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Birthplace of Aphrodite and crossroads between three continents, Cyprus has seduced and inspired generations of travellers for hundreds of years. And it continues to do so today. The promise of Cyprus is one of dazzling beaches, shimmering blue seas, endless summers and tables groaning under heaped platters of mezé and bottles of sweet chilled wine.
Venture beyond the resorts, with their karaoke bars and restaurants knocking out fish and chips, pizza and, more recently, Russian stroganoff, and it’s not hard to find another Cyprus. Traces of the exotic and Levantine are never far away, from ruined Lusignan and Venetian castles and elegant Islamic minarets to cool mountain villages hiding sacred icons from the very first days of Christianity.
The Rough Guide Cyprus is the definitive guide to this intriguing Mediterranean island.
Cyprus Top 10
1. North Coast Beaches
2. Wine Tasting
3. Bellapais
4. Easter
5. Girne Kyrenia
6. Turtle-Watching
7. Lemesos Restaurants
8. Büyük Han
9. Painted Churches of the Troodos Mountains
10. The Akamas Peninsula
- Follow a wine-tasting route through the Troodos foothills
- Admire the perfectly preserved mosaics in the excavated Roman villas of Pafos
- Feast on fresh seafood in Girne's mountain-backed medieval harbour
With stunning photography to inspire you and in-depth coverage to guide you, this guide will ensure you make the most of your time in Cyprus, whether you want to immerse yourself in culture with stunning Byzantine churches, Roman temples and Ottoman mosques, hike the Troodos Massif, or simply dig you toes into the sand on one of the island's beautiful beaches.
Crystal clear maps help you explore both the north and south sides of the island, with full information on Green Line crossing points, while our unrivalled contextual background gives you an insight into Cypriot history. Insider reviews reveal the best places to eat, drink and sleep with something for every budget, whether you plan to embrace the agritourism drive and stay in a converted farmhouse, dine out in Lemesos' new marina, or sip your way along one of the island's wine routes.
Cyprus offers the traveller not only a welcome whose warmth is legendary, but both hedonistic pleasure and cultural diversity out of all proportion to its size.
Make the most of your trip with The Rough Guide to Cyprus.