South Cyprus: a charming holiday destination - customer relationship from a dream trip.
Cyprus is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean. It delights with colors, great cuisine, breathtaking views and diversity. It is one of the most beautiful places we have visited so far.
Information og yellow lne
First, some general information. Cyprus is divided into two zones of influence. The southern part is occupied by the Republic of Cyprus, the northern part by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia, which, like the island itself and as the only capital in the world, is divided - with the northern (Turkish) and southern (Greek) part, separated by a green line running through the central part of Nicosia. The currencies in Cyprus are the euro (in the southern part) and the Turkish lira (in the northern part).
An excellent destination for a fall holiday
Every year, my husband and I decide to have a late vacation. And so we started the holiday in the last week of October. We didn't book holidays before because we always try to hunt for attractive last minute offers. When choosing the offer of travel agencies, we were guided by several key categories: certain weather with high temperatures, security, a short flight, without a passport and a good price. At the beginning we wanted to go to Spain or Greece. Unfortunately, the weather was not so good at this time of year. Floods in Majorca, heavy rain in Crete ... It was Tuesday evening and we had to fly out on Thursday at the latest to take advantage of the holiday. While browsing the Internet, we came across a SunCenter travel agency. Resigned, we called. It was hard after 10pm. And suddenly a surprise - we heard an energetic and nice voice in the handset, willing to help in choosing an offer. We presented our expectations and budget. The travel agency's offer was immediate: South Cyprus. Ultimately, the choice was Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Beach Hotel & Spa in Paphos. Four star, with high marks for booking.com . We chose to stay for 15 days with the all inclusive option. To our disbelief (and satisfaction :)) the price per person was well below 3 thousand. So we started packing suitcases.
About the hotel
The flight lasted less than 3.5 hours. At the airport in Paphos a resident picked us up and after about 20 minutes by bus we were at our hotel. A friendly hotel staff greeted us, handing out champagne to start the idyllic stay. We were delighted. We rate Hotel Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris very highly. It is a very modern, well-kept and spacious facility. Intended only for adults. We like children, but we are not parents. We have nothing against hordes of kids running back and forth in hotel corridors. But ... but this peace and quiet prevailing in the building were beyond words. Pure relaxation. That is why we sincerely recommend hotels exclusively for adults, especially for those who really need rest. Returning to the hotel ... Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris has a manicured palm garden, which has a swimming pool with Jacuzzi, swim-up bar and sun terrace. The hotel also has a disco, shops, a spa area with an indoor pool and a small but well-equipped gym that we used whenever we felt like it.
The hotel serves delicious cuisine in which everyone will find something for themselves. There are three restaurants on site: European, Greek and Asian. The food was very tasty and varied, various alcohols. The whole was complemented by great service - always smiling, willing to talk and very helpful.
Hotel Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris is located directly on the sandy beach with sunbeds and umbrellas available for hotel guests and a small pier. Along the beach stretches an elegant promenade that leads to the center of Paphos. In the evenings we went to the entertainment center of the city, walking along the promenade in the sound of the waves, along elegant hotel facilities with open gardens and restaurants.
Hotel surroundings
The hotel is located in an elegant and well-kept area. Nearby there is a scooter, quad and buggy rental (TT Motorcycle Rentals & Tours Paphos - prices there are disproportionately high!), Supermarket (Alithon), pharmacy (hassle-free communication in English), bus stop and numerous bars and restaurants. From the "city side" of the hotel there is also a promenade leading to the center of Paphos. In most cases, however, we chose the promenade right on the beach.
In November, we also found an amusement park a 10-minute walk away. It is worth noting that the hotel Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris is one of many exclusive hotels located in this part of Paphos. Importantly, the hotels are not separated from each other by any fences, even the gardens of individual facilities create a common green belt that can be admired during coastal walks. The magic of Paphos was also added by numerous wedding ceremonies, often organized on the beach or in hotel gardens.
Weather in October and November
The weather in South Cyprus in October and November pampers. The weather is stable, the air temperature is around 30 degrees, the water temperature is around 24 degrees. October and November are fully sunny months in Cyprus, mostly without rainfall. We came across the heat, full sun and zero rain.
What is worth seeing in Southern Cyprus?
Before departure, we read a lot about the main attractions of Cyprus and places worth visiting. Based on the opinions of other tourists, we made our own list of places that we planned to see. During our two-week stay, we can say that we met this country together with its culture, cuisine and wonderful inhabitants. We have selected the 10 most beautiful places in our opinion in Southern Cyprus, which captivate with their nature and allow you to explore the island in all its glory.
1. Lara BeachThis is a must-see island destination for true nature lovers. Lara Beach is a pristine beach located in the Lara Bay Turtle Reserve on the Akamas Peninsula, less than 30 km north of Paphos.
Crystal clear water, beautiful wide fine-sand beach and great views. Lara Beach is a place where you can meet turtles and cheerfully buck goats. We spent almost the whole day on the beach, unable to enjoy the beauty of nature unspoiled by man.
The unique natural values of Lara Beach are, however, reserved for persistent ones. You won't get to the place directly by public transport. The ideal solution will be to rent a buggy, quad or car. We went to Lara Beach by Kia Picanto and it was a real feat . E701 road leads to the place, from which about 7 km before the destination you should take the "offroad route". And here the fun begins. The road is sandy, winding and bumpy. We had to be careful not to lose the chassis. Before renting a car, we were offered additional insurance against events such as a broken oil pan - now we know whyAfter covering just a 5-kilometer section in less than an hour, we finally arrived. Group quad safaris or buggies are also organized on Lara Beach. However, we recommend going there on your own, with a backpack full of food (you won't find any restaurant or store in the area). In our opinion, Lara Beach is the number one place during your stay in South Cyprus.
2. Avakas CanyonOn your way to Lara Beach, it's worth stopping to explore the famous Avakas Gorge, which is over 30 m high, built of limestone rocks. Avakas Canyon is one of the most beautiful attractions in Cyprus. Autumn is a good time to explore the canyon, because it is not too hot then. The walking trail stretches 3 km along the stream and leads through slippery stones, rocks, hills and streams. Along the way, you can admire beautiful rock formations and lush vegetation with a predominance of cypresses, junipers and fig trees. If you keep quiet, you'll have a chance to meet canyon animals - many species of birds, reptiles of considerable size, foxes, hares, bats and mouflons. Be careful when traveling because of the risk of falling boulders and rock chippings.
3. Akamas PeninsulaIf you like mountain hiking and contact with nature, be sure to go to the Akamas Peninsula, which is described as the most beautiful corner of Cyprus. The peninsula is located in the northwest of Cyprus, about 50 km north of Paphos. The hiking trails on the peninsula are well marked and have their origin near the Baths of Aphrodite, which you can visit by the way. Aphrodite's baths are located in the botanical garden and constitute a small lake surrounded by a rock cave with lush greenery.
The Akamas Peninsula is distinguished by a diverse fauna and flora. There are various species of trees and shrubs here, and you will be accompanied by ubiquitous goats. On the trails there are places to rest with benches, from which there are amazing views of the peninsula and lagoons. One of the most beautiful lagoons is the Blue Lagoon with crystal blue water. We admired the Blue Lagoon from the cliff, following a trail with a total length of about 7 km. The longest walking trail is about 12 km both ways.
To get to know the Cypriot culture and learn more about the history of the island, it is worth going to the surrounding villages. Cypriot villages are famous for their picturesqueness. Beautifully carved balconies drowning in flowers, colorful doors and shutters, well-tended limestone buildings naturally integrated into the landscape and cheerful, unhurried residents. Walking through the narrow, charming streets we had the irresistible impression that time stopped there. In addition, sleepy cats kept us company at every turn.
One of the first villages we visited was Lefkara located in the district of Larnaca. The village, divided into two parts, the upper (Pano) and lower (Plato), is famous for the production of silver jewelry and lace traditions, which are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. According to legend, Leonardo da Vinci himself bought a lace tablecloth in Lefkara, which adorned the altar in the Milan cathedral. Strolling through the village, you can see the work of embroidery machines, and in the surrounding shops - admire a wide range of intricately made lace.
The next village to stay in is Omodos. Located at the foot of the Troodos Mountains, the village of wine and lace makers with nearly 300 inhabitants attracts tourists with the historic Orthodox monastery of the Holy Cross built in the 4th century. During our stay in Omodos, we came across an Orthodox mass, during which the prayer songs of monks spread throughout the village, giving us shivers. We remembered this place as extremely mystical.
In the monastery, in buildings formerly inhabited by monks, there is a museum commemorating the times of the struggle for independence. Exhibits and memorabilia are displayed there describing the moving stories of the inhabitants of Omodos during the bloody struggles for independence.
Another attraction that attracts tourists to Omodos is the over 500-year-old pavement decorating the center of the village.
Near the Troodos Mountains there is another magical place - the tiny village of Lania, whose history is associated with the cult of the god of wine. Lania is famous for producing the one of its kind wine called commandaria. It is a sweet dessert wine made from the fruit of two vine varieties from local vineyards. Being in Lania it is worth visiting the wine museum and going to the heart of the village, which is a small, well-maintained Greek Orthodox church.
5. Troodos Mountains and Millomeris WaterfallThe Troodos mountain range is located in the mid-west of the island, and its highest peak is Olimbos. Wandering on the gentle ridges of Troodos is a good way for active relaxation surrounded by beautiful pine forests and waterfalls. The starting point for the Troodos mountains is the village of Platres, near which is the largest waterfall in Cyprus called Millomeris, measuring 10 m in height. A pleasant 1 km long hiking trail leads to the waterfall. An interesting trail is also the trail leading along sacred objects, among which the most famous is the Kykkos monastery from the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries. The monastery houses a museum where you can admire the monuments of Orthodox and early Christian sacred art.
6. Salt lake in Larnaca and the Hala Sultan Tekke mosqueLarnaca, a city located in the southeastern part of the island, was another point of our visit to Southern Cyprus. It is worth going to Larnaca for one main reason - for the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque located on a picturesque salt lake. In November, the lake was dry, so we could experience the unusual walk along the creaking salty bottom under our feet. Hala Sultan Tekke is an Islamic complex consisting of a mosque, minaret, mausoleum and residential plots. According to legend, the building was built at the burial place of Umm Haram, aunt of Prophet Muhammad. For this reason, the mosque has been a pilgrimage destination for Islam for centuries. Admission to the sanctuary is free. Before entering the temple, however, be sure to properly cover (available on site) and remove footwear.
Petra tu Romiu is an attraction crowded with tourists. It is considered the birthplace of the sea foam of the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite. This is an impressive rock formation located on the southern coast of the island, only 20 minutes drive from Paphos. An underground passage with an entrance next to the roadside tourist pavilion leads to the attractions.
Due to the birthplace of Aphrodite, Cyprus is sometimes referred to as the island of love. According to legend, sailing around the rock of Aphrodite with a loved one by the moonlight ensures eternal love and youth. For those who have not yet met their other half, the divination of love is to find a heart-shaped pebble on the beach. The rocky white beach was more impressive than the rock itself, but crowds of tourists did not let us enjoy the magic of this place.
Cyprus is famous for its historic complexes rich in numerous archaeological sites. One of them is Kurion located in the southern part of Cyprus, near the town of Episkopi. The archaeological complex includes the remains of the ancient city of Kourion: a nymphaeum, agora, theater, Roman baths, home of the gladiators, stadium and basilica. The complex is distinguished by a picturesque location on a hill, from which there is a wonderful panorama overlooking the sea. In high season, the complex is open until 17:00, and the price of an adult ticket is around 4 EUR. Kourion is worth visiting on the way from Paphos to Limassol.
9. LimassolLimassol is the second largest city of Cyprus, located in the southern part of the island and located about 70 km from Paphos. It is an important port city and trading basin of Cyprus. In our opinion, the special attractions of Limassol are the centrally located castle with a medieval museum, wineries, marina and modern city gardens along the shoreline. Being in Limassol it is worth taking a walk along the wide seaside promenade with nicely developed green belts. Limassol is a city where life is vibrant. It is full of attractions, with an interestingly developed space.
10. Sea cavesThe west coast of Cyprus is decorated with charming sea caves, known as sea caves or blue caves, which give the landscape austerity in this part of the island. The magnificent sea caves can be admired near the popular Coral Bay. It is worth stopping at one of the nearby taverns especially in the evening to be able to admire the caves illuminated by the rays of the setting sun.
Practical Indicating pencils
When going to South Cyprus, remember that there is left-hand traffic there. In particular, tourists should follow the traffic rules, because rented cars stand out from the cars of local residents with a red license plate. The island's road infrastructure is well developed, motorway exits are well marked.
Cyprus is remembered as a magical, colorful island on which time flows more slowly. Here you can calm down and delve into the reflections on the beauty of the surrounding nature.
