Cyprus is one of those islands where everyone can find something different. Beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes and mountains to explore, a combination of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. It really has everything you need and I really love visiting this place.
Cyprus is an island divided into two parts, Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus (the southern part of Cyprus).
Northern Cyprus is Turkish and southern Cyprus is Greek. And although the country is divided by religion, traditional family values are very strong. In general, wherever you find yourself on the island, you will be welcomed with warm Cypriot hospitality.
I lived in Cyprus for over a year and one of my favorite things about the island is that there are so many different towns and villages that offer completely different experiences.
So, let me tell you about the best places to stay for accommodation in Cyprus.
Our Pick of the Best Hotels in Cyprus 🔝
- 💎 Luxury Hotel: Amathus Beach Hotel
- 🔮 Boutique Hotel: Almyra Hotel
- ✨ 5-Star: Amara Hotel
- 🏨 4-Star: Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Beach Hotel & Spa
- 💸 Budget-friendly: Marianna Hotel Apartments
- 🌴 Beach Hotel: Coral Beach Hotel & Resort
- 👨👩👧👦 For Families: Atlantica Oasis Hotel
Remember: Cyprus is a very touristy place and accommodation prices can be high, especially in high season. My advice is to always plan your accommodation booking in advance to have more options to choose from and to find the best deals.
6 Best Areas to Stay in Cyprus: Quick Overview 📋
- 🔥 For the First Time: Limassol
- 💑 For Couples: Larnaca
- 👨👩👦 For Families: Paphos
- 🗿 For History & Culture: Nicosia
- 🍸 For Nightlife: Ayia Napa
- 🏄♀️ For Beaches: Protaras
1. Limassol – Best Area in Cyprus for the First Time 👀
🌄 Scenic trails: Limassol has become an increasingly popular city over the years, with something for everyone. It has a great nightlife, an endless coastline with gorgeous beaches, and the Troodos Mountains. If you love hiking, this is the place to head to.
🏛️ Rich history: While here, I would highly recommend visiting the historic Kurion Amphitheater in Episkopi and Limassol Castle. As a history buff, I love the amphitheater and the views from the castle are amazing. There are also many historical buildings in the Old Town.
🥂 Lively nights:The city really comes alive after dark, when locals and visitors alike flock to the numerous bars and clubs pumping out music. The Marina area specifically draws a well-heeled, fashionable crowd.
Where to Stay in Limassol? 🏨
Expensive hotels:
- Amara Hotel – a luxury resort with high-end service, exquisite design and beautiful sea views.
- Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa – an elegant resort with a unique design and upscale services, including a beautiful spa.
Medium price range:
- Crowne Plaza Limassol – a comfortable hotel with a good location and reasonable prices, close to the beach and the city center.
- Ajax Hotel – a cozy hotel with modern design and good location, ideal for business travelers and families.
- Alasia Boutique Hotel – a mid-priced hotel with good facilities and an excellent location.
Inexpensive hotels:
- Pefkos Hotel – a budget hotel with basic amenities and friendly staff, ideal for budget travelers.
- Marianna Hotel Apartments – a budget hotel with basic amenities located in the city center.
2. Larnaca – Best Place to Stay in Cyprus for Couples 💞
🌊 Seaside charm: Larnaca is another port city in the south of Cyprus that is well worth a visit. Since the main airport is in Larnaca, many people get here from other parts of the island by rented cars, cabs or public transportation in Larnaca. However, in my opinion, this is a very good vacation spot for couples.
💧 Stunning lake: Nearby is the Larnaca Salt Lake, which is simply stunning. It just reflects the landscape perfectly. Also, if you come here during the winter months, you can see flamingos.
🏖️ Idyllic beaches: There are also golden beaches, cocktail bars, Byzantine churches and castles, and a promenade with palm trees and many restaurants. If you love scuba diving, this place is known for its shipwrecks along the coast. This is definitely the best diving in Cyprus.
Where to Stay in Larnaca? 🏩
Expensive hotels:
- The Ciao Stelio Deluxe Hotel – a luxury hotel with upscale service and exquisite design, located near the beach.
- Golden Bay Beach Hotel – an elegant resort with a unique design and upscale services, including a beautiful spa.
Medium price range:
- Lordos Beach Hotel – a comfortable hotel with a good location and reasonable prices, close to the beach.
- Frangiorgio Hotel Apartments – cozy apartments with modern design and good location, ideal for families.
- Josephine Boutique Hotel – a mid-priced hotel with good facilities and a great location in the city center.
Inexpensive hotels:
- Larco Hotel – a budget hotel with basic amenities and friendly staff, ideal for budget travelers.
- San Remo Hotel – an economical hotel with simple and clean rooms, good for short stays.
- Blazer Residence – an affordable apartment with basic amenities located in the city center.
3. Paphos – Best City to Stay in Cyprus for Families 👨👩👦
🌟 Up and coming: Paphos has grown in popularity since it was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2017. This once quiet town now has some incredible hotels and resorts to stay in – Amavi is the perfect example of this.
🏛️ Historic site: One of the most popular places to visit in Paphos is the Tomb of the Kings. It is an ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 4th century. The tombs are decorated with fascinating mosaics and buildings that blend into the landscape. Walking here, it is as if you are walking back in time.
💎 Sparkling lagoon: Another very popular spot nearby is the Blue Lagoon. This is a sandy sheltered lagoon with the brightest blue water that the Mediterranean is so famous for. The Blue Lagoon is a very popular destination for day trips, so I would recommend you get on a boat and spend the day on the water.
Where to Stay in Paphos? 🏨
Expensive hotels:
- Elysium Hotel – a luxurious resort with upscale service, exquisite design and beautiful sea views.
- Amavi Hotel – an elegant hotel with a unique design and upscale services, including a beautiful spa.
Medium price range:
- Alexander The Great Beach Hotel – a comfortable hotel with a good location and reasonable prices, close to the beach and archaeological sites.
- Capital Coast Resort & Spa – a cozy resort with modern design and good location, ideal for families.
Inexpensive hotels:
- Veronica Hotel – a budget hotel with basic amenities and friendly staff, ideal for budget travelers.
- Kiniras Traditional Hotel – a budget hotel with basic amenities located in the city center.
4. Nicosia – Best Place in Cyprus for History & Culture Lovers 🏯
🎭 Cultural hub: Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus and because of this it is often overlooked. However, it is the cultural heart of the country.
💡 Learn history: Nicosia is the world’s last divided capital: half of the city belongs to the Republic of Cyprus and the other half belongs to the Turks. If you want to learn more about the history of Cyprus, this is the place to go. It also has some great museums and art galleries.
🛣️ Border crossing: One of the main places to visit in Nicosia is Leda Street. Although it is a popular shopping area with designer stores and restaurants, this is where you can cross the border points to the north and south of the country.
As I said, Nicosia is an amazing example of how a divided country coexists in one city. And it’s beautiful!
Where to Stay in Nicosia? 🏩
Medium price range:
- Almond Business Suites – a comfortable apartment with a good location and reasonable prices, close to the city center.
- Centrum Hotel – a cozy hotel with modern design and good location in the historical center, ideal for tourists.
- Semeli Hotel – a mid-priced hotel with good facilities and an excellent location.
Inexpensive hotels:
- Asty Hotel – a budget hotel with basic amenities and friendly staff, ideal for budget travelers.
- Delphi Hotel – an economical hotel with simple and clean rooms, good for short stays.
5. Ayia Napa – Where to Stay in Cyprus for Nightlife 💃
🥳 Epic nightlife: Ayia Napa has the best nightlife in the world. It is a place where you can play and party to the fullest. That is why most of the tourists here are aged 18-35 years old. This means that if you come here with your family, you might want to stay somewhere else in Cyprus!
⛱️ Relaxing beaches: Nevertheless, Ayia Napa has some great beaches to enjoy during the day. As with most places along the coast of Cyprus, water sports such as water skiing and paragliding can be practiced here.
🛍️ Shopper’s paradise: The town itself is picturesque, with plenty of designer clothing boutiques and charming little coastal taverns.
🍹 Bar central: However, if you are looking for the best place in Cyprus for nightlife, this is it. The “Strip”, as it is called, is home to more bars than you can visit in one vacation. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s definitely designed for a certain type of vacationer.
Where to Stay in Ayia Napa? 🏨
Expensive hotels:
- Adams Beach Hotel – a luxury resort with upscale service, exquisite design and beautiful sea views.
- Grecian Bay Hotel – an elegant hotel with a unique design and upscale services, including a beautiful spa.
Medium price range:
- Napa Plaza Hotel – a comfortable hotel with a good location and reasonable prices, close to the beach and nightlife.
- Nissi Beach Resort – a cozy resort with modern design and good location, ideal for families.
- Pavlo Napa Beach Hotel – a mid-priced hotel with good facilities and an excellent location, including proximity to the beach.
Inexpensive hotels:
- Green Bungalows Hotel Apartments – a budget hotel with basic amenities and friendly staff, ideal for budget travelers.
- Christabelle Hotel Apartments – an economical hotel with simple and clean rooms, good for short stays.
6. Protaras – Ideal Place for a Beach Vacation 🏖
🏖️ Family paradise: A short drive from Ayia Napa is another area of Cyprus – Protaras and Fig Tree Bay. I believe this is the best place for a vacation in Cyprus for families with children.
💑 Romantic getaway: For couples, Protaras, also known as Fig Tree Bay – because of the many fig trees, is also a great place as there is plenty to do. In the evening you can enjoy a few drinks in the many cozy restaurants, bars and pubs.
🌴 Main drag: Protaras has a main street where tourists often stroll, choose a restaurant for the evening, go to souvenir stores, but of course, the main attraction of the city is the beautiful sandy beach.
🏄♂️ Hidden gem: Not far from Protaras (and very close to Ayia Napa) is the beautiful beach of Konnos, definitely worth a visit.
Protaras is a good choice for those who want plenty of options in a classic resort town and want a break from the hustle and bustle.
Where to Stay in Protaras? 🏩
Expensive hotels:
- Capo Bay Hotel – a luxury resort with upscale service, exquisite design and beautiful sea views.
- Constantinos The Great Beach Hotel – an elegant hotel with a unique design and high-end services, including a beautiful spa.
Medium price range:
- Vrissiana Beach Hotel – a comfortable hotel with a good location and reasonable prices, close to the beach.
- Sunrise Beach Hotel – a cozy hotel with modern design and good location, ideal for families.
- Odessa Beach Hotel – a mid-priced hotel with good amenities and an excellent location, including proximity to the beach.
Inexpensive hotels:
- Mandalena Hotel Apartments – a budget hotel with basic amenities and friendly staff, ideal for budget travelers.
- DebbieXenia Hotel Apartments – an economical hotel with simple and clean rooms, good for short stays.
Tips for Your Trip to Cyprus 📃
1. 🌞 Be careful of heat and sun exposure. Cyprus gets very hot in the summer. Drink plenty of water, wear hats and sunscreen, and avoid too much time in the midday sun to prevent heat exhaustion. Seek shade whenever possible.
2. 💼 Get travel insurance. This can protect you financially if you need medical care or need to cancel your trip unexpectedly. Make sure it covers any activities you plan to do.
3. 🌟 Respect local customs. Cyprus is a relatively conservative country. Dress and behave modestly when visiting religious sites or more rural areas. Learn some basic Greek phrases to be polite.
4. 🚘 Avoid renting a car if unfamiliar with driving on the left side of the road or Cyprus’ roads. Taxis and buses are widely available. If renting, get extra insurance.
5. 🍽 Be vigilant about food safety and hygiene. Be careful that foods have been properly cooked and that water has been boiled or is bottled. This can help you avoid digestive issues that could ruin your trip.
Best Resorts in Cyprus on a Map 🗺
FAQs about Visiting Cyprus ❔
Which is better – Southern or Northern Cyprus?
There are arguments to be made for both Northern Cyprus and Southern Cyprus. Southern Cyprus tends to be more developed in terms of infrastructure, tourism, and the economy. However, Northern Cyprus is more affordable and laid back. There are cultural and political differences as well that travelers should be aware of.
Which side of Cyprus is cheaper?
As for which side is cheaper, Northern Cyprus generally has lower prices from hotels to meals to attractions. One could stay in Northern Cyprus on a tighter budget. Keep in mind that some goods and services may be limited compared to the southern areas.
Which city is safest in Cyprus?
When it comes to safety, places like Kyrenia and Nicosia in Northern Cyprus are considered very safe, as are many of the resort towns in Southern Cyprus like Ayia Napa and Paphos. Avoid any border areas if tensions happen to escalate. Use common sense as you would when traveling anywhere unfamiliar.
How long to stay in Cyprus?
The ideal length for a trip to Cyprus can vary greatly. I’d recommend at least 5-7 days to explore your chosen area more in depth. With up to two weeks you could experience both sides of the island if you wished. Take time to immerse yourself and understand the culture versus rushing to see all the major sights in just a couple days.
Where to stay in Cyprus without a car?
For experiencing Cyprus without a rental car, base yourself in cities like Kyrenia, Paphos, Limassol or Larnaca which all have public transport options. Intercity buses and coastal ferries can help get around too. Or consider joining group tours for easier access to top attractions. Rent a car for just day trips if needed. Staying in a walkable area helps mitigate not having your own vehicle.
