What you need to know when traveling to Cyprus. Holidays in Cyprus. Holidays with children in Cyprus

For advanced air passengers, he told what things to avoid in Cyprus if you want only positive memories from your vacation.

Perhaps this summer you will go on vacation to Cyprus. Perhaps even for the first time. And even if not for the first time, our tips may come in handy. We have collected 10 things not to do in Cyprus: it will not be the best waste of time and money. And each, of course, has an alternative.

So, once in Cyprus, you should not:

Buy halloumi cheese in hotel supermarkets

Halloumi can be fried in a pan or on a grill. Deliver wrapped cheese - no problem

And in general in supermarkets in tourist areas. It is quite expensive there and often at the same time cheap - in the sense that in order to reduce the cost, cow's milk is added to halloumi, while the real one is made only from goat and sheep's milk. In hotels, by the way, they often fry it incorrectly, in thin slices - so it seems that the portion is larger. In fact, the correct thickness is about a centimeter.

For real halloumi, you can go, for example, to a donkey farm in the vicinity of Ayia Napa. No, this does not mean that they add donkey milk to it, it's just a fun tourist attraction with a "village" theme. The cross-country donkey ride included in the program at first glance gives off a terry pop, but in fact it impresses even those who have always been indifferent to “riding a horse”.

Trying to get into Varosha

Varosha is an abandoned resort on the demarcation line between the Republic of Cyprus and the unrecognized territory squeezed out by the Turks. Photos on the Internet attract fans of post-apocalyptic landscapes, but in fact the “object” is well guarded by the Turkish military, who, by the way, also semi-legally rest there, so you won’t be able to get there unnoticed.

If you need to “just look” - this can be done, firstly, during a boat trip from Ayia Napa: the steamboat comes quite close, everyone is given binoculars, and the line of gradually crumbling hotels along the beach can be studied in detail. Secondly, almost at the very “border” (Greek Cypriots do not consider it as such, because the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” is considered a temporarily occupied territory, like Crimea by Ukrainians) there is an occupation museum, from the roof of which everything is also perfectly visible through binoculars, and here they will tell in detail about what happened in 1974.

Varosha from the Museum of the Occupation. Grab your binoculars and go

Thirdly, if you are already walking along the casts, then the Berengaria Hotel in the western part of the island looks much more interesting, where you can stop by on the way to the Kykkos monastery, or even instead of the monastery.

Checkpoint at the "border" in Famagusta

Drive a rental car to Turtle Beach

This Larnaca airport mosaic is actually taken from an abandoned Nicosia airport. Compared to the 1967 version, not all fragments have been preserved.

Lara Beach is a place worth visiting. It is not a fact that you will see sea turtles that lay their eggs there, but the place itself is quiet, deserted and surprisingly clean even by the standards of Cyprus, where the cleanliness of the beaches is one of the main advantages for vacationers. However, if you go there in a rental car, then, firstly, you will drive for a very long time. Secondly, there is a risk of tearing road tires on sharp stones on the road (and this is an unpaved road, passing mainly on rocky ground).

On the beach, you will most likely see only fences around turtle nests. Large turtles come to lay their eggs at night, and little turtles, as you understand, also do not hatch every day, but after hatching, they immediately crawl to the sea and swim away

Thirdly, although there is no frank off-road in the Russian sense (swamp), it is easy to attach a bumper, threshold or muffler of a small car on uneven roads, for which you will then have to pay. The alternative is the so-called jeep safari. From a safari, of course, one name, but on a bench in the trunk of the Defender, it’s somehow more colorful to ride. The main thing, if there are more than one jeeps in your group, sit in the first jeep, because in the second one you swallow dust. By the way, choose trips that include a stop in the Avakas Gorge on the way: these are natural beauties that are indescribable in the form of text, photos or videos (and there are no crowds of tourists there).

Check into a hotel on the coast of Ayia Napa

We specially posted the ugliest photo from the gorge so that you can go and see everything with your own eyes

It will always be crowded here in the worst sense of the word: crowds of vacationers will literally lie under your windows, music will constantly play from beach bars, and people in the sea will be like in Simeiz.

Ayia Napa

Rented a room with a private terrace on the seafront in Ayia Napa? Well done, your territory is limited to a paved area

For a quiet relaxing holiday, it is better to go to Paphos (we were at the Coral Beach Hotel and Resort: a great place, albeit a little old-fashioned), and if you are in the eastern part of the island, then it makes sense to settle away from the sea.

In Coral Beach in Paphos, peace and quiet. You need to escape from the noisy crowds here

In the end, you do not run back and forth between the sea and the number, but come for a few hours. And if so, then the hotel can be reached in a few minutes on a free shuttle. And the beaches that such shuttles go to are not so crowded. An example of a good hotel of this type is St. Elias Resort, here you will live in small houses instead of multi-storey buildings, there are pools with slides and, most importantly, Ultra All Inclusive, dear to the Russian heart, which is generally rare for Cyprus. Surprisingly, there are few Russians in the hotel - mostly British.

St. Elias Resort - these are pools among two-story houses on a large territory, only one and a half hundred rooms and many pools. Some houses have their own.

Eat at tourist restaurants on the beach

Kleftiko oven

This, however, is the advice of Captain Obvious, but, damn it, you go - and people are sitting there and eating it is not clear what. What should you eat in Cyprus? First, look for places where they cook "kleftiko" - this is lamb stewed in special vats in a special oven for so long that it loses its characteristic taste of lamb and melts in your mouth; it is difficult to find them in tourist areas, restaurants are located in places where the local population is concentrated.

Another mandatory program is meze. Meze is fish and meat, the second is more typical for Cyprus. The idea is that tiny portions of various dishes are brought to you one by one: ideologically similar to Spanish tapas, but here most of the dishes are hot. Ideally, you should also drink local wine, for which, by the way, it is worth visiting the Kolios winery, which also serves meze (meat). Persefoni wine locally bottled at 5 euros a bottle is worth it to buy as much as you can take away.

Grapes grow on limestone; limestone is soaked with water during rains, and this is enough to feed the bushes; additionally, no one waters anything. Therefore, there is less water in the berry, which means that the wine has a richer taste.

And if you want a fish meze and still on the beach, then you should at least once go to Sailor’s Rest on the territory of St. Raphael Resort near Limassol.

That ocean liner on the shore is actually not a liner, but a restaurant. Expensive but worth it.

Ride to the spring of Aphrodite
We have no other source of Aphrodite for you

No, if you live very close, then you can go, but in general you are likely to be disappointed. The "source" is a small puddle in the grotto, along the walls of which water flows. You won’t be able to swim there, drink water - also, in a word, just a beautiful legend from guidebook authors who needed to write at least something else.

And by the way, here you can swim up to the cliff

But if you still went in that direction, then know that in the immediate vicinity of the source there is a rather interesting arboretum, and also a beautiful wild pebble beach, where there are never people. True, keep in mind that you will first have to go down a winding ladder from a high cliff, and then climb back along it.

Drink vodka to pelicans on the promenade in Paphos

Alas, this idiotic entertainment is typical only for "Russo tourist". It’s better to just take pictures with pelicans, but in general, since you are on the embankment, then go look at the ancient mosaics.

Even if you hate museums and all these thousand-year-old antiquities with all your heart, and your favorite entertainment is the Dom-2 TV show, you can still at least say: “Gee-gee, the swastika!”, Because the characteristic ornament is repeated in most these mosaics. At the same time, they will tell you that it has nothing to do with the forbidden symbolism, if you did not know this.

Buy an adapter for British sockets

Yes, outlets in Cyprus are different. This is not Greece (not to be confused with Crete), but a former British colony, and the sockets here are of the English type. In the store, they will be able to charge you 5, 10, and 20 euros for it - depending on the promotion of the brand, but in fact you don’t need it.

Firstly, in decent hotels, the adapter is rented. Somewhere even without a deposit, but somewhere they take 5 euros. Secondly, even if the adapter was not given to you, there is a life hack: we insert any improvised object into the central hole (for example, a pen rod, a cotton swab, etc.), thereby slightly opening the curtains of the main contacts.

We insert an ordinary euro plug into them, pull out an auxiliary item. In order not to mess around this way every time, take the simplest extension cord with a tee with you from Russia. Alas, in a number of hotels there are still sockets of the old British standard BS 546 with round holes; euro plugs won't fit in them, and the adapter is hard to find (so, again, don't buy an adapter).

Buy something in Duty-Free at Larnaca Airport

Some drinks in dutik can be tasted for free, but in homeopathic doses

All local products are much more expensive there than in ordinary stores. Foreign drinks in general are also not cheap.

Look better at non-food items - glasses, perfumes, etc., because you can also have a drink in the business lounge, where, by the way, there is a beautiful terrace from where you can look at the planes (and smoking is also allowed there).

Terrace in Larnaca airport business lounge where you can smoke.

This is not the entire selection of alcohol in the LCA business lounge.

By the way, you can watch the planes from Mackenzie Beach not far from the airport: there are few people, nice sand, you swim right under the glide slope, and the end of the runway literally goes to the beach. Just don't come close to the airport fence: a security car drives up from that side very quickly, and from it they look at you with mute reproach.

Travel on your own during the season to save money

Fresh 737-800 "Russia" fly to Cyprus, some machines are not even a year old

Many consider package tours to be evil and do not want to feed tour operators, but this is not about Cyprus and not about the season. Yes, all hotels can be booked through bookings or islands, and you can buy tickets yourself, but it will be more expensive. For understanding: a Cypriot hotel gives rooms to a tour operator for about two times cheaper than it sells them “retail” to online travel agencies.

Even taking into account the margin of the tour operator, for the price of a room, if you independently organize the trip, you will also receive at least a free ticket, moreover, by a good airline. The main tour operator is Biblio-Globus, it cooperates with Rossiya, which flies to Cyprus mainly on fresh Boeing 737-800s and, by the way, feeds quite well (plus you can order additional food).

Standard catering is hearty, though without frills, you can order additional for an extra charge if you are flying from Moscow

Of the regions, this is generally almost an uncontested option; regular flights will, as a rule, with a transfer in Moscow, and for a ticket from a decent carrier you can pay almost the cost of a package tour. Do not forget about the transfers included in the tour.

The plane of "Russia" in Larnaca

Taxis in Cyprus are expensive (from Larnaca to Paphos, for example, 100 euros), and when renting a car, keep in mind that the traffic is left-hand drive, that is, cars are right-hand drive. Accordingly, the cheapest options with manual transmission, where the gears will need to be switched with the left hand, are unlikely to suit you.

In a number of hotels from "Biblio-Globus" there is even a separate children's animation in Russian.

At the airport of Larnaca for the flights of "Russia" there are many counters working at once: the airport is trying so that you do not stand in queues, but go to spend money faster.

1. Check the information about your flight on the information board and go to the check-in counters, the numbers of which are indicated on the board. Please present your passport and ticket when checking in.
2. After checking in and announcing the start of boarding, you must go to the appropriate areas for international flights.

Passengers of international flights go through customs, passport control, as well as security control, after which they await the departure of the flight in the sterile zone of the gallery of international airlines. Passport and boarding pass are presented at the checkpoint.

When transporting animals or plants, it is necessary to pass phytocontrol / veterinary control.

Rules for conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections

In accordance with Appendix No. 1 of the Rules for conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections, approved by order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated July 25, 2007 No. 104 forbidden to carry on board the aircraft by passengers in the checked baggage and in the belongings of the passengers, the following hazardous substances and items:

Permitted to carry on board the aircraft by crew members and passengers, in compliance with the required conditions, the following items and substances:

• in checked baggage in the cargo and baggage compartments of an aircraft with isolated passenger access to baggage during the flight:
  • crossbows, spearguns, checkers, sabers, cleavers, scimitars, broadswords, swords, swords, bayonets, daggers, hunting knives, knives with ejected blades, with locking locks, imitators of any type of weapon;
  • household knives (scissors) with a blade (blade) length over 60 mm; alcoholic beverages containing more than 24%, but not more than 70% alcohol by volume in containers with a capacity of not more than 5 liters, in containers intended for retail trade - not more than 5 liters per passenger;
  • liquids and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of not more than 24% by volume;
  • aerosols intended for use for sports or domestic purposes, the outlet valves of which are protected by caps from spontaneous release of contents in containers with a capacity of not more than 0.5 kg or 500 ml - not more than 2 kg or 2 liters per passenger;
• in things carried by passengers:
  • medical thermometer - one per passenger;
  • mercury blood pressure monitor in a standard case - one per passenger;
  • barometer or mercury manometer, packed in a sealed container and sealed with the seal of the sender;
  • disposable lighters - one per passenger;
  • dry ice for cooling perishable products - no more than 2 kg per passenger;
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide - no more than 100 ml per passenger;
  • non-hazardous liquids, gels and aerosols: in containers with a capacity of not more than 100 ml (or an equivalent capacity in other volume units), packed in a securely closed transparent plastic bag with a volume of not more than 1 liter - one bag per passenger.

Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 ml will not be accepted for carriage even if the container is only partially filled. Transportation exceptions are for medicines, baby food and special dietary needs.

Liquids purchased at duty-free shops at the airport or on board the aircraft must be packed in a securely sealed (sealed) plastic bag that allows identification of the contents of the package during the flight and has reliable confirmation that this purchase was made at airport duty-free shops or on board the aircraft on the day(s) of travel. Keep your proof of purchase. Do not open the package either before boarding the cabin or during the flight.

The administration of the airport, airline, operator has the right to decide on the introduction of additional measures to ensure aviation security on flights with increased danger, as a result of which it is prohibited to carry the following items in the aircraft cabin:

• corkscrews;
• hypodermic needles (unless medical justification is provided);
• knitting needles;
• scissors with a blade length of less than 60 mm;
• folding (without latch) travel, penknives with a blade length of less than 60 mm.

Flight time

The flight to Cyprus is about 4 hours.

Upon arrival at Larnaca Airport, Paphos

Upon arrival at the airport of Larnaca, Paphos, immediately go to passport control. Then follow the step by step instructions:

Attention! Not all transfers are accompanied by guides.

Important! During the period 11/05/2018 - 04/20/2019, due to the winter season, not all transfers are accompanied by guides.
Information support for tourists is provided by the phone number indicated on the information envelope that guests receive upon arrival at Larnaca Airport.
In the Paphos region, prompt customer service occurs only by phone.

In a hotel

1. Go to the reception, where you will be given a registration card.
2. Fill out the registration card in English.
3. Hand over the completed registration card, voucher (1 copy of 3), foreign passport (foreign passport will be returned to you after making a photocopy, check at the reception when you can pick up your passport).
4. Expect settlement. Check-in at the hotel takes place at 14:00-15:00. If you want to check into a room earlier than the specified time, you must pre-book a room a day earlier than the date of your arrival (for example, you arrive in Cyprus at 5 am on September 10, so as not to wait for check-in until 14:00-15:00, you can book a room not from September 10, but from September 9. In this case, you will be settled in the room as soon as you arrive at the hotel). Upon check-in, you will be given the keys to your room.
5. After checking into your room, check the information provided by the hotel. Pay attention to what services are paid and how much they cost (as a rule, the information is in a folder and lies on a table or bedside table).

Meeting with the hotel guide

The time of meeting with the hotel guide will be reported to you by the escort (transfer) on the way to the hotel or by the representative of TEZ TOUR at the airport, if the transfer is carried out without a guide. At the appointed time, you must approach the hotel guide, who will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. Take your passport, voucher, air ticket for the return flight with you to the meeting.

For all questions and problems, please contact the hotel guide or the hotel reception. The guide's coordinates (photo, name, mobile phone) and the hours when the guide is directly at the hotel are indicated on the TEZ TOUR information stand in the hotel lobby.

The day before the flight home

1. Go to the reception, check if you have unpaid bills for additional services (use of the minibar, telephone, etc.). If you have debts, pay them off.
2. In the evening, go to the TEZ TOUR information stand or the hotel guide and check the time of departure and departure from the hotel. To do this, you need to know the number of the return flight on which you are departing.

Departure from the hotel

On the day of departure, you must vacate the room before 12:00 and return the keys.

You can leave your luggage in the hotel's storage room.

In order to avoid various complications, please do not be late and come to the transfer at the specified time.

Arrival at the airport of Larnaca, Paphos for departure

1. Upon arrival at the airport, immediately at the entrance, luggage is weighed and packed (if desired and for an additional fee).
2. Go to the check-in counter, where your flight number is indicated (the numbers of the counters will be additionally reported to you by the attendant (transfer) on the bus on the way to the airport).
3. Check in for the flight (provide your passport and ticket).
4. Drop off your luggage at the check-in desk.
5. Get your boarding pass. Pay attention to the exit number and the time for boarding the aircraft (in the boarding pass, the exit is indicated by the word GATE, the time is TIME).
6. Go through passport control (provide a foreign passport).
7. Proceed to the departure hall where you will be waiting for your flight boarding announcement.

Useful information

Visa

From 04.05.2009 a simplified way of entry to Cyprus for citizens of the Russian Federation was introduced:

• tourists who have a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa and have made at least one trip to the country that issued this visa can enter Cyprus;
• registration of a pro-visa through the consulate of Cyprus when issuing a tourist voucher (single entry with a stay of up to 90 days).

Medical service

All medical care in Cyprus is paid, but if you have an insurance policy, the service is free of charge or with subsequent reimbursement of expenses according to the insurance policy (see the leaflet attached to the insurance policy). In the event of an insured event, you must contact the insurance company by phone numbers specified in the insurance policy. Only with the direct notification of the insurance company and coordination by it of your actions will free (or with subsequent reimbursement of expenses) service be provided. If you plan to engage in extreme activities in Cyprus, then take out a special insurance policy.

first aid kit

Before the trip, form and take a first aid kit with you, which will help you with minor ailments, save you time looking for medicines and get rid of the problems of communicating in a foreign language, in addition, many medicines can have different names in different countries.

Transport

There are 3 types of bus service in Cyprus:

• city ​​buses linking the city districts. They go from 06:00 to 19:00 with an interval of 20-30 minutes. One-way fare 1 euro;
• intercity buses run several times a day and connect cities;
• rural buses that link villages with nearby towns.

There is also a classification Taxi. City taxis are equipped with taximeters and the cost includes a landing fee. There are also day (06:00-20:30) and night (20:30-06:00) rates. An additional fee is charged on holidays, as well as for each piece of baggage weighing more than 12 kg, waiting or being late.

Car rental

In Cyprus, left-hand traffic, keep this in mind if you are going to rent a car.

A car can be rented to persons over 23 years of age and with at least 5 years of driving experience, upon presentation of the following documents: driver's license, passport, credit card or sufficient cash for a mandatory deposit.

All cars have CASCO insurance. The minimum rental period is three days, mileage is not limited. Make sure the car is fully insured, including headlights and glass. Gasoline is bought independently, or the car can be provided with a full tank, in which case gasoline is paid extra. In the event of an accident, do not move the car until the arrival of the police. The police may not speak Russian or English and you will not be able to explain your version of the event, so you must immediately inform the company where the car was rented and the representative of TEZ TOUR about what happened. Be sure to have your driver's license, passport and car rental documents with you, as police checks are possible.

The shops

The shops have flexible working hours, during the tourist season many shops are open until late in the evening.

It is not customary to bargain in small shops and markets.

Souvenirs

The most popular purchases in Cyprus are handmade silverware, lace, icons, sweets (fruits in honey syrup, shushuko (nuts in grape juice), Turkish delight), as well as olive oil, olives, wine, Halloumi cheese.

Time

The time in summer coincides with Moscow, in winter it is 1 hour behind Moscow.

Money

The monetary unit of Cyprus is the euro. When importing another currency, it will need to be exchanged at exchange offices or banks. Bank branches are usually open on weekdays from 8:30 to 13:00.

Mains voltage

Mains voltage 220 V. Three-pin and rectangular sockets. To use your electrical appliances, you will need adapters (adapters), which can be purchased at any store or taken on deposit (5-10 euros) at the hotel reception.

Religion

78% of the local population are Orthodox, 18% are Muslims.

Tips

As a rule, in restaurants and hotels in Cyprus, tips are included in the bill at a rate of 10%, so it is not necessary to leave them.

Customs

You can take out of Russia without a bank certificate up to $ 3,000 per person. If you take out up to 10,000 USD per person, the amount must be declared and the passage is through the red corridor; if more than 10,000 US dollars per person, then you must have bank documents with you.

Duty-free import is allowed: 200 cigarettes, or 50 pieces of cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits with an alcohol content of 22% by volume, 2 liters of wine with an alcohol content of less than 22% by volume, no more than 0.06 liters of spirits, no more than 0.25 liters of toilet water.

It is forbidden to import drugs, cold and firearms, fruits, fresh flowers and birds, products of animal origin (meat, fish, eggs, honey) weighing more than 1 kg.

It is forbidden to export from Cyprus: items from archaeological sites (including stones), items found on the shore or at the bottom of the sea, antiquities and works of art, animals and birds.

• for drinking it is recommended to use mineral water, which can be purchased in shops and bars of the hotel;
• we recommend storing jewelry, money and documents in a safe located in the room or in a safe at the reception desk;
• It is recommended to hand over the room key to the hotel reception. If you lose your key, please notify the hotel immediately.

Phones

Cyprus is the island of Aphrodite, born from sea foam and endowed with a special femininity and intoxicating look. Since the goddess of love arose precisely here, the enchanting aroma of love hovers in the air of the island, which is felt literally from the first minutes of being in this unique corner of the planet. If you want to plunge into the bewitching realm of love, then go here. And the captivating charm of these places will make you come back again.

Geographical position

Cyprus is the third largest island in terms of area and population. Geographically, it belongs to Asia. It is located in the east of the Mediterranean: to Egypt - 385 km, to Syria - 106 km, to Turkey - 74 km. The island stretched from east to west for 245 km, and its width is about 100 km. It is divided into several parts. One part belongs to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the other large part belongs to the Republic of Cyprus, and there is a buffer zone between them. Mountains are located on a large part of the island. The Kyrenia mountain range rises along the northern coast. In the South-West direction is the Troodos massif with many valleys. The highest point of the island is Olymbos. The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia.

Climate of Cyprus

The climate on the island is Mediterranean, tropical. It is characterized by hot, dry summers beginning in May and ending in September. The number of sunny days reaches 325–345 per year. The holiday season lasts from April to November, the air warms up to + 25-36°C, sea water temperature reaches +25-29°C.

Winter is rather mild, rainy, with storms at sea. The temperature sometimes drops to +5°C at night. You can see snow here only in the mountains, for example, in the Troodos resort. The seasons of spring and autumn are very short, with comfortable and refreshing weather. The sky is clear and the sun is shining almost all year round. Since April, the sea is already suitable for swimming, its temperature is kept at +20°C. The tourist season officially begins in May.

How to get there

Transport links with the continents are perfectly regulated. There are 7 airports directly on the island. And any Russian tourist, having departed from Moscow or St. Petersburg, may end up at the airports of Larnaca or Paphos. One has only to buy a ticket for a charter flight (departures take place on Sundays and Saturdays, less often on Wednesdays). You can use the services of Aeroflot, Cyprus Airlines or Transaero and fly on a regular flight.

The duration of the flight on Cyprus Airlines is 4.5 hours, while other carriers that have the right to fly through the airspace of the Republic of Turkey spend 3.5 hours on this. You can also get there by sea - regular flights and ferries from Greece, Israel, Egypt.

Visa and customs

To travel to the Cypriot territory, every resident of Russia issues a visa. This is carried out at the embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in the capital of Russia or at the consulate of St. Petersburg. The registration procedure is free and is carried out promptly - up to 5 days. Owners do not need to do national.

The following documents are required:

• questionnaire in English;
• international passport, with one blank sheet and with a long validity period;
• a copy of the first page of the passport;
• a color photograph glued to the application form, 3x4 cm;
• a copy of an invitation from a Cypriot travel agency, a travel voucher or a hotel reservation confirmation.

To pass customs control, prepare: a passport, an air ticket, a hotel reservation document, currency - 50–70 € / day for one person. Cash over €10,000 must be declared. You can enter 50 cigars or 7 packs of cigarettes, 1-2 liters of fortified drinks and 200 g of perfume into the country without duty. It is forbidden to import weapons, narcotic substances, flowers, chemicals, fruits. It is also not allowed to lift archaeological sites from the bottom of the sea and transport them outside the island without permission.

monetary system

The monetary unit is the Euro. The exchange is carried out by banks, private exchange offices, hotels, transport institutions, and post offices. Banks on the Greek part of the island operate until 13:00, on the Turkish side - until 17:00, exchange points - a little longer. Avoid large banknotes so as not to buy a fake.

Transport

When moving from one city of Cyprus to another, you need to consider in which parts of the island they are located. On the Turkish section with public transport, there are no difficulties - buses run constantly, the price is quite affordable - 1.5 € / 50 km. On the other half, you will have to wait for transport for a long time. Buses run only on weekdays, and rarely, and the price is 6 € / 50 km. There is no transport connection between the two parts of Cyprus.

In cities, you can travel by minibuses and municipal buses. Traveling in a mini-bus is more expensive. On Saturday, transport is open until lunch, and on Sunday it is not at all. The only way to get to the airport is by taxi, no transport goes there. Taxi is called through the hotel administrator, stopped on the street, called from a store or restaurant. The day rate is 15% cheaper than the night rate. Sometimes a car is rented to move around the island. The rental price is on average 35€.

Resorts of Cyprus

The island is washed on all sides by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The blueness of sea waters, unusual underwater inhabitants, lost caves and grottoes, secluded bays and endless azure beaches are the wealth of Cypriots. Fashionable scattered on the south side of the island:

• Popular: Protaras, Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Limassol.
• Elite resort- Paphos.
• Youth: Paphos, Ayia Napa.
• Stay oriented family: Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Limassol, Protaras.

You can get acquainted with the resorts in more detail.

Cyprus Hotels

Traditions and customs

Due to historical events, the island is divided into two parts, and the customs of these two territories are very different in religious and cultural terms. Some Cypriots adopted the traditions and customs of their close neighbor - Turkey. In the northern regions, children are given Turkish names, you will see most Turkish dishes on the menu, and the inhabitants of this unrecognized territory practice Islam. Another part of the inhabitants of the island prefers Greek traditions, consumes Greek national food and professes Orthodoxy.

Cypriots are cheerful and hospitable people. Therefore, various holidays and festivals are often held on the island. The unforgettable Wine Festival enjoys special attraction. It is held in early autumn in Limassol. This enchanting action lasts for several days, accompanied by folk music, pouring free wine from barrels and performances by artists on themes from Greek myths.

In May, Kyrenia hosts a flower fair. Also at the end of August, a curious folk dance festival and a lemon festival in Karavas are held. An unforgettable sight is the festival of the Flood, the participants of the procession move through the whole city, douse themselves and splash on people they meet on the way. But despite all the abundance of holidays, the most pompous is Easter.

Entertainment and excursions

Unforgettable prospects open up here for vacationers. Those who are closer to the educational type of recreation are offered thematic excursions around the island, visits to monasteries and trips to the monuments of antiquity.

Of great interest will be a visit to:

• the medieval castle of Kolossi;
• destroyed in IV AD. e. the ancient city of Kourion, where the Greco-Roman amphitheater has been preserved and restored;
• a tour of the locations of the Byzantine churches - Kakopetria, as well as a visit to the wine-growing village of Omodos on the way back;
• the temple of Apollo, where in former times the inhabitants of Kourion praised the patron saint of the city, Apollo of Chilate;
• the corner where Aphrodite was born - Paphos.

Vacationers with children can plunge headlong into the fascinating world of the Aquapark and the Dolphinarium, see the aquarium and the “show of dancing fountains”. For fidgets and people who like to actively spend their leisure time, Cyprus provides many opportunities: horseback riding, golf, safari tours, tennis. Yachting, fishing, spearfishing for octopuses, and diving are popular.

Cypriot cuisine

Greek cuisine is dominated by the islanders, with a lot of seafood being used. Also the basis of the Cypriot cuisine is meat and vegetable products. A special feature of the cuisine is the meze (lunch consisting of 25–30 items). First they bring snacks, and at the end meat and fish delicacies.

Excellent taste in dishes with the addition of halloumi, feta cheeses and young walnuts placed in syrup. And the island's wines, fortified spirits and liquors are worth tasting. A tip of 10% is immediately credited to the bill, but if you decide to add a few coins, they will be accepted with gratitude.

shopping

During the high season, shops are open from 7:00 to 20:00, sometimes until 22:00. In the low season (November - March) they are open from 8:00 to 18:00 (the break lasts two hours, starting at 13:00). On Wednesday and Saturday, trade establishments do not provide services in the afternoon. Sunday is a day off.

From Cyprus they bring:

• liqueurs, dessert wines such as "Commandaria", "Namasskoe", bought in the monastery cellars of Kykkos;
• silverware, openwork lace, made by hand;
• paintings with a marine theme, jewelry;
• leather clothes, fur coats;
• souvenir figurines of Aphrodite, dolls in local folk costumes, models of ships;

The island of Cyprus is a favorite destination for Russian tourists. This is not surprising. The country is absolutely safe. You can drink water simply from the tap without risking getting a gastrointestinal disease. And smokers should remember that the island has the toughest restrictions on smoking in public places in the European Union.

Cypriots are very emotional people, they may very well discuss something very loudly in a cafe or argue very violently and noisily about something, actively gesticulate, “talk with their hands”. Fortunately, they are kind and friendly.

However, they have a little their own ideas about the border between acceptable emotionality and aggression. If you behave like them, your emotionality may be misinterpreted.

Cypriots do not like rules and laws. They smoke anywhere, although quite recently a new anti-smoking law came into force on the island, which we wrote about in the article “”. They can drink alcohol right on the street, although their laws prohibit this, as we talked about in the article “”.

Cypriots make noise at night and early in the morning, no one here is surprised by this. When they meet, they can ask a bunch of questions that it’s not customary for us to ask even good friends - marital status, how much you earn and the like. Don't be surprised and don't be scared.

Bicycles

Bicycles are becoming more and more popular in Cyprus. The infrastructure for cyclists is being actively improved. Bicycle lanes are marked with blue markings and special signs.

Recently, cycling tourist routes have been gaining popularity: in the mountain range, along, on the Akamas Peninsula, along the streets of Nicosia, to. There are successful rental programs in and in, you take a bike at one of the rental points and return it at another.

If you decide to go cycling, be sure to follow the markings. Cypriot drivers are not very disciplined, driving on a public road can be dangerous.

Fines for drivers

The Cypriot traffic police are not very active, they do not arrange large raids. However, the chances of “flying in” for an unpleasant fine are quite real.

Not wearing a seat belt - 90 euros. Talk on the phone without using a “hands free” headset - 150 euros. Exceeded the speed limit - 2 euro fine for 1 km/h exceeding. You must not eat or drink while driving, you must not smoke in the car if there is a person under the age of 16 nearby. Be especially careful where and how you park.

Attention to photographers

At many attractions it is forbidden to take pictures, or you need to buy a special permit at the box office along with the ticket. Watch for prohibition signs.

It is strictly forbidden to shoot military facilities, this also applies to the facilities of the Cypriot army, and the bases of Great Britain, and the military peacekeepers of the UN.

Cyprus is the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean. Geographically belongs to Asia. Cyprus is located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean at a distance of 380 km from Egypt, 105 km from Syria and 75 km from Turkey. The island stretches for 240 km from east to west, and reaches a width of 100 km from north to south. Area - 9251 km². In fact, the island is divided between three states: 36% of the territory is controlled by the partially recognized state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, 3.7% by the UN (buffer region), 2.7% by the UK (military bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia), the rest 57.6% - Republic of Cyprus. Briefly about what tourists need to know about Cyprus in this article.

Tourists about Cyprus - useful and practical information

Relief of Cyprus

Most of the island is occupied by mountains. It stretches along the northern coast in a latitudinal direction. Its width in the western part is 15 km, to the east it expands to 25-30 km. The western part of the Kyrenia range is higher; some peaks exceed 1 thousand m. The highest point of the ridge is Mount Akromanda (1023 m). The southwestern half of the island is occupied by a wide mountain range, indented by longitudinal river valleys. Its northern part is the highest, here is also the highest point of Cyprus - (1952 m).

Climate of Cyprus

Population of Cyprus

The population of Cyprus for several centuries consists of two ethnic groups: Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. After the division of the island, the vast majority of Greek Cypriots live in the south, and the Turks in the north. The total population is about 900 thousand people, of which Greeks - 650,000, Turks - 160 thousand. Also in Cyprus live 17 thousand Englishmen, from 20 to 50 thousand Russians, 4 thousand Armenians. After the 1974 war, about 180,000 Greek Cypriots fled or were forcibly resettled south. About 42,000 Turks moved north. And only in the village of Pila of the district, under the administration appointed by the UN, both groups of the population live.

Religion in Cyprus

The majority of the population of Cyprus are ethnic Greeks who practice Orthodox Christianity and ethnic Turks who practice Islam.
The Cypriot Orthodox Church has the status of a quasi-state institution and plays a significant role in the socio-political life of the country; primate of the Cypriot Church - Archbishop of New Justiniana and. In addition to the temples (more than 500) found in almost every village, the church has 11 monasteries in Cyprus, which own the largest and most fertile lands of the island, which have year-round artificial irrigation, and other large property.
Armenian, Catholic, Maronite churches are represented, as well as Judaism and other religions.

Political system of Cyprus

After gaining independence, the Republic of Cyprus became one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, despite the fact that all three guarantor powers (Great Britain, Greece and Turkey) were members of NATO. In 2004, Cyprus withdrew from the Non-Aligned Movement in order to join the European Union, but retained a special observer status in this organization. The 1960 constitution introduced a presidential republic with the division of powers into executive, legislative and judicial, and quotas to protect the interests of ethnic Turks. The president and vice president were elected respectively by the Greek and Turkish communities for a five-year term, and had the right to veto certain initiatives of the legislative and executive authorities.

The House of Representatives was elected on the basis of separate registration of votes for both communities. Since 1964, the seats of the Turkish community have remained unoccupied. After the split of the island, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is headed by a President and Prime Minister, responsible to the National Assembly. The TRNC authorities reject the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the entire territory of the island, and call it the "Greek authorities of South Cyprus". Accordingly, the Republic of Cyprus and other UN member states, with the exception of Turkey, do not recognize the TRNC, and designate it as "territories occupied by Turkish troops."

Since May 1, 2004, the Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the European Union. Legal, according to the jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus, the way to arrive on the island is through either, or the seaports of Larnaca or Limassol. Legal under the jurisdiction of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - through Turkey, and the ports of Northern Cyprus, sea or air. Since January 1, 2008, the Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the eurozone, that is, its national currency - the Cypriot pound - has been replaced by the euro.

It can be useful

The Republic of Cyprus adheres to the policy of non-alignment and is not a member of NATO.
The Turkish sector is indicated on the maps of the Republic of Cyprus as "territory inaccessible due to Turkish occupation", the same on the map of the northern part. The names of the cities of Northern Cyprus are given as of 1974, there are no road signs for these cities.

Real estate located in Northern Cyprus, and owned until 1974 by ethnic Greeks, continues to be considered their property. The purchase of such property may be considered legal in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, but the authorities of the Greek sector may regard such a move as buying stolen goods. Formally, 98% of the island's territory is under the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, minus the British military bases. De facto, 38% of the territory is occupied by the partially recognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. the islands are free, with a visa of the Republic of Cyprus, however, it is carried out only in certain places.

A visa of the partially recognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is issued upon entry. Insurance may not cover Turkish territory. When returning from the northern part of the island, a customs inspection may be carried out. Since prices in Turkish territory are significantly lower, the import of goods from it is limited. The Republic of Cyprus may refuse entry to persons who have a stamp in their passport confirming that they have visited the Republic of Macedonia. This fact is connected with the dispute of this state with Greece about its name.
Diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in the Republic of Cyprus were established in August 1960. On April 7, 1992, the Republic of Cyprus recognized the Russian Federation as the legal successor of the USSR. Embassies of Russia are located in the cities

Persons with a visitor visa are prohibited from working. A work permit must be obtained prior to arrival in the Republic of Cyprus. In April 2004, referendums were held in both Cypriot republics on unification into a single state. The proposed plan to unify the island was named after its author, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. 65% of the citizens of the TRNC participating in the referendum supported the Annan plan, 75% of the Greek Cypriots rejected the plan.

Economy of Cyprus

The economy of Cyprus is strongly influenced by the division of the island into the Greek sector (Republic of Cyprus) and Turkish (partially recognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). The Greek sector economy experienced a speculative boom associated with offshore capital inflows between 1990 and 2008, but is highly dependent on external risks. Growth rates in the 1990s reflect the island's dependence on fluctuating tourist numbers, and changing economic conditions in Western Europe.

In January 2008, the Republic of Cyprus entered the eurozone, and its monetary policy is dictated by the European Central Bank, which reduced the republic's competitiveness in world markets and ultimately brought the country to the brink of a financial and economic crisis in 2012-2013. As a result of the crisis unrest prices for residential real estate have dropped significantly. So in the municipal residential sector, the cost of housing ranges from 400 euros per square meter of construction. In the private sector, the cost of land per hundred square meters varies on average from 1,700 to 50,000 euros.

The Turkish sector represents one fifth of the population and one tenth of the GNP compared to the Greek part of the island. Due to the fact that it is recognized only by Turkey among the UN member states, Northern Cyprus has difficulties with international financing, and foreign firms usually avoid investing in it. Half of the labor force is employed in agriculture, government and military service. The Turkish lira is in circulation in the northern part of the island. Turkey also provides direct and indirect assistance to tourism, education, industry, etc. There is a problem of water supply in the Turkish sector, and the construction of desalination stations is planned.

Transport in Cyprus

The roads in Cyprus are among the best in the European Union, and are divided into main, auxiliary paved, country roads and motorways (motorway). Movement is left-handed. The main 4 roads run along the south coast from Larnaca to Limassol and lead to Nicosia. Buses are the only form of public transport. you can drive almost everywhere. There are three international airports in Cyprus, two are located on the Greek part of the island in Paphos (16 km from the city) and Larnaca (2 km from the city). There is also a full-fledged operating airport in Nicosia - Ercan (Ercan), All flights to Northern Cyprus pass through the territory of Turkey. The main airline serving the Greek part of the island is Cyprus Airways. Larnaca Airport was opened in 1975, after the forced closure of the airport in Nicosia, and is partially located on the territory previously used by Britain as a military base. Large seaports, after closing, are and.

Tourism in Cyprus

The tourism industry is one of the main items of national income. It is the responsibility of the Cyprus Tourist Organization (CTO). A significant part of the population works in this sector, and the profit brought by tourism is the main source of foreign currency inflow to the budget of the republic. Over the past 4 years, the number of tourists visiting Cyprus has increased by 29%, and income from tourism - by 40%.

Major resorts:

Many beaches of the Republic of Cyprus have been awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union for environmental cleanliness and infrastructure. Most of these beaches are municipal, renting sun loungers and sun umbrellas is paid. The city of Nicosia (Lefkosia) is the capital and largest city of Cyprus. It is located in the center of the island and is separated by a "green line". The city blocks to the north of it are controlled by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The second largest city in Cyprus is the seaport of Limassol, founded in Byzantine times. To the west of it is the British sovereign base of Akrotiri.

Of the resorts of the Republic of Cyprus, Ayia Napa is the center of club life and is focused mainly on young people. For family holidays, Paphos and Protaras serve mainly. Ayia Napa is the only resort in the Republic of Cyprus, where the surface layer of the beaches consists of imported white sand. , and from dark volcanic sand. The beaches of Portaras are mixed, mostly of yellow sand.

included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, and is also known for the fact that Aphrodite's Bay is located near it. According to legend, in this place the goddess of love and beauty was born from sea foam.

In addition to left-hand traffic, the power supply standard belongs to the British heritage - three-pin sockets (one of them is grounding, an analogue of the side contact of the euro plug), but not 230 V, as in the UK, but 240 V.

Many shops and banks on the island are closed on Wednesday afternoons and all day on Sunday, and on weekdays only from 8:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:30 in winter, from 16:00 to 19:00 in summer.

There is some tension between the two communities. When communicating with, it is not recommended to mention the Turkish occupation of the northern part of the island. A particularly painful topic is the "ghost town" of Varosha. Among the ethnic Greeks in Cyprus, one can meet a certain number of immigrants from the former USSR (Pontic Greeks).

The procedure for entering the Republic of Cyprus

On January 1, 2004, a decree on the introduction of a visa regime for Russian citizens came into effect. According to the decision of the Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus, citizens of the Russian Federation who have a valid Schengen visa (category C with multiple entry), and who have already visited the Schengen country on it, can travel to Cyprus without a national Cypriot visa and stay there for the period stipulated by the Schengen visa in accordance with the Schengen visa rules stated in their passport and leave Cyprus no later than the expiry date of the Schengen visa.

It is necessary to check the number of days to stay in the Schengen country. Days of stay in Cyprus are not deducted from the Schengen visa.
European Union passport holders do not need to obtain a visa to enter Cyprus, but they are required to carry a valid passport or identity card, provided that they contain a photo and indicate citizenship.

Countries whose citizens are not required to obtain a visa to enter Cyprus for a stay not exceeding 90 days, provided that they are well-intentioned visitors to the country, include the following: Australia, Austria, Andorra, Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Brunei, Vatican City, Hungary, Venezuela, Guatemala, Germany, Holland, Honduras, Hong Kong, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Costa Rica, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, El Salvador, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, United States, Uruguay, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic Republic, Chile, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, South Korea, Japan.

If citizens of the Russian Federation do not fly from Russia, they need to apply for a tourist visa in their passport; if a tourist has an open valid Schengen visa, he can visit the territory of Cyprus on this visa.
Citizens of the Russian Federation are required to enter the Republic of Cyprus.

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The best hotels in Cyprus

Protaras Hotels

Ayia Napa is a prestigious and very popular resort among tourists from all over the world. Today, this picturesque corner of the earth organically combines natural beauty with vibrant nightlife. Therefore, holidays in Ayia Napa are more suitable for young people. The city has a huge number of bars, nightclubs, taverns, restaurants, shopping centers. Any entertainment venue can boast a variety of Cypriot wines and delicious national cuisine.

Larnaca is the third largest city in Cyprus and the main air tourist gate of the island. This is where most tourists come from all over the world. Of all the resort towns in Cyprus, holidays in Larnaca are the easiest and most economical. The city is very democratic and therefore it will be good for everyone here: families, young people, elderly couples, business people, and single tourists too. Everyone here will find something to their liking.

The city of Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus. This is a modern and business resort center. In Limassol and its environs, the focus of industrial corporations of foreign companies, as well as the Commandaria area, the center of Cypriot winemaking, is located. Geographically, it is very attractive for tourists who want to visit different parts of the island. Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa can be reached by bus in just 1.5 hours.

Paphos is the most elite resort in Cyprus and is located on the western coast of the island. On the one hand, it is a classic old European resort town, and on the other hand, it is fashionable and modern. In general, the resort is focused on the recreation of wealthy people. Many artists, businessmen who want high quality in everything come to rest in Paphos. On the other hand, there are hotels and entertainment for people of different ages and incomes.