Guide To Best Things to do in Cyprus

If you are a culture lover, then you've come to the right place for what to do in Cyprus! Are you an armchair archaeologist? Inspired by spiritual traditions? Are you a foodie fan of the Mediterranean diet? Then you will absolutely adore the island nation of Cyprus.

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia. A member of the European Union since 2004, it's 174 miles southeast of Greece. Human presence on Cyprus is known to go back as far as the 10th millennium B.C. The island’s strategic location is a crossroads of Middle Eastern civilizations, and Roman and Greek Empires. It's more contemporary history includes rulers from the French Lusignan dynasty, Venetians, Ottomans, and the British.

The complicated political history of Cyprus is reflected today in an incredibly diverse architectural and archaeological landscape. This Cyprus Guide focuses on the southern two-thirds of Cyprus populated by Greek Cypriots.

While the official language of the Republic is Greek, English is widely spoken and featured on road signs.

Known as the birthplace of Aphrodite, Cyprus is a treasure trove of historic sites. Here, you walk in the footsteps of the Goddess of love, the sea-faring Phoenician traders, Alexander the Great, saints on the run, and the Knights Templar.

Paphos UNESCO World Heritage Site

The city of Paphos makes a great base for your visit. Given the bird's eye view of history it offers, it is an instructive location to begin your Cyprus guide. Paphos is in the country’s southwestern corner, and home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses numerous expansive tracts of well-preserved ruins that span Mycenean temples, Roman villas, and Byzantine fortresses.

Plan to spend a full morning roaming the extensive grounds of Kato or “Lower” Paphos. You'll need at least that much time to browse through this immense archaeological park on the harbor that encompasses ruins from 2,000 years of history. Going early in the day is the coolest time, otherwise, the heat can be oppressive.

You enter the Paphos Archaeological Park from a busy, modern commercial area. Be prepared for the instant change in the atmosphere; the site is a portal into a mysterious arid terrain.

• Opening hours: From April 16 to September 15, 8:30 am to 7:30 pm. From September 16 to April 15, 8:30am to 5:00pm. Open year-round except for Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday
• Admission fees: €4.50, with the Tomb of Kings being an additional €2,50

The Tomb of the Kings

An assortment of ancient civilizations lie round every corner in the Park. Tombs built over the course of six centuries reflect varying designs of changing burial practices during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Despite being known as the "Tomb of the Kings", these were not in fact the crypts of royalty. Rather, burial here was a privilege of the elite of the day.

The site is a reminder of man's urge to memorialize his own existence. Some crypts are gaping, cave-like holes hewn in the rock from which the fronds of a palm tree rise. Others are below-ground atriums where Doric columns created interplay of shadow and light.

Roman Villas

The Park encompasses ruins from an incredible 18 centuries worth of material history, but most of the ancient monuments are from the Roman era. These include the remains of four villas, each with impressive mosaic floors emblazoned with scenes from Greek mythology. These intricate designs are incredibly well-preserved and were discovered accidentally in 1962 by a farmer ploughing what were then his fields.

The Villa of Theseus is so-named for its round mosaic that portrays the mythical king and founder of Athens in action. Known as a slayer of villains, the scene depicts the hero engaged in his most epic battle against the Minatour in the labyrinth.

Villa of Orpheus

Dating to the 2nd century A.D., the flooring of the Villa of Orpheus is named for a room with a mosaic depiction of Orpheus among the beasts. Orpheus was one of the earliest Greek heroes, a mortal musician able to charm not only animals but even had power over Hades. His legend was later adopted by the Romans, as were many of the Greek gods and heroes.

The adjoining room features a pair of mosaics, one that illustrates Hercules and the Lion of Nemea, and the other depicts an Amazon with her horse. The Romans adopted many of the Greek pantheon; Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek god Herakles. Slaying the lion was one of the twelve labors assigned to Heracles to atone for killing his wife and children in a fit of madness.

As far as the Amazon imagery, like all Greek and Roman mythology, the symbolism carries a political message. In this case, the objective was to unite people against an exotic enemy, a tribe of warrior women. According to some theories, the Greeks believed the Amazons came from what today is the Ukraine; the Romans believed the female tribe to be Goths.

Villa of Aion

This house has not been fully excavated but so far the mosaics revealed are stunning. These date to the fourth century A.D. and bring to life five mythological scenes, one of which is the birth of Dionysus. This artful depiction manages to straddle the changing beliefs of the time. When the mosaics were created, Christianity was practiced by about half the Roman world, while the rest still believed in the Greco-inspired gods. Depending on the beliefs of a visitor, this scene could just as easily be an homage to the baby Jesus.

Villa of Dionysos

Be sure to linger at the 2,000-square foot House of Dionysos; the relative coolness afforded by its covering is almost as enjoyable as its mosaics. This is the largest Roman villa in the park, and about a quarter of floors here are covered in mythological scenes. The house features 40 rooms constructed around a central court.

Paphos Archaeological Park: Roman Odeon Theatre

Drenched with perspiration, we finally ascended a hill at the far side of the site. Here, we were rewarded with a refreshing and salty sea breeze and inspiring views. In one direction, a romantic lighthouse stood sentinel above the azure Mediterranean. In the other direction, the elegant semicircle of a Roman Odeon was carved into the landscape. It’s said that somewhere here in Paphos, perhaps not far from where we stood, the Roman governor of the city was converted to Christianity in 45 A.D. by the Apostle Paul.

Neophytos Monastery

Much of Cyprus' history and current culture are shaped by the Cypriot's Greek Orthodox faith. About 80% of the island's population are members of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus. There are more than two dozen major monasteries on Cyprus, almost all of which trace their founding to saints of more than a millennia ago.

Saint Neophytos monastery offers an awe-inspiring introduction to the island's spiritual heritage. Located about six miles outside Paphos, at the far end of a deep valley, this peaceful ancient site features frescoes that date to the Byzantine Empire. The drive winds up into the steep hills in the country’s south, past the villages of Mesogi and Tremithousa.

The most remarkable feature of Saint Neophytos Monastery are the ancient but enduring frescoes painted during his lifetime in the 12th century. Located in the four rooms the monk carved out of a cave in the cliffs, these paintings celebrate not only angels and Christian beliefs but also the life of Neophytus himself. Written records refer to the saint as being vain and depictions of his life along with biblical scenes would seem to validate that! Nonetheless, the paintings, believed to have been created by more than one artist, are moving to witness.

• Opening hours: From April to October, 9:00am to 1:00pm, 2:00pm to 6:00pm, daily. From November to March, 9:00am to 4:00pm, daily.
• Admission fees: €2.00
• Website: stneophytos.org.cy

Neophytos's Quiet Cliff Side Retreat

We explored the humble cells that Neophytos carved from a small natural cave on the mountainside. I felt large and clumsy in the cubbyhole where Neophytos had spent a year chiseling out a utilitarian bed, a desk, a niche where he kept books, and his own sarcophagus. He forged a rock-cut alter in an adjoining space for his prayer room.

In 1183, he added a third chamber, a chapel. The stark angles and rough, bumpy surfaces of the engleistra, or “hermitage,” were poignant in their simplicity. This made an eloquent statement about the saint’s austere lifestyle and the era in which he lived and died.

Saint Neophytos Back Story

Saint Neophytos is said to have hewn each from the rock here with his bare hands. When he arrived at this remote patch of wilderness in 1159, Neophytos was 25 years old. He had finally found what he had been seeking for seven years: peace and quiet.

Seven years earlier, when he was faced with the prospect of a traditional arranged marriage, the future saint had fled his poor village near Lefkara. He fled to a monastery, where he hoped to lead a cloistered life as an ascetic. The abbot who welcomed him did not grant his wish to live as a hermit. However, he did entrust the monastery’s vineyards to Neophytos’ care and taught him to read and write.

When his request to live a life of solitude was still denied seven years later, Neophytos asked the abbot for permission to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Here he hoped to find an ascetic that would take him under his wing. Six months of wandering in the Holy Land did not present the spiritual teacher Neophytos sought. He thus returned to the monastery, where yet again his plea to live as a hermit was denied.

No doubt frustrated, Neophytos headed for the port in Paphos and a ship to take him to Asia Minor. Alas, the young saint was arrested as a fugitive, then robbed by his guards. Though released after just one night in jail, he had now become penniless and probably all the more intent on withdrawing from his fellow man. It was then that he made his way up into these lofty bluffs.

Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery

Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery is 23 miles northeast of Paphos, reached via a winding mountain road. The complex, while not large, includes a church, a store and cafe, as well as one of the best wineries in the region.

The name of Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery means “Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate". The use of the syllables “issa” means “our lady of.” Throughout Cyprus, there are a host of places that are named for female saints. Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa is a place of special significance. Along with Kykkos, it is one of the three Cypriot Orthodox sanctuaries believed to possess an icon of the Virgin Mary painted by St. Luke.

Arriving at Chrysorrogiatissa, we were reminded this was a place of reverence. A sign posted at the entrance states: Visitors are kindly requested to respect the monastery and not to enter scantily dressed.

When founded by the hermit Ignatius in 1152, it was probably a safe bet that women in tank tops did not appear at his doorstep to tempt him.

Visiting Chrysorrogiatissa

In Chrysorrogiatissa’s founding legend, Ignatius discovered an icon depicting Mary, who then appeared to him, instructing that a monastery be built in her honor. The icon today is wrapped in gauze and kept in a special casket at the monastery.

The church itself was surprisingly small. The twilight-like lighting from its crystal chandeliers lent an air of mystery to the abundance of religious imagery upon every surface.

I was drawn to a particular section of the iconostasis. It was draped in a heavy lace curtain and behind which lay brocade and under that, a slab of engraved silver with a small door. Small silver plates sketched with images hung from the hooked handiwork. Several showed a disembodied arm. Others depicted a leg. Yet another illustrated a person on his back, seemingly in pain. I later learned these bits of artistry represented specific prayers for relief from ongoing ailments.

In the center of the site is an expansive cobble-stoned terrace, the floor of which is adorned with a mosaic of a double-headed bird, gripping a sword and scepter in its talons. Past a bubbling fountain are benches that offer a magnificent view beyond the pines to the lush valley below.

• Opening hours: From May to August, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm, daily. From September to April, 10:00am to 12:30pm, 1:30pm to 4:00pm, daily.
• Admission fees: Free, with donations accepted
• Website: visitcyprus.com

Ecclesiastical Museum in Geriskipou

The Ecclesiastical Museum of Pafos is located in the town of Geriskipou on the outskirts of Paphos. It provides an in-depth overview to the world of icons with a panoply of more than 100 pieces of religious imagery. On a side street off the main square, the gallery is housed in a Byzantine-style building that also serves as the residence of the Bishop of Paphos.

Spanning several rooms and more than ten centuries, the collection claims the oldest icon preserved in Cyprus, an image of Saint Marina. This image dates to the 7th or 8th century. Pieces exhibited include frescoes and wood carvings, many of which are fragments of church doors, iconostases and crosses. Most of the icons were rescued from the walls of abandoned, un-roofed churches before becoming lost to decay under the elements.

Iconic Images

I moved from icon to icon and took in the recurring figures, poses, and the simple lines and naive manner in which they were depicted. I studied several renditions of the Virgin and child in a view called Hodegetria that depicted Mary holding Christ in her left arm. His body is that of an infant, but his face appears adult. I later learned that the concept being communicated is that Christ is both God and man, wise even as an infant. Hodegetria means “guide.” In iconography, the Virgin never draws attention to herself, she is usually pointing to her Son, drawing the viewer to Him.

Other figures depicted again and again included St. George mounted on his steed and St. John the Evangelist on his knees. In each image of St. John the Baptist, his wild locks of hair spilled past his shoulders. This represents the saint’s lack of concern for how he looked or “earthly” matters. A number of icons showed Christ as a young man; his right hand is held with his thumb connected to his ring finger and pinky and a Bible in his left hand, a pose signifying a blessing.

• Opening hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays, closed Sundays.
• Admission fees: €4,00, or €3,00 for people 65+
• Website: impaphou.org

Agia Paraskevi

Geroskipou is also home to Agia Paraskevi, a 9th-century Byzantine church capped with five domes in the shape of a cross. The church anchors the far left corner of a well-used community plaza. When we got there, the caretaker, an old salt in a Greek fishing cap, appeared to be ready to lock up and scowled at our late arrival but let us pass. Not wanting to keep him waiting, we enjoyed just a brief glimpse of incredible 15th-century murals of scenes from the New Testament and, above, a praying Madonna depicted on the vaulted dome.

Agios Lazaros in Lanarca

Like Paphos, Larnaca is also on the coast and is a 90-minute drive east. The city is just south of the border with North Cyprus (however entry between the two is accessible only at certain checkpoints along the U.N. buffer zone that divides the two.)

With a population of about 145,000, Larnaca is the third-largest city on Cyprus after Nicosia in North Cyprus and Limassol.

After meandering through the ancient streets to the southern part of Old Larnaka, we found Agios Lazaros. Its four-story tower stands sentinel against a brilliant blue sky. Shafts of light stream from its high windows. The stone interior was a cool, welcome relief from the blazing heat.

Visiting Agios Lazaros

Agios Lazaros is an edifice founded on the theme of “new life.” According to Cypriot tradition, Lazarus, whom Jesus is said to have raised from the dead, moved to Cyprus after his resurrection. He became the first bishop of Cyprus, ordained by St Paul. After his final death, the name of the town was changed from Kation to Larnaka. It means in Greek “At the sarcophagus.” Agios Lazaros was built in 900 A.D. at the site of the saint’s grave.

The church’s ornately carved, gilded iconostasis featured rows of saints, with an image of Lazarus rising among them. To the right of the nave was a reliquary reputed to contain his skull. Descending stairs to the crypt, we found several stone sarcophagi beneath a row of hanging silver incense burners. One of the tombs housed the remains of the saint, so it is said, and bears the inscription “Lazarus, friend of Jesus.”

Returning upstairs, we stood at the back of the church and watched an old woman in black, her head covered with a kerchief. She hobbled from one large icon mounted on a pillar to another. At each, she bent slightly in a partial kneel and kissed the image, before shuffling to the next.

• Opening hours: From March 1 to October 31: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Sundays, 6:30 am to 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. From November 1 to February 29: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. On Sundays, 6:30am to 12:30pm, 3:30pm to 5:30pm.
• Admission fees: €1,00 per person Groups of 10 or more, €10
• Website: agioslazaros.org.cy

The Larnaca Salt Lake

One of the most prominent topographical features of southeastern Cyprus is the Larnaca Salt Lake. This large wetland area is noticeable from the air if you fly in or out of Larnaca Airport. In fact, the airport runways are built on reclaimed marshland that used to be a submerged section of the lake.

The Larnaca Salt Lake draws ornithologists and nature enthusiasts because during certain times of the year, especially during the rainy season, myriad species of migratory birds are on display. The most famous of these migrants are the Flamingos; as many as 12,000 of these colorful birds winter here.

There is an important monument located at the Larnaca Salt Lake, the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque which is often touted as the fourth holiest place in Islam. (The first three being Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock.)

According to legend, Um Haram, who was either the aunt or wet-nurse of the prophet Mohammed, broke her neck and died here after falling off a donkey in the 7th Century. She was buried on the western bank of the lake. Her grave lay unnoticed and undisturbed until the 18th Century when an Ottoman Pasha decided to erect an impressive mosque on the site.

Lazarus and the Larnaca Salt Lake

There is a legend about Lazarus and the Larnaca Salt Lake, which is supposed to have taken place towards the end of Lazarus’ life, ca. 70 A.D., when he was an old man.

One day, Bishop Lazarus took a stroll in the area where the Larnaca Salt Lake is now. At that time, the area was occupied by a series of rich vineyards, famous vineyards. Lazarus happened to see the wealthy vineyard owner overseeing workers filling bags with the abundant grape harvest. Lazarus asked for some grapes to quench his thirst. The rich man did not recognize Lazarus and rudely dismissed him, claiming that the beags held salt, not grapes.

In response, Lazarus lifted his arm and pointed to the vineyards, saying ‘So you have salt in the bags, eh?’ Magically, the rich vines turned immediately into an expanse of salt. From that day onwards, nothing would grow on the site of the former vineyards, now the Larnaca Salt Lake.

To this day, locals recount this story to their children to remind them that it is the Christian thing to share your wealth with others less fortunate. And if they go against this Christian value, bad things will happen.

 Painted Churches of Troodos Mountains

The Troodos Mountain region is a forested swath that stretches across roughly a third of western Cyprus. In contrast to the sandy beaches or dusty archaeological sites of the coast, the Troodos is a cooler, pince-scented sanctuary where skiers hit the slopes of Mount Olympus in the winter.

The Troodos National Forest Park encompasses about 22,600 acres and includes 35 miles of cycling trails; 13 hiking trails that cover about 40 miles, six dams, numerous waterfalls, nine picnic areas and many picturesque villages.

But perhaps the area is most known for its ten painted churches recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Ranging from small rustic churches to major monasteries, these monuments are beloved for the elaborate Byzantine murals painted on their walls over a period of 500 years from the 11th to the 16th century.

Chapels and Mouflan

From Paphos, we made our way northeast on the Polis Road, leaving behind the villages and eventually the pavement. Heaving along a rutted, winding road, we entered the beginning of the Troodos Mountains and the Pafos Forest.

Cresting a hill, we saw a huge body of water shimmering in the morning sunlight below, created by the Kannaviou Dam. On the far side of the reservoir I could make out what looked like a miniature white church tucked among the pines. Following the shoreline, we reached the diminutive chapel.

Inside were a hodgepodge of icons. Images of saints were painted on the surface of a central recessed niche, and surrounded by portable icons propped up on shelves and window sills. Votive candles lay at the feet of the images, coupled with boxes of matches.

I learned later that isolated chapels such as this one are not uncommon. They are remnants of former medieval monastic communities or the sanctuaries of shepherds.

We continued on, stopping at Stavros tis Psokas, a former monastery now a Forestry Commission station. We stretched our legs here with a short walk on a steep narrow path around the circumference of a refuge for mouflon, a type of wild sheep. Peering intently into the dense woods, we were privileged to get a glimpse of a group of the endangered species. They stood still as statues, the males endowed with monumental curling horns.

Pafos Forest and Cedar Valley

Troodos range; to our south loomed its highest peak, the 1,952-meter Mt. Olympus. Our car chugged slowly along the narrow roads on the rim of the mountainside and we soon crested the contours of Cedar Valley. This narrow slash in the landscape seemed bottomless. Yet from it’s depth, more than 200,000 majestic conifers pushed skyward, many growing to 25 meters.

The species of cedar grows only in Cyprus, Lebanon, Morocco and the Himalayas and at an altitude above 3,000 feet. These cedrus brevifolia are a relative of the famed Lebanese cedars, from which the legendary Phoenician maritime explorers built their ships.

The trees’ strength is belied by slim trunks, which hardly seem capable of supporting the immense wingspan of their far-reaching and fragrant boughs. Many of the Cyprus cedars leaned low toward the ground in contorted poses, as though trying to hang on to the hillside in the face of whipping winds, their tops flattened by the forces of the elements.

Next, we rounded a hairpin turn on the winding ribbon of road and a flash of red caught my eye. Beyond the precipice, floating on a bed of greenery below lay the carrot-colored roofs of Pedoulas village. We had reached the upper part of the Marathassa Valley. The origins of the name are Greek and mean “the land of a thousand flowers.” As spectacular as we found the vista in mid-summer, in the spring, the valley is ablaze with flowering cherry trees.

Church of the Archangel Michael

Coasting down the mountainside, we glided to a stop at the far edge of the tiny town. We had reached our destination, the humble stone Church of the Archangel Michael.

The Troodos Mountains once served as a haven for monks seeking distance from temptation and nearness to God.  These mountains were also a sanctuary where the Church could secure its relics and riches during three centuries of Arab raids that began in 647 A.D.

Dating from 1474, the Church of the Archangel Michael is one of ten in the Troodos region UNESCO designated as a World Heritage sites. This concentrated collection of monuments perched on remote aeries and hollows are all remarkable for their interiors, richly decorated with Byzantine and post-Byzantine paintings. The rural architectural style of the ten painted churches starkly contrasts to Cyprus’ many prestigious and sprawling monasteries.

The Church of the Archangel Michael is the smallest of the ten painted churches. It has an asymmetrical exterior designed to compensate for the slope of the hillside on which it was built. The roof on one side begins at ceiling height; on the other, the roofline plummets to the ground. The resulting steep point a protective measure against the deep mountain snowfalls.

We entered a narrow dimly-lit space once stepping through plain wooden doors. Once our eyes adjusted to the dusk-like lighting, we realized we were surrounded by giant figures with somber expressions looming over us. Among them, a giant Archangel Michael brandished a sword and a scroll and a look of fierce determination.

• Opening hours: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, daily.
• Admission fees: Free
• Website: cyprusisland.net

Kykkos Monastery

From the Church of the Archangel Michael and the village of Pedoulas, we headed west for about 12 miles to the 900-year-old Kykkos Monastery.

There are several folk stories about the origin of its name. According to one legend, a little bird living in the area predicted a miraculous temple, twittering:

Kykkou, Kykkou, Kykkos Hill, a monastery the site shall fill. A golden girl shall enter in and never shall come out again.

Kykkos Monastery is one of the richest monasteries on the island and it possesses one of the three icons of the Virgin Mary ascribed by St Luke. Today, out of respect, the icon is kept under a velvet shroud in Kykkos’ iconostasis, a wall of icons and religious paintings that separate the nave from the sanctuary in a church. The Kykkos Monastery, or Panagia tou Kykkou, is the essential destination for members of the Greek Orthodox faith.

Visiting Kykkos Monastery

Arriving at Kykkos Monastery, we found ourselves amid throngs of the faithful. We pulled into a parking lot packed with tour buses and walked past bustling kiosks doing brisk business selling all manner of Kykkos mementos, including hundreds of iconic images.

The monastery’s austere stone façade was offset by the vivid pink blooms and glossy greenery of a garden of oleander bushes. Entering an arched doorway adorned in glittering mosaics with outsized images of the Virgin and Child, Archangel Michael, and other saints, we joined scores of pilgrims streaming inside, donning purple visitors’ robes provided for those whose summer attire did not cover bare shoulders or legs.

Following our fellow visitors, we made our way through a long corridor with scenes from the monastery’s history painted on its walls and downstairs to a central courtyard. There we crossed the threshold of the main church, where we opted not to join a long line of pilgrims waiting to pay respects to the icon.

In deference to the pious, we stood back and admired the iconostasis from afar. A veritable wall of gold, according to tradition it imitates the image of paradise. It dazzles with a display of devotion–carved, gilded, studded with gleaming stones and designs of angels and animals, and adorned with a row of hanging gold lamps.

• Opening hours: From November to May, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. From June to October, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Admission fees: €5,00, €3,00 for groups
• Website: kykkos.org.cy

Temple of Aphrodite

The rise of Christianity replaced the island’s pantheon of pagan worship but at least one goddess is alive and well in the minds and hearts of Cypriots. The island’s heritage includes not only churches and monasteries, believed founded by apostles and gospel writers. Cyprus also lays claim to being the birthplace of Aphrodite.

On the south coast of Paphos is the site of the Temple of Aphrodite, now an expanse of country fields scattered with olive trees. We walked down a lane lined with white and pink Oleander toward a hillside museum housed in a Gothic structure built during the Crusades.

Strewn along the path were ruins attesting to the site’s relevance over the ages–crumbling columns, haphazard rows of pink and mauve slabs of granite, a geometric carpet of faded mosaics, an ancient millstone, and the remnant of an olive press. At one time, pilgrims from great distances traveled here to worship at Aphrodite’s shrine.

• Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Sunday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Admission fees: €3,40, includes entry to Palaipafos archeological site.
• Website: justaboutcyprus.com

Aphrodite’s Rock

A fitting conclusion to your visit to Cyprus is paying your respects to the mother of Eros with a cooling dip in the waters off Petra Tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite's Rock. Here it is said she came ashore in a spray of sea foam and a clamshell drawn by dolphins.

Petra Tou Romiou, or “Aphrodite’s Rock”, towers alongside an idyllic beach that has inspired more than a few legends. One of these promises that for every lap one takes around the massive limestone rocks emerging from the aquamarine water, they will become a year younger.

The cult of Aphrodite persisted long after the advent of Christianity, until at least the 4th century. Whether or not you believe in mythology, Cyprus inspires its share of romantic gestures: Marc Antony was so charmed by Cyprus’ beauty he gave it to Cleopatra, and Richard the Lionhearted married his bride on the island during a pit stop en route to the Crusades.

I’m willing to bet you, too, will fall in love with Cyprus.

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How To Use This Map

Click on the map above and it will open in a new window. Then click on the name of any Icon and it will be highlighted on the map.

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Our guide to Cyprus was the incredibly knowledgeable David Pearlman, who gave us an amazing experience and education.

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