Cyprus travel guide: Paphos, the coast and the Troodos mountains
Cyprus is a warm Mediterranean island with long beaches, ancient ruins, wine villages and a pine-covered mountain range in the middle. It suits a sunny city break with a few days of exploring. The one thing to know is that there is no railway and that traffic drives on the left, so plan your moves around buses, taxis or a hire car.
The short answer
- First trip
- Base yourself in Paphos for four or five days, with a day in the Troodos mountains and a day on the Akamas coast.
- How long
- A long weekend covers Paphos alone. A week lets you add the mountains, Limassol and Larnaca.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October for warm sea and comfortable walking. July and August are hot.
- Getting around
- No trains. Buses link the main towns, taxis are common, and a hire car makes the villages and coast simple. Drive on the left.
- Money
- The euro. Cards are widely taken in hotels, shops and restaurants, with some cash useful in villages.
- Book ahead
- Hire cars in summer, boat trips and rooms in peak season.
Best places to visit in Cyprus
Paphos
A harbor town on the west coast with World Heritage ruins, mosaics, beaches and an old town behind the waterfront. It suits couples, families and anyone who wants sun with some history.
Give it 3 to 5 days
Beyond Paphos
The Troodos mountains
Cool pine forest, walking trails, wine villages and painted Byzantine churches in the middle of the island. A hire car or a guided day trip from Paphos is the easiest way in, and the drive takes about one to two hours.
The Akamas peninsula
Wild coast and rough tracks in the north-west, with walking paths and boat trips along the shore. It is about an hour from Paphos, and a car helps.
Limassol
The island's second city, with a long seafront, a castle, an old town and a busy restaurant scene. Buses from Paphos take about an hour and a half.
Larnaca
A relaxed seaside town beside the main international airport, with a promenade, a salt lake and old churches. A good first or last night.
Nicosia
The inland capital, with an old walled center and museums. It suits a day trip from Larnaca or Limassol rather than a base.
Cyprus itineraries
- Four days: Paphos and the coast
Stay in Paphos for four nights. Spend one day on the ruins and old town, one on the beach, one on a boat trip or the Akamas coast, and keep one for rest.
- Seven days: Paphos, Troodos and Limassol
Three nights in Paphos, a night in a mountain village, then three in Limassol. Hire a car for the mountain leg and return it in Limassol or at the airport.
- Ten days: west to east
Four nights in Paphos with a day in Akamas, two in the Troodos mountains, three in Limassol and a final night in Larnaca near the airport. Buses link the towns, but a hire car makes the middle stretch much easier.
Best time to visit Cyprus
April to June and September to October are the sweet spots. The sea is warm enough to swim, days are sunny and walking is comfortable. Spring brings wildflowers in the hills.
July and August are hot and busy, best spent near the sea. Winter is mild on the coast but wetter, and the Troodos can be cold. Many beach businesses are quieter from November to March.
How to get around Cyprus
- BusesIntercity buses link the main towns, for example Paphos to Limassol, and local buses run within each district. Services thin out in the evening and on Sundays, and there is no direct bus between Paphos and Larnaca, so you change in Limassol. Check timetables on the Cyprus by Bus site.
- Hire carsThe best way to reach villages, mountains and beaches. Traffic drives on the left, as in the UK. Book early for summer.
- Taxis and transfersAirport and intercity taxis and shared airport coaches are common. Agree the fare or check the meter before you set off.
- TrainsThere is no railway on the island, so there is no rail pass to buy.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Cyprus. Each city guide has its own list.
- Hire car2 to 4 weeks ahead
Summer cars sell out, and automatics cost more.
- Boat trips on the Akamas coasta few days ahead
Sailings run in the warmer months and fill in July and August.
- Rooms in peak season1 to 3 months ahead
Paphos and Limassol are busy from late June to early September.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro. Cyprus is in the EU and the euro area.
- Cards and cashCards are widely taken in hotels, shops, restaurants and petrol stations. Carry some cash for villages, small cafes and taxis.
- TippingMany restaurants add a service charge. If they do not, rounding up or leaving about 10 percent is usual.
- Tourist taxesWe found no general city tax charged to visitors, but hotels and rental sites set their own terms. Check what your booking says.
- EntryCyprus is in the EU but not in the Schengen area, so it runs its own border checks: check the Cyprus government's official site for your passport before you book.
- PlugsType G sockets at 230 volts, as in the UK. Most continental plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Cyprus
- Relying on buses for villages and beaches
Services are sparse outside the towns. Hire a car for those days or join a guided trip.
- Midday sun in July and August
Plan sightseeing for the morning and early evening, and keep the middle of the day for the sea or the shade.
- Trying to see the whole island in a week
Distances are small but roads are slow. Choose the west or add one other region.
Cyprus: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Cyprus?
Four or five days covers Paphos and the west. A week lets you add the Troodos mountains and Limassol, and ten days gives time for Larnaca and Nicosia as well.
What are the best places to visit in Cyprus?
Paphos for ruins and beaches, the Troodos mountains for villages and trails, the Akamas peninsula for wild coast, and Limassol and Larnaca for city life.
Is Cyprus easy to get around without a car?
In and between the main towns, yes, by bus or taxi. For villages, mountains and remote beaches a hire car or a tour is much easier.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Cyprus?
The left, as in the UK. Take the first hour slowly if you are used to driving on the right.
What is the best time to visit Cyprus?
April to June and September to October for warm sea and comfortable days. July and August are hot and busy.
Does Cyprus use the euro?
Yes. Cards are widely accepted, and a little cash is useful in villages and for taxis.
Is there a train in Cyprus?
No. The island has no railway, so you travel by bus, taxi or hire car.