Cyprus

Trip preparation

At a Glance Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea just to the south of Turkey. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (just after Sicily and Sardinia). Although the island is geographically located in Asia, it ispolitically a European country and is a member of the European Union. The estimated population of Cyprus is around 730,000 people. Nicosia, also known locally as Lefkosia, is the capital and the largest city in Cyprus.

General

Airports There are a few airports jotted around Cyprus that allow holiday makersworldwide to visit this popular Mediterranean island including Larnaca International Airport and Paphos Airport that have both recently been completely upgraded.

Language

Greek and Turkish are the main languages spoken across Cyprus however you will find that English is also widely spoken. It is not uncommon to find that French and German are well spoken within the tourist industry too.

Currency

Euro €

Visa requirements

Cyprus is part of the European Union, so EU citizens only require their passport. If your trip to Cyprus is less than 3 months long you are not required to have a visa. Any longer than these three months then you will need to apply for one   Climate Cyprus relishes in an intense Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers starting that start around mid-May and last through until mid-September. Winters are fairly mild where you will witness the odd spot of rain from November to mid-March. Spring and autumn are effectively short intervals in between, characterized by smooth weather. With virtually all year-round crystal clear skies and sunshine, daylight length ranges from 9.8 hours in December to 14.5 hours in June. Sea temperature in Cyprus hovers above 22° C from June to November and then climbs to about 27°C in August. Even during the three coolest months of January to March, averagese a temperature are usually an acceptable 16° or 17° C.

Opening hours

Shop opening times vary in Cyprus depending on their type and location, however shops are normally open between 07:00 am and 09:00 pm. Banks are open to the public from 07:30 am to 1:30 pm Monday to Friday, and then again in the afternoons from around 3pm to 5pm for tourist services only. If you are in need of a Post office, then you will find that these areopen from 07:30 am to 13:30 pm Monday to Friday, with many sub post offices opening on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon from around 3 pm to 5 pm.

Vaccinations

The good news is that Cyprus has no dangerous infectious diseases. Therefore if you are visiting the island you do not require any vaccinations to travel to Cyprus.

Communication

Incase of emergency call 112 wherever you are on the island, where you will be directed to the emergency services. If you wish to make a phone call abroad while in Cyprus , dial 00, followed by the country code and the telephone number. International calls can be made from public telephones available at various central locations in all cities and villages. Most establishments such as internet cafes and hotels will offer internet connection services of various speeds and types. Depending on the institute, the service accessible either wired or wireless and is usually charged by the hour.

Important addresses and phone numbers

In the unlikely event that you need a hospital you will find modern government hospitals in each of the major cities of Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos and Limassol. Each one has is equipped with an accident and emergency department where emergency care is delivered free to all. For all other hospital visits you will need to obtain a medical card to enable you to get free or at least a reduced cost treatment. If you do not have a medical card, you are still use the Government Medical Services, however you will likely have to pay the full costs for any treatment that was provided. For less urgent medical care, medicine can be purchased at pharmacies. Almost all brands of medicine are available in Cyprus. Pharmacies are all marked with a green cross.

Traditions and Culture

One of the prominent characteristics of the Cyprus culture that you will experience is that everyone in the country will give you an exceptional warm welcome. Cypriots are known worldwide for their genuine and sincere generosity and friendliness. The word 'Kalosorisate' (Welcome!) and'Kopiaste' (Come join us!) are frequently used by locals. Cyprus has many traditions on the island some of which are: The smashing of plates is an old time Greek tradition which is practiced all around many Greek islands including Cyprus. Established at weddings, and other parties and celebrations, plates would be thrown to the floor and smashed whilst singing and dancing. This tradition however has started being replaced with the throwing of flowers (due to the obvious safety problems connected with many plates being smashed on the floor). You may also notice that Birth days are not a celebrated event in Cyprus like in the UK, however Name Days are very much celebrated. The Name Day is the feast day of the saint after which a child was named. It is custom for a party to be held on the person's Name Day, which involves a feast and lots of singing, dancing and drinking. Another popular tradition is that many Cypriots often wear a charm of a little blue marble glass with an eye painted on it or a blue bracelet known as the evil eye, in order to protect them against misfortune. Conflicts Cyprus is dived into 2 main areas. In the south by Greeks and by the Turks in the Turkish republic in the North. In 1960 Cyprus gained independence from Great Britain. However there is still a large British community living there on British and international military bases. Conflicts have erupted between the two parts of the island ever since. An attempted military coup in the south in 1974 resulted in Cyprus becoming part of Greece. In the same year there was an invasion in the north part of the Island that resulted in a breakaway state. It declared independence in 1983. The issue should be added that, although from a historical perspective, Cyprus was mainly inhabited by Greeks; the Turks are beginning to settle there in the 16th century. It is therefore not a modern immigration wave, as is common in other parts of the world. The border is marked by barbed wire in urban areas. Transition between areas is possible but care must be taken. For example in the border zone it is illegal to photograph or record. Turks - 23%, Greeks - 74%

Religion

The majority of Greek-Cypriots are Greek-Orthodox Christians, however there are other denominations that are represented on the island, including Armenians, Maronites and Roman Catholics. The Turkish-Cypriot community is predominantly Muslim.

By car

Driving around Cyprus is a real effective way to get around the country correctly and to witness amazing sceneries. Having your own vehicle is crucial if you want to see some more of the out-of-the-way places in the wilderness, where bus transport may benon-existent. In the elevated areas, expect windy roads, your speed will rarely exceed 50km/H. You will not have to look very far to find a petrol station, as they are jotted all over Cyprus. Do bare in mind thought that they do become more rare in remoter areas e.g. the Troödos Massif or the Karpas Peninsula and they are closed on Sundays. Like in the UK, people drive on the left side of the road. Cars are widely available to hire in Cyprus and will cost you up to €45.Rental cars are usually in good condition but inspect your vehicle before you set off on your travels. You can drive right across the island in less than a day.  Buses Despite some buses looking like they need some real attention, travelling by bus is comfortable, inexpensive and offers a reasonably timely service. Some buses (usually those running on the main intercity routes) can also transport bicycles. A single bus ticket for an adult will usually cost you around €1, this of course will predominantly be reliant on the length of the journey.

By taxi

There are two types of taxis in Cyprus, private taxis and taxis that you are able to flag down a street which will normally be a lot cheaper than private taxis. There is no shortage of taxis, and the majority are safe and extremely reliable. Fares are metered after an initial base charge and the metered rate is based on a fixed rate chart.

Experience and enjoy

Cyprus is more than just a place just for lazing in the sun, you will find that there is lots of things happening in Cyprus all the year round. From cultural performances, sports events to participate in or watch religious festivals…You’ll be surprised at what you can enjoy here! Music Music has strong roots in Cyprus. One of the most popular musical instruments, bouzouki, a tool very similar to a mandolin. The traditional style of music is Rebetika. In addition to this Cypriots love the sound of their own voices so you will often hear them singing. Nicosia - the capital of Cyprus, due to its location in the middle of the island is easily accessible. The city is divided into two parts. The city has unique architecture and preserved fortifications in the Turkish part. Gothic sanctuaries converted into mosques in the southern part and the cathedral. The city is also home to the national Architecture Museum. Famagusta - is located in the northeast of the island, the setting of the Shakespeare tragedy Othello. Also enclosed by city walls. The most visited attraction is the Citadel. Larnaca - the city's port and airport. Located near the UNESCO site, Kition Hirokitia   Larnaca Salt Lake – home to thousands of flamingos. Limassol - the largest port on the island.   Lara Beach – about 25km on dirt roads from Paphos, you fill find this beach were turtles nest each year.

Shopping

Things available to buy in Create are very similar to those in Greece and other Mediterranean countries. Wine, ceramics, cheese, olives, etc. Cyprus also has a good selection of shops including fashion boutiques, designer clothes outlets, sporting wear and most importantly souvenir shops in all the main cities. However do not expect to find any UK fashion chain stores.

Sport

You may decide that you want to discover Cyprus by bike, which is a cheap and exciting way of travelling. You will find that the roads are generally well maintained for all bikers and motorists. You will find that insome tourist centers there are urban bicycle paths. It is sensible to limit long-distance cycling trips to winter, spring or autumn, for the heat in summer months will make this means or transport extremely tough! You must be at least 17 years of age to drive a moped and 18 years of age for a motorbike.      

Food

If you decide to dine out and around Cyprus, expect tasty inexpensive meals from kebabs to burgers, to a gourmet feast. The majority of restaurants inCyprus will also cater for all international tastes. Small traditional Cypriot tavernas are also very widespread across Cyprus, and can be found throughout all districts, in villages and in tourist areas, where you canselect from an array fresh local dishes of meat, fish, vegetables and salads.On a typical menu you could expect to find dishes such as Stifado, Mousaka, Kleftiko andmany other mouth -watering dishes for you to sink your teeth into. You can always try smaller amounts of several local foods in a traditional Cyprus Meze (Mezedes), which comprises of many small dishes of meat, fish and vegetables.   In sea side resorts in Cyprus you will discover lotsof seafood restaurants serving a assortment of shell fish and fresh fish dishes such as calamari, octopus, red mullet, and sea bass. Do bare in mind that fish restaurants can get very busy, especially at weekends when the locals are visiting them too, therefore it is advised to reserve a table in advance if you fancy dining in one. If you are seeking more International cuisines, then do not fear there are many restaurants in all towns offering menu's such as Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Indian, French and of course English, including many more.   Breakfast is usually served between 07:00 and 10:00 in the morning. Lunch is served in restaurants between 12:00 and 15:00. Dinner is served from 19:00 till late in the evening. It is common for a 10% service charge to be included in the billin both restaurants and hotels, therefore tipping is not compulsory but of course it is always welcomed and appreciated. During your visit if you fancy indulging in some culture and history then museums in Cyprus are well worth a visit. The many museums in Cyprus demonstrate the thousands of years of history of the Island.