Tips for Visiting Cyprus
Travelling to Cyprus isn’t as hard as you think, especially if you’re from the UK. Citizens of all EU member countries can enter Cyprus just with their identity cards, so you don’t need to worry about visas and carrying extra documentation with you. Here are some tips you can use if you’re thinking of visiting Cyprus:
Legal points of entry are a pretty big deal when it comes to travelling to Cyprus. The airports or ports Lanarka, Pafos, Lemesos, Latsi, Pafos are all legal entry points controlled by the Republic of Cyprus. Entry from Turkish occupied areas is illegal. Also, if you’re bringing a pet along, it shouldn’t be too difficult if you’re an EU citizen. All you need to have on you is your pet’s passport or Animal Health Certificate, and all the necessary vaccinations. You should also transport your pet in a suitable cage.
As far as currency is concerned, you won’t have any issues exchanging Pounds into Euros. However, don’t rely solely on credit and debit cards to make your payments. While large shops and hotels will easily accommodate this form of payment, if you’re thinking of visiting small villages or small souvenir stores, you might want to have some banknotes with you.
If you’re planning on renting a car to visit some of the less accessible areas of Cyprus, make sure you’ve had a driver’s license for at least three years or you’re over 25 years of age. However, if you can’t drive, you should look into the possibility of using public transport. Bus fares are not expensive at all and you can easily get to your area of interest.
Another important aspect is accommodation. There are many hotels in Cyprus to choose from, but you can just as easily save up to rent a villa if you choose. Each villa usually has somewhere between two and five bedrooms, so if you’re travelling with a group of friends you might be able to save a lot of money by splitting. The village of Latchi is a tourist destination which has several villas you can rent if you want some peace and quiet. Search for Cyprus villa rentals online.
Cyprus is also known for its Mediterranean climate and almost year-round sunshine. The summers are hot while the winters are pleasantly mild. For this reason, if you’re travelling between mid-May and October, expect to enjoy a lot of clear skies and sun. Whether you’re sunbathing, or exploring the town, bring loose clothes made out of lightweight fabrics. However, evenings can get cool, especially in September and October, so bring a light jacket or sweater. If you’re travelling during winter, don’t bring excessively thick clothes, as winter in Cyprus resembles autumn more than anything. Either way, it’s decidedly less rainy than in the UK.
Finally, it’s hard to visit Cyprus without going to the beach. The water temperature in Cyprus is suitable for swimming from June to early October. There are several options available for those who want to sunbathe, try various water sports, and enjoy the nightlife. The most popular beaches are: Nissi Beach (a favorite among party-goers and water-skiing enthusiasts), Fig Tree Beach (popular with families), Aphrodite’s Rock Beach in Paphos (this is known as Aphrodite’s birthplace and it is the best area for snorkelling), Governor’s Beach in Limassol (which has several restaurants and water sports facilities), and Pissouri Beach in Paphos (a lesser known beach with great windsurfing and water-ski facilities, but also a lot of sightseeing possibilities around the village of Pissouri).
As you can see, you don’t need a lot of preparation for a trip to Cyprus. The pleasant weather, clean beaches, and multiple accommodations make Cyprus into an appealing tourist destination.
