Where Should I Stay?

Ayia Napa

Lively thumping discos and bars for teenagers or those who wish to revisit their misspent youth. This resort gets busy from May onwards but is very quiet in the winter months and many of the bars close. After the end of November - forget it if you are looking for wild nights out - you won't find them here. The tourists have moved on to other resorts.

One of Ayia Napa's Beaches

The beaches are fabulous. Golden sand, shallow seas. Nissi Beach is probably the best beach. Watersports are available - banana boats, pedaloes and paragliding. There is also a large water park just outside Ayia Napa. (Waterworld) http://www.waterworldwaterpark.com

Protaras

For family beach holidays. A quieter resort but only 10 minutes drive from Ayia Napa - if you fancy partying the night away once in a while. Plenty of restaurants and bars and perfect beaches. Unspoiled coves can be found along the coastline. Try Paralimni for the traditional village feel.

Limassol

For those who cannot live without the department stores and busy city life.  If you are still looking for a sight of Cyprus in its earlier years - take a visit to the old town. Behind here are some of the refugee houses - still inhabited today by people who fled from the north of the island during the  Turkish invasion in 1974.  I don't want to bore you with history but you may want to know that Cyprus is a divided island. The "Green Line" is patrolled by British and UN soldiers. You can see the garrisons at Episkopi and Dekhalia.  However, how much longer this division will stay is unknown.  After their recent accession into the EU on 1 May 2004, Cyprus and TRNC are now trying to resolve their differences and the Green Line may soon become a thing of the past.
 
Head into the old town for a glimpse of how Limassol was before it grew into the huge resort it is now. Shopping is centred around St Andrew Street. Visit Limassol Castle and have a look around the museum.

Limassol New Market and shopping around Limassol Castle area.

Although Limassol does not go a bundle on golden sandy beaches - it cannot be beaten for its' accessibility to visit every resort on the island in as little time as possible. It is about as central as you can get! A drive to Ayia Napa, Paphos, Troodos or Polis takes approximately one hour, depending on how many photo stops you make on the way.

There are  waterparks in Limassol - one on the main highway, another is between the Atlantica Hotel and the Roussos Beach Apartments. There is also a water park at Fasouri (http://www.fasouri-watermania.com).

There is also a small shingle beach just across the road from here. The waterparks are not as large as the one in Ayia Napa.  You will find that the larger hotels situated along the coast road will have their own private beach. However, again - don't expect golden soft sand - they are mainly dark sand or shingle.

Party, party, party!
Where is a good place to go for a night out? Head for the "Strip" on the main seafront road in the tourist area. It starts from around Moneypenny's bar and works it's way up past the police station until the Welcome Inn Irish Bar.

Try the "Galatex Complex" (opposite Basement Disco and Hippodrome Disco). Inside are two walkways that run parallel to each other - the one opposite the Basement Disco is where all of the bars are situated and the other has a small selection of souvenir shops. There are around 8 bars all competing for your custom and mainly all offer "free shots" with your first drink. Karaoke is extremely popular down here and we found that the Lucky Leprechaun had the best resident karaoke host. He should be - at the price the owner pays to keep him there!

Larnaca

Is now a fashionable resort town with plenty of shops and not just the tourist kind either. The seafront has an attractive promenade area with plenty of cafe bars to just sit and watch the world (and the people) go by. An up and coming holiday resort.

Larnaca Promenade.

Paphos  

Is a typical holiday resort with shops, an old town, bar street (of course), an abundance of restaurants from Indian and Chinese to the typical Giros or kebab shop. Historic sights to visit include: - a small ampitheatre, the tombs of the kings and some fabulous floor mosaics. Take a trip along the harbour and watch the boats coming and going, whilst you take a glass of local wine or Keo beer.

There is a small town beach just to the left of the harbour and the local "bath" area. However, there are beaches running along most of this resort. There is also a waterpark in Paphos - Aphrodite Waterpark (e-mail address: aphroditewaterpark@cylink.com.cy)

Coral Bay

Is just outside the resort of Paphos. A quieter resort where car hire is recommended. A smattering of small bars and restaurants can be found here - but this is an up and coming resort - watch this space.

Latchi & Polis

Situated on the northwest side of the island. The drive from Paphos is wonderful - through rolling countryside with sea views. Both still have that "village" feel about them. Villas available to rent in either resort. You will find nice sandy beaches along Latchi's coastline.

Pissouri

For a real "getaway from it all" feeling. There is a lovely hotel here (Columbia Beach Hotel) but probably suited more to honeymooners or those who don't want to do anything more than relax by the pool or on the beach for a week or two! There are also rental villas and apartments available in this small resort. However, if you are intending to get out and about - bear in mind that you will definitely need to hire a car.

Nicosia

Can never be described as a holiday resort. This is a major city and gets very hot during the summer months. You will also find a Woolworth store here, with a museum regarding the invasion of 1974, where you can look across into the Turkish Occupied area. The "green line" divides Nicosia but it is possible to take a visit across the line, into the Turkish occupied northern part of the island.  The gateway is open for those not taking a car by the Ledra Palace Hotel. (Get a map). We believe that it is now possible to take a hired car or scooter from the south into the north, but you won't be covered with your car insurance. You can purchase this on the other side from about Cyp£10.00 per car. But cars must cross at Ayios Domitous, which is at Junction 3 on the Larnaca - Nicosia highway. You can also hire a taxi or a car on the Turkish (Northern) side. A taxi ride is approx Cyp£24.00 return to Kyrenia and the local bus service is not much different, if there are two of you travelling. Be prepared to "haggle" and you may get it a little cheaper. If you don't want to take a taxi or drive in the north - it is possible to wander around the shopping and market area in the Turkish half of Nicosia. We would suggest making the trip early in the morning (arriving at the gate by 10.00hrs) and spending some time over the border and then continuing your shopping trip back in southern Cyprus in the afternoon. Car parking is cheap (we paid Cyp£1.00 - for the day)!

Beware of too much shopping - the Customs officials are very thorough and there is a limit as to how much cigarettes/alcohol you can bring back with you.  If you intend shopping, check with the Cypriot authorities before you cross through - otherwise they have the power to remove any excess upon your return to the southern Cyprus side.

There are many ancient sites to visit and Kyrenia harbour is quite pretty and remarkably well established, considering there has been very little money spent on the northern side until the recent accession.

Photos taken around Kyrenia Harbour - October 2001

Troodos Mountains and Villages.

Get a feel for the quieter and more traditional way of life. You will, however, need a car. Some tour operators offer "twin centre" holidays - where you can spend one week in Paphos, Limassol, Ayia Napa etc. and then opt to stay in a local "village house" in Omodos or Arsos Village.

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