Cyprus - Must sees and dos?
Discussion
Laatchi and head to George’s Watersports for boat hire, go for a half day, take a picnic and anchor up at one of the lagoons and chill. Always was a highlight of my holidays when my parents lived there.
Troodos is worth a trip just for a break from the heat.
Nicosia is a nice day out, especially as you can cross to the North now.
Catch some football at Limassol if that’s your thing, quite a good atmosphere.
Will think some more as it’s been a few years since I’ve been.
Troodos is worth a trip just for a break from the heat.
Nicosia is a nice day out, especially as you can cross to the North now.
Catch some football at Limassol if that’s your thing, quite a good atmosphere.
Will think some more as it’s been a few years since I’ve been.
North....
The Blue House: Çamlıbel. Home of a former mafia boss but now a museum. Largely untouched or unchanged since 1974. Fascinating history and you get a sense of what was going on there which was pretty grim but interesting as well. Need your passport as it's in the middle of an army area.
Salamis: Roman port and town, now in ruins but covers a huge area and you get a really good sense of the scale of the Roman operations.
St Hirarion Castle on the road between Nicosia and Kyrenia. Bit of trek to the top but stunning views.
Old Town Nicosia is well worth a mooch round. There's a growing 'bohemian' scene happening in the north part of the capital and some cool bars, clubs and places opening up.
Also, grab a lunch, coffee or beer at the Home Café - situated bang smack in the middle of the green line in no-man's land, right opposite Ledera Palace (https://www.home4cooperation.info/the-home-cafe/)
Kyrenia - nice harbour and castle. Just down the road is Bellapais Monastery. Do this at the end of the day and grab a dinner at the restaurant opposite - superb steaks!
If you're driving, check with the Car Hire company on the paper work for going to the north. Not all Hire companies provide this but if they do, it's easy enough - just need to show the right paperwork and cover the CY on the plate (though not everyone does). However. it's cheaper to park up in the south, walk through and hire one in the north.
Haven't been there for 18 months and just typing that is making me want to get head back!
If you've not been to the north before, it is very different. The walk through the green line is like walking back in time.
Enjoy!
The Blue House: Çamlıbel. Home of a former mafia boss but now a museum. Largely untouched or unchanged since 1974. Fascinating history and you get a sense of what was going on there which was pretty grim but interesting as well. Need your passport as it's in the middle of an army area.
Salamis: Roman port and town, now in ruins but covers a huge area and you get a really good sense of the scale of the Roman operations.
St Hirarion Castle on the road between Nicosia and Kyrenia. Bit of trek to the top but stunning views.
Old Town Nicosia is well worth a mooch round. There's a growing 'bohemian' scene happening in the north part of the capital and some cool bars, clubs and places opening up.
Also, grab a lunch, coffee or beer at the Home Café - situated bang smack in the middle of the green line in no-man's land, right opposite Ledera Palace (https://www.home4cooperation.info/the-home-cafe/)
Kyrenia - nice harbour and castle. Just down the road is Bellapais Monastery. Do this at the end of the day and grab a dinner at the restaurant opposite - superb steaks!
If you're driving, check with the Car Hire company on the paper work for going to the north. Not all Hire companies provide this but if they do, it's easy enough - just need to show the right paperwork and cover the CY on the plate (though not everyone does). However. it's cheaper to park up in the south, walk through and hire one in the north.
Haven't been there for 18 months and just typing that is making me want to get head back!
If you've not been to the north before, it is very different. The walk through the green line is like walking back in time.
Enjoy!
StevieBee said:
North....
The Blue House: Çaml?bel. Home of a former mafia boss but now a museum. Largely untouched or unchanged since 1974. Fascinating history and you get a sense of what was going on there which was pretty grim but interesting as well. Need your passport as it's in the middle of an army area.
Salamis: Roman port and town, now in ruins but covers a huge area and you get a really good sense of the scale of the Roman operations.
St Hirarion Castle on the road between Nicosia and Kyrenia. Bit of trek to the top but stunning views.
Old Town Nicosia is well worth a mooch round. There's a growing 'bohemian' scene happening in the north part of the capital and some cool bars, clubs and places opening up.
Also, grab a lunch, coffee or beer at the Home Café - situated bang smack in the middle of the green line in no-man's land, right opposite Ledera Palace (https://www.home4cooperation.info/the-home-cafe/)
Kyrenia - nice harbour and castle. Just down the road is Bellapais Monastery. Do this at the end of the day and grab a dinner at the restaurant opposite - superb steaks!
If you're driving, check with the Car Hire company on the paper work for going to the north. Not all Hire companies provide this but if they do, it's easy enough - just need to show the right paperwork and cover the CY on the plate (though not everyone does). However. it's cheaper to park up in the south, walk through and hire one in the north.
Haven't been there for 18 months and just typing that is making me want to get head back!
If you've not been to the north before, it is very different. The walk through the green line is like walking back in time.
Enjoy!
Kyrenia castle/harbour area is a bit of a mess at the moment but agree with all the others whole heartedly.The Blue House: Çaml?bel. Home of a former mafia boss but now a museum. Largely untouched or unchanged since 1974. Fascinating history and you get a sense of what was going on there which was pretty grim but interesting as well. Need your passport as it's in the middle of an army area.
Salamis: Roman port and town, now in ruins but covers a huge area and you get a really good sense of the scale of the Roman operations.
St Hirarion Castle on the road between Nicosia and Kyrenia. Bit of trek to the top but stunning views.
Old Town Nicosia is well worth a mooch round. There's a growing 'bohemian' scene happening in the north part of the capital and some cool bars, clubs and places opening up.
Also, grab a lunch, coffee or beer at the Home Café - situated bang smack in the middle of the green line in no-man's land, right opposite Ledera Palace (https://www.home4cooperation.info/the-home-cafe/)
Kyrenia - nice harbour and castle. Just down the road is Bellapais Monastery. Do this at the end of the day and grab a dinner at the restaurant opposite - superb steaks!
If you're driving, check with the Car Hire company on the paper work for going to the north. Not all Hire companies provide this but if they do, it's easy enough - just need to show the right paperwork and cover the CY on the plate (though not everyone does). However. it's cheaper to park up in the south, walk through and hire one in the north.
Haven't been there for 18 months and just typing that is making me want to get head back!
If you've not been to the north before, it is very different. The walk through the green line is like walking back in time.
Enjoy!
Add a trip out to the Karpaz peninsula to the list too.
mooseracer said:
Kyrenia castle/harbour area is a bit of a mess at the moment but agree with all the others whole heartedly.
Add a trip out to the Karpaz peninsula to the list too.
Kyrenia Harbour Castle is virtually inaccessible and will be for some months, Niazi's Restaurant is excellent!Add a trip out to the Karpaz peninsula to the list too.
We were at the Karpaz peninsula last weekend, it's stunning!
Old Famagusta is worth a visit.
Limassol old town is worth a visit for an evening meal.
You can buy some very realistic wooden knob shaped bottle openers, all hand made, from a few places along the front at Paphos Harbour.
I bought 3 last time we were there, to help keep the Cypriot cock whittlers in employment. We'll, when I say "I", I mean I sent the Mrs in to buy them!
I bought 3 last time we were there, to help keep the Cypriot cock whittlers in employment. We'll, when I say "I", I mean I sent the Mrs in to buy them!
CypSIdders said:
mooseracer said:
Kyrenia castle/harbour area is a bit of a mess at the moment but agree with all the others whole heartedly.
Add a trip out to the Karpaz peninsula to the list too.
Kyrenia Harbour Castle is virtually inaccessible and will be for some monthsAdd a trip out to the Karpaz peninsula to the list too.
As far as I know they are rejuvenating the old harbour, it's been boarded up since last November.
I've been told that the facades of the harbour front buildings will be restored with traditional stonework, there will be no more wooden structures on the harbour, whether or not that means there will be no more waterfront bars/restaurants, I don't know.
This being Cyprus all of the above could be complete tosh.
To the east and west of Kyrenia there are massive amounts of new builds popping up, so I would guess the harbour renovation is an attempt to go up market and attract the thousands of new home owners.
No doubt massive price rises for food, drink and accommodation are in the pipeline.
I've been told that the facades of the harbour front buildings will be restored with traditional stonework, there will be no more wooden structures on the harbour, whether or not that means there will be no more waterfront bars/restaurants, I don't know.
This being Cyprus all of the above could be complete tosh.
To the east and west of Kyrenia there are massive amounts of new builds popping up, so I would guess the harbour renovation is an attempt to go up market and attract the thousands of new home owners.
No doubt massive price rises for food, drink and accommodation are in the pipeline.
CypSIdders said:
o doubt massive price rises for food, drink and accommodation are in the pipeline.
We were married in Cyprus 20 odd years ago. I can remember Keo was 70-80c a pint (exchange rate was pretty much 1 Cypriot pound for 1 UK pound), and a tenner a head would get you 3 courses, wine and a couple of brandies at the end. It was so cheap compared to the UK back then. Things have certainly changed !In Paphos now.
Budget 70 Euro for dinner for two. Starter, main, 1 dessert, 3 drinks.
Keo 4 Euro a pint, cocktails usually 8€
Eaten at few halfway decent places and that's the average going rate.
Buses cheap. Buy a weekly ticket.
Lovely weather here too at the moment
Budget 70 Euro for dinner for two. Starter, main, 1 dessert, 3 drinks.
Keo 4 Euro a pint, cocktails usually 8€
Eaten at few halfway decent places and that's the average going rate.
Buses cheap. Buy a weekly ticket.
Lovely weather here too at the moment
Edited by 55palfers on Monday 24th April 12:25
CypSIdders said:
As far as I know they are rejuvenating the old harbour, it's been boarded up since last November.
I've been told that the facades of the harbour front buildings will be restored with traditional stonework, there will be no more wooden structures on the harbour, whether or not that means there will be no more waterfront bars/restaurants, I don't know.
This being Cyprus all of the above could be complete tosh.
To the east and west of Kyrenia there are massive amounts of new builds popping up, so I would guess the harbour renovation is an attempt to go up market and attract the thousands of new home owners.
No doubt massive price rises for food, drink and accommodation are in the pipeline.
Ah right! I've been told that the facades of the harbour front buildings will be restored with traditional stonework, there will be no more wooden structures on the harbour, whether or not that means there will be no more waterfront bars/restaurants, I don't know.
This being Cyprus all of the above could be complete tosh.
To the east and west of Kyrenia there are massive amounts of new builds popping up, so I would guess the harbour renovation is an attempt to go up market and attract the thousands of new home owners.
No doubt massive price rises for food, drink and accommodation are in the pipeline.
I worked with the Municipalities there between 2016 and 2021. Most of the north coast municipalities were in line to receive some hefty EU support for tourism based regeneration projects so I assume this is related.... all part of the slow move towards federalisation. Don't think we should hold our breath on that though!
Will be interesting to see what they end up doing. Would be a shame if they polished it up too much. I quite like the more authentic nature of the north, warts and all.
CypSIdders said:
As far as I know they are rejuvenating the old harbour, it's been boarded up since last November.
I've been told that the facades of the harbour front buildings will be restored with traditional stonework, there will be no more wooden structures on the harbour, whether or not that means there will be no more waterfront bars/restaurants, I don't know.
This being Cyprus all of the above could be complete tosh.
To the east and west of Kyrenia there are massive amounts of new builds popping up, so I would guess the harbour renovation is an attempt to go up market and attract the thousands of new home owners.
No doubt massive price rises for food, drink and accommodation are in the pipeline.
Here's the harbour two days ago, looking particularly attractive with the concrete blocks obscuring views of the sea!I've been told that the facades of the harbour front buildings will be restored with traditional stonework, there will be no more wooden structures on the harbour, whether or not that means there will be no more waterfront bars/restaurants, I don't know.
This being Cyprus all of the above could be complete tosh.
To the east and west of Kyrenia there are massive amounts of new builds popping up, so I would guess the harbour renovation is an attempt to go up market and attract the thousands of new home owners.
No doubt massive price rises for food, drink and accommodation are in the pipeline.
There's a fair bit of building going on in the harbour area.
We were there at Christmas too and nothing much has moved in the last 4 months.
55palfers said:
We were there at Christmas too and nothing much has moved in the last 4 months.
Standard.About 4 years ago now in Paphos, near our hotel, a tiny bit of path was being repaired. We walked past it every day for a week, and whilst there were a couple of gadgies working on it, nothing seemed to change (I'm no path repairing expect, but it looked like a day's work at best to me). We went back the same time next year and it was still in a state of dis-repair.
The pace of life is very slow there I found !!
StevieBee said:
Ah right!
I worked with the Municipalities there between 2016 and 2021. Most of the north coast municipalities were in line to receive some hefty EU support for tourism based regeneration projects so I assume this is related.... all part of the slow move towards federalisation. Don't think we should hold our breath on that though!
Will be interesting to see what they end up doing. Would be a shame if they polished it up too much. I quite like the more authentic nature of the north, warts and all.
Just out of interest, why is the North getting EU funding when it's effectively part of Turkey?I worked with the Municipalities there between 2016 and 2021. Most of the north coast municipalities were in line to receive some hefty EU support for tourism based regeneration projects so I assume this is related.... all part of the slow move towards federalisation. Don't think we should hold our breath on that though!
Will be interesting to see what they end up doing. Would be a shame if they polished it up too much. I quite like the more authentic nature of the north, warts and all.
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