I went for 5 days to beautiful Cyprus on a solo trip
I rented a car with Alamo (very cheap in low season, 60 euro for 5 days including basic insurance) and went all around the island
The country is full of history and has experienced countless conflicts due to its strategic location; mostly Greek, partially occupied by Turkey after 1974 and separated by a UN border, it has even two British bases in Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Main places visited:
a) Larnaca
b) Protaras
c) Famagusta
d) Kyrenia
e) Nicosia
f) Mount Olimpo & Kykkos Monastery
g) Avakas gorge
h) Paphos
i) Limassol
a) Larnaca:
Even if I briefly visited Larnaca Salt Lake which has flamingos some part of the year and Finikoudes beach, I would not stay much in Larnaca as other parts of the island I liked much more
b) Protaras:
One of the most beautiful coastal areas in Cyprus
Before reaching Protaras I made a few stops
Nissi beach:
Ayia Napa (harbour, beach & love bridge):
However, Protaras was the area that I enjoyed the most, thanks to Christopher and Adele (parents of Cypriot friend Deemetris who hosted me for two days and treated my like their son)
Most beautiful beaches in Cyprus are probably in Protaras, as I will show in next three examples (march is still low season but summer gets packed!)
Maad beach:
Sunrise beach (more touristic):
Konnos beach:
c) Famagusta:
Famagusta is already in the occupied part of Cyprus (Eastern side)
Crossing by car requires paying 20 euro at the border for insurance
Right in the border you can find Varosha beach, a touristic paradise in the 70's which is now an abandoned city occupied by Turkish forces (reading about this is very interesting)
Once in Famagusta you can find several Christian ruins and old cathedrals which are either destroyed or converted into mosques inside
You will find also new mosques, some of them beautiful
I visited Salamis Ruins as well, an ancient Greek style archaeological site from up to 11th century
d) Kyrenia:
Probably the nicest area in occupied Cyprus
I went to Kyrenia all the way from the North coast, and I found beautiful sights on my way
I even saw an abandoned van that reminded me of the movie "Into the Wild"
Kyrenia area, as I said, is probably the prettiest part in the north
Its harbour and castle are nice to visit
Also nearby I visited Bellepais Abbey, a beautiful town with ruins of a 13th century monastery
And Saint Hilarion Castle, which was initially a 10th century monastery
e) Nicosia:
One of the most weird cities I have ever visited, but charming as well
Nicosia is splitted by a northen occupied area, a UN border with armed forces and broken down buildings, and the Southern Greek part
In the occupied Nicosia, you can see churches without cross turned into mosques inside, and you can enjoy Turkish/arab cuisine
The UN buffer zone as I say, looks broken down and very sad
The separation between North Nicosia and South Nicosia has military forces at both sides, and look like this from the Greek side
Nice spots and more European buildings are appreciated, evern there is still room for plenty of restaurants and terraces right next to this separation
f) Mount Olimpo & Kykkos Monastery:
I visited the mountains with the parents of my friend (his father grew up in the current occupied area, showed me his town Morphou and told me amazing stories to hear from a local)
Good to know, in winter season you can practise winter sports in Mount Olimpo, Troddos area, less than 1h far from the beach
Kykkos Monastery, founded in 11th century, is one of the weathiest in Cyprus, with an impressive collection
Nearby we visited Throni, where Makarios' statue and tomb are located (first President of Cyprus and considered Father of the Nation)
The area is beautiful surroeunded by nature, however I do not like the amount of wealth the country keeps throwing at this symbolic site (i.e. lots of marble)
g) Avakas gorge
North from Paphos I enjoyed an hour return trek througha beautiful gorge (free entrance)
The coastal area where this gorge starts is very pretty as well
h) Paphos:
Ancient capital of Cyprus, Paphos offers a great archaeological park with some well maintained mosacis
Pahos' harbour is charming and has a cute small castle at the end of it, right next to the archaelogical park
i) Limassol:
Going towards Limassol I stopped by Aphrodite's rock or Petra Tou Romiou
You can go up that rock in the middle of the sea for great viewsxx
Also almost reaching Limassol I stopped by another archaeological site: Kourion theatre
Once in Limassol, and before departing, I enjoyed lunch and a relaxing walk through its fancy marina
I had a great time in Cyprus, I am glad I went in low season as it was not as badly crowded as it apparently gets in the summer, and I 100% recommend visiting this country no matter the time
I am especially grateful to Demetris's parents for their amazing hospitality, and also to people who hosted me in Famagusta and Limassol
