Cyprus things to Do

Cyprus is also an ideal destination for hiking and trekking as it features many large unspoiled areas. Suggested Nature Trails are for Atalante, Kaledonia and Persephone in the Troodos area and Aphrodite and Adonis in the Akamas area, with other trails in the forests of Machairas and Limassol.

Cyprus also provides with good opportunities for ski holidays as many hoteliers and tour operators offer many incentives for winter time trying to expand the touristic season throughout the year. Both Platres and Kakopetria are suitably situated for the skiing season on Mount Olympus, which regularly lasts from January to mid-March, but Troodos is actually the closest resort to the skiing area featuring hotels and cafes as well. There are four ski-lifts on Mount Olympus. The Ski-Club, which is based in Troodos, has its own shelter and accepts tourists as temporary members. Ski equipment can be hired there, PO Box 22185, CY 1518, Lefkosia, Cyprus (tel: (22) 675 340, website: www.cyprusski.com).

Lots of opportunities are also offered for windsurfing, paragliding and swimming. Beaches suggested are Geroskipou, Dasoudi, Larnaca, Dassoudi Beachand Germasogeia (latter two at Limassol). South of Limassol, on the Akrotiri Peninsula (and also inside the British military base), Lady’s Mile Beach is a beautiful sandy beach stretching down a long way. Northern in the coast of Pafos, Coral Bayis a popular resort around a nice beach. On southern coast of Famagusta there are busy resorts, with golden sand beaches, that are ideal for children, like those at Fig Tree Bay and Flamingo Bay.

Ayia Napa is widely popular as an actual clubbing resort, but also attracts families to its beaches, Water world leisure centre and Go-Karts track. You can also find boat tours leaving from the harbour.

Family-oriented Protaras and Pernera resorts feature wonderful beaches, with cafes and beach bars. Rock climbing is another attraction that the area includes as well. Around Cape Gkreko, the coastline becomes indented with rocky coves and small sandy beaches, ideal for snorkelling and scuba-diving (both for experienced practitioners), explorations by boat and picnics. The Potamos Creek fishing harbour shows a beautiful picture of multi-coloured fishing boats. Inland, the small town of Paralimni provides entertainment in its restaurants, dance clubs and cafes. The Cyprus Federation of Underwater Activities, PO Box 21503, 1510 Nicosia (tel: (22) 754 647) and Cydive (tel: (26) 934 271; website: www.cydive.com) can provide information on diving facilities.

Practise fishing; Note that a licence needs to obtained from the Department of Fisheries, Aiolou 13, CY, Nicosia (tel: (22) 807 861). Licences cost C£3 for each reservoir or C£10 for all reservoirs. Those who do not fish can still taste freshly caught fish in one of the tavernas around the harbour at the fishing port and resort of Latchi.

In the wine festival in September you have a marvellous opportunity to taste all the local wines! During the pre-Lenten Carnival, Limassol also hosts a celebration, with bands, brightly decorated floats and dancing. West of Limassol, at Fassouri, are extensive citrus orchards and the Water Mania leisure park.

Southeast of Paphos, try some Greek Delight (like Turkish Delight) at Geroskipou village, which also has a small Folk Museum.

In Prodromos, the highest village on Cyprus, 1530m above sea level, you can try the best apples, whereas in Pedoulas in the lush Marathasa Valley which is well-known in spring for cherry flourish, and other fruits, you can taste the juiciest cherries. Kalopanagiotis also has orchards. Moutoullas, a source of mineral water bottled and sold locally, also exports water to the Middle East. Agros produces rose water, mineral water and wine. The Commandaria Region, midway down the southern slopes, where the grapes for the Commandaria sweet red dessert wine are grown, has attractive villages like Zoopigi, where almond and walnut trees grow.

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