Rest in Cyprus: cities, attractions, resorts, money, taxis, shopping, food, tips, reviews. We will organize a trip to Cyprus on our own: all about Cyprus for tourists with children

Cyprus is one of the most beloved places for relaxing for many Russians and Europeans. A short flight, the lack of a visa, a culture close to us is what makes it so popular from year to year.

Features of an independent trip to Cyprus

It is very simple to organize an independent trip to Cyprus.
Firstly, Cyprus is actually a visa -free country, and getting a visa will not be difficult even for beginners.

Secondly, on the Internet you can find a lot of offers on flight and accommodation in Cyprus, here is one of them booking.com.

Most hotels have Russian -speaking versions of the site, so that you do not need any special skills or knowledge of foreign languages \u200b\u200bto organize a trip to Cyprus.

It is better to start with the search for suitable costs and dates of flight options, the choice of the hotel is made at the second stage, and then arrange a visa.

How to make a visa for Cyprus?

Cyprus visa is designed in electronic form during the day. It is called a “visa”, since this is a preliminary document that gives you the right to enter the country.

The pro-visa must be presented when landing on the plane and when passing passport-visa control, on the basis of it, the border services of Cyprus will make a note on arrival in the passport.

You do not need to pay for the processing of a visa, you do not need to present any certificates, only a questionnaire in the form of a conventional electronic file. Photos also do not need.

Proks allows you to enter the territory of Cyprus once for no more than 90 days. You can send a questionnaire for a visa no earlier than three months before the start of the trip. Pay attention to the duration of the passport - at least six months on the date when you leave Cyprus.

If your plans to visit not only Cyprus, but also other countries, must be drawn up, it is necessary to issue a national visa. You can enter Cyprus along the Schengen multivis, but only if you have already entered this visa on the territory of any other country of the Schengen agreement.

Proks will not work if you arrive at Cyprus not from Russia (from other countries). Pros-visa is valid only if you flew by plane through Larnaca or Paphos. The child who is inscribed in the parent’s passport cannot be issued.

For the design of the Provision, follow the this link. There you will find detailed instructions for filling out a questionnaire, a form, as well as an address to which you need to send a completed visa.

How to buy tickets for Cyprus?

The purchase of air tickets is not difficult, today a ticket to anywhere in the world can be ordered and paid via the Internet. The most reliable way is to buy tickets on the airline’s website.

This will allow you not to overpay for the services of intermediaries, as well as in the event of any questions (return, exchange, rules of flight), apply for the solution of the problem directly to the airline (according to the rules of air transportation, all manipulations with a ticket must formalize the organization in which he bought ticket).
Another plus: in the case of a flight or change in the flight data, the airline will notify you directly, and not through an intermediary.

To search for cheap air tickets for suitable dates, you can use the site for finding air tickets, the most popular: Skyscanner and AnyDayanyway. According to the specified parameters, the system will offer you all possible flight options indicating the airline, ticket cost and flight data. Suitable tickets can be booked and paid on the same site, or go to the website of the airline that performs the flight, and make a purchase there (this option is more reliable).

Attention!

• When buying a ticket, pay attention to the services that are included in the price of tickets (the cheapest tickets often only involve the presence of hand luggage, you will have to pay extra for baggage)
• If you are flying with a transplant, pay attention to the joining time between flights: if the interval between flights is less than one and a half hours, you may not physically have time to get luggage and register for the next flight, especially at large airports, where the distance between the terminals can be significant
• Also try to read the rules and tariffs applied to the air ticket (usually there is an appropriate link in the ticket or on the company's website) - often the airline sets strict requirements for the exchange and return of the ticket, if the rules are ignored, you can lose a significant amount paid for the air ticket

How to choose the right resort for relaxation in Cyprus?

The main resort zone of Cyprus is located along the southern coast of the Greek part of the island.

In the southeastern part in the area Paralymni Two popular resorts are located - Protaras and Ayia Napa. Both resorts distinguish from other areas of Cyprus wide beaches with fine sand, a gentle entrance to the sea, bays with shallow water.

Water in these places warms up earlier than in other resorts.

In terms of entertainment Protaras It is traditionally considered a calm city focused on family vacations with children, and Ayia Napa - A groovy youth resort, where it is difficult to find a quiet corner, but the music and fun are gobblers without ceasing.

Larnaca Also located in the southeast of the Greek part of the island. Larnaca is both a city and a bay of the same name.
The entrance to the sea here is as gentle as in Protaras, but the sand is already different.
Here he is gray, volcanic, similar to dust. In places there is pebbles and small stones. In the city itself, the beaches are more banned by tourists, respectively, it is noisy and dirty here than in small villages of Larnaca Bays.

Another minus of the beaches in the city is a loaded passing part next to the beach, and large passenger airliners who land on Larnaki airport right above the heads of vacationers.
In terms of Larnac’s entertainment, it is quite diverse: here they will find a lesson to their liking and family companies and lovers of night entertainment.

Limassol Located in the southern part of the coast, in the center, at about the same distance from the other resorts of the island.
In Limassol, there is all the same volcanic gray sand, but approaching the water is less gentle, so Limassol choose a family with children from 7 years old and older - for very small children, the local entrance to the water can be too cool.

Limassol, unlike small Protarasa and Aiya Napa - A large city with a population of about 300 thousand people.
In addition to the standard resort-native zone, there are banks, business centers, a large port, several small industrial enterprises and even a military base.
Rest in Limassol is a vacation in a city where the corresponding rhythm of life and the atmosphere. If you dream on vacation to take a break from civilization, then choose other resorts.

AT Limassole In addition to traditional water entertainments and walks along the embankment, there is a large selection of cultural and historical objects (see Note).
There are also quite a lot of entertainment for children, there is a night life.
Limassol is ideal for tourists who are not used to spending too much time on the beach and would like to travel as many local attractions as possible.

Finally, in the southwest of the resort line is located Pathos - The smallest city in Cyprus and a real open -air museum.
The beaches on pathos are exclusively pebble, and pebbles can be so large that the entrance to the water from the shore will simply be impossible.

Another feature Paphos -Dangerous underwater currents (the corresponding warning signs are installed on the beaches, it is even forbidden to swim in some places).

Pathos It is considered a resort exclusively for adults.

There are many first-class hotels, secluded beaches, spas and romantic places for walking.
There are many historical monuments and ancient ruins in pathos. Compared to other resorts, pathos is considered one of the most expensive places in Cyprus for relaxation.
Most of the newlyweds and adults stop here, preferring a secluded measured rest.

How to book a hotel in Cyprus? What to take into account when choosing a hotel in the resorts of Cyprus?

The choice of hotels can be made on the site booking.com.  Here, almost all Cyprus hotels for every taste will appear to your attention.

The most inexpensive hotels in Cyprus - categories 2* hotels. They are quite suitable for living, since the level of star on comfort and purity of premises is rarely reflected here.

You will not find additional services in these hotels (many do not even provide food), but they will provide you with a clean bed and a minimum set of services.

Hotels 3* - The most common category in Cyprus. In “treships”, food is always provided for a surcharge - from modest breakfasts to our favorite Swedish tables “all inclusive”.

At the hotel 3* In addition to living, additional services will be offered to you: animation, water entertainment on the beach, a store on the territory of the hotel, a playground, etc.
The set of additional services depends on which category the hotel is focused on (adults or families with children) and where it is located (at the hotels in the city, the territory is usually much more modest than that of country hotels).

Hotels 4* In Cyprus, they offer a full range of services from water slides and evening entertainment to spa services and a free transfer to a nearby city.

Most 4* hotels in Cyprus are located in Protaras and have an excellent children's infrastructure. Compared to “three -tires”, hotels 4* offer a much more diverse menu and a larger choice of nutrition options.

also in 4* You can find suitable options for placing a large company - here you will definitely find large -size non -standard rooms and apartments of different types, unlike hotels 2* and 3*where the choice is limited by standard numbers for 2-3 guests.

Hotels 5* - This is all that you will find in hotels 4*, only even better, more, more licked and exquisite. Cypriots are able to provide class services "Lux" at the highest level. In any hotel 5* The service will be impeccable in Cyprus.

But there is one feature: most hotels 5* Located in Paphos. Therefore, in the Five in Cyprus you will find everything except a good beach. As an option, go to the hotel 5* Not in the season when the sea is cold and the quality of the beach does not matter.

There are literally 2-3 hotels 5* in Larnaca and LimassoleWhere everything is in order with the beaches, but the places in these hotels diverge six months before the arrival, so if you expect to stay in these hotels, you should worry about the armor in advance.

Cyprus for tourists with children

When choosing a place to relax with children, it is worth making a reservation that the older the child, the less attention can be paid to children's infrastructure at the hotel.

The most picky to the conditions in the resort and at the hotel are usually parents of children from 0 to 7 years old. A child of 7-12 years old special conditions are needed much less, and children are older than 12 and are no different from adults in terms of sleep, nutrition and comfort level.

The best place to relax with young children can be called Protaras.

He is relatively close to Larnaki Airport, there are excellent gentle sandy beaches, a calm atmosphere and a solid hotel fund.
Older children can be bored here, as the maximum entertainment in the district is an animation in the hotel.

In Ayia-Nap, you can also find good places to relax with the baby, but for this you need to try.
Despite the fact that the resort is considered too noisy and youth, most entertainment institutions are located in one place, far from the shore in the depths of the city.

There are several relatively calm places remote from the epicenter of discos. Another point that can confuse families with children is not too clean beaches (dirtier than in Protaras). But there are noticeably more entertainment: there is a water park, a walking area and a real pirate ship.

In Larnac, relaxing with children is better not in the city itself, but in hotels located in the bay - there the air is cleaner and there are fewer people.

In general, Larnaca is more suitable for unpretentious tourists who want to save: hotels here are rather modest, there are not so many entertainments, but the price tags are lower than at any other resort of Cyprus.

If desired, you can get to the entertainment of the neighboring aiya-napa.

You can go to Limassol with children only to the hotels 4-5* With a large territory at a distance from the city center.

Limassol is too large, noisy and dusty city to call it useful for relaxing with children.

But there are so many entertainments and options for older children that there will be enough impressions to any, even the most restless child.
In Limassol, you can stop with children from 7 years old and older, when excursions and entertainment become more important than sleep-hour and a gentle entrance to the sea.

Paphos is very good in terms of entertainment, but very specific in terms of the coastline.
It is suitable only for families with adult children (from 10-12 years old), who are quite confident in the water or prefer the pools to the sea.

In pathos, the most troubled and complex sea throughout Cyprus. But here there is a lot of entertainment in the city, pure ecology and a healing microclimate, especially useful for asthmatics and allergy sufferers.

The sights of Cyprus

Rest in Ayia-Nap

Ayia Napa - This is a very active youth resort, where music and fun do not silence around the clock. The city is a real kingdom of a reckless vacation, foamy discos, active sports and informals of all stripes.

Even if you come to Ayia-Napa alone, finding a suitable company here for a non-casual rest will not be difficult.

To move along Aiya-Nap, you can rent an ATV-this is the most popular mode of transport in the city among tourists. However, it is worth considering that the left -handed movement is on Cyprus.

The most common language in Ayia Napa is English, but in bars and hotels you can often find Russian-speaking staff.

What to see in Ayia Nap?

Blue Laguna Aiya-Napa - One of the most beautiful bays on the O. Kirus, and throughout the Mediterranean. Laguna is a great place for snorkelings: multi-colored miracles are inhabited here, whose flocks can be observed endlessly.

Also in the lagoon there are several beautiful half -flooded caves that can be explored with the mask and without. The bay is surrounded by very picturesque rocky shores.

Cape Greco - Island of pristine nature. Here you will find everything that lovers of pristine nature need: panoramic sea species, raging sea, a roar of waves, crashing about rocks, a national reserve with sites for relaxation and picnic, and all possible types of outdoor activities (palagading, bike rods, diving, riding riding and Much more).

Bridge of lovers - The natural arch formed in a rock on the seashore. In Cypriot newlyweds, a visit to the bridge on the wedding day is considered an indispensable condition and the key to a happy family life.

Gradually, tourists adopted this habit, and now on the bridge you can often find romantic couples who pay tribute to the local tradition. But even if eternal love does not happen, you will have amazing beauty photos against the background of a stone arch and sea.

Monastery Ayia Ata - An old monastery in honor of St. Mary Mary, who was built in the XIV century on the site where, according to legend, the icon of the Virgin was found, which protected local residents from raids of pirates.

During the construction of the monastery, a dense relict forest grew on the site of modern aiya-napa (the name “Aiya-Napa” itself is translated from Greek as “sacred forest”). From those times, the only tree has still been preserved on the territory of the monastery - a huge centuries -old Sikomora.

Currently, the monastery does not operate, a historical museum is located on its territory, but a beautiful Orthodox Church is built near the monastery, where Greek services are held.

Lighthouse in Aiya Nap -An old, still acting, lighthouse on the shores of Aiya Napa. In the afternoon, near the lighthouse, do not push on the beach from the number of vacationers, and in the evening the beach and stones around the lighthouse are occupied by the couple’s lovers, since the place here is very romantic and secluded.

Water World Woodpark -These are 18 attractions of different levels of complexity for all ages-from a famously twisted slides to a baby pool-laguster.

For the lazy in the water park there is an artificial river, pools and umbrellas with sunbeds. The water park is stylized under the ancient Greek city, on the territory there are cafes and souvenir shops.

Pirate caves Located in the central part of the Aiya-Napa bay. There is a legend that medieval pirates hid their captives here, looted gold and provisions.

Today in the bay you can ride on a real pirate ship "Black Pearl", which is stylized under the ship of Jack Sparrow.

Port Aiya Napa - The place where you can order a sea walk on a small boat, buy the latest seafood, and prepare them here.

Fishing lovers can agree with local fishermen about joint fishing. The quarters and streets adjacent to the port are very picturesque and simply dotted with small cozy taverns and family restaurants.

Rest in Larnaca

Larnaca - The city is quite large by the standards of Cyprus. It is located in the center of the resort zone of Cyprus, hence it is equally convenient to get to any point in the island.

This is one of the most ancient cities in Cyprus, so in Larnac you will find not only magnificent beaches: here as many as six historical museums, archaeological excavations are carried out right in the center of the city, and concerts and concerts of live music are often held on the embankment.

What to see in Larnac?

Monastery of Stavrovni -The ancient Orthodox male monastery, which is an important object of worship among the Christian pilgrims around the world: here is the part of the cross on which Christ was crucified, as well as one of the nails that were nailed the body of Jesus.

Also in the monastery, an old and very revered icon of the Mother of God among connoisseurs is stored.
The monastery operates to this day, only men can visit it, women are strictly prohibited.

Aqueduct Kamares -A unique historical structure built during the reign of Turks-Sosmans to supply Larnaki with water of their pure high-mountain sources. Aqueduct functioned until the 1930s, until a modern water supply system was introduced in the city.

Lefkara village - Ancient Christian village in the vicinity of Larnaki, whose history begins in ancient times. In the 15th century, when O. Blood was owned by the Venetian rulers, local residents adopted the art of famous lace weaving from the Venetian craftswomen.

Over time, LEFKAR's laceans have developed their own style, which is famous and appreciated all over the world. Local handmade lace is expensive, but they are worth it.

Antique Kition - Ancient city in the place of modern Larnaki, founded by the Phoenicians. The city had important trade and strategic importance, throughout history it was here that most ancient and medieval states and republics tried to open their representative offices.
Kition was one of the most important centers for the spread of Christianity in the Mediterranean, as well as the birthplace of philosophical teachings of the Stoics.

Church of St. Lazarus -The Orthodox Church, built in the 9th-10th centuries at the place where the grave of St. Lazar was once located. According to legend, Lazarus left Judea after his wonderful resurrection, devoted the rest of his life to Christian teaching, settled in Cyprus in the city of Kition, where he served as a bishop for more than 30 years.

It is noteworthy that such a version is common only among Christians, the Catholics believe that St. Lazar lived and died in France, where his grave also exists.

Fort Larnaca - The Turkish fortress of the 17th century, one of the main attractions of the city. After the First World War, during the reign of the British, the fortress was used for a long time as a prison and the place of execution of convicts. Currently, in the fortress there is a museum of the Middle Ages and an open -air theater platform.

Salt Lake Alika Larnakas - A favorite place to relax in nature among Cypriots and tourists, as well as the habitat of pink flamingos. The green area around the lake is equipped with a picnic and comfortable access roads.

In the summer, at the peak of the heat, the lake dry out and turns into a desert covered with a white crust of salt. In late autumn and winter, with the beginning of the rainy season, the lake is filled with water, and flocks of flamingos fly here for wintering.

Hala Mosque Sultan Tekke - An important historical object in Muslim culture. The mosque was built on the shores of the salt lake in honor of the Umm Haram, the closest relative of the Prophet Muhammad at the place where she died.
At the moment, the mosque is not valid; a museum is opened on its territory.

Rest in Limassol

Limassol - a large port and a rather developed center of trade, the second largest and significance city in Cyprus. As a tourist direction, Limassol began to develop relatively late.

Now in the city there is an active development of new residential quarters, apartments in which are sold and rented out to foreign tourists (oddly enough, among buyers the most Chinese, in second place Russians).

Limassol is divided into two parts: the old city and the tourist area (local residents call it "tourister").

What to see in Limassol?

Limassol fortress - An old fortifications built under Byzantium. Subsequently, the fortress was repeatedly rebuilt. In the XII century, in the fortress, the wedding of Richard Lion's heart with the beautiful Berengaria of Navarra was arranged.

Over its history, the fortress served as a defensive structure, a garrison village, a prison and a command point. Nowadays, the fortress has a museum of the Middle Ages, telling about the life and life of Cypriots from late Christians to the era of education.

Kolossi castle He was built at the beginning of the XIII century and for some time served as a refuge for the Templars, then transferred to the possession of the knights of the Gospital from the Order of the Ioannis. The castle was located the residence of the head of the hospitals, which was called "La Grand Comandar."

From the name of the castle, the name of the area "Commandaria", as well as the name of corporate Cypriot wine, which began to be produced here during the times of knights-consolers, went.

Kurion - Antique city in the vicinity of Limassol, known since the Trojan War on the works of Herodotus. In places the city was preserved in pretty good condition, many antique frescoes, the temple of Apollo of Khilatsky, amphitheater, ancient baths and early Christian buildings are available for inspection.

The city is located at some distance from Limassol, but regular buses regularly come here, and several places for rest, parking, toilets, there are vending machines and taverns are equipped on the territory.

Old city of Limassol - This is an amazing mixture of the European Middle Ages and the eastern buildings of the times of Ottoman minarets. Once Orthodox Greeks and Muslim Turks lived side by side, but after the occupation of the northern territories of Cyprus, the Turks Limassol were forced to leave their homes due to the emerging interethnic conflicts, so many houses in the old city are empty since those times.

St. Andrew Street (Hagios Andreas) - The most popular street among tourists in the old part of Limasol. The street with rare exceptions is closed for road transport and is a cozy pedestrian area with many shops, souvenir shops and cafes. Here, local artists and artisans sell their unique products.

Fasouri Watermania Water Park water park - A huge water entertaining complex in Limassol. The park is decorated in the Polynesian style. In addition to the rides itself, there is a spa and a tattoo salon, a souvenir store and a pedicure room, where the massage is made exclusively by fish. The park is equipped with storage rooms, toilet rooms and locker rooms, cafes and machine guns with food.

Rest in pathos

Pathos -The resort city in the south-west of Cyprus, which is focused on an adult audience rather than on families with children. The coastline of the pathos is cut by rocky bays, the beaches here are mostly pebble, sometimes the size of the pebbles resembles medium -sized cobblestones.

In general, the sea here will please only adults. Most hotels are also not designed for children - you will not find neither children's animation nor sites with swings. But in terms of parks and entertainment, Paphos will surpass any other resort of Cyprus.

What to see in pathos?

The archaeological park of Paphos -UNESCO World Heritage Object, an antique city in which you can see the houses of ancient Greek heroes-Polubogs of Tesheus, Orpheus, Eon and Dionysus (the buildings are called so because of the perfectly preserved antique mosaic panels depicting different scenes with the participation of these heroes; in reality mythical heroes Here, of course, did not live).

Also, in the Archaeological Museum of Paphos, you can see the buildings of other historical eras - Roman, Ottoman, early Christian, and the times of the conquest of Cyprus Franks.

Tsarist graves - Antique and early Christian cemetery, built in the form of a city from numerous tombs. Some tombs look like ordinary niches in the wall, while some are whole separate buildings with frescoes, mosaic walls, individual courtyards and colonnades.

Aphrodite Bay and Aphrodite Stone. It is believed that the Greek goddess of love, beauty and eternal life was born precisely in Cyprus, precisely in this bay. The stone of Aphrodite is located right into the sea near the shore, and strictly speaking it is not even a stone, but a small rock.

There is a belief: if you want to extend your youth, beauty and love, then you need to swim around the stone three times clockwise; If beauty or youth has already left you, swim counterclockwise, and then everything that is lost will return to you again. It is important to know that there are rather strong waves in this place, so some swims end in injuries, be careful.

Holy Paul and Ayia Kiriaki column. According to legend, the column of St. Paul is a pillar in which the St. Paul would be punished with whips for arriving to preach Christianity to Cyprus. The Church of Ayia-Kiriaki is located next to the Paul column, its second name is the Panagia of Chrisopolitime. The first building of the church dates from the VI century.

Paphos castle - This is a fortifications, built under Byzantium. The very first building was destroyed during the earthquake. In the days of the crusaders, the fortress was restored.

For some time the Fort was owned by the Venetians, who specially destroyed the fortress during the Turkish siege. The fortress acquired its final appearance during the Ottoman Empire.

Monastery of St. Neophytos It was built on the place where in the era of early Christianity there lived in the cave the Cyprus recluse of neophytos. The complex of the monastery includes residential buildings, a museum of Christianity, monastery economic buildings and a church.

Aphrodite water park in Paphos Aphrodite Water Park) It is considered one of the best water parks in Europe. The largest amount of water entertainment in Cyprus is located in the vast territory. The park is equipped with everything necessary in order to spend the whole day here. If you book tickets on the official website of the water park, a visit will cost you cheaper than buying through representatives or sales offices.

Rest in Protaras

Protaras - Traditionally, a family resort with clean sandy beaches, a gentle entrance to the sea, a quiet measured life and comfortable family hotels. This is a small village, which used to be a suburbs of Famagusta-popular in Cyprus of the resort of the 1960s. However, after the Turkish Republic occupied Northern Cyprus and Famagusta was in the occupied territory, Protaras began to develop as an independent resort.

What to see in Protaras?

Oceanarium Protaras - The largest oceanarium in Cyprus. In addition to the underwater inhabitants in the oceanarium, you can see penguins, alligators and other reptiles, as well as monkeys, exotic birds and raccoons. The oceanarium is open all days of the week, except Monday, from 10 to 18 hours. The cost of a ticket for group visits is lower than individually. More detailed information can be viewed here.

Church of the Prophet Elijah in Protaras - This is a small stone church in the Byzantine style on the top of the hill. The church is open to visits at any time, but Sunday services are held here on weekends, so the entrance can be limited. A tree hung with rags grows in front of the church: according to local belief, if you tie a tape or piece of fabric to this tree, the most powerful desire will come true.

FIG-TRI-BEY BART (FIVER tree Bay) - The most popular place of beach holidays with Tourists of Protaras. By nature, there are ideal conditions: fine clean sand, a gentle even bottom and the absence of even a hint of waves in any weather, since the bay is protected by natural-cutting islands. The bay received the name in honor of the old fig tree, which when it grew here on the shore, but to date has not been preserved.

Singing fountains of Protaras. In terms of scale, the show is inferior to the famous singing fountains in Dubai or Barcelona. But Protaras has its own highlight: the local show consists not only of the water, but also of the fire, which adds to him entertainment and uniqueness.

There is another difference from the UAE and Spain: in Protaras, you will have to pay for a visit to the show, and a tidy amount. But you will enjoy the show in comfortable conditions, sitting at a table. While there is a show, you can order dinner.

Liopetri village - A small settlement in the vicinity of Protaras, whose inhabitants are famous for their art in the manufacture of different handmade crafts. In addition to the craftswomen in Liopetri, there are stunning beauty landscapes, reminiscent of Norwegian fjords, walking boats run along the coast, which can be rented out of which. There are also the best seafood and fish taverns on the entire coast.

Historical Museum of Protaras - One of the main museums of the island. The museum exposition is interesting in that not only archaeological values \u200b\u200band ancient finds are represented here.

The museum contains a unique collection of household items of the 19th century: children's toys, dishes, transport and much more. It is this collection that distinguishes the historical Museum of Protaras against the background of the rest and makes it especially interesting.

Transport, taxi in Cyprus

Transport communication in Cyprus is represented only by buses. Due to the small size of the island, the railway is absent here as unnecessary, and from air transport there are only walking light-engine aircraft on which tourists ride.

Intercity bus routes in Cyprus work quite peculiarly: for example, on many lines, buses do not work on Sunday, and on weekdays they finish work at 6 pm. Even if a message remains on some route, then the interval of movement can be an hour or more.

The city bus network is only in the largest cities of the island: Paphos, Limassol, Larnaka, Nicosia. The schedule of city buses is similar to long -distance. In rural areas, buses even drive between the villages once or twice a day, on Sundays, of course, there is no movement. So the bus cannot be called the most convenient means of moving around Cyprus.

A good alternative to the bus can be considered route taxi. They are also divided into intercity and intracity. Payment in them is slightly higher than on buses, but they often go and work on weekends.

To use the minibus service, you need to book your place by phone. As an additional service, the dispatcher will ask where to pick you up and where to land - the minibus driver does not have a clear route, so he takes and plants passengers where it is convenient. You can see prices, possible travel options and phones for calling route taxi in Cyprus here.

In addition to minibuses, there is a regular taxi that can be called by phone or stopped right on the street. All cars are equipped with counters, a night tariff is more expensive than daytime.

An additional fee is charged for the transportation of animals, additional passengers (the standard price takes into account a maximum of 4 people) and excess baggage.

The car rental in Cyprus is not a problem, there are standard rules (you are more than 23-25 \u200b\u200byears old, you have a driver’s driver’s license and a plastic card to reserve insurance amounts), although in small cities the owners of rolling offices close their eyes to some formalities and can Simplify lease rules.

The main difficulty of moving on a rented car along Cyprus is left -handed movement. From the habit in some situations on the road (overtaking, turning, and the like) you can be confused.

Local drivers do not always observe traffic rules, which sometimes even more introduce tourists into a stupor. The numbers on the rented cars are painted red, so local drivers and traffic police immediately see that the tourist is driving and are very tolerant of small mistakes of the guests.

But in general, the road network in Cyprus is well developed, there are no problems with parking and gas stations, and road signs are quite understandable and easily readable. Book a car for rent, and also find out the basic rules of traffic rules here.

Money, shopping and food in the resorts of Cyprus

Food in Cyprus

• It is better to buy fruits and vegetables in markets, not in stores - the price will be much cheaper, and the choice is more
• In supermarkets and grocery stores, you can buy long -term storage products in vacuum packaging, as well as various cuts. If you want to save on nutrition, from such products it is quite possible to arrange a lunch or take them with you to the beach

• From catering establishments, the most inexpensive - fast food restaurants and food courts in large shopping centers
• In taverns and traditional cafes, the price tag starts from 15-17 euros per person. Important: there are very large portions in such institutions, so you can safely order one dish for two, alone these doses are simply not to master.
• Often, as a compliment for the order, the institution gives the client a dessert or glass of home wine, or an addition to the side dish. You can clarify with the waiter what kind of bonus you are supposed to order, so as not to order too much and not pay for what they will give you so

• The hotel is usually somewhat monotonous and imprisoned by the average European: neutral dishes in a neutral design. If you want to try all the splendor of real Greek cuisine, be sure to go to street cafes and restaurants
• In cafes and restaurants of Cyprus, you can order complex dinners-an analogue of our business lunch-for a very moderate price. There are also “happy watches” for lunch and dinners, the details can be clarified on the spot in a specific institution
• Tips in Cyprus are considered a good tone and on average account for 5-7% of the check amount. But you can limit yourself to several coins

Shopping in Cyprus

• All the most popular European brands are presented in Cyprus: Bershka, Marks & Spencer Topman, Stradivarius, Guess, Gap, Benetton, Zara and others. Mostly shops are concentrated in large cities and large shopping centers
• Most stores work only up to 18-19 hours and close for a very long lunch break (from about 13 to 15-16 hours), shops are closed a couple of hours earlier on Wednesday and Saturdays, and on Sunday they do not work at all

• Traditional sales for the whole of Europe happen twice a year, in February and July. Often shops make special discounts before Christmas and Easter. There are also special promotions during the year, when significant discounts on a certain category of goods are offered
• You will find the most stores in Limassol, there is also an interesting flea market with unique old things
• In Larnac, Paphos and Ayia-Nap there are 1-2 large shopping centers where you can go if your shopping plans are reduced to buying one or two things in passing. For targeted shopping, it is better to go to Limassol

• In addition to clothing in Cyprus, you can purchase excellent leather shoes, bag or purse (often the products are sewn to order, an average of manufacturing time takes a week)
• Cyprus is famous for jewelry of gold and handmade silver. You can be sure that the jewelry purchased in Cyprus exists in a single copy
• Products from the village of Lefkara are also considered unique and very high quality
• Of the souvenirs, you can bring local ceramics, sweets, olive oil, handmade icons, wicker crafts and mini-copies of ancient sculptures

Money in Cyprus

• The currency of the Greek part of the island is Euro. You can exchange currency in banks, special exchange points or at the hotel. For the exchange of currency, the institution traditionally takes a small percentage, the lowest in banks.

But still the cheapest exchange currency in Russia is cheaper.

• Plastic cards are accepted for payment in any institution, the most popular cards - Visa and MasterCard. When paying by card, you may be asked to present a passport or a copy of it. ATMs are also not a problem

• On average, it is believed that the daily costs of rest in Cyprus are 45-60 euros per day per person.
• The exact amount depends on what services you have already ordered and paid for as part of the tour, and what amount you have for optional entertainment

Turkish part of Cyprus - rest

Since the Turkish part of Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey itself, and the rest of the countries of the world perceive it as a temporarily occupied territory.

Go to Northern Cyprus It is possible only from the territory of Turkey, not a single airline in the world performs flights to this zone.

Entering the Greek part of the island is also problematic, in addition, the Greeks-Cipriotes may not let you back to their territory after visiting the Turkish enclave.
All of the listed features lead to the fact that rest in the resorts of the Northern Cyprus is reduced literally to isolated cases.

However, Northern Cyprus - This is a great place to relax, which, due to the political situation, completely undeservedly bypass tourists.
On the Northern Cyprus There are comfortable hotels of various levels, excellent beaches and entertainment institutions. Prices here are lower than on the Greek part of the island, not only euro, but Turkish lira and US dollars.

A visa is not required to visit the Turkish unit, since entry into Turkey for Russians and residents of the CIS countries is free. In a word, the Turkish part of Cyprus is ready to offer you the same thing as Greek, and even a little more. You can learn more about rest in Northern Cyprus from the video.

Video. "I want on vacation", Northern Cyprus

Video. Rest in Cyprus: Council for rest with a child

Video. Rest in Cyprus: Review of the trip