One Week In Cyprus

Are you looking for the smartest itinerary for Cyprus? We went to the island and brought back a handy guide to spend 7 days in Cyprus. To be more specific, in this guide we cover the best tips for seven days in South Cyprus (more info below).

All the way from Ayia Napa (East) to Paphos (West), we cover everything. From snorkeling with turtles, to amazing sunset views and delicious food. On top of that, we share our absolute best hidden gems Cyprus had on offer for us. Enjoy your one week in Cyprus with this unique best itinerary.

Our full guide covers:

1. Basic Introduction
2. Where to stay in Cyprus
3. How to get around
4. What to see in Cyprus
5. Things to do in Cyprus
6. Tickets you have to buy before – must read
7. Food and Restaurants
8. Day Trips from Cyprus
9. Itinerary for Cyprus
10. Packing List
11. City Map

1. Basic Introduction

We want to start with a simple intro to the things you need to know before coming to Country.

Currency: EUR (€)

Language Spoken: Greek and English, Turkish in North Cyprus

Population: ±1.000.000

Known for: Beautiful beaches, Mediterranean cuisine, Wine, Halloumi cheese, and of course as the birthplace of Aphrodite. Cyprus is a perfect destination for families.

Accommodation: You will find gorgeous Cyprus resorts and 5 Star Hotels as well as small guesthouses. For backpackers, there’s a few hostels in the main spots.

Find more details in our where to stay in Cyprus section below.

Public Transport: Well, basically none. There is no train or metro anywhere. You have the bus connections within the big cities and in-between and they are cheap. Yet we absolutely recommend renting a car to get around Cyprus. It is cheap and easy. Read our article on how to rent a Car here.

More under how to get around.

Safety: Cyprus is one of the safest places to visit in Europe. For tourists it is super safe and you could even leave your car door open on the supermarket; no one seems to be bother. Yet, obviously we do not recommend this and always close up your belongings or take them with you.

Capital: Nicosia

Electricity: 230V/50Hz (European plug). Remember to pack your travel plug adapter.

2. Where to stay in Cyprus Island

When looking for information to stay in Cyprus, you will find that most people will recommend you to stay in

• Larnaca
• Nicosia
• Aya Napa
• Limassol
• Paphos or
• Lasti.

Those are the biggest cities and towns around the island, and you will find plenty of accommodations in there to choose from: anything from luxury hotels to cheap apartments (advertised normally in Airbnb) and family resorts.

Nevertheless, it is important to say that sometimes you will find better accommodations in the villages nearby. You can always go by car to the city if you want to have dinner and walk around it and come back to your hotel /apartment later. So I will recommend you the mainstream place to stay and the alternative one so you can decide.

Because: You need a car anyway to explore Cyprus!

I would recommend you to plan your trip before deciding where to stay. Choose 2-3 locations if you want to explore the whole island or just a single place if you just want to relax during your holidays.

Where to stay in Larnaca, Cyprus

If you stay in Larnaca city, make sure you are near the city center but not in the middle of the city center. As all the people concentrate in the city center at night, it might be more difficult to find a nice place without noise to relax and enjoy.

Also, bear in mind the airport is quite near McKenzy Beach. If you stay in that area, you might hear the flights arriving and departure.

Our favorite places to stay in Larnaca are:

Zodiac Hotel Apartments

Zodiac Hotels apartment are nicely renovated apartments in a seafront location. You’ll have everything you need by walking distance: beach, restaurants, the city center…

Tip: Make sure you get a room with seaview

Check prices at Zodiac here

Lazuli City & Seaview Apartments

A simple clean apartment 10 minutes by walk to the beach. Lazuli is a great option for those looking for a budget accommodation in Larnaca

Check prices at Lazuli City & Seaview Apartments here

Raddisson Blue

Looking to spoil yourself while in Larnaca? Then Radisson blue Larnaca is your top choice.

Check prices at Radisson Blue Larnaca here

Where to stay in Nicosia

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, the only capital in the world which is divided in 2 territories. You can cross the border to the Turkish side! In my humble opinion, if you are on holidays in Cyprus Nicosia is not the best place to stay.

I do recommend you to visit the city during the day so you can have a look, but stay somewhere else.

Traveling alone? the best hostel in Cyprus is here. Check out Nex Hostel.

A clean, safe hostel with convenient location and friendly staff. It can be the perfect place to start your travel around Cyprus so you can make some friends and move around the island.

Top: Nex hostel has free coffee and parking.

Check prices at Nex Hostel here

The 3 rooms boutique hotel

A nice small boutique hotel – it has only 3 rooms! – in the city center of Nicosia. The 3 rooms boutique hotel is a calm and nicely design hotel in the heart of the city. You will be in the city center.

Check prices at 3Rooms boutique hotel here

Where to stay in Ayia Napa

Aya Napa is the area with the more white sand beaches. May of them are really stunning beaches! Check out Nissi Beach and Fig Tree. Also Capo Greco and the sea caves in this area are stunning.

Crystal Spring Beach Hotel

Do you want a front beach hotel? then head to Crystal Spring Beach hotel is a  3-star hotel with polite staff who will help you. Don’t miss the tasty breakfast.

Check prices at Crystal Spring beach hotel here

La Casa di Napa apartments

For those looking for a great apartment near the beach with all the facilities (swimming pool and restaurant included). La casa di Napa apartments is a 10 minutes walk the famous Nikki beach (one of the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus) and 15 minuts walk to the main square in Aya Napa.

The neighborhood offers a large number of cafes and restaurants with a fairly high quality of food.

Check prices at Casa di Napa Apartments here

Where to stay in Limassol

Limassol boosts luxury.

If you are looking for high-end restaurants and cafés and plenty of nightlife options then Limassol might be the place to go! It is a busy city, but with a Mediterranean environment. Walk around the harbor area and go explore the korion, a UNESCO protected archaeology park just west of Limassol.

For budget traveler, there are as well great backpacker hostels in Limassol.

The Royal Apollonia

Royal Apollonia hotel is ideally located inside Limassol town. The rooms are cozy and they have a swimming pool and direct access at the beach. Relax in the hotel or go to walk around the city – your choice!

Check prices at Royal Apollonia here

Where to stay in Latsi

Latsi will be the place for those looking for a villa / hotel to relax for a week (or two). There are not big supermarkets in the area (you will fin one in Polis) so bear that in mind for planning your holidays.

Villa Latsi

Finding a Villa for your family in Cyprus for summer is not easy. Therefore, I recommend to book as soon as possible.

Villa Latsi is a 3 bedroom villa near Aprhodite Nautre trail. I am quite sure you will only leave the villa to get the tasty ice cream in the harbor promenade.

Check prices at Villa Latsi here

Where to stay in Paphos

When staying in Paphos, you should know that there is Kato Paphos (lower Paphos with the harbor) and Paphos City (with Old Town).

Based on our own experience, it is better to stay near kato Paphos, as there are plenty of bars and restaurants. It is also much nicer than Paphos city. Here is our guide on where to stay in Paphos.

Important to know: Choose an apartment or Hotel not directly at the main party street (klitmenistras); it would be too loud for sleeping.

Good to know: parking in kato Paphos is relatively easy, so if you find an apartment you like in Paphos area and get a rental car, stay there. You can always drive to kato Paphos for lunch / dinner…

Alexander the Great beach hotel

This 3 star hotel at the beach front offers you not only excellent location but also great service. Alexander the Great beach hotel overlooks a stunning sandy beach and it offers many options for dinner:

• themed buffets
• international restaurant
• Italian restaurant
• Japanese restaurant with outdoor terrace
• tavern

Check prices at Alexander the Great Beach Hotel here

3. How to get around Cyprus

So, we have your accommodation set, now let us get out and explore.

My absolute best recommendation is renting a car! It is cheap, easy and by far the absolute best way to explore and enjoy the island.

Going by limited public transport or taxis or bikes, you won’t be able to see much. And the beauty of Cyprus lies within their nature and off the path.

Plus, in Cyprus all the major sights and things to do are not nearby. From Paphos to Ayia Napa it is around 180km, as an example.

Rent a Car in Cyprus

Public transport: There is no train or metro in Cyprus. But there is public transport in form of Buses. Many tourists choose to take it. If you choose to stay only in one area, then this is ok. For instance, you want to go from Paralimni to Fig Tree or Ayia Napa, you can totally do this.

Also within the cities, bus transport is solid. It is also easy to get to and from the Airports by taking the bus.

Bikes: Renting bikes in July and August is not the best idea as you have around 35°C at least and it is exhausting. I would only recommend it in case you take it for a short ride to the beach.

Quads and Beach Buggys: Okay, read this important part; this is juicy!

Around Akamas (Paphos, West Cyprus), you can rent a quad or beach buggy and cruise around the famous Akamas National Park. This experience is absolutely mind blowing. Renting a Quad in Cyprus costs around 100€. You can rent as well a beach buggy for 2 or 4 people and you pay per time. Meaning, you can rent it for 4 hours or the whole day.

I recommend the whole day, starting from Latsi, near Blue Lagoon. Talk to the rental place first and ask them for their best tips, where to eat and bring lots of water. On the Akamas there is no restaurants and nothing to buy, so prepare accordingly.

Walking: Uff…no, just…no! Unless you are in one of the bigger cities like Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia or Paphos, we do not recommend walking around. There are a lot of gorgeous family resorts in Cyprus that are isolated near wonderful beaches. From here, you need a car to explore the island, for instance.

Taxi: In the touristic areas and big cities you have Taxis and they are relatively cheap. To avoid overpaying, I would ask your local hotel or resort how much a taxi ride should cost. Before entering a taxi, ask how much the ride to your destination will be as well.

Boat: OH YES!!! How about renting a boat on your own in Cyprus? You can do so in Polis/ Latsi in West Cyprus. Rent a boat and drive it on your own to Blue Lagoon.

Prices for renting a boat in Latsi start from 150€ for 4 hours. Usually the boat fits at least 5 people. Yet, there is different sizes in boats here.

Do you need a license to ride a boat in Cyprus? No, you do not.

As a tourist, you only need a valid drivers license to drive a boat until a certain size.

4. What to see in Cyprus – The Must-Do’s

What to see in Cyprus? A very good question!

The Must See’s in Cyprus are:

• Ayia Napa with Nissi Beach, Cape Greco and Fig Tree
• Aphrodite (Petra tou Romiou)
• Tombs of the Kings (Paphos)
• Blue Lagoon and Akamas (Paphos)
• Larnaca Salt Lake
• Old Town and Castle in Limassol
• Kykkos Monastery (in the mountains)
• Troodos Mountain (for Hiking or skiing)

5. Best Things to do in Cyprus

We collected for you a great list of cool Things To Do in Cyprus:

• For Diver: MS Zenobia Wreck

Just a short boat ride from Larnaca, you can dive down to the MS Zenobia. It was a Swedish built Challenger ferry from 1979. It sank in the Mediterranean Sea, close to Larnaca, in June 1980 on her maiden voyage. She now rests on her port side in approximately 42 meters (138 ft) of water and was named by The Times, and many others, as one of the top ten wreck diving sites in the world. (Source: wikipedia)

This wreck diving is absolutely stunning. You can even go to the inside and dive in the former cafeteria and such. AMAZING! Just for this dive I did my Advanced Divers Course.

Any diving school around Cyrpus offers this trip.

• Eat Halloumi and Cyprus Meze

The two absolute must-food-eats in Cyprus are Halloumi Cheese and Cyprus Meze. Halloumi is a delicious type of grilled cheese that has be eaten while warm; very tasty. The Cyprus Meze is a kind of “Cyprus Tapas Version”, if you will. By that I mean, you will receive up to 24 different dishes, served one after another. It is absolutely filling, a lot to eat. Get a red wine with it and you will thank me happily.

The typical Meze is with lots of meat such as goat. There is also Fish and Seafood Meze.

Is there also vegetarian Meze? Well, yes, but not always. I found it was easiest to ask. If they can, they will bring you a bunch of amazing vegetarian dishes from Salads, cheese, pitta, hummous and more. I have never seen a Vegan Meze though.

• Rent a Boat for Blue Lagoon

Next on my absolute must-do list for Cyprus is renting a boat in Latsi and take it over to the famous Blue Lagoon. This trip will make you smile for days. You can rent a boat that fits like 6 people without a boat license in Latsi. I recommend booking your boat time ahead, especially weekends are busy.

You can rent the boat by hour. I recommend renting around 4 hours. The good thing is, usually the boat rental places are very relaxed and you can extend easily, simply by calling in, for instance. But, please check with them before. We always had a great experience. In Latsi you find many great boat rentals.

• Snorkeling with Turtles

Yes, this is a dream for many adults and kids: snorkeling with turtles. You can do so in Ayia Napa and Paphos area, most likely.

In Paphos you can snorkel at Alykes Beach with Wild Turtles. It is basically right down town in Kato Paphos. Many people, even locals do not know this.

Also, in Akamas area, there is a beach (marked on the map) where turtles give birth every year.

Please do me and yourself a favor: Do not touch the Turtles. I have been there many times and I always see kids and adults touching the turtles back. This is not good for the animal. Watch them with a distance so you do not scare them, it is their natural habitat.

• Walk Around Limassol Old Town

Of course Limassol is more know for expensive cars and tall buildings, but my favorite part of Limassol is the old town and the Limassol Castle. Just walk around and get lost. It is not that big, and it will probably only take you 20 minutes to explore the whole Old Town, but it is worth it. It also great for nightlife and enjoy drinks at night. You are also nearby the castle, worth a visit too.

• Visit at least one Monastery

Kykkos Monastery and Chrysoroyiatissa Monastery are the best monasteries in Cyprus. At least in my humble opinion.

Here is more ideas:

• Ayios Lazaros (The Church of Saint Lazarus)
• Kolossi Castle
• Fasouri Watermania (perfect for families)
• Hala Sultan Tekke
• Cyprus Museum in Nicosia
• Coral Bay and Sea Caves in Peyia
• Wander the tiny town of Omodos

Please check the map below as well. I added there all my suggestions on cute town, waterfalls, restaurants and so much more. It will help you planning.

6. Tickets you have to buy and Book before (Must Read)

I sincerely hope you are reading this section carefully! It will make the difference.

This is important so you actually can enter the places you would love to see from the inside.

There is exactly two tickets you have to buy beforehand:

1. Renting a Car (here is our guide on how to rent a car in Europe!)
2. Book your Hotel or Resort – especially July and August are popular and hotels fully booked.
3. Renting a boat for Blue Lagoon
   Weekends are usually very busy and if you can, try to rent a boat during the week. The lagoons will be more quiet as well.
4. Diving in Zenobia
   This one you do not need to pre-book, but you should plan ahead. Since you will be diving at around 40m, you won’t be able to fly 24 hours after diving. Take this into account.

7. Food & Restaurants

Giving a recommendation for restaurants in Cyprus overall is tricky, since it is a bigger island.

Here are our recommendations for food you have to taste in Cyprus:

• Meze (meat heavy. Fish option usually available)
• Souvlakia (grilled meat kebabs)
• Shaftalia (grilled sausage)
• Afella (pork marinated in coriander)
• Fried halloumi cheese
• Olives
• Pitta bread and filled Pitta
• Kolokasi (root vegetables)
• Lamb
• Artichokes
• Chickpeas
• Rabbit stews (stifado)

Our best restaurants in Cyprus are:

Larnaca

• To Kazani Traditional Tavern (Greek Cuisine)
• Stoano Kato
• Militzis Tavern (Traditional tavern directly at the sea)
• Holy Cow
• Red Pepper (Italian Steak House Grill)

Extra: KOFFEEA, the best coffee shop in town with specialty coffee.

Paphos

• Palia Ilektriki Restaurant-Cafe (Our Favorite)
• The 3 Little Pigs Traditional Grill and Kebab House
• Halfway House
• Agora Tavern (traditional tavern with vegetarian options)
• Christos Grill and Seafood
• Duomo Ristorante (Italian cuisine)
• Geitonia Traditional Kebab
• Neromylos Watermill Café Taverna
• Melitzia Taverna
• Notios

EXTRA: Meraki Café (not in Paphos city, but the best vegetarian food around)

Ayia Napa

• Kings Sword
• Koralli Seafood
• Dione Restaurant
• Quadro Restaurant
• Sale e Pepe (Italian)
• The Deck – by Alion Beach Hotel
• Sesoula Kalamaki
• Roof Burger Bar

Limassol

• Megaro Restaurant (Our favorite: Authentic, small and in Old Town)
• Jimmy’s Killer Prawns
• TGI Fridays (on Limassol Marina)
• Meze Taverna Restaurant
• The Local Fish & Meat

(There is many more great, smaller places. If you have any questions about those, let us know.)

8. Popular Day Trips inside Cyprus

I am giving you here a few ideas on day trips from each city:

Day Trips from Larnaca:

• Odyssey Boat Safari from Larnaca
• Larnaca Market and Camel Park Excursion from Ayia Napa
• Pano Lefkara, Choirokoitia and Walled Nicosia
• Grand Tour Full Day Jeep Safari from Larnaca
• Troodos 4X4 Safari Tour from Larnaca
• Full Day Tour in Troodos Mountains: Villages & Waterfalls
• Day Trip to Cape Greko and Sea Caves Ayia Napa

Day Trips from Nicosia

• Around Cape Greko walk
• Walking Tour in Nicosia itself: Pano Lefkara, Choirokoitia and Walled Nicosia
• Full-Day Tour UNESCO Churches and Kalopanayiotis in Cyprus
• Small Group Day Tour of Famagusta and Ghost Town From Larnaca

Day Trips from Limassol

• Day trip to the heart of lacework Lefkara Village and Nicosia
• Nicosia and Kyrenia Tour
• St.Hilarion and Nicosia Tour

Day Trips from Paphos

• Boat Trip from Latchi to Blue Lagoon
• 4×4 Safari Tour to Akamas
• Troodos Mountains & Kykkos Monastery

9. Itinerary for 7 days

When spending a week in Cyprus, you have the time and can explore the island itself. One Week in Cyprus is a good time frame to work with.

Most likely you will arrive in Larnaca, but there are few connections as well to Paphos. Therefore, simply adapt this itinerary for Cyprus accordingly. So let us get started – once you have gotten your rental car ready.

Good to know: Check our Map below with all sights included. It helps you planning as well.

2-3 Days in Larnaca (with Ayia Napa)

For beaches, the promenade and restaurants. Larnaca is a beautiful, small city at the coast line. You have a city beach and beach promenade and lots of great restaurants. For families, Larnaca is amazing.

On top, from Larnaca you can do the day trip to Ayia Napa’s Cape Greco and Fig Tree Bay. The day trip to that area is for sure a beach trip, so pack your swim suite, towels and sun cream.

Another great day trip from Larnaca I recommend is to the capital.

Nicosia is absolutely underrated, yet I would only recommend to visit Nicosia on a day trip. I do not think it is worth it to stay overnight. Instead, I would head back to Larnaca to have a meal near the sea.

Therefore, I think 2-3 nights in Larnaca is perfect as a base. You can explore the capital as well as the East Coast on day trips.

1 Day to Limassol (Omodos optional)

Next on our 7 days in Cyprus comes Limassol with its Old Town. This 1 day is a day trip for me, so stay with me here a moment.

First, I would visit the ruins Κourion Ancient Amphitheater and The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates. The entrance fee is very low, something around 2€ (this always changes). For lunch I would head back to Limassol and enjoy lunch at Megaro Restaurant in the old town. Enjoy a typical Cyprus Meze or some other local dish.

After lunch, you now have time to explore the small but beautiful Limassol Old Town and Castle. This should take around 2 hours, I reckon.

Last but not least, on your way to the accommodation in Paphos, I would stop for a swim at Aphrodites Rock (called Petra tou Romiou). It really depends on the time of the year, but you can also stay here for the sunset.

If you want to see even more, you can also throw in a stop at Omodos Village. It is known as the most beautiful village in Cyprus. Please refer to my map below to see exact location.

2-3 Day Paphos Area with Latsi with Blue Lagoon and Akamas

We slept already in Paphos and now there’s 2-3 days time to explore this area with all its nature and banana trees.

Let us kick start the day and have a swim with wild turtles at Alykes Beach. You can enjoy your breakfast in one of the cafés nearby.

For a beach day, I recommend staying at Sandy Beach or Coral Bay. These are the most popular with restaurants and beach bars. This is more comfortable, especially with children.

Of course now you can do as well the day trip from Latsi with a boat. This will take you pretty much the whole day. getting to Latchi takes 1 hour and renting the boat is already 4 hours. Taking into account all the sun and water jumping and having fun, I do not recommend planning anything else than relaxing afterwards. The beach in Latchi is also amazing for this. There is also fantastic beach bars and very good ice cream.

In general I would say, you can stay flexible when planning to visit Cyprus. It is very easy going and not incredibly packed like Venice, for instance.

10. Packing List

11. Printed Guides & Map

These guides are best for the ones looking for a printed version.

Once you come to Cyprus, you will also receive a paper map of the city.

• Lonely Planet Guide for Cyprus
• Travel Guide to North Cyprus
• eBook Travel Guide to Cyprus – by Rough Guides

Here is again our map of Cyprus with the recommended hotels and neighborhoods.

Questions? Contact us

I tried to make this guide as useful and complete as possible. However, chances are you still have questions left.

Therefore, any questions? Anything not clear?

Please get in touch with us, I would be very happy to help. I want to make this guide as useful as possible for you.

You see, your question actually helps me as well.

Do not be shy and send me an email.