"The legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, Cyprus is a beautiful island bathed in luminous sunshine where glittering Mediterranean waters lap golden shores."
Mark Anthony gave Cyprus to Cleopatra as a token of his love - and he couldn't have picked a more fitting gift. Cyprus is one of the Mediterranean's most prized jewels. On the west coast, the charming harbourside town of Paphos is one of the island's most popular resorts, combining historical treasures with a fantastic array of shops, bars and restaurants. Head inland and the Troodos Mountains flaunt exquisite Byzantine monasteries, sleepy stone-built villages and pine-scented slopes cut by cascading ice-cold streams. Over on the eastern side of the island, rocky plains give way to hills and kokkinokhoria, or 'red villages', so called because of the red-tinged local soil. Punctuated by windmills, these sleepy towns offer a fascinating glimpse into everyday Cypriot life and stand in real contrast to the effervescent coastal resorts of Protaras and Ayia Napa - the latter of which has earned itself an international reputation for great nightlife. With so much on offer, Cyprus provides countless opportunities to discover and relax.
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Great Larnaca Region holidays
Recommended resorts for Larnaca Region
Recommended Larnaca Region hotels and apartments
Larnaca Region holiday resorts
Resorts in Larnaca Region include Ayia Napa, Nissi Beach and Protaras.
More Cyprus holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Cyprus? Our Cyprus holiday destinations include Larnaca Region and Paphos Region.
Beaches
With over 800 kilometres of stunning coastline, Cyprus offers a myriad of sandy beaches, delightful rocky inlets and secluded coves. The west coast is home to a clutch of inviting sands, especially around Coral Bay and the Akamas Peninsula. Paphos offers plenty in the way of beach activities. Choose from jet-skiing and diving to water-skiing and paragliding. Meanwhile, the east coast plays host to arguably the island's best beaches and most enticing coves. Larnaca boasts a long sandy crescent while Ayia Napa's swathe of beach extends for hundreds of metres and is particularly popular. With its golden sliver of sand and views out across Fig Tree Bay, Protaras is another firm favourite. Nissi Beach is a much sought after beach haunt - if gets a bit too crowded, retreat by wading out to the famous islet that rises up in the middle of the bay and find yourself a more isolated spot. Cape Greco, meanwhile, is excellent for scuba diving.
Eating out
Cyprus is a food lover's paradise, where tempting Greek dishes are fused with exotic Middle Eastern recipes. Pop into a taverna and try delicious moussaka, baked with aubergines, potatoes and minced lamb, or hearty kleftiko, slow-roasted lamb with rosemary and Mediterranean vegetables. A traditional Cypriot meze – a tapas-like meal consisting of up to 30 different dishes – is a great way to gain an insight into Cypriot cuisine and includes halloumi cheese, juicy olives and stuffed tomatoes. Traditional tavernas aside, though, most of the big holiday resorts offer an incredible selection of restaurants - everything from Indian and Thai, to Mexican and Italian. If you want to sample a Cypriot tipple, try brandy sour, which combines brandy with lemons and angostura bitters. It is claimed that wines have been produced in Cyprus since 2000 BC and Cypriot wines, especially sweet ones like commandaria, are delicious yet inexpensive.
Nightlife
Whether you want to party the night away or sip a cocktail at sunset, Cyprus caters for all tastes. Whilst Ayia Napa continues to attract scores of serious music fans, Potamos Yermasoyias in Limassol also offers a wide selection of clubs and discos and is now a serious competitor in the island's nightlife sweepstakes. Meanwhile, friendly bars, pavement cafes and romantic harbourside tavernas form the backbone of more leisurely evening pursuits.
Shopping
Cyprus' main shopping centres are located in and around the modern and 19th-century quarters of the island's capital, Nicosia, and the large town of Limassol. Paphos, meanwhile, is renowned for its American Indian-looking tri-colour circular mats called tsestos, which are often seen adorning the walls of local tavernas. The village of Lefkara, set in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, is famous for its lacework and you can still see the local women at work, crocheting in the narrow cobbled streets. Silverware and jewellery are particularly good buys on the east of the island, as are designer sunglasses. They cost a lot less than at home, owing to direct importation. If you're looking for local handicrafts, make a beeline for Larnaca's tradesmen's bazaar where you'll find a selection of traditional coppersmiths, carpenters and antique dealers.
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