Cyprus Is the third largest tourist island in the Mediterranean. The resorts of Cyprus are visited by thousands of tourists every year, and most of the beaches have been awarded the blue flag of the European Union for their cleanliness. Today we will tell you about the seven best resorts in Cyprus, which will provide you with an unforgettable vacation.
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Limassol
Limassol, located on the southern coast of the island of Cyprus, is the second largest city in the country. Even in ancient times, the city was one of the administrative and economic centers of the island. At certain stages in history, he even performed metropolitan functions. The history of Limassol goes back to the heyday of ancient Hellenic culture. Subsequently, new civilizational layers, introduced by the conquerors, were superimposed on Greek culture. A testament to all this cultural diversity is the architecture of Limassol. Here you can see medieval knight's castles, Italian-style buildings, Turkish fortresses and mosques. The main attraction of the city, of course, is the Ayia Napa Church, built in the Middle Ages and still retaining its original grandeur.
Limassol is the most cheerful and cheerful city in Cyprus. All year round, on its streets, you can see crowds of different languages of careless tourists. Indeed, there is everything for a wonderful vacation - magnificent nature, clear sea, wide beaches and wonderful hotels. Coupled with a high level of service, this contributes to the increasing popularity of the resort among foreign tourists. Limassol is also renowned for hosting various holiday festivals. The most enchanting of them is the festival in honor of the god of winemaking Dionysus.
Larnaca
Larnaca is the third most important city in Cyprus and one of the main resort areas of the country. The history of the city dates back to ancient times. Presumably Larnaca arose on the site of the Phoenician settlement of Kition. The city acquired its current name in 1600. Throughout its history, these places have repeatedly passed under the rule of various conquerors. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Turks, Englishmen - they all left their mark in the unique appearance of the city. Larnaca and its surroundings are a paradise for history and architecture lovers. Here you can see the magnificent Panaya Angeloktisti church, which, according to legend, was built by angels descending from heaven; the Turkish mosque Khale Sultan Tekke, which was erected at the site of the meteorite; the church of St. Lazarus with its unique wooden iconostasis and much more. The outskirts of the city abound with monuments from ancient times.
A favorite place for tourists to walk is the beautiful promenade lined with palm trees. Here, sitting in one of the restaurants, you can watch for hours the beautiful serene seascapes. To the east of the city there is a large tourist complex with many hotels, restaurants and magnificent sandy beaches, known throughout the world.
Pathos
In terms of popularity among tourists visiting Cyprus, the resort town of Paphos undoubtedly occupies a leading place. The peak of the city's greatness was in ancient times, when it served as the capital of the island of Cyprus.Due to its rich and ancient history, Paphos is replete with historical and architectural monuments. The city is included in the UNESCO list of historical heritage.
Most of the tourist complexes and entertainment establishments are located in the Kato Paphos area (Lower Paphos). The outskirts of the city are occupied by vine and banana plantations. Another specific feature of the region is the presence of two types of beaches here - sandy and rocky, which allows meeting the needs of all sunbathers. In general, Paphos is ideal for those who like to combine educational relaxation and high level of service.
Ayia Napa
Translated from Greek, the name of the city means "Sacred Forest". This is due to a legend that says that in the local forests, local fishermen found an icon of the Mother of God in one of the caves. This was considered a good sign and people founded a settlement here. Over time, the small settlement has grown and turned into a modern resort town with unique architecture and a friendly hospitable population. Indeed, the beauty of Ayia Napa is simply breathtaking. Beautiful beaches, crystal clear sea, rocky cliffs and dense forests will delight any traveler who is lucky enough to get to these god-blessed lands. Ayia Napa has a developed water entertainment industry. For lovers of excursions and hikes, tours to the nearby mountains and forests are organized. Connoisseurs of comfort can settle in one of the luxury hotels located here or even rent a separate bungalow in a cottage town.
Protaras
Protaras is one of the youngest resorts in the country. The rapid development of the resort took place in the 80s of the twentieth century. Since then, Protaras has been associated with a quiet family vacation surrounded by beautiful nature. The city is located in the southeastern part of the island of Cyprus, on the coast, crossed by rocky bays and magnificent sandy beaches. The most famous beach in the region is Fig Tree, which gets its name from the fig trees that line it. Due to the gently sloping entrance to the sea, the local beaches are ideal for safe swimming with young children. There is a small picturesque island not far from the coast, where excursions are held. All of the city's beaches are well equipped and in perfect condition.
Troodos ski resort
Created on the basis of a nature reserve, the Troodos ski resort is located about two hours from Nicosia. Despite its young age (only about thirty years old), Troodos is a well-equipped ski resort, where both amateurs and professionals can train. The resort regularly hosts prestigious international skiing and snowboarding competitions. In Troodos, there are five ski slopes of varying degrees of difficulty. You can get to them using four special drag lifts. The resort has sports equipment rental offices, as well as training courses for beginners.
Famagusta
In the past the best resort in Cyprus, today is located on the territory of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Despite the tragic events of the recent past, Famagusta still attracts many tourists from all over the world. This is facilitated by the lower prices in comparison with the resorts of Greek Cyprus. The city can offer its guests beautiful nature and a huge number of architectural masterpieces. Among them are the magnificent Church of St. Nicholas, the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, the ruins of the Church of St. George, the Venetian Palace, the Othello Tower, etc. Those who want to frolic in the sea can go to the coast, where they have beautiful white beaches, ATVs, catamarans and boat trips at their service.