Introduction
Take a bite out of Aphrodite's island...Cyprus will seduce you. Discover a country where East meets West, fashionable spas sit side-by-side with village kafeneia and heavenly beaches are backed by rugged mountains. While the coast calls to sunseekers and clubbers, inland is a haven of traditional villages, medieval castles and impressive ancient sites.
Destination Facts
Capital: Nicosia
President: Demetris Christofias
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT GMT +2
Area: 9250
Population: 788500
Languages: Greek spoken in Cyprus differs from mainland Greek in its pronunciation.
Greek Orthodox (78%), Muslim (18%), Maronite, Armenian Apostolic and Christian (4%)
Currency: Euro (€)
Country Dialing Code: 357
Getting There
The best time to go to Cyprus depends on the kind of experience you wish to have. With its intense Mediterranean climate, the island's weather is easy to predict. The summer months of June to September are hot and action-packed. August in particular is the peak of Cyprus' tourist season, when locals squeeze up next to tourists on beaches and restaurant benches. Accommodation prices go up quite a lot during these months so if you're on a budget, avoid the height of summer and go for the shoulder seasons - April/May and September/October - instead.
Getting there and away
The Republic has airports at Larnaka and Pafos (spelled 'Larnaca' and 'Paphos' on many airline schedules), with flights from most of Europe and the Middle East. North Cyprus has an international airport at Ercan, but only Turkish airlines flies there. Passenger ferry service to the Republic was suspended in 2001; check the Salamis Lines site for updates. There are ferries from North Cyprus to Turkey, but you cannot exit Cyprus this way unless you entered from Turkey.
Getting around
Bus services run within and between towns every day except Sunday. Those between major southern cities are cheap, frequent and efficient. If you want to travel on a Sunday, you'll need to get a service taxi. They're good for most places in the Republic, but they tend to take roundabout routes. North Cyprus has minibuses between Kyrenia and North Nicosia. You can also use service taxis to cross between the South and the North. It's easy to hire cars and bikes all over the country. If you enter Cyprus from Turkey, customs officials from the South are authorised to fine you for entering through an illegal port. In practice, this policy is not enforced.
Visa:
Nationals of the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore can stay in the Republic of Cyprus for up to three months without a visa; citizens of South Africa can stay 30 days; citizens of the EU can move and work freely in the South but are restricted in the North. The UN Green Line, which separates the Greek and Turkish Cypriot regions, is currently open and travel between the regions is legal and straightforward. EU nationals with a valid passport can cross from the north to the south at any time. Travellers may enter the Republic only through the legal ports of entry: Larnaka and Pafos international airports, or the seaports of Limassol and Pafos.
Weather
The Cyprian climate is typically Mediterranean, with very hot summers in July and August. Inland temperatures can soar over 40° C (around 105° F) but refreshing respite can be found at higher altitudes and along the coasts. Cyprus can suffer drought years and summers are usually cloudless and almost always completely dry. Winters are usually moderately wet with temperatures averaging between 5° C (42° F) and 15° C (59° F).
Take a bite out of Aphrodite's island...Cyprus will seduce you. Discover a country where East meets West, fashionable spas sit side-by-side with village kafeneia and heavenly beaches are backed by rugged mountains. While the coast calls to sunseekers and clubbers, inland is a haven of traditional villages, medieval castles and impressive ancient sites.
Destination Facts
Capital: Nicosia
President: Demetris Christofias
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT GMT +2
Area: 9250
Population: 788500
Languages: Greek spoken in Cyprus differs from mainland Greek in its pronunciation.
Greek Orthodox (78%), Muslim (18%), Maronite, Armenian Apostolic and Christian (4%)
Currency: Euro (€)
Country Dialing Code: 357
Getting There
The best time to go to Cyprus depends on the kind of experience you wish to have. With its intense Mediterranean climate, the island's weather is easy to predict. The summer months of June to September are hot and action-packed. August in particular is the peak of Cyprus' tourist season, when locals squeeze up next to tourists on beaches and restaurant benches. Accommodation prices go up quite a lot during these months so if you're on a budget, avoid the height of summer and go for the shoulder seasons - April/May and September/October - instead.
Getting there and away
The Republic has airports at Larnaka and Pafos (spelled 'Larnaca' and 'Paphos' on many airline schedules), with flights from most of Europe and the Middle East. North Cyprus has an international airport at Ercan, but only Turkish airlines flies there. Passenger ferry service to the Republic was suspended in 2001; check the Salamis Lines site for updates. There are ferries from North Cyprus to Turkey, but you cannot exit Cyprus this way unless you entered from Turkey.
Getting around
Bus services run within and between towns every day except Sunday. Those between major southern cities are cheap, frequent and efficient. If you want to travel on a Sunday, you'll need to get a service taxi. They're good for most places in the Republic, but they tend to take roundabout routes. North Cyprus has minibuses between Kyrenia and North Nicosia. You can also use service taxis to cross between the South and the North. It's easy to hire cars and bikes all over the country. If you enter Cyprus from Turkey, customs officials from the South are authorised to fine you for entering through an illegal port. In practice, this policy is not enforced.
Visa:
Nationals of the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore can stay in the Republic of Cyprus for up to three months without a visa; citizens of South Africa can stay 30 days; citizens of the EU can move and work freely in the South but are restricted in the North. The UN Green Line, which separates the Greek and Turkish Cypriot regions, is currently open and travel between the regions is legal and straightforward. EU nationals with a valid passport can cross from the north to the south at any time. Travellers may enter the Republic only through the legal ports of entry: Larnaka and Pafos international airports, or the seaports of Limassol and Pafos.
Weather
The Cyprian climate is typically Mediterranean, with very hot summers in July and August. Inland temperatures can soar over 40° C (around 105° F) but refreshing respite can be found at higher altitudes and along the coasts. Cyprus can suffer drought years and summers are usually cloudless and almost always completely dry. Winters are usually moderately wet with temperatures averaging between 5° C (42° F) and 15° C (59° F).
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