Cyprus may be small in size, but it’s bursting with Mediterranean magic waiting to be discovered. Picture this: in just one morning, you could swap your flip-flops for hiking boots as you trade sun-drenched beaches for misty mountain monasteries. We’ve crafted three unforgettable Cyprus travel itineraries that let you experience the island’s dual personality in just two weeks. Whether you’re seeking ancient history, seaside relaxation, or mountain adventures, these routes show you the very best of Cyprus beyond the brochure.
Your Perfect Cyprus Adventure: 3 Itineraries for Every Traveler
From seaside escapes to mountain discoveries, these Cyprus travel routes – designed by local experts – will help you plan your dream Mediterranean getaway.
Omodos village in the Troodos Mountains—a postcard-perfect stop on any Cyprus itinerary
Itinerary 1: The Ultimate Cyprus Grand Tour
Perfect for first-timers, this two-week Cyprus road trip reveals why this island captivates travelers:
Begin in Larnaka: Where History Meets the Sea
Most visitors start their Cyprus adventure at Larnaka International Airport, but don’t rush off! Spend a day strolling the palm-lined Finikoudes Promenade, exploring the exquisite Agios Lazaros cathedral, and swimming at Mackenzie Beach where planes skim the Mediterranean waters.
Lemesos: Cyprus’ Underrated Gem
Just an hour west, Lemesos (Limassol) combines urban energy with seaside charm. Discover why foodies love this city – savor meze at a taverna in the old town before unwinding at the newly developed marina. Don’t miss the medieval castle where Richard the Lionheart supposedly married!
Troodos Mountains: Cypriot Soul Country
Swap coastal views for pine-scented air as you wind into the Troodos range. Visit UNESCO-listed painted churches in mountain villages, sip local wine in Omodos, and hike through cedar forests to discover waterfalls hidden in the hills.
Pafos: Mythological Magic
Descend to Cyprus’ western coast where ancient legends come alive. Marvel at Pafos’ extraordinary Roman floor mosaics near the harbor, explore the mystical Tombs of the Kings, then chase sunsets at Aphrodite’s Rock – where mythology says the goddess emerged from sea foam.
Girne (Kyrenia): Harbor Dreams in Northern Cyprus
Cross into the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to discover Girne’s storybook harbor. Climb the Byzantine castle guarding the port, then venture inland to fairy-tale Bellapais Abbey and the mountaintop ruins of St. Hilarion Castle with panoramic Mediterranean views.
Nicosia: Where Two Worlds Meet
Cyprus’ divided capital offers a fascinating cultural mix. Wander the cobbled Buyuk Han caravanserai in the north, shop Ledra Street in the south, then pause for coffee at the border itself. The Cyprus Museum reveals 9,000 years of history through stunning ancient artifacts.
Gazimağusa (Famagusta): Time Capsule City
End your journey in this living history book. Walk among Gothic ruins in the walled old town, then feel history’s echo at nearby Salamis – Cyprus’ most impressive ancient city. The abandoned resort district of Varosha offers a haunting glimpse of 1974’s frozen conflict.
Itinerary 2: East Cyprus Coastal Explorer
For beach lovers with a taste for culture, this eastern route serves Cyprus’ best seaside moments with historical intrigue.
Agia Napa: Beyond the Beach Clubs
Discover why this famous resort surprises travelers with its hidden depths. After soaking up sun on Nissi Beach’s turquoise waters, explore the medieval monastery at the town’s heart and find secret sea caves along the Cape Greco coastal walk.
Larnaka Layover Revisited
Use Larnaka as your eastern base – day trip to the salt lakes (flamingos in winter!), dive the Zenobia shipwreck, or visit the fascinating Hala Sultan Tekke mosque by the water’s edge.
Cross-Capital Connection in Nicosia
Trace Cyprus’ divided history along Nicosia’s Green Line before driving north. Visit the poignant Barbed Wire Museum then head towards the mountains, stopping at Gothic Bellapais Abbey for lunch with a view.
Karpaz Peninsula: Wild Cyprus
At Cyprus’ northeastern tip, time slows down. Meet the peninsula’s famous wild donkeys, swim at golden-sand bays like Golden Beach, and journey to the edge of Europe at Apostolos Andreas Monastery jutting into the sea.
Salamis & the Northeast Circuit
Step back through millennia at Salamis’ sprawling Roman ruins before connecting ancient threads at nearby Enkomi-Alasia and the Saint Barnabas Monastery. End your day with fresh seafood at Famagusta’s atmospheric walled city.
Ghosts of Varosha
Return to the south via Derynia village’s Famagusta Cultural Center, where viewing platforms reveal the abandoned seaside suburb of Varosha – frozen in time since 1974, its crumbling hotels a silent testament to Cyprus’ ongoing story.
Itinerary 3: West Cyprus Wildside Adventure
Ancient ruins, untouched nature, and authentic villages await on this road trip through Cyprus’ wild western reaches.
Pafos: Portal to Antiquity
Start where mythology began. Beyond Pafos’ excellent beaches lies a treasure chest of history – the stunning Pafos mosaics, early Christian catacombs, and the magnificent Tombs of the Kings necropolis. For sunset magic, Petra tou Romiou’s sea stacks make Aphrodite’s birth story feel vividly real.
Beyond Pafos: Wine Country & the Akamas
Wind through vineyard-clad hills to Agios Neophytos Monastery, carved into a cliff face. Sample Commandaria wine in mountain villages before reaching Polis – your gateway to the untamed Akamas Peninsula where hiking trails weave along dramatic coastal cliffs.
Kato Pyrgos: Cyprus’ Secret Corner
Drive Cyprus’ least-traveled north coast, pausing at Pomos’ fishing harbor before reaching remote Kato Pyrgos. Base yourself here to explore the Tiliria forests – home to rare orchids and panoramic sea views from mountain trails.
Northern Odyssey: Ruins & Resilience
Cross at Limnitis to discover Northern Cyprus’ hidden gems. Climb to Vouni Palace’s hilltop ruins overlooking the sea, then explore ancient Soli with its extraordinary mosaic-floored basilica. In Güzelyurt, citrus-scented streets lead to an archaeological museum filled with Salamis treasures.
Troodos Farewell
Return to the Republic via the Marathasa Valley’s cherry orchards. Sleep in Kakopetria’s stone houses before your final mountain drive – perhaps spotting Troodos’ endemic Mouflon sheep – as you descend to Pafos Airport through scented pine forests.
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