Nissi beach in Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Holidays to Cyprus

Golden days on golden beaches, tasty bites in traditional tavernas, and awe-inspiring moments among ancient wonders… a Cyprus holiday is a refreshing escape from the ordinary.

Ayia like my style

The nightlife capital of Cyprus – the iconic Ayia Napa – is unmissable for those of you looking to let loose. Encore, Titanic Club, Square Bar and Jungle Bar are just some of the wonderfully named clubs and drinking holes worth your time.

When you need a breather (and it’s probably recommended), hit Ayia Napa’s Nissi Beach during the day and recover with a refreshing dunk in the Med.

Shore thing

Whether you want to be smack bang in the middle of the action or a million miles from another soul, there’s a beach perfect for you in Cyprus. The island is, after all, the third biggest in the Mediterranean and there’s around 400 miles of lovely coastline to explore.

Highlights include quiet, sandy Zapallo Bay on the south coast, Fig Tree Bay with its high-energy watersports in the east and the lovely Silver Beach in the north (close to the ancient Salamis Ruins).

Rewind time

With around 11,000 years of history taking place in ancient Greek temples, Roman theatres and Byzantine churches, Cyprus is a bona fide playground for the history buffs among us.

Make time for a leisurely wander through the crumbly ruins of the Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos, hike to the hilltop St Hilarion Castle, and enjoy the magnificent views at the Theatre of Kourion (where, if you’re lucky, you may even catch a live show).

You had us at halloumi

Get ready to take a big bite out of Cyprus. This country is a yummy culinary melting pot, with Greek, Turkish, Mediterranean and Arabian influences. The mezze, in particular, is a-mezze-ing (yeah, we went there).

The capital Nicosia and the southern coastal city of Limassol are two of the best places for foodies in Cyprus, with the former playing host to a mix of traditional and modern tavernas, and the latter close to more authentic village eateries (in and around the Troodos Mountains).

Sneak Peek

Best for... Nightlife, beaches and history – and not necessarily in that order! ⛱️

Go... In summer for peak party mayhem or the shoulder season for great weather without the crowds 😎

You have to... Experience a Nissi Beach summer party 🪩

Cyprus holiday deals

Royal Apollonia by Louis Hotels

Limassol, Larnaca Area, Cyprus
  • 30 Mar 2026
  • 7 nights
  • Bed & breakfast
  • From Manchester

Prices from

£949 pp

Ivi Mare - Designed for adults by Louis Hotels

4.8

Excellent

Paphos, Paphos Area, Cyprus
  • 1 Jan 2026
  • 7 nights
  • All-inclusive
  • From Manchester

Prices from

£1,029 pp

Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Beach Hotel & Spa

4.6

Excellent

Paphos, Paphos Area, Cyprus
  • 1 Jan 2026
  • 7 nights
  • All-inclusive
  • From Manchester

Prices from

£629 pp

Aliathon Resort

Paphos, Paphos Area, Cyprus
  • 1 Jan 2026
  • 7 nights
  • Self-catering
  • From Manchester

Prices from

£356 pp
Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

Top destinations in Cyprus

Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa is where the party is at. During July and August, it’s pretty much non-stop day and night.

Paphos

A quiet, historic town set on the southwest coast, Paphos boasts beautiful beaches and bags of charm.

Protaras

Protaras is a great resort for families, with some top-value all-inclusive hotels just a stone’s throw from the beach.

Prices from

£302 pp
Protaras holidays

Larnaca

One of the oldest cities in Cyprus, Larnaca has golden beaches and exciting dive sites.

Prices from

£352 pp
Larnaca holidays

Limassol

Expect thousands of years of history and a nightlife that doesn’t disappoint on a holiday to Limassol.

Prices from

£399 pp
Limassol holidays

Polis

A little gem in the northwest, Polis is your best bet for a quiet getaway. It’s also a great base for hikers.

Prices from

£519 pp
Polis holidays

Details

Currency

Euro

Language

Greek & Turkish

Time difference

GMT +2

Cost of a beer

Around €1.50

3-course meal

€15

Flight time

4-5 hrs

Tombs and temples

If you love your culture and history, a Cyprus holiday will blow your socks off. For a quick introduction to Cypriot art, check out the State Gallery of Contemporary Art and the Costas Argyrou Museum.

For history, top picks include the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos (to explore ancient underground tombs), Agios Lazaros in Larnaca for its gold-plated interior, and Arsos Folk Art Museum, which will take you back to 18th-century domesticity.

Top Cyprus beaches

Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa is arguably Cyprus's headline act. Golden sands, turquoise waters, beach bars, DJs and watersports – this mega-popular beach has got it all.

Not your scene? No probs. Pop over to nearby Konnos Beach for gentle swims and a comparatively quieter atmosphere or venture to the far-flung Golden Beach on the Karpas Peninsula, where you’ll trade facilities for pure tranquillity (just ask any of the turtles that nest here).

Nightlife

Ayia Napa is still, to this day, unbeatable when it comes to nightlife. Make a beeline for the brightly lit, heaving Ayia Napa Square, where most of the action happens. Start easy with a karaoke night at Senior Frog’s and then go wild at the legendary (and literally massive) Castle Club.

Alternatively, there’s Paphos, which is a lot more chilled out. The nightlife here is more about cocktails at harbour-side bars, pints in the pub and alfresco dining – and less about clubbing into the early hours.

When to go to Cyprus

Aside from December and January, when it’s a bit cooler and rainy, the weather is superb in Cyprus for most of the year. The warm weather starts kicking in in February before the real summer heat hits in May.

It starts to cool off again in October and it’s between then and the end of November, that you’ll likely find a crowd-pleasing cheap Cyprus holiday.

To avoid the crowds, look to travel outside of the peak summer season of July and August (though visiting at the height of summer is popular for a reason).