What to see in Cyprus and where to go by car? We draw up a route for a big trip around the island. We will visit the mountains and picturesque bays, see ancient monasteries and forts, walk along the ancient streets of mountain villages.
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After visiting Cyprus, I got a fix idea - traveling around Cyprus by car. She was born thanks to local roads - driving on them is one pleasure: smooth, clean, smooth. Like clockwork! I wanted to go around the whole island not by a sightseeing bus, but by car, with arrivals to the most secluded corners, frequent stops and overnight stays by the sea. In addition, in cities, Rent a Car signs can be seen at every step.
Gradually, a list of places where I would like to go in Cyprus by car has developed. It is purely subjective, there are only those places that attracted me. I have grouped them by city for convenience, and you plan the route based on your preferences. I would be very grateful if you could tell us about places that impressed you in the comments and recommend something.
It is not very convenient to see the sights of the island by public transport, so car rental is popular with tourists. If you do not trust unknown local offices, it is better to rent a car on the Myrentacar.com service - all well-known European car rental companies are represented there. Rent in Cyprus is cheap - from 30 euros per day. The only caveat is left-hand traffic, but you quickly get used to it.
Where to visit in southern Cyprus
I associate southern Cyprus primarily with mosaics, ancient Greek ruins, turtles, seascapes and dried grass, since I visited it in the hottest season - in July. However, if you go to the mountains, the landscape changes dramatically. In general, in terms of the variety of landscapes, the island reminded me of Morocco and the Crimea.
Larnaca
Most of the tourists arrive in Larnaca - from here we will begin the route of our trip to Cyprus. You can rent a car immediately upon arrival at the airport by ordering a car in advance on Myrentacar.com (this is convenient, because you can return it right before flying home).
I think that Larnaca is undeservedly bypassed by tourists - there is something to see at the resort and in the surrounding area. The main sights of the city: the port of Marina (I have a fad about the ports - probably in my past life I was a Greek sailor), the fort, the Church of St. Lazarus, the Kamares aqueduct, the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque (unexpectedly). For dessert, there is a salt lake where you can watch pink flamingos in winter. Reviews of tourists about Larnaca >>
Ayia Napa
The next place I would go in Cyprus by car is Ayia Napa. For many tourists, Napa is, first of all, unrestrained parties and nightclubs, but I do not accept such a vacation. I am primarily attracted by Cape Greco, which resembles the beloved Tarkhankut peninsula in Crimea, and the Kavo Greco forest park - they are located between Ayia Napa and Protaras. I would also see the Thalassa Sea Museum, the Bridge of Love, the monastery and the curious park-labyrinth of CyHerbia medicinal herbs (near the village of Avgorou). And, of course, it is a sin not to sunbathe on the famous beaches of Napa - for example, Nissi, Makronisos and the Blue Lagoon.
Protaras
Protaras is a small village with good beaches and always calm sea. There are few attractions here, but in Cyprus, after all, every nook and cranny is overgrown with legends! What to see? The natural bridge of sinners, which, according to legend, will collapse under the most sinful man on earth, Blue Bay and Fig Tree beach, the Church of the Prophet Elijah, which is at an altitude of 115 meters - a good view opens from there. Tourists recommend walking along the Profitis Ilias - Konnos nature trail. In the vicinity of the resort there is an interesting village of Liopetri. Reviews about the rest in Protaras >>
Limassol
Limassol is rich in historical sights: the old city, Limassol Castle, the Temple of Apollo of Hilates, Kolossi Castle, the Monastery of the Cat. Where can you go from Limassol by car? I was especially interested in the ruins of Amathus and Kourion, and I love to wander through the ruins and reconstruct cities in my imagination. The so-called White stones (rocks) near the monastery of St. George Alaman. From the resort it is convenient to travel to the Troodos mountains.
Look at the reviews of tourists about Limassol.
Troodos
Where to go in Cyprus by car when the coast is scorched by the sun and it seems that the skin is melting? Head to Troodos - this mountain range with lush vegetation and saving shadow attracts not only tourists but also locals in summer. When the temperature on the coast goes off scale, a comfortable temperature remains in the mountains - about + 25 ° С.
What to see? In Troodos, you can see several UNESCO sites at once - churches and monasteries. The most famous is the Kykkos Monastery. The oldest miraculous icon of the Mother of God, painted during her lifetime by the Apostle Luke, is kept here. But not even the mountains and churches beckon me to Troodos, but the old streets of mountain villages: Kakopetria, Lefkara, Fini, Omodos, Pedoulas, Mutullas, Zigi, Fikardou. Each village is famous for some kind of craft - so, Lefkara is famous for lace, and Omodos - for winemaking.
Pathos
I rested in Paphos. In my opinion, it is impossible to get bored at the resort - there is a good ratio of natural and historical attractions. Many of them can be reached from Paphos on foot or by bus. I will not describe here, read a separate article on what to see in Paphos.
Akamas Peninsula
Another place in Cyprus where you can go by car is the Akamas Peninsula, which excites my imagination. Akamas is an almost untouched corner of Cyprus where endemic plants grow. The reserve is under the protection of UNESCO.
The peninsula is an ideal place for traveling by car (preferably an SUV). It is also good for walking, here no one will prevent you from admiring the impressive landscapes of Cyprus. You can hike the Aphrodite Trail, see the critically endangered green turtles in Lara Bay, and visit the Avakas Gorge (located about 1 km from the reserve).
Northern Cyprus: where to go by car
A trip to Cyprus by car would be incomplete without a visit to Northern Cyprus - it remains in my memory as a very special place. And it's not just about nature, which differs from the nature of the South.
Behind the "green line" after 1974, when Cyprus was divided into South and North, there were many historical monuments:
- Bellapais Abbey;
- Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque;
- the castle of St. Hilarion;
- Castle Buffavento;
- Famagusta (abandoned Varosha quarter, Castello citadel and Othello tower);
- the ruins of the ancient Greek Salamis;
- ancient Salt;
- Kyrenia (streets, castle, port);
- the monastery of St. Barnabas;
- Kantara castle.
Unfortunately, now, in order to get to the northern part of Cyprus and appreciate its landscapes, you have to cross the buffer zone. However, this does not constitute a problem, the main thing is to have a passport, driving license (in Latin) and a multivisa, according to which you will be allowed back to South Cyprus (for example, a Schengen or a Cypriot multivisa, but the provision will no longer work, since it is single entry) ... At the checkpoint, you need to take out insurance.
