Custom travel to Cyprus
Cyprus, the Mediterranean's 3rd largest island, has remained divided since 1974 between the southern Republic of Cyprus, an EU member, and the Turkish-speaking north, separated by the UN Green Line. A crossroads of civilizations over 10,000 years, the island holds three UNESCO sites: Pafos and its Roman mosaics, Choirokoitia, a Neolithic village from 7,000 BC, and the 9 painted churches of Troodos, the largest concentration of preserved Byzantine frescoes after Mount Athos. Nicosia, Europe's last divided capital, can be crossed on foot via Ledra Street. Meze and halloumi cuisine, commandaria, the world's oldest appellation wine, and 340 sunny days a year: Cyprus pairs ideally with Greece, Israel or Jordan.
Highlights
- UNESCO 1980 Pafos: 2nd-5th-c. Roman mosaics + Ptolemy royal tombs + Aphrodite birth rock
- UNESCO 1985 Troodos: 9 11th-16th-c. Byzantine painted churches + world's largest concentration after Mount Athos
- UNESCO 1998 Choirokoitia: 7,000 BC Neolithic + 1,000 years before the pyramids
- Nicosia: Europe's last divided capital + UN Green Line + Venetian star walls with 11 bastions
- Commandaria: world's oldest AOC wine + Hesiod 800 BC + Richard Lionheart 1191
- PDO halloumi + meze + Mediterranean-Greco-Turkish cuisine + 340 sunny days/year
Sample itineraries
Essential Cyprus: Pafos, Troodos, Nicosia
Duration : 8 days
Route : Paris-Larnaca flight (4 h direct Air France) → PAFOS (3 nights, Anassa Resort 5★+ or Almyra + UNESCO archaeological park Roman mosaics + royal tombs + Aphrodite rock Petra tou Romiou) → TROODOS Kalopanayiotis or Kakopetria (2 nights, Casale Panayiotis 1,000 m altitude + UNESCO 9 painted churches + Kykkos monastery + Omodos commandaria village) → NICOSIA (2 nights, Venetian old town + Green Line crossing via Ledra Street + Ottoman Büyük Han) → return Larnaca direct flight
Complete Cyprus: south, Akamas, North Famagusta
Duration : 11 days
Route : Paris-Larnaca flight → LARNACA (1 night, 9th-c. Saint Lazarus Church) → UNESCO 1998 CHOIROKOITIA Neolithic → LIMASSOL (1 night, Richard Lionheart Crusader castle) → PAFOS (3 nights, UNESCO park + Aphrodite + AKAMAS PENINSULA Aphrodite Trail hike + caretta caretta turtles) → TROODOS (2 nights, UNESCO 9 painted churches + Kykkos + Omodos commandaria) → NICOSIA (2 nights + Green Line crossing) → NORTH TURKISH CYPRUS excursion FAMAGUSTA + ANCIENT SALAMIS → return Larnaca (1 night) → direct flight
Eastern Mediterranean combo: Cyprus + Greece or Israel
Duration : 12 days
Route : Paris-Larnaca flight → CYPRUS (7 nights, Pafos + Troodos + Nicosia) → Larnaca-Athens 1 h or Larnaca-Tel Aviv 1 h flight → GREECE Athens UNESCO Acropolis + Cyclades (4 nights Santorini or Mykonos) OR ISRAEL Tel Aviv + UNESCO Jerusalem + Dead Sea (4 nights) → return flight
When to go
Cyprus is ideally visited from April to June and September to October: 22-28 °C and 340 sunny days a year. April-May is our favorite period, between spring bloom, the Limassol carnival and Orthodox Easter with its processions and oven-baked lamb. In June, caretta caretta turtles nest on Lara beach in the Akamas. September-October brings the commandaria harvests in Omodos and the Aphrodite opera festival at the Roman odeon of Pafos. In July-August the sea reaches 24-27 °C but the heat crushes archaeological sites and the coast is crowded. From November to March, a mild climate ideal for hiking and visiting without crowds, with even some skiing possible in Troodos.
- Spring, flowers and Orthodox Easter (April – June), Orthodox Easter, anemones, Akamas turtles
- Summer, sea and beaches (July – August), Blue Lagoon swimming, diving, Lara turtles
- Autumn, harvests and opera (September – October), Aphrodite Festival opera Pafos, Omodos commandaria
- Winter, Troodos ski and carnival (November – March), Mount Olympus 1,952 m ski + February-March carnival
Practical information
Cyprus is very safe for travelers. No visa for French citizens: an ID card suffices in the south, but a passport is required to cross the Green Line to the north. Tap water drinkable in the south, bank cards accepted everywhere, Turkish lira useful in the north, 10% tip in restaurants. Left-hand driving, quick to adapt to. In Orthodox monasteries, covered shoulders and a headscarf for women; photos allowed at archaeological sites but strictly forbidden in the 9 painted Troodos churches. A car rented in the south only crosses north with complementary insurance bought at the border. Beware of heat strokes in July-August: hat and sunscreen essential.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a Cyprus trip?
APRIL-JUNE and SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER are ideal: 22-28 °C, fewer crowds, perfect climate. April-May: Orthodox Easter + red anemones + Limassol Carnival. June: caretta caretta turtles on Lara beach (Akamas). September-October: commandaria harvests + Aphrodite opera Festival in Pafos. Hot July-August (30-35 °C) but ideal for Blue Lagoon swimming. Winter: Troodos skiing December-March.
How long for a Cyprus trip?
Minimum 7-8 days for Pafos + Troodos + Nicosia. 10-11 days to add Choirokoitia + Akamas + North Cyprus. 12-14 days for an Eastern Mediterranean combo Cyprus + Greece or Cyprus + Israel.
What budget for a custom Cyprus trip?
As a guideline, €1,990-€2,400 per person for 8 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium (Anassa Resort 5★+ + Casale Panayiotis + private driver-guide): €2,890-€3,500. Exclusive (Anassa sea-facing suite + Cape Greco private cruise + North Cyprus): €4,200+. Paris-Larnaca flights: €200-€450.
Do I need a visa for Cyprus?
No visa for French citizens in the SOUTH (EU 2004, Schengen planned 2026). French ID card sufficient for the South. PASSPORT REQUIRED to cross the Green Line to the North (TRNC), min. 3-month validity after return.
Can we cross the Green Line to the North?
Yes, since April 23, 2003 (reopening after 29 years of closure) via 9 crossing points. The most practical: LEDRA STREET in Nicosia, walking crossing with passport control in 5 minutes. Car: passage via Pergamos or Astromeritis with €20 complementary insurance. North visits: Famagusta (Venetian old town + Othello Tower) + ancient Salamis + Karpas peninsula.
Is Cyprus family-friendly?
Excellent family destination: golden beaches (Blue Lagoon + Fig Tree Bay + Coral Bay), warm 24-27 °C water in summer, archaeological sites captivating for children (Dionysus mosaics in Pafos + royal tombs + Choirokoitia Neolithic), caretta caretta turtles to observe May-August. Very safe, family infrastructure, English spoken 80%. 4-h direct flights from Paris.
How to get around Cyprus?
Car (rental or private driver-guide) recommended, excellent road network, LEFT-HAND DRIVING (British colonial heritage). Decent intercity buses between Larnaca + Limassol + Pafos + Nicosia (€5-€8/trip). Bolt very cheap in town. No train (network dismantled 1951). French-speaking driver-guide remains recommended for simplicity and cultural added value.
Is commandaria really the world's oldest wine?
Yes, the world's oldest AOC wine still produced, mentioned by HESIOD as early as 800 BC, produced continuously for 3,000 years in 14 villages of the southern Troodos foothills (Omodos + Pelendri + Laneia…). Sweet 15° fortified wine from sun-overripened grapes for 10 days. RECOGNIZED IN 1191 BY RICHARD LIONHEART who proclaimed it « wine of kings and king of wines » at his wedding in Limassol. Tasting possible in Omodos.
Are the 9 Troodos painted churches easily accessible?
Yes but with recommended guidance, churches are scattered in Troodos villages on winding roads, discreet signage, KEYS NEEDED to ask the village guardians (priest or neighbor). Plan 1-2 days to visit 4-6 of the 9 churches with a French-speaking Byzantinist guide who opens the doors and explains the iconography. No flash allowed (fresco preservation).
Can I combine Cyprus with other destinations?
Yes, Cyprus is the perfect base to explore the Eastern Mediterranean: + GREECE (Athens 1 h flight + Cyclades), + TURKEY (Istanbul 1 h 30 flight), + ISRAEL (Tel Aviv + Jerusalem 1 h flight), + LEBANON (Beirut 1 h flight), + JORDAN (Amman + Petra 1 h 30 flight), + EGYPT (Cairo + Luxor 1 h 30 flight). Perfect 12-14-day combos.