Cyprus / Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία / Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti – Let’s explore here
Cyprus is a transcontinental country – it is located both in Europe and in Asia. Because of this, the information on the country is located both in our European and in our Asian travel destination sections. Don’t worry though, all the information for this amazing country is captured on this page.
The island of Cyprus sits in the East of the Mediterranean Sea, about 50 miles South of Turkey, and about 65 miles West of Syria and Lebanon. It is a spectacular island, particularly along the coasts, and in the mountains and forests. We were surprised just how much there is to see and do, as it’s not a large island, being about 150 miles long by 60 miles wide. The highest point is Mount Olympus, just west of the centre of the country, at 6,404 ft (1,952 m).
The Southern two thirds of the island is occupied by The Republic of Cyprus. Whereas the Northern third is occupied by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. As the latter isn’t recognised internationally (except by Turkey), the United Nations provides a controlled Green Line as a buffer zone between the two.
Our best places in Cyprus
Nicosia – Lefkosía / Lefkoşa
We travelled from the Middle East to Cyprus by ferry. So when we visited Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, it was our first point of entry back into Europe. We found accommodation really easy to find, which was a relief and we found Nicosia to be a really interesting place with lots to see and do. There’s loads of historic architecture, particularly Roman, Ottoman and relating to the Crusades and the Knights Templar. There’s also loads of restaurants, bars and café’s, and the people are really friendly and helpful.
Don’t fall for the trap of asking for a large beer though – unless you wish to drink from a double Stein!
What currency do they use in Cyprus?
In Cyprus they use the Euro. The use of credit / debit cards is now widespread. Traveller’s cheques are accepted. There are lots of ATMs.
You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
What language do they speak in Cyprus?
On the Greek side they speak Greek and on the Turkish side they speak Turkish. We found that English is widely spoken throughout the island.
What time zone is Cyprus in?
Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.
Do I need a visa to visit Cyprus?
We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!
What’s it like to drive in Cyprus?
We found driving throughout the country to be a fairly laid-back affair. Nobody drives quickly, and there’s not a lot of traffic between most town and cities compared with the UK. We took a SatNav as we found that road signage can be pretty hit-n-miss in rural areas, and often signs are placed only where you can see them at the last moment.
We’ve also created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which you might find helpful 🙂
Is wild camping legal in Cyprus?
No, wild camping is Illegal in Cyprus.
Is it safe to drink water in Cyprus?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Cyprus, although in our experience much of it has an unusual taste. Bottled water is readily available across the country.
If you’ve got some awesome pictures, or some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know!
And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!