Nicosia
Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus. It is not very popular among tourists, but here you can look at the real, “non-tourist” Cyprus, as well as see interesting sights and try the local cuisine.
- Andyeducation: Introduction to education system in Cyprus, including compulsory schooling and higher education.
Attractions
The main architectural attraction of the capital is Laiki Gethinia, a quarter of the old city. After reconstruction, it recreated the unique atmosphere of the last century. In general, the whole old city is worth seeing with its colorful taverns, antique shops, oriental bazaars, St. John’s Cathedral and the Selimiye Mosque.
Shopping
Nicosia is the best place in Cyprus for shopping. Most boutiques and shopping centers are located on Makarios Avenue. Designer outfits can be bought at Stassikratous Street. Souvenirs are best bought at Laiki Geitonia – they sell both symbolic key rings and real handmade masterpieces.
There are also shopping centers in Nicosia: “The Mall of Cyprus”, “Mall of Engomi”, “The Mall Of Nicosia”, “The City Plaza”.
It will be most interesting to buy traditional goods, especially products, in the markets and food markets. Especially delicious delicacies are sold at Bandabuliya Bazar.
Limassol
When the question arises of where to relax in Cyprus, mostly tourists choose Limassol – the most popular and largest resort, a universal vacation spot with developed infrastructure, water parks, clubs and comfortable beaches. Limassol is considered international, many here speak Russian.
Beaches
The beaches of Limassol have a developed infrastructure, and a gentle slope into the water and sand mixed with pebbles allows you to relax in comfort even with children. By the way, the sand on the beaches of Limassol is not ordinary, but volcanic, with silicon, which improves skin condition.
The central municipal beach is considered the best, although tourists also love the remote Ladies Mile. The beaches offer a variety of entertainment, including active ones, such as motorboating. The resort is loved by tourists, so there are always a lot of vacationers on all the beaches.
Attractions
Limassol is interesting not only for its beaches, but also for its festivals, for example, the summer theater festival or the wine festival. There are also many architectural sights:
- Ruins of Kourion and Amathus;
- Sanctuary of Apollo;
- Fortress Kolossi XII century, built by the crusaders;
- The citadel of the XIV century, built on the ruins of the Byzantine castle, in which Richard the Lionheart and Berengaria were married.
In addition, you can relax and be more active, for example, in the Santa Marina Retreat amusement park or in the Cyprus Land park.
Shopping
Basically, Limassol shops are located on the shopping streets:
- Anexartisias with budget shops and boutiques;
- Andreou with souvenir shops and shops of leather products and jewelry;
- Makarios III Avenue with designer clothing stores.
Shopping can also be done at Debenhams, a large shopping center, and MyMall outlet with huge discounts. The Pinokio store with very high quality children’s clothing deserves attention.
If you want some color, you can go to the city market in the north of the city. Here they sell souvenirs, national costumes, food – and everything is quite inexpensive. You might also like the flea market, a de facto open-air antiques museum that sells everything from old books to typewriters and radios.
Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa is a fun youth resort with discos, bars and restaurants that will allow you to make your holiday in Cyprus really fun and unforgettable.
Beaches
The beaches in Ayia Napa are not only clean, but also amazingly beautiful. In addition, various entertainments are available to tourists on them – fishing, diving, surfing, catamaran riding and much more. Almost the entire coast around the city is landscaped, there are sun loungers, umbrellas and showers everywhere. Numerous bars make the coast very noisy.
The best beach in the resort is Nissi Beach, and during the season whole crowds of people gather here. You can relax more calmly on the beaches of Lanta, Makronisos and Grecian Bay, but you should not count on solitude there either.
Attractions
The main historical attraction of the resort is Ayia Napa Monastery. Also noteworthy are the Rock Tombs of Makronisos near the beach of the same name. It will be interesting to visit the Museum of the Sea.
Not far from Ayia Napa is Famagusta – a city with a closed quarter of Varosha, more like a picture from a post-apocalyptic movie. Tourists love it too.
Also, tourists like to visit Cape Greco with the forest park of Cavo Greco, on the territory of which rare plants grow. And for a more active holiday, you can visit the city amusement park or water park.
Shopping
This small town is a great place to shop for local crafts and designer goods. There are a lot of shops with fashionable clothes, jewelry and watches here, and prices are about a third lower than in Europe. The best places for such shopping are Nissi Avenue, Cool Watches, Andrews Jewelery and Laniel Jewelery.
Also in Ayia Napa you can buy exquisite handicrafts, which are known throughout Cyprus. It is best to buy them on the square in the city center.