15 Best Things to Do in Cyprus
The 15 experiences below are an editorial selection, not a ranking. They run from the west coast around Paphos through Limassol and Larnaca to the southeast, the Troodos mountains and Nicosia. Some are archaeological sites with a ticket office, some are beaches or trails, and one is a boat trip.
Prices are the adult rates published for 2026, and opening hours change with the season. Archaeological sites usually run a summer and a winter schedule that switch on 16 April and 16 September. Check the current hours before you go, because the listed times can change.
Ancient sites and old towns (1 to 6)
Mosaics, tombs, castles and ruins along the south and west coast.
1. See the Kato Paphos mosaics
The archaeological park holds Roman villas with mythological floor mosaics, among them the houses of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion and Orpheus. It also has the Odeon, the Agora and Saranta Kolones. Adults pay €4.50. Hours are daily 08:30–19:30 from 16 April to 15 September and 08:30–17:00 from 16 September to 15 April. It is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Orthodox Easter Sunday.
Paphos guide →2. Walk the Tombs of the Kings
The name is traditional. The rock-cut tombs belonged to high officials and aristocrats of the Hellenistic and Roman periods, not to kings. Entry is €2.50 and is separate from the park ticket. The hours match the park. Wheelchair access is partial, with a view from above.
Paphos guide →3. Stroll the old town of Paphos
The old town has the town hall, neoclassical buildings, a fruit market, craft shops and restored Ottoman baths. The castle stands at the western end of the harbour. Check the current ticket price and hours at the entrance.
4. Climb the theatre at Kourion
Kourion lies about 19 km west of Limassol on the road to Paphos. It has an ancient theatre, the House of Eustolios, mosaics in the House of Achilles and an early Christian basilica. Adults pay €4.50. The hours are the same as at the Paphos park. Access is only partial, so expect steps and uneven ground.
Kourion guide →5. Visit Limassol Castle
The castle houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum near the old harbour, with pottery, tomb slabs, weapons, crosses and coins. Adults pay €4.50. It is open Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00 and on weekends 10:00–17:00, and it is closed on public holidays.
Limassol guide →6. Explore ancient Amathus
The site lies 11 km east of the centre of Limassol and shows remains of the agora, public baths and a sanctuary. Entry is €2.50. Hours follow the same summer and winter pattern as the Paphos park. Parts of the site are accessible by wheelchair.
Our picks: things to do
On the water at Ayia Napa, into the mountains by jeep and across the island to Paphos and Kourion.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Troodos jeep tour with wine tasting
Jeep transport with a guide, hotel pickup in Paphos and a wine tasting are included.
Check availability →
Paphos mosaics and Kourion day trip
Ten hours with a guide in an air-conditioned bus. Hotel transfer, admission and guided visits at Kourion and the Paphos mosaics plus a sweets tasting are included; lunch and drinks are not.
Check availability →
Ayia Napa cruise with Turtle Cove and lunch
A guided boat cruise with lunch and two swim stops.
Check availability →Cyprus tours and day trips
Boat trips, day trips to the mosaics and Kourion, mountain villages and guided city tours, with live prices and availability.
Coast and nature (7 to 9)
7. Visit Cape Greco
Cape Greco is a National Forest Park of about 385 ha in the southeast, part of the Natura network. A popular jumping spot at the sea caves was fenced off in May 2026 after injuries and signs of unstable rock. Do not jump from the cliffs, and keep out of closed areas.
Ayia Napa guide →8. Swim at Nissi Beach
The sand beach is 600 m long and about 3.3 km west of the centre of Ayia Napa, with a small island just offshore. It has sunbeds, water sports and parking. Lifeguards are published for April to October.
All 12 beaches →9. Watch for flamingos at the Larnaca salt lake
The lake is a winter resting ground for flamingos, from November to March. If food is short, they can move on, so a sighting is never guaranteed. A 4 km linear nature path leads through the lake area to the Kamares aqueduct.
Larnaca guide →Churches, mountains and the capital (10 to 15)
Faith, hiking, a boat trip and the walled capital.
10. Visit the Church of Lazarus in Larnaca
The historic church stands in the town centre and entry is free. From March to October it is open Monday to Saturday 08:00–18:30 and on Sunday 06:30–12:30 and 15:30–18:30. The winter hours are shorter. The church museum charges €1 and has its own hours.
11. See Hala Sultan Tekke
The mosque on the western shore of the salt lake is still in religious use, so visit respectfully. Entry is free. It is open daily 08:30–19:30 from 16 April to 15 September and 08:30–17:00 from 16 September to 15 April.
12. Find the painted churches of Troodos
The UNESCO series has 10 churches, and each is a separate building with its own opening times. UNESCO describes free entry and continued religious use. Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, for example, is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–16:30 and Sunday 11:00–16:30 from 16 September to 15 April.
Troodos guide →13. Hike the Kalidonia trail
This linear forest path follows the Krios Potamos to a waterfall. It is 3 km long, takes about 1.5 hours one way and is rated difficulty 3. It drops from 1,571 m at the top to 1,238 m, so the return is uphill. It is not a light family stroll.
14. Take a boat to the Blue Lagoon
Boats from Latchi on the Akamas peninsula stop in the lagoon for a swim. One operator published €25 for adults and €15 for children under 12 in July 2026, with fruit, wine and snorkeling gear included. Sea conditions can cancel trips.
Blue Lagoon guide →15. Walk the walls of Nicosia
The Venetian walls have 11 bastions around the old town. The Cyprus Museum is an archaeological museum on Mouseiou Street, with free entry listed. It is open Tuesday to Friday 08:00–18:00, Saturday 09:00–17:00 and Sunday 10:00–13:00, and closed on Mondays. You can cross to the north only at designated checkpoints.
Nicosia guide →Entry prices and hours compared
Adult rates published for 2026. Check at the gate before you go.
| Sight | Adult entry | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Kato Paphos park | €4.50 | 08:30–19:30 in summer, 08:30–17:00 in winter |
| Tombs of the Kings | €2.50 | Same as the park |
| Kourion | €4.50 | Same as the park |
| Limassol Castle | €4.50 | Mon to Fri 09:00–17:00, Sat to Sun 10:00–17:00 |
| Amathus | €2.50 | Same as the park |
| Church of Lazarus | Free | Mar to Oct Mon to Sat 08:00–18:30 |
| Hala Sultan Tekke | Free | 08:30–19:30 in summer, 08:30–17:00 in winter |
| Troodos churches | Free | Each church differs |
| Cyprus Museum, Nicosia | Free listed | Tue to Fri 08:00–18:00 |
Organized groups of more than 10 people get 20 percent off at several state sites. The Department of Antiquities cards (€8.50 for one day, €17 for three days, €25 for seven days) are for its own museums and monuments. Do not assume they work at private museums or sites in the north.
Planning a route
Group your days by area. Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings and the harbour make a full day. Kourion and Amathus fit with Limassol, and the rock of Aphrodite lies further west along the coast in Paphos district. Larnaca's lake, church and mosque can be combined in one day. Troodos needs a day of its own, ideally with a rental car. Drive on the left and allow extra time for mountain roads.
See Cyprus tours if you prefer a guide, Cyprus beaches for sea days and best time to visit for the seasons. Summer hours at the state sites run longer, but the midday heat in July and August is a good reason to start early.
Things to do in Cyprus: frequently asked questions
What should you not miss in Cyprus?
That depends on your interests. For ancient history, the Kato Paphos mosaics and Kourion are the most visited. For nature, try Cape Greco, the Larnaca salt lake in winter or the Troodos trails. For a city, Nicosia has the walls and the Cyprus Museum.
Can you jump from the cliffs at Cape Greco?
No. A popular jumping spot was fenced off in May 2026 because of injuries and unstable rock. Do not climb the fence, and swim only where the bay is open and the waves are calm.
Is the Church of Lazarus free?
Yes, entry to the church is free. The Byzantine museum next to it charges €1 per person and has different opening hours.
Will you see flamingos at the Larnaca salt lake?
Flamingos winter there from November to March, but sightings depend on the food and the weather. They can fly on if food runs short, so treat a visit as a chance, not a promise.
Do you need to book the archaeological sites in advance?
The state sites list adult ticket prices and set hours. Check the current hours before you go, because they close on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Orthodox Easter Sunday.
Which sights can you reach by bus?
Intercity buses link Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia, and city buses serve Paphos harbour and the Tombs of the Kings area. Mountain churches and the Akamas peninsula are easier with a car or a tour.