Republic of Cyprus

My Republic of Cyprus travel summary:

Visited: December 2012

Duration of visit: 8 days

Capital city: Nicosia

Population: 1.13 million (2012)

Republic of Cyprus travel blog reading time: 5 minutes

• Disappointing feeling of emptiness during low season.
• Nicosia – the world’s last divided capital, where barbed wire and guard towers split the city in two.
• Larnaca – A seaside resort that attracts hordes of foreign visitors, mostly in summer.
• Ancient buildings, mosaics, and religious importance in Paphos – top cultural place in the country.

The Republic of Cyprus is a small island, but special because of its long, colorful history and rich culture. The UK took control of this Mediterranean tourist destination in 1878 and formally annexed it in 1914. Cyprus became independent in 1960 and joined the European Union in 2004.

The island country is divided into two parts: the northern Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, while the southern part is called the Independent Republic of Cyprus or the Greek Cyprus.

Republic of Cyprus is famous for its beaches, nightlife, but also for some cultural monuments.

Over two million tourists visit Cyprus each year, three times its local population. The city of Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nicosia is the last divided capital, the island hosts the world’s oldest wine-making facility, and enjoys over 300 sunny days annually.

During my Cyprus travel adventure, I explored some incredible places to visit, including Nicosia, the last divided capital, and Paphos, the city of gods.

I visited Cyprus in the off season, when the main tourist attractions are abandoned, luxury hotels closed, and sandy beaches lonely. December is definitely not proper for swimming or sunbathing, but the weather is still much warmer than in Europe. It was actually snowing when I landed at Bologna airport on my return flight.

The British legacy is still visible across Cyprus today, from driving on the left to fish and chips and the local accent. Even the three-wire grounded fused plug reflects the lasting influence of British rule.

I rented a car for a week at a very low cost and explored the island. Traffic on main roads was normal, while side roads in the interior were almost empty. Fog and darkness sometimes made driving on winding roads at night quite frightening.

I explored mainly Larnaca, Paphos and Nicosia to visit some important local sights, tasted local food and wondered where all the people had gone. Larnaca offers beaches and sea activities, whereas Paphos attracts visitors with its ancient buildings, mosaics, and religious heritage.

Larnaca was practically a ghost town in December. After Nicosia and Limassol, the third-largest town is Cyprus’s oldest, boasting almost 10,000 years of history. Larnaca attracts visitors with the 10^th-century Agios Lazaros Church and the 12^th– century Medieval Castle. I enjoyed walking along Palm Trees Promenade, spotting the first colonial buildings built by the British Administration in 1881.

However, Larnaca’s main attraction is its Mediterranean beaches, where visitors sunbathe, enjoy watersports, and party in nightclubs and bars.

There are many beaches, but I found McKenzie Beach to be the island’s liveliest and most fun spot.

During my visit, most hotels were closed, the beaches were empty, and hardly anyone was around. Even finding food was difficult; most chefs were on holiday, and many restaurants were closed.

Massive tourism seems controlled; buildings aren’t tall, no skyscrapers. Plenty of international food proves guests can want more than all-inclusive stays.

This mystical city, which once belonged to the Gods and Goddesses of ancient Greece, is the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty. No wonder why the city bears many relics and monuments to worship her. This historic place has still retained its old-world charm and has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Paphos has been inhabited since the Neolithic and was a center for Aphrodite worship. Its ancient temples, villas, theatres, and tombs give the city exceptional historic and architectural value.

The mosaics of Nea Paphos are among the most beautiful in the world and represent the highlight of Kato Paphos Archaeological Park. In 1962, a farmer accidentally unearthed one of the mosaics, revealing them to the world.

Visiting Paphos was one of the best things to do during my Cyprus travel adventure.

Many European powerful states were controlling the island in the past: the Byzantines, the Lusignan Kings, the Venetians, the Turks, and the British. The capital city of Nicosia (also known as Lefkosia) has been continuously populated for over 4,500 years and today has an estimated population of approximately 320,000 people. In 1878, Nicosia came under British rule, and British influence remains strong, even more than elsewhere in Cyprus.

Nicosia has been divided since 1974 to the northern Turkish side and southern Greek side.

The northern part of Nicosia serves as the official capital of Northern Cyprus, while the southern section is recognized as the capital of the Republic of Cyprus.

There is no problem crossing from one side to the other, but I didn’t go further than the first local shops in the north.

Street vendors offer inexpensive branded clothes, manufactured in Turkey, at much lower prices than anywhere else in Europe. The quality can be deficient, but prices are ridiculously low. Even for a hard negotiator as myself.

The old city, known as the Walled City, is the heart of activity. Ledra Street, lined with cafés and restaurants, is lively and perfect for a stroll.

Located in central Cyprus, with a military presence and an hour from the beach, Nicosia isn’t a top tourist spot. Still, it’s pleasant to explore for a day, chat with locals, and play Tavli, the Greek version of backgammon. I’m not an expert in the game, but I learned there are some key differences.

Almost every bar has a set of Tavli available to play.

Although visiting in winter was cheaper and driving around easier, I feel I didn’t fully appreciate Cyprus in the low season. The country comes alive every summer, with open-air attractions, swimming, water activities, and beach entertainment at their peak.

I’ll need to return during the main tourist season to truly experience the lifestyle in the Republic of Cyprus.

PS

I lost all my Cyprus photos due to camera problems, giving me another reason to return in summer.