Cyprus is a crossroads of civilizations where Greek myths meet Crusader castles and Venetian walls. The island has been shaped by Mycenaeans, Romans, Byzantines, Lusignans, Venetians, Ottomans, and the British—each leaving monuments and flavors behind. Legend names Petra tou Romiou as the birthplace of Aphrodite; the world’s oldest named wine, Commandaria, is still made in the Troodos foothills.

Expect dazzling beaches, pine-scented mountain villages, and UNESCO-listed archaeological parks. Highlights include the seaside amphitheater at Kourion, Paphos’ Roman mosaics, Larnaca’s Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke, and the sea caves and Blue Lagoon of the Akamas Peninsula and Cape Greco. Cyprus is compact, so day trips are easy, and the food—from village meze to just-caught seafood—makes every day taste like a celebration.

Practical notes: the euro is used; driving is on the left; intercity buses are dependable; and summers are hot with mild winters. To visit the northern part of the island, bring your passport for Green Line checkpoints; if driving, purchase additional insurance at the crossing. Wildfire precautions in summer and respect for currents on unguarded beaches are advised.

Limassol

Limassol blends a lively marina and palm-lined promenade with a storybook core of medieval lanes beneath its castle—where Richard the Lionheart wed Berengaria in 1191. Nearby, the Greco-Roman city of Kourion tumbles towards the sea, while Kolossi Castle recalls Cyprus’ medieval sugar trade and the birth of Commandaria dessert wine.

Base yourself here to enjoy beaches like Dasoudi and Governor’s, stroll the café-filled Old Town, and launch into the Troodos Mountains for wine and village culture. The city’s dining scene is among the island’s most creative—perfect after a day of ruins and seaside wandering.

Where to stay (Limassol)

• Style-forward stay: Amara Hotel — contemporary rooms with sweeping sea views and standout dining.
• Great-value base: Pefkos Hotel — reliable comfort near Old Town and castle.
• Resort feel for families: Atlantica Oasis Hotel — pools and kids’ facilities close to beaches.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Limassol or apartment villas via VRBO Limassol.

Getting in

• Fly into Larnaca (LCA) or Paphos (PFO). From Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights). From outside Europe, search Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.
• Larnaca Airport → Limassol: ~1 hr 10 min by intercity bus (~€7–10). See options on Omio (buses). Taxi/private transfer is ~€55–75.

Days 1–3 | Old Town, Kourion cliffs, and the sea

• Start at Limassol Castle Museum, then spiral through Saripolou Square’s cafés to the marina and Molos promenade. Coffee ideas: Menta Specialty Coffee (brunch plates and single-origin brews) or Bean Bar on the seafront.
• Spend half a day at Kourion: the clifftop theatre, House of Eustolios mosaics, and the Basilica by the surf. En route back, stop at Kolossi Castle for Crusader lore and sugar-mill ruins.
• Dinner picks: - Karatello (classic meze beside the castle; book the courtyard). - Dionysus Mansion (garden setting, modern Cypriot plates; try slow-baked kleftiko). - Epsilon Resto Bar (marina views—seafood risotto or tuna tataki for a lighter night).
• Cap a beach day at Columbia Beach for sunset drinks and a swim platform, or Dasoudi’s pine-backed sands for a quieter vibe.

Recommended Limassol experiences

• Limassol Walking Tour: A Local Architect's Insight

  

  — Decode modern and medieval architecture with a local expert as you thread backstreets to the marina.
• Catamaran Cruise from Limassol

  

  — Swim stops in clear water and sun-drenched decks; a relaxing way to meet the Mediterranean.

Days 4–6 | Troodos villages, wine trails, and foodie day

• Dedicate a day to stone-paved villages: Omodos (cobbled square, Monastery of the Holy Cross) and Platres (cooler pines, waterfall walks). Lunch at Omodos’ To Katoi for village oven dishes.
• Another day, go deeper into wineries—sample Xynisteri whites and Maratheftiko reds, and finish with a sip of honeyed Commandaria.
• Family time: Fasouri Watermania (slides, lazy river) is a full-tilt splash day in the citrus groves west of town.

Bookable tours from Limassol

• Best of Troodos Mountains & Villages tour from Limassol

  

  — Vineyards, waterfalls, and crafts villages in one scenic loop.
• Troodos Mountains Vino Venture: All Inclusive Full Day Wine Tour

  

  — Boutique tastings with a local foodie host and a village meze lunch.

Limassol eats & sips: For brunch, Columbia Beach or The Hub Café; for seafood, Puesta Oyster Bar & Grill on the shore; for a sweet bite, loukoumades drizzled with thyme honey at a Old Town kafeneio; for wine, a glass of Maratheftiko at Artima Bistro beside the Carob Mill.

Travel to Paphos (morning of Day 7): Intercity bus Limassol → Paphos ~1 hr 15 min, ~€4–6; check Omio (buses). Taxi is ~€60–80.

Paphos

Paphos is where myth and archaeology share the shoreline. At the UNESCO Archaeological Park, the 2nd-century mosaics of the Houses of Dionysos and Aion gleam with color; northward, the Tombs of the Kings carve colonnaded chambers into sandstone cliffs.

West of town, rugged Akamas Peninsula hides sea caves, turtle-nesting Lara Bay, and the Blue Lagoon’s luminous waters. Sunsets blaze at Petra tou Romiou, where waves break around Aphrodite’s rock.

Where to stay (Paphos)

• Resort luxury by the Tombs of the Kings: Elysium Hotel.
• Wallet-friendly and central: Pyramos Hotel.
• Family favorite with pools and activities: Aliathon Resort.
• See more options on Hotels.com Paphos or find villas via VRBO Paphos.

Days 7–9 | Mosaics, harbor walks, and sunset rituals

• Wander Paphos Archaeological Park (bring sun protection), then amble the harbor past the medieval fort to kafeneia lining the quay.
• Swim and snorkel at Coral Bay or the rocky shelves near Sea Caves. Sunset pilgrimage to Petra tou Romiou for golden-hour photos.
• Dining highlights: - 7 St. Georges Tavern (legendary meze—organic, seasonal, ever-changing small plates). - Oniro by the Sea (clifftop cocktails and sea-cave views near the Edro III shipwreck). - Laona (homey Cypriot stews at lunch; try the afelia pork with coriander).

On the water

• Ocean Vision | Half Day with BBQ Cruise

  

  — Swim stops, lower-deck viewing, onboard slide, and a classic Cypriot BBQ.
• Wave Dancer Deluxe Night Cruise with Fireworks – Adults Only

  

  — A dressed-up evening on the bay with live music, dinner, and fireworks.

Days 10–12 | Akamas Peninsula, sea caves, and village wines

• Go off-road into Avakas Gorge, Lara Bay’s turtle sands (nesting season May–Aug), and the Blue Lagoon’s gin-clear water.
• Spend an afternoon around Kathikas’ wineries and tavernas—cool breezes, stone alleys, and tasting rooms pouring Xynisteri.

Adventure picks

• Full Day Tour in Akamas Adonis Waterfalls and Blue Lagoon

  

  — Jeep to waterfalls, sea caves, and Blue Lagoon swims.
• Value for money Quad & Buggy Tour to Lara Bay and Adonis Falls

  

  — Dusty trails, hidden bays, and plenty of splash-and-go fun.

Paphos café & bar notes: The Almond Tree Coffee House (house-baked cakes with specialty coffee), Pinguino Café by the sea for sundowners, and Muse Café Kitchen Bar for a skyline terrace. For sweets, try galaktoboureko at a patisserie near the harbor.

Travel to Larnaca (morning of Day 13): Intercity bus Paphos → Larnaca ~2–2.5 hrs (often via Limassol), ~€9–12. Compare times on Omio (buses). Taxi is ~€110–140.

Larnaca

Larnaca is easy-going and walkable, centered on palm-lined Finikoudes promenade and the medieval castle. To the south, the Salt Lake shimmers pink in winter with flamingos, watched over by Hala Sultan Tekke—one of Islam’s revered shrines.

It’s also your springboard to the southeast coast’s luminous bays—Mackenzie Beach for beach clubs and sand, and further east to Ayia Napa and Cape Greco for sea caves, bluffs, and the Blue Lagoon.

Where to stay (Larnaca)

• Contemporary city stay with rooftop pool: Radisson Blu Hotel, Larnaca.
• Beachfront comfort east of town: Golden Bay Beach Hotel.
• Adults-only boutique by Mackenzie Beach: The Ciao Stelio Deluxe Hotel.
• Browse more: Hotels.com Larnaca or villas on VRBO Larnaca.

Days 13–15 | Salt Lake, castles, and beach time

• Walk Finikoudes to the Medieval Castle, then explore Agios Lazaros Church’s golden iconostasis. Time it for sunset over the Salt Lake and a quiet stop at Hala Sultan Tekke.
• Beach day at Mackenzie—swim, watch low-flying planes, and linger over grilled octopus. Alternative: head north to the quieter sands around Oroklini.
• Foodie finds: - Militzis (beloved for kleftiko baked in wood-fired ovens and stewed black-eyed beans). - Zephyros Fish Tavern (old-school seafood—grilled sea bream and village salad). - Ammos at Mackenzie (DJ-led beach dining, sushi-to-souvlaki menu).

From Larnaca into the mountains

• Troodos Mountains Villages: All Inclusive Food & Wine Day Tour

  

  — Village halloumi-making, wine tastings, and a generous meze lunch with a local guide.
• Meet the Locals of Lefkara and Machairas Mountains

  

  — Halloumi at a family farm, lace-making in UNESCO-listed Lefkara, and mountain monastery views.

Cafés & bars: Paul’s Coffee Roasters (careful pour-overs and croissants), Coffee Island on the promenade for an iced freddo, The Brewery Larnaca (local beers and hearty platters), and Old Market St. for sunset cocktails above the city.

Days 16–18 | Ayia Napa & Cape Greco blues, plus a Nicosia day

• Day trip east to Ayia Napa and Cape Greco for bluffs, sea caves, and electric-blue waters. Swim the Blue Lagoon and stroll the cliff-top nature trail.
• Another day, head to Nicosia, the world’s last divided capital. Walk the Venetian walls, the Ledra Street crossing, the Cyprus Museum’s antiquities, and the Laiki Geitonia quarter’s alleys. Bring your passport if you plan to cross the Green Line.

Bookable day trips

• Cape Greco Blue Lagoon and Ayia Napa Tour

  

  — A convenient way to hit the scenic southeast coast without a car.
• Full Day Tour in Nicosia: Split in Two

  

  — History, culture, and context in the island’s compelling capital.

Departure: For a smooth ride back to Larnaca Airport (LCA), consider a prebooked transfer: Private Airport Transfer from Hotel to Larnaca Airport. Or compare shuttle/bus options on Omio (buses).

Where to eat your final meals: In Larnaca, share a fisherman’s meze at Zephyros (tiny fried whitebait, taramasalata, grilled octopus), return to Militzis for oven-baked kleftiko, and toast your trip with a glass of Commandaria or zivania digestif along Finikoudes.

Estimated intercity costs & times

• Larnaca Airport → Limassol: bus ~€7–10, ~1 hr 10 min; taxi ~€55–75.
• Limassol → Paphos: bus ~€4–6, ~1 hr 15 min.
• Paphos → Larnaca: bus ~€9–12, ~2–2.5 hrs.

Across 18 days, you’ll taste village cooking, drink mountain wines, swim luminous coves, and walk some of the Mediterranean’s most evocative ruins. Cyprus rewards unhurried travelers—this route gives you time to savor it all, from Limassol’s lively promenades to Paphos sunsets and Larnaca’s breezy shores.