Holidays in Cyprus? - interesting destination in the Mediterranean

How about a holiday in Cyprus? Cyprus is an increasingly popular holiday destination. I (Helena) visited the island just over 15 years ago, and it was a mixed experience. On the other hand, it was not so strange given the conditions! Today, I'm telling you about my different trip, and thinking further about Cyprus as a holiday destination.

Holidays in Cyprus - more popular

When we recently wrote about the results of the Travel Barometer 2019 we found that many countries are experiencing a decline in visitor numbers, but that Cyprus is one of the countries that is growing in popularity. This got us thinking about Cyprus as a travel destination.

In the Eastern Mediterranean

Cyprus is an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean, and its capital is Nicosia. The island is the third largest in the Mediterranean and is geographically part of Asia, but politically mostly part of Europe.

Humans in Cyprus for at least 11,000 years

People have lived in Cyprus since ancient times, and it is known that the island was inhabited as early as 9000 BC. Cyprus is home to some of the oldest water wells in the world. There are also two historic sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the well-preserved Neolithic village of Choirokoitia and the royal tomb of Pafos.

The Cyprus collection in Stockholm

Last autumn, when we visited The Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm we got to see what is the world's largest The Cyprus collection outside Cyprus. In 1927, four Swedish archaeologists travelled to Cyprus and returned with 12,000 Cypriot objects. So you can see a lot of ancient Cyprus in Stockholm!

Many different major powers

Strategically located in the Mediterranean, Cyprus has been ruled by many different powers, including Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Venetians, Ottomans and Greeks. When the island was placed under British rule in 1878, there were both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot villages on the island. In 1960, Cyprus gained independence and the 1974 Cyprus crisis saw the division of the island into a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot section.

My holiday in Cyprus in 2003

I (Helena) booked a holiday in Cyprus in 2003, about a year before Peter and I first met. At this time I had another boyfriend, and he was working as an entertainer in a charter hotel in Cyprus. We hadn't seen each other for ages and the relationship was slowly but surely going down the drain. For some reason, I got the idea that breaking up on the phone is bad, so I simply booked a trip to Cyprus... to break up.

Breaking up during a holiday in Cyprus

The arrangement hardly made for a perfect holiday, which of course affects my image of Cyprus. I moved into a big white house together with a Swedish music group, who worked at the nearest charter hotel. Then it was time to break up ...

The boyfriend was upset, but it passed quickly and it soon became clear that he probably really had feelings for one of his female dance colleagues. Funnily enough, we all recovered quite quickly and the three of us (me, the ex-boyfriend and the prospective new girlfriend) managed to do an unexpectedly painless and enjoyable sightseeing tour of the area. I was mostly alone during the day anyway, as the musical group was working on their shows.

Holidays in Cyprus - on your own

I spent my days in Cyprus sunbathing and swimming, reading books and hanging out alone on outdoor terraces. I remember the heat was sweltering and the water was crystal clear and beautiful.

The food, however, did not impress, and in my loneliness I enjoyed the fact that it was impossible to order a single dish without chips and mayonnaise. I tried everything from sandwiches and omelettes to fish with rice, but even the "fish with rice" dish was also served with chips and mayonnaise, just in case.

Rethinking a destination

The conditions during my trip to Cyprus were as wrong as they could be, but I would definitely reconsider Cyprus as a holiday destination. This Mediterranean island is of course suitable for sun, swimming and boat trips, and I would also like to see more of the ancient culture on the island. There are also opportunities for hiking, cycling or perhaps visiting vineyards.

Want to read more about Cyprus?

UPDATE: Since writing this article, we have made another exciting trip to Cyprus. Below you will find lots of reading.

What are your top tips for holidays in Cyprus?

Have you been on holiday in Cyprus, or are you curious about travelling there? If so, what are your top tips?

Facts about Cyprus

• Capital city: Nicosia
• Residents: 1 170 000 (2016)
• Statehood: Republic
• Independence: From the UK, 16 August 1960
• Language: Greek and Turkish (some also speak English)
• Currency: Euro
• Time difference: + 1 hour
• National Day: 1 October (Greek Cypriot)
• Price mode: Cheaper than Sweden

Travelling to Cyprus

• Flight: You can fly to Cyprus regularly throughout the year, with several different airlines. Airports include Larnaca. Direct charter flights are available during the summer months and take just over four hours. From 1 May TUI carbon offsets your trip - here you can read more about TUI trips to Cyprus.

Temperatures in Cyprus

• Spring: 19-27 degrees during the day (8-15 degrees at night)
• Summer: 30-33 degrees during the day (18-21 degrees at night)
• Autumn: 22-31 degrees during the day (12-19 degrees at night)
• Winter: 16-19 degrees during the day (7-9 degrees at night)