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Elysium, Cyprus

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Cyprus

Updated 1 October 2026 · 17 things to do

Pictured: Elysium

Cyprus is the Mediterranean in layers. Sandy beaches and warm, clear water on the coast; Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian ruins just inland; pine-scented mountains with painted chapels and wine villages above the heat. And all of it's so compact that you can do a bit of everything.

Most people base themselves on the coast, in Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca or around Ayia Napa, and discover the rest by hire car. The island drives on the left, signs are in English as well as Greek, and distances are short.

Don't miss

  1. 1Paphos Archaeological Park
  2. 2Petra tou Romiou
  3. 3Cape Greco
  4. 4Troodos Mountains
  5. 5Nissi Beach

Ancient Cyprus

Some of the best-preserved Roman mosaics in the Mediterranean, and a coastline thick with legend.

  1. Paphos Archaeological Park

    Landmark

    The mosaic floor of the House of Theseus in Paphos Archaeological Park
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The UNESCO-listed ruins of Nea Paphos, once the island's Roman capital, sit right by the harbour. The stars are the floor mosaics of grand Roman villas, vivid with gods, heroes and hunting scenes, which have survived for nearly two thousand years. Allow a couple of hours and bring a hat.

    Tip: There is little shade. Go in the morning, and take water.

  2. Tombs of the Kings

    Landmark

    Rock-cut tombs at the Tombs of the Kings necropolis in Paphos
    Photo: Nikodem Nijaki, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A little way up the coast from Paphos harbour, a necropolis of underground tombs carved straight into the rock, some with columns and courtyards. No kings were buried here, but the grandeur of the tombs earned the name. It's atmospheric, with the sea glinting beyond the stone.

  3. Kourion

    Landmark

    The ancient site of Kourion on the Cypriot coast
    Photo: Salwa Farwaneh Dameh, CC0

    Perched on a cliff west of Limassol, this ancient city has Roman mosaics, a bathhouse and a well-preserved Greco-Roman theatre overlooking the sea. It's one of the finest archaeological sites on the island, and the setting is superb.

  4. Petra tou Romiou

    Nature

    Petra tou Romiou, Aphrodite's Rock, at dawn
    Photo: This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov. Please credit this with : Photo : Anton Z, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Aphrodite's Rock: a cluster of sea stacks and a pebbly beach on the south-west coast, said in legend to be where the goddess of love rose from the foam. Whatever the truth, the setting is dramatic, especially at sunset, and tradition says that swimming around the rock brings good luck.

Beaches and coast

  1. Nissi Beach

    Beach

    The white sand and clear water of Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa
    Photo: Héctor Ochoa "Robot8A", CC BY-SA 4.0

    Ayia Napa's best-known beach is a stretch of fine white sand with shallow, clear water, with a small islet that you can wade out to. It has loungers, water sports and beach bars, and in summer it's lively all day.

    Tip: Come early for sunbeds in high season.

  2. Fig Tree Bay

    Beach

    The sandy curve of Fig Tree Bay in Protaras
    Photo: Gerda Arendt, CC0

    In Protaras, a sheltered, golden-sand bay with calm, shallow water, an easy choice for families. A promenade runs behind it, lined with cafés, shops and tavernas.

  3. Cape Greco

    Nature

    Sea caves in the cliffs of Cape Greco National Park
    Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A national park at the island's south-eastern tip, with rugged limestone cliffs, sea caves, coves with startlingly clear water and and walking trails along the clifftops. It's a great place for a walk, a swim or a boat trip along the coast.

    Tip: Take shoes you can scramble in, and watch your footing near the cliff edges.

  4. Blue Lagoon, Akamas

    Nature

    The Blue Lagoon on the Akamas peninsula
    Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0

    On the wild Akamas peninsula in the north-west, the Blue Lagoon is a sheltered bay of astonishingly clear turquoise water, reached by boat trip from Latchi or on foot along coastal trails. Bring a mask and snorkel.

Towns and lakes

  1. Limassol old town

    Neighbourhood

    Limassol is Cyprus's liveliest city, with a seafront promenade, a smart marina and a revived old town of stone buildings, cafés and craft shops around the medieval castle. Come for a wander, a coffee and an unhurried dinner.

  2. Larnaca Salt Lake

    Nature

    Larnaca Salt Lake
    Photo: Qasinka, CC0

    Close to Larnaca airport, a shallow salt lake where flocks of flamingos and other wading birds spend the winter. The mosque of Hala Sultan Tekke stands among palm trees on its far shore, an important Muslim pilgrimage site and a peaceful place to visit.

  3. Nicosia old town

    Neighbourhood

    The capital is surrounded by Venetian walls and split by a UN-patrolled buffer zone that runs through the middle of the old town. Walk along Ledra Street to see the checkpoint, then lose yourself in the lanes of craft shops, museums and cafés.

Into the mountains

  1. Troodos Mountains

    Nature

    The forested Troodos Mountains seen from Mount Tripylos
    Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Pine forests, winding roads, cool air and stone villages fill the heart of the island, with Mount Olympus as its high point. In summer it's a welcome break from the coastal heat, and in winter there's occasional snow on the peaks.

  2. The painted churches

    Landmark

    The Church of Archangel Michael in Pedoulas, one of the painted churches of Troodos
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Scattered across the Troodos are small, modest-looking churches whose interiors are covered in Byzantine frescoes. Ten of them are UNESCO-listed, and you can visit several in a day by car, with views of green valleys in between.

  3. Omodos

    Neighbourhood

    A pretty wine village of cobbled lanes, whitewashed houses and wine shops around the Monastery of the Holy Cross. It's a good lunch stop and a good place to taste the local drop.

Eat and drink

  1. Cypriot meze

    Food

    The best way to eat in Cyprus is to order a meze: a parade of small dishes that keeps arriving. Expect dips, salads, grilled halloumi, souvlaki, sausages, stuffed vine leaves and fish, until you cry mercy. Bring friends and an appetite.

  2. Halloumi

    Food

    Grilled halloumi cheese
    Photo: Hmioannou, CC BY 3.0

    The salty, squeaky cheese that conquered British supermarkets began here. In Cyprus you'll eat it grilled, fried, in sandwiches, with watermelon in summer and baked in pastries. Nothing back home tastes quite the same.

  3. Commandaria

    Food

    A sweet, amber dessert wine made in the foothills of the Troodos, with a history stretching back many centuries. Sip it after dinner, or buy a bottle in a wine village to take home.

Where to stay in Cyprus

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Cyprus →

Getting around

Hire a car if you want to see more than the resort you're staying in. The island drives on the left, roads are good, and the main sights are an easy drive from each other. Buses cover the main towns, and taxis and organised excursions fill the gaps.

When to go

Summers are hot and best for beach holidays. Spring and autumn are warm and ideal for sightseeing and walking, and the mountains are cool even in summer. Winters are mild on the coast.

Questions about visiting Cyprus

What is Cyprus best known for?
Warm weather and beaches, Roman mosaics at Paphos, Aphrodite's Rock, the Troodos mountains, halloumi and meze.
What is there to do in Cyprus with kids?
Shallow, sandy beaches such as Nissi Beach and Fig Tree Bay, boat trips, water parks and mountain villages make it a good family destination.
Which part of Cyprus is best for sightseeing?
Paphos has the Roman mosaics and Tombs of the Kings, Limassol is close to Kourion and the Troodos foothills, and Larnaca and Ayia Napa are well placed for the east.
How many days do you need in Cyprus?
A week works well for a beach holiday with a few day trips. Ten days lets you see the whole island at an easy pace.
Do you need a car in Cyprus?
Not for a beach stay, but a hire car is the best way to reach the mountains, ancient sites and quieter beaches.

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