, there are always a lot of people here. The peculiarity of the local sand is its volcanic origin and enrichment with silicon, which makes it useful for metabolic processes that occur in the skin. Some of the best here are the city's central beach and the "Ladies Mile", which have a lot of beach activities.

Larnaca

Another center for active tourism is Larnaca. This city is the center from which it is most convenient to explore all corners of Cyprus. There is also an international airport located here. It is important to mention that here, unlike the previous two, it is not so noisy. So this is a convenient place for families with children, as well as for older people. Tourists have a lot of wonderful restaurants and cafes to choose from, which, in addition to delicious, colorful treats, offer their visitors a magnificent landscape in the form of the famous palm alley, one of the attractions of Larnaca.

The beaches of Larnaca are also perfect for a family holiday. Gray sand mixed with small pebbles, protected by stone embankments from the waves, stretches about 25 kilometers. The sea inhabitants, urchins, who are frequent guests here, can become an inconvenience, so it will be useful to stock up on special slippers before setting out for a swim.

Nicosia

An amazing city that is the capital of Cyprus. This is a real paradise for admirers and connoisseurs of history. There are many architectural complexes concentrated here that have decorated the island since time immemorial. The city is divided into the old one, which houses all the cultural finds, and the newer one, which has restaurants, boutiques, and office buildings. What makes Nicosia special is that it combines two cultures. Greeks live in the Republic of Cyprus, and Turks live in Northern Cyprus. This provides an opportunity to get closer to the traditions of both nationalities.

The beaches of Nicosia attract tourists with golden sand, warm sea and comfortable conditions.

Pathos

The true atmosphere of the Mediterranean reigns here - time flows languidly and measuredly. Paphos was once the capital of the island and has preserved the main wonders of those times unchanged. This is a real find for those who like to be alone with their inner world while enjoying beautiful views. By right, vacation here is considered the most elite on the entire island. This is facilitated by the best hotel located here and relatively high prices compared to other resorts. It is better not to go to Paphos with children, since the beaches here are not particularly suitable for their recreation, and therefore hotels do not particularly develop services for children. Newlyweds and lovers love to come here, as there is a myth that Aphrodite herself, the goddess of love, was born nearby.

Policy

This resort is perfect for a family holiday. There is a striking difference compared to the bustling cities of the south. You can spend your vacation here in a truly divine and measured way. The city, removed from the bustle of its active counterparts, lives its own quiet life. There are fishing fairs and amazing competitions among colorful yachts.

The beaches here are clean, secluded and calm. To the west of Polis are the beaches of Latchi, where not only tourists, but also Cypriots themselves come to relax. On the coastal shore there are many fish restaurants and a wonderful fishing harbor.

Protaras

Another suitable city for a family holiday. Since the resort is located near Ayia Napa, the beaches here are equally luxurious. There are only significantly fewer people and noise here. And for those who get bored, there will always be the opportunity to go to a nearby cheerful resort for entertainment. Here is the famous Fig Bay, near which the best beaches of Protaras are located. The embankment is strewn with bushes that bloom in spring and turn this area into a unique alley. There are significantly fewer attractions here than in other resorts. This place is literally created for maximum relaxation in comfortable sun loungers and leisurely walks along the magical alley.

Troodos

This resort is quite different from the rest. Suitable for those travelers who love hiking in the mountains. For this purpose, the most comfortable conditions have been created here - in the warm season you can wander along specially equipped trails, and in winter you can go skiing to your heart's content. It also has its own attractions, such as ancient temples and monasteries.