Take a Holiday in Cyprus in Springtime to See the Wildflowers Blooming
Cyprus has a fabulous climate all year round but springtime is the best time to visit to see wildflowers blooming. It’s also the quietest time to enjoy Cyprus’s beaches.
Kataklysmos Monday or Flood Festival is a major celebration for Cypriots, preceding Pentecost (or Whitsun). It combines Carnival with the story of Noah’s Ark.
Beaches
Cyprus is home to many impressive beaches, and the island is a beach-lover’s paradise. From secluded coves to buzzing resorts, there’s plenty of places to relax by the sea and soak up some sunshine. The best known is probably Nissi Beach – famed for its tiny uninhabited islet across the water, which can be reached by swimming or even walking when the tide is low. The beach is also home to a popular beach bar that plays music all day, and is a top spot for sunbathing and partying.
June marks the start of the summer season and the beaches get busy. Coral Bay is a favorite for visitors because it has soft sand and usually much calmer waters than other beaches within Paphos thanks to its location within the cliffs. The water is also typically a little warmer than at other beaches on the island. It’s also the location of the famous Aphrodite’s Rock, where legend has it that the goddess of love and beauty rose from the sea.
The other main beach near Ayia Napa is Fig Tree Bay. This beach is named for the green fig trees that line its shores, and it’s a stunning setting. The crystal clear water and fine sandy beaches are just some of the reasons this beach is ranked amongst the top beaches in Europe.
Other highlights include Paphos Harbour, which is a hub of activity with boats coming and going all day, and Embryolakdi Beach where you can often see loggerhead turtles nesting. You can also visit the ruins of Kourion and Limassol, go hiking in the Akamas Peninsula National Park or on the Troodos Mountains, and explore some of the other historic sites on the island.
It is impossible to get acquainted with the sights of Cyprus in one day, as well as in a week, but you can see the maximum number of new places with the help of a rented car at one of the country's airports. For example, in Larnaca airport you can rent a car from 15 euros per day, in Paphos airport - from 17 euros per day.
Nightlife
Cyprus has a reputation as one of Europe's booziest party destinations, and it’s certainly true that the island knows how to turn on the after-dark fun. From hedonistic booze cruises to thumping all-night clubs, the country has something for every revelry-seeker. Its premier party city of Ayia Napa has a wild reputation, and its pulsing nightlife scene draws scores of young crowds between April and October each year.
The capital of Nicosia and its neighbouring cities of Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca and Protaras also have a lively after-dark scene. Bars and pubs stay open until around 2 AM, while clubs buzz with activity until the early hours of morning. Cyprus nightlife offers pleasure, melody, nonstop dancing, soulfully prepared food and drinks, a pleasant climate and creative clubs situated on the coast.
If you’re looking for a more laidback experience, Cyprus’s winter months (February and March) are ideal for those who want to relax along the shore or enjoy some of the finest spa hotels in the world. You’ll be able to soak up the sun on the beach without the crowds, and you’ll find that restaurants offer a more relaxed atmosphere, with fewer patrons and lower prices.
If you want to experience the full flavour of Cyprus’s nightlife, then it’s best to visit in the summer at the peak of the tourist season. From June to September, the islands’ clubs and bars are filled with international DJs and top-class events. It’s an experience that you won’t find in many other European countries, and it’s sure to leave you with fond memories of your holiday. You can also try a variety of theme-based bars and pubs in Ayia Napa, such as the Bedrock Inn which is dedicated to all things Flintstones, Castle Club for those who like Hollywood glamour, Monkey Business for 70s Funk fans and a varied Greek video recording mediated by occupant DJ Ntia.
Food
The island’s cuisine reflects the country’s varied cultural heritage, and is an essential part of its holiday celebrations. Popular dishes include kebabs, moussaka, souvlaki and koupes. For vegetarians, there are alternatives like sheftalies – stuffed vine leaves that are fried and served with tzatziki or hummus.
One of the most beloved dishes in Cyprus is afelia. This dish is made with pork or lamb marinated in red wine, with onions and coriander seeds. The meat is shaped into long meatballs and wrapped in caul fat (panna), which gives the dish its distinctive taste. This traditional recipe is often served with a side of patates antinahtes, which are baby potatoes that have been fried and braised along with the afelia.
Another favourite is moussaka – a popular Mediterranean casserole that is baked with layers of eggplants, beef (or lamb) and zucchini. It’s topped with bechamel sauce, which is a rich white sauce made of butter and flour cooked in milk. The Cypriot version uses local spices and cheeses to give it a unique flavour.
In many traditional villages, it was customary for family or friends to gather outside a home on the day before Epiphany and slaughter a pig together. They then cooked and preserved almost all of the meat, including the ears and feet. Two of the most famous delicacies from this meat are lountza (cured pork loin) and the sausages called loukanika.
Another must try for foodies is mellitzanosalata – a creamy dip that’s similar to baba ghanoush. It’s usually made with roasted eggplants and tahini. Legumes are also common in Cypriot cooking, and the dish koupes (stuffed vine leaves) is very popular during the holidays. They can be fried or steamed and are seasoned with parsley, mint, garlic and lemon juice. Koupes are also available in a vegetarian version with mushrooms instead of meat.
Culture
From Gothic mosques and Byzantine architecture to white-sanded beaches, frescoed monasteries and winemaking villages, Cyprus has a rich cultural heritage. The island also offers a diverse mix of cuisines that bring together Turkish and Greek influences.
The island is a place to be celebrated. Its warm waters are a wonderful draw for swimmers all year, but the springtime is a particularly beautiful time to visit Cyprus. The weather is warm but not as hot as the summer, and the beaches are less crowded than at other times of the year.
As the weather warms up in March, Cypriots start to plant their gardens and enjoy their favorite outdoor activities. The island’s citrus trees bloom in the spring, and many restaurants start to open after being closed for the winter. It’s also a great month for walking and enjoying the scenery as nature is coming out of hibernation.
Food is an important part of holiday celebrations in Cyprus, and the locals love to eat. The cuisine is a mixture of Turkish, Greek and Middle Eastern styles, but many dishes are unique to the country. On Christmas Eve, Cypriots eat gennopitta, or Christopsomo, which is a decorated Greek bread that symbolizes goodwill. The bread is not cut with a knife, but instead shared by hand.
As with all countries, Cyprus has its own special holidays and festivals based on legend, history and religious occasions that date back several millennia. One of the most popular is the Feast of Epiphany, which takes place in January and is a big deal for Orthodox Christians. Priests throw a cross into the water, and many swimmers rush in to retrieve it in the hopes that they will be blessed with luck.
Shopping
When you take a holiday in Cyprus you’ll find a wide range of shopping opportunities. From branded clothing and shoes to high-quality jewellery, woven basketwork, and embroidery and lace, you’ll find a variety of souvenirs in shops and markets across the island. You can also pick up a bottle of locally produced wine or spirits, some traditional loukoumi (or Turkish delight), and a range of other sweets and nuts to take home as gifts.
The peak tourist season runs from June to mid-September, which can lead to hotter weather and a more crowded atmosphere. If you are not used to this kind of crowds and prefer a more tranquil holiday, then the shoulder season from September to November is an excellent choice. There are also great deals to be had on accommodation and car rental during this period.
In winter, you can see the Greek Orthodox Christmas celebrations in action. There are gaudy decorations and flashing lights everywhere, especially in the city centres. However, it is also a quiet time as people take a break and spend family time together. This is also when the Cypriots make their famous sweets, such as St Basil’s cakes.
It’s a good idea to get travel insurance before any trip to Cyprus, whether during the peak summer or the winter season. This can help you cover any unexpected events that might crop up, such as cancellations or delays. Then, if something does happen, you can enjoy your trip without worrying about the financial implications. You’ll find plenty of coverage options online, including policies that cover pre-existing conditions and medical expenses for children and adults.