Forever in My Heart: Why Cyprus Will Always Be My Favorite Getaway

I still get a rush of excitement thinking about my trips to Cyprus. The island has a way of captivating you, and I'm not surprised it's become a favorite among travelers. My husband and I visited twice, in 2018 and 2019, and I'm excited to share my thoughts on what made our experiences so special.

Our first trip coincided with late May to early June, and we were looking for a destination with pleasant weather and warm enough waters for swimming. Our tour operator warned us off Cyprus, citing concerns about the early season, cooler waters, and so on. But the reviews told a different story. To be honest, they never recommended anything other than Turkey. We didn't take their advice, and I'm glad we didn't. The weather was perfect – not too hot, not too cold, and the sea was warm and inviting.

Cyprus boasts an array of popular resorts, including Paphos, Protaras, Larnaca, Limassol, and Ayia Napa. We chose Ayia Napa for its lively atmosphere and stunning beaches. It's a great destination for families, with plenty of activities and amenities to keep everyone entertained.

Paphos is the southernmost city on the island, a bit of a trek from the other resort towns. Ayia Napa, on the other hand, is the go-to destination for partygoers and thrill-seekers, with some of the most stunning beaches around. That's why we chose it. We were traveling without kids, but I think it would be great for families too. Ayia Napa has a park and an aqua park, making it an excellent choice for all ages.

Flight:

My first flight to Larnaca was with S7, and the second was with Pobeda. Both flights went smoothly, without any issues. From Moscow to Larnaca, which has an airport, we flew for 3.5 hours. Both times, the departure was delayed, but we were notified in advance and it actually worked in our favor (we got to relax for a few more hours). The first time, we were served food during the flight, but in 2019, a law came out that flights under 6 hours don't provide food (you can buy it separately). We didn't buy it, so we brought our own snacks. Honestly, 3 hours is doable.

Transfer was also hassle-free. We were picked up from the airport on comfortable buses and taken to our hotels in Ayia Napa. The ride took around an hour, but we got to see the city. Like everywhere, there are areas that are 'expensive and luxurious' and 'poor' areas. But I didn't notice any crime. And I have to say that despite the 'lively' nightlife, I found it to be relatively safe.

Hotel:

Both times, we stayed in the center, close to the bar street. The area is lively, with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and entertainment. But at the same time, the room is quiet, peaceful, and you can't hear any music or noise. I'll write a separate review about the hotels. The first time, we chose Tasia Maris Oasis 4. The second time, Eleana 4. Both hotels are on the second beach line, but it takes 7-10 minutes to walk to the beach. I liked both hotels, with some having slightly better food and others having a better hotel. Both are definitely worth visiting. On Cyprus, hotels rated 4 correspond to Turkish 5-star hotels, so if you don't need a fountain of lobsters and a personal jacuzzi, you can safely consider 4-star hotels.

Food:

We opted for the 'breakfast+dinner' system, but you can swap dinner for lunch if you prefer. To be honest, we're more fans of the 'all-inclusive' package, but friends and online reviews told us that in Cyprus, 'all-inclusive' usually means three meals a day with drinks. So, no bars or snack stations in the hotels. The meals are served à la carte, not as a buffet. We didn't feel tied to the hotel since there are plenty of great places to eat on the island, and we planned to take day trips anyway.

We ended up eating at cafes along the waterfront – there are loads of them, and something for every taste. We fell in love with 'Vassos' and 'Ocean basket' for their amazing seafood. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any great meat restaurants, which was weird given what we'd heard about Cypriots loving to grill meat and eat it. Almost everything we tried was bland and unimpressive. We searched online for top-rated places, but every time we ended up disappointed. Take this dish we ordered at one of the restaurants – it looked great, but the taste was just okay.

I've gotta say, the portions on the island are massive. We're not big eaters, so we usually shared one between us. That's totally normal here, and no one bats an eye. In fact, in many restaurants, they'll bring out bread and a Greek salad with your main course. We had a mix-up once, and my friend ordered a separate salad. They brought out two salads, and two huge bowls to go with them. We were at a 4-person table, and there was still plenty left over.

For lunch, we were usually around 20 euros for the two of us. So, eating out all the time isn't exactly the best value for money. Of course, you can find cheaper options – there's a McDonald's, pizza places, and Subway on every corner. But sometimes you just want to treat yourself.

Mezze:

I think a lot of people have heard stories about meze, the traditional Cypriot dish. What is it, exactly?

Meze is a selection of dishes. Traditionally, there's a distinction between fish meze and meat meze.

I have to say, trying both the seafood and meat options was a must when visiting the country. On one hand, it's wrong to come all the way here and not experience the local traditions. On the other hand, is it worth breaking the bank for it? In my opinion, it's not something I'd splurge on. The price of the mezze is steep, ranging from 25 to 50 euros. Most of the time, you get two portions, which is already a lot of food. So, two portions for two people would be way too much. At 50 euros for a meal, I think it's already overpriced. However, sometimes you can find deals where you get one mezze for two people, and it's more expensive per dish, but cheaper than two portions. We went for the one-for-two option. The mezze also come in different sizes based on the number of dishes. But even if you get 34 dishes, it doesn't mean you'll get 34 types of meat. The count includes sauces, snacks, veggies, and about 9 meat dishes. Still, it's enough to stuff yourself. To be honest, I prefer savoring my food rather than gorging, so I think it's better to share with a big group. That way, you can enjoy your meal without feeling guilty about spending too much.

Beach, sea:

Beach life in Cyprus is a real treat. The water is this stunning turquoise-blue color, with hues ranging from pale blue to navy. I was blown away by its clarity, even during a storm. I've only experienced beaches like this in Gelendzhik before. We had a storm for a couple of days during our entire trip, and I was amazed by how clean and transparent the water was. Of course, it was impossible to swim during the storm, but everyone was still in the water, and no one was policing it. For me, that was a huge plus. As someone who's not a strong swimmer, I usually stick to the shallow waters near the shore. Here, there's a decent-sized area with shallow water, and you don't have to swim too far to reach the deeper parts. It's basically a paradise for kids and people like me. By the end of May, the water was already warm and comfortable. In fact, I found it warmer than the sea in Sochi in August.

Ayia Napa is famous for its stunning beaches, and it's true. They're incredibly beautiful, with soft white sand. My friend visited Limassol, but after seeing my photos, she said Ayia Napa was even better. We stayed near Pantahou beach, which was perfect for us, so we ended up going there most often. The beach has all the amenities: sunbeds, showers, changing rooms, and entertainment. The water is crystal-clear, and the sand is pristine. It's got everything you need for a great vacation. Of course, we also visited other beaches, like Nissi Beach and Makronissos.

I've been to Nissi beach, and it's a popular spot among the young crowd. It's known for its parties, foam discos, and supposedly has the whitest sand and bluest sea around. From what I've seen, it looks just like any other beach. But if you're into partying, this might be the place for you. There's a bar, a DJ, and everything you need to have a good time. Nissi is also famous for its beachy isthmus, which connects the mainland to a small island in the sea. You can walk along the isthmus to the island, take some photos, or just chill out (there's a designated beach area). The island is tiny, and you can walk around it in about 5 minutes. Depending on the water level, the path is either visible or submerged. When I visited in late May, it was still visible, but by July, it was underwater – but only up to ankle-deep, so you can still walk along it. Overall, we liked Nissi, but it's not a beach I'd visit every day. It's pretty similar to our local beach, except for the fact that it's got a disco.

Macronissos, on the other hand, is a much more laid-back and family-friendly beach. It's actually the farthest beach in Ayia Napa, and it's a lot less crowded than the others.

One of the few times I ended up at Landa beach by mistake. To be honest, I wasn't a fan of this beach - it felt a bit wild. There were rocks and slabs of concrete scattered all over the place.

What really caught me off guard, and I'd give a big minus for, was the massive number of people. I feel like Aya-Napa turns into a typical Anapa resort during the summer. You're walking for 10 minutes trying to find a spot to lie down. The first day, we couldn't even find a place to sit, so we had to change and sunbathe in the open. The first thing I said when I got to the beach was, 'Why do people complain about our resorts?' In 2020, we were in Sochi, and it wasn't even that crowded. You'd step out of the water and have to run for 15 minutes to find your towel. I got lost a few times, it was crazy! This situation was the same at the beginning of the season and in the middle of it. But the sea did help to calm me down.

We didn't bother with beach mats, but picked up a straw mat and a parasol instead. To be honest, I'm not even sure what we paid, but I think prices have gone up a bit since our last trip. One thing I will say is that prices in tourist shops can vary wildly – sometimes by as much as a few euros – so don't just grab the first thing you see. I've also seen some great groups on social media where people swap or sell their gear after a trip. We scored a beach umbrella for a few cents, and then passed it on to someone else.

Entertainment, excursions:

I won't go into too much detail here, as I'll be writing separate reviews for some of the places. But if you're interested in exploring the island, there's plenty to see. Cyprus is home to many monasteries and churches, which makes for a lot of interesting excursions to holy sites. The locals really respect their traditions and faith, so if you want to soak up that atmosphere, you'll find plenty of tours to choose from. And the best part is, some of these monasteries are within walking distance. If you're more into history, museums, and cultural heritage, you might be a bit disappointed – there's not as much to see as in a place like St. Petersburg, for example. We did take one tour, but unfortunately, I've forgotten most of the details, so I won't go into that. Overall, I enjoyed it, but it didn't really leave a lasting impression on me. What did stick with me, though, was the guide's stories about the local way of life. I really admire their attitude towards tradition and family values – it's something that resonates deeply with me.

One option is to rent a car and explore the city, visit nearby resorts, or just be more mobile in general. We did consider this, but ultimately decided it wouldn't be worth it for us, since everything we wanted to see was within walking distance or accessible by bus. You can rent a car through various websites or even find a rental place on almost every corner.

What you can see for free:

One of the highlights was visiting Cape Greco. We got there by car, but I'd recommend taking bikes or a bike – it's a much more enjoyable way to see the sights. We walked, and let me tell you, it was a long and grueling trek. We didn't get to see everything we wanted to, but it was still worth it. You can hike, explore the caves, and check out the viewing platforms. If you're not up for the hike, you can take bus 101 towards Protaras and get off at the final stop in Ayia Napa. From there, it's a bit of a trek, but doable. We used our Maps app to navigate, and it was a lifesaver. There are plenty of people around, so you won't get lost. We started our journey at the Ayia Anargyri church. Along the way, you'll find picnic areas and benches. Be sure to check out the lovers' bridge – it's a sweet spot. I'd recommend visiting Cape Greco in the afternoon, as there's no shade to be found, and it gets scorching hot. Plan to spend at least two hours here.

2. Statue Park. That was a real letdown. I'm gonna be upfront - I wouldn't recommend this attraction unless you're a huge fan of weird art or you're really struggling to find things to do. I'd seen it mentioned in every single review and article as a must-see, so I was expecting some stunning white marble columns, arches, and statues of gods. But nope, it was more like something out of a 'expectation vs reality' meme. I didn't even take any photos, so I'm stuck with just my memories. My family's always been a bit of a conflict zone when it comes to traveling. I love exploring cities, going on excursions, and checking out cool spots, while my husband would rather stay in the hotel room and only venture out for food. I'd get all excited, telling him we had to go to the statue park ASAP, and he'd put up a fight. Eventually, he relented, and we headed out. We took the bus to the end of the line towards Protaras, and then it was a 5-minute walk. We got off at the stop, but then realized it'd be easier to walk back the other way. We trudged along for 30 minutes, getting pretty tired, and then...we stumbled upon this bizarre beauty. The massive area was filled with 'sculptures', including 'The Resurrection of Aphrodite' and 'The Wrath of the Gods'. But in reality, it was just a bunch of rocks with holes in them. I mean, where's the art in that? If it wasn't for the signs, I'd have thought it was just a storage yard. It was a real 'what am I looking at?' moment.

I've gotta say, visiting the stones was a bit of a letdown for me. I mean, every artist's work can be criticized, but in my opinion, this one's a bit questionable. At that moment, I felt like I was about to incur the wrath of the gods by standing there instead of a stone. I mean, it's a 40-minute walk just to see some pretty underwhelming rocks. Honestly, if you're not doing anything else and you're passing by, you might as well take a look, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

I did enjoy walking around the city and the waterfront, though.

Paid attractions:

1. Like I mentioned before, there are tons of excursions available.

2. The water park is right in Aya Napa. You can take bus number 102 to get there, but we took a taxi both times. It actually worked out cheaper. Normally, there are a lot of people waiting at the stop, and the taxi drivers will come and offer you prices if you're going in a group of 4, 5, or 6. Sometimes they might try to charge you more, but you can negotiate and get a better price. We had a great time in June when we visited, but it was even better in July when there were fewer people and shorter queues. I'll write a more detailed review and add a link later.

3. Amusement Park. It's right in the center, super easy to walk to. You can either buy a wristband or pay for each ride individually. We really enjoyed the park - I'll write a separate review about it.

4. Water Show. I'm a huge fan of fountains, so this show was a must-see. It's located in the city of Protaras, about a 15-minute drive. The show starts at 9 PM and lasts for an hour. We arrived about 20 minutes early and still managed to get seats. The ticket price is 23 euros. We bought our tickets from the tour operator, but the price was the same as at the ticket booths. There's also a dinner package option, but it's way more expensive - we weren't interested. I really enjoyed the show. Of course, people compare it to the Dubai Fountain Show, but I've never been to Dubai, so I'm comparing it to local fountains and the one in Sochi. This one is way more than just a fountain - it's a full-on presentation with all sorts of special effects. They've got fire shows, lasers, the whole nine yards. It's super dynamic and looks amazing. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I've never seen anything like it, so I was totally blown away. The flames shooting through the water elements were especially thrilling. I highly recommend the show, but if you've seen similar ones in Dubai, it might not be as impressive.

5. Beach Activities. Like on any resort, there's a ton of stuff to do on the beach: banana boats, jet skis, and more. My husband was totally stoked to go skydiving, and I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant at first. But on our last day, when we went to book the jump, they convinced me to go for it too. Apparently, it's cheaper per person if you go tandem. We ended up paying 50 euros for the two of us. They took us out to sea on a boat, and we got all the gear on. We jumped off the boat and landed back on it. To be honest, I don't think they gave us much of a safety briefing. They asked us to turn on our cameras so they could take some photos. I was too scared to take any shots from up high, I was worried I'd drop my phone. The boat started moving, and they started lifting us up into the air. It was a smooth ride, no jerky movements. And suddenly, we were soaring above the sea and the island of Cyprus. The view was breathtaking, but to be honest, I was more scared than excited. The whole contraption was creaking in the wind, and I wasn't exactly feeling confident. I know it's all supposed to be safe, but I just couldn't shake the fear. I spent the whole time looking at the harness and the ropes, not at the view. I'm not sure I'll ever be brave enough to do it again.

6. Cruise on a Catamaran. And of course, I wanted to head out to open sea and check out the whole view from a different angle. We didn't book anything in advance, so we just headed straight to the departure point, bought our tickets, and set off. We took a standard catamaran, so I won't go into too much detail about that. We opted for the 'Cruise + Lunch' package, which worked out better for us. The lunch was tasty - chicken with fries, and the portion was huge. They played some music, and we all set off on our journey together. The sea in Cyprus is an unreal color, so I was glued to the views the whole time. We had one stop for a swim, and anyone who wanted could go for a dip. After that, we headed back. On the way, everyone was snapping photos, soaking up the sun, and the Germans were even having a mini disco party. We were all having the time of our lives. I'm a big fan of sea cruises, so this one was no exception. We had a blast cruising around, taking in the views, and soaking up the sun.

So, the main reason people flock to Ayia Napa - the nightlife! Everyone knows that Ayia Napa has an entire street dedicated to bars! By day, you can grab a great meal, but by night, this street transforms into a 'sin city'. Since my partner and I are young and child-free, we planned to hit the bars every evening. We even chose our accommodation close to the bar street. Guess how many times we ended up there? Just once in our first visit and twice in the second. We were total party animals! When we arrived in Cyprus, we realized:

Touristy stuff isn't really my thing, but sleeping in and eating all day - now that's my jam.

The only thing I got out of it is that we should arrive at the bars after 12 pm, already a bit tipsy. There are tons of bars, and the music varies everywhere. Some places are more upscale, while others are more laid-back. The drinks flow like water, but they're pricey. If you want to have a decent night out, be prepared to spend a lot. Alternatively, we just grab drinks at home and then head to the clubs. Some reviewers mentioned getting coupons on the street, which supposedly offer free drinks. Yeah, we did get flyers on the street, but the deals aren't that great. It's like 2-for-1, and the two drinks you buy cost an arm and a leg.

I have to say, the beginning of the season was pretty quiet, but that's to be expected. It wasn't exactly a wild party scene, more like walking into a party that's already in full swing. Everyone's having a great time, dancing, and you feel like you're missing out. Out of all the bars, 'Senior Frog' stood out to me. It had a more laid-back vibe, some decent music, and the others all felt the same – just different tunes.

What to bring back?

My first year, I went on a shopping spree, grabbing everything that caught my eye. 'I need this, I need that!' I ended up bringing back a ton of stuff, but most of it ended up in the trash. The next year, I was more selective, only buying what I really needed and loved. I'll share what's worth picking up and what's a waste of money.

Alcohol. Everyone raves about the local wine – Commandaria. When friends found out we were heading there, they all told us to try it. We visited a winery and got a tasting, but the wine didn't impress us. It was too sweet, and I'm usually a fan of sweet wines. Still, we bought a bottle each to bring back home and share with our parents. Spoiler alert: it's still sitting in our fridge, and our parents didn't enjoy it either.

On the other hand, we fell in love with the cider – Kopparberg's. It's super tasty, sweet like lemonade. It's not local, actually, it's German, but we couldn't find it back home (what a bummer!). We stocked up on it and enjoyed it on special occasions for the next year.

Souvenirs: magnets, of course. We also picked up boxes of loukoum, which have a beautiful packaging that looks like a postcard. But, let's be honest, we tried it at home and it wasn't our cup of tea. It's just regular marzipan covered in powdered sugar. But, I have to say, the marzipan is way tastier and softer.

Food: I'd definitely buy the olive oil again - it's really good, and you'd expect it to be. We bought it in metal cans, and the smaller ones made great gifts for our relatives. We kept the bigger one for ourselves, but I wish we'd bought more. Honestly, I'd rather bring back a bottle of oil instead of all the souvenirs. Plus, the smallest ones were just 2 euros each.

We also picked up some halva, but it didn't impress us. Turkish halva is way better. We tried some olives, too - they're different here, with some stuffed and some marinated. We didn't really like them, so we didn't end up buying any.

Many people wrote about carob, which is a syrup made from the locust tree. It's sweet, so you can use it as a sugar substitute in baking, or as a syrup, or even as a sweet sauce. Plus, it's really good for you. They also make sweets with it, like chocolate. I loved the description, so we stocked up on the syrup and sweets. But, to be honest, it's got a bit of a weird taste, and I didn't like it, so it didn't really work out for us.

Beauty products: since Cyprus is close to Greece, there's a lot of Greek-made beauty products here. I picked up some creams from the Aphrodite brand (hand cream, body cream) and I really liked them. We also bought some soap as a souvenir, but it's just regular soap with natural ingredients.

So, if I had to recommend something to buy, it would be beauty products, olive oil, and wine.

Seasonal comparisons:

I have to say, we traveled to Cyprus in May and June, and then again in July, so I got to experience it at the start of the season and in the peak. Let me share my thoughts on when it's best to take a trip. I really loved going in late May. Flights were cheaper, the sea was warm, the weather was comfortable (+25/+30 degrees Celsius), it wasn't too hot, and it was perfect for exploring. There were fewer people around, especially in the park and water park.

But July was a different story. We encountered a huge crowd, it was scorching hot (+35/+40 degrees Celsius), and it was tough to venture out, especially during the afternoon. The sea was stunning, of course, at any time. Flights in July were around 20-30% more expensive. On the other hand, all the bars were open, and there were more people in them.

Overall, I fell head over heels for Cyprus, and it'll always have a special place in my heart. The island boasts beautiful sea, pristine beaches. If I ever get the chance, I'd love to go back!