Cyprus is an island of the Mediterranean sea that happens to be located near many countries. As a result, the cultural background of this island is widely diverse, and very complex, to say the least. People are often wondering if visiting Cyprus is worth it, so we made a list of the 10 most important facts about this beautiful island. That way, you will have a better idea and understanding of the place, its people, and its history.
Is Cyprus safe to visit?
The crime rate is very low in Cyprus. Moreover, it is a pretty safe place to visit now that the buffer zone has been put in place by the UN. Yes, if you didn’t know, there were in fact growing tensions between the different etnic groups that were living in Cyprus in the past. Since 1964, the island is divided into 2 pieces by a big line called the Buffer Zone and the latter is patrolled by the United Nations.
Finally, we don’t know how the COVID situation will be in 2022, so if you were wondering if it’s possible to visit Cyprus or other Mediterreanean islands during the COVID pandemic, we will need to wait and see.
How is Cyprus divided?
As mentioned above, the island is divided into 2 different parts:
- The North Cyprus which is mostly Turkish.
- The South Cyprus which is mostly Greek.
The inhabitants of the Republic of Cyprus are called the Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots. Many years ago, there were a lot of tension between the 2 groups, so much that these tensions were the source of violence.
In 1964, the UN created the Buffer Zone, which divided Cyprus into 2 parts. This helped greatly in reducing the problems between the 2 parties as each group has now its place within the island.
Is Cyprus a country?
Yes, Cyprus is officially a country and the full name of the Mediterranean island is the Republic of Cyprus. However, the government of the Republic is actually controlling only ⅔ of the island (or in other words, the southern part). The last third is controlled by the Turkish government, while the Greek part of Cyprus is under the European Union.
When is the best weather in Cyprus?
The best months to visit the island of Cyprus are May and June. As it is an island of the Meditereanean Sea surrounded by the shores of many countries, it gets pretty dry at times but also keeps a cool and refreshing wind. Furthermore, temperatures in Cyprus during this time period of the year vary between 23 °C and 28 °C, and the sun sets pretty late at night, giving you a nice 12 to 13 hours of sunshine every day with a very low risk of rain.
How much does it cost to travel to Cyprus island?
We recommend having a budget between $2000 and $2500 for a week of vacation in Cyprus, including the airplane tickets. Of course, the price of the tickets will depend on how far you are from the island and the airline rates at the time of purchase. But once you are on the island, it should cost between $1000 and $1500 per week for 2 persons.
That includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Food and beverages
- Local transportations
- Activities
- Other expenses
How big is Cyprus island?
Cyprus is actually one of the biggest islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. Its size in square kilometers is 9,251 km², making it the 3rd largest and biggest Mediterranean island. On the other hand, not less than 1,2 million people live in Cyprus, as reported by official statistics dating back from 2020.
To visit the island, you can rent a car in Cyprus for cheap and just drive around the island. It takes about a couple of hours to visit the entirety of the island in a car. However, if you are not used to driving, we strongly advise using the local transport services instead, as the laws in Cyprus are complicated and could be very different from your home country.
How the people living in Cyprus are called?
The Cyprus Turks are mostly called Turkish Cypriots, while the Greeks living there are called the Greek Cypriots. They both live separately since their political views are so contradictory. To put it simply, the Turkish people living in Cyprus are in the northern part of the island, which constitutes ⅓ of the island, while the Greek Cypriots live in the southern part, the remaining ⅔ of the island.
What are the best activities near me to do in Cyprus?
The best activities in Cyprus that you shouldn’t miss are shown below:
- Nissi Beach: clean, open all year round, and with breathtaking scenery, this Cyprus popular beach will certainly make your vacation memorable.
- Archaeological Site of the Tombs of the Kings: this Cyprus popular activity is fun and costs only a few euros. You can visit a tomb that dates back to the 4th century BC and it’s absolutely amazing.
- Cape Greco: This is probably the most popular place in Cyprus for snorkeling and cliff jumping. The view is simply majestic, the water crystal clear, and the weather is perfect for sunbathing and relaxing.
What’s the Capital City of Cyprus?
The capital city of Cyprus is called Nicosia and is located near the Pedieos River. Since Cyprus is so culturally diverse, the city has many names, such as Lefkoşa (Turkish name) and Lefkosía (Greek name). Within the city lies the incredible and renowned Cyprus Museum.
What are the best festivals in Cyprus?
And finally, know that there are several amazing festivals in Cyprus happening throughout the year. Here’s a list of the main ones you shouldn’t miss:
- Larnaca
- Cape Greco
- St. Hilarion Castle
- Karpas Peninsula
- Ancient Kourion
- Ancient Salamis
- Kolossi Castle
- Troodos Villages
In conclusion
This concludes our complete guide on the country island of Cyprus, which is a very special place for its multi-cultural background and scenery. Hopefully, 2022 will let us forget the restrictions we had to go through during the pandemic so we can visit this wonderful island.
