Cyprus family holidays
It was good enough for Aphrodite, so chances are you and your family will fall in love with Cyprus during family holidays or breaks on this island of myths and legends, where artefacts and ruins – Cyprus was the Spaghetti Junction of Crusader times and all those passing through left a lot of history behind – rub shoulders with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean and other stunning scenery and to-die-for food.
A bit of an enigma – westernised but with heavy African influences, and, of course, a line down the middle of it, with the Turks on one side and the Greeks on the other – Cyprus can also be reassuringly familiar, with lots of family-friendly accommodation for all budgets and driving on the left-hand side!
| Capital City | Nicosia |
|---|---|
| Flying Time | 4.5 hours  |
| Carbon Footprint | 2.8 tonnes CO2 |
| Timezone | GMT +2 |
| Local Currency | Euro |
What to Do
Though parts of Cyprus heave with tourists, it’s in these heavily built up resorts that you’ll find all the obviously touristy things without which family holidays here aren't complete – snorkelling, diving, swimming, paddling, paragliding, whizzing around in a banana boat, and boat-trips that give you the chance to and snorkel off the boat.
With a zillion beaches to choose from, it’s easy to do nothing but laze, although if packed sands are your family’s idea of hell and you head for off the beaten track, make sure you know what the tides and currents are doing as often there are no flag systems or lifeguards. Coral Bay in Paphos is calm and child friendly, with a lovely harbour with cute coloured fishing boats and boat-trips and a fun covered market. Bribe the kids with ice creams to walk up to Paphos Castle, with brilliant views. A short walk from the harbour you’ll also see ancient mosaics (the site at Kato) from Roman times.
Soak up the atmosphere at the mysterious Tombs of the Kings and the catacombs at Agia Solomoni – fun if somewhat gloomy. This is where persecuted Christians hid.
Head for Phinikoudes Beach, one of Cyprus’s most famous, with plenty of cafés and bars. In June it hosts the two-week (Larnaca) Kataklysmos Fair.
Add the Pafos Bird Park to your itinerary, with bird shows, a children’s farm and face-painting, and the Aphrodite Waterpark, with plenty of rides and pleasant landscaped gardens to walk around.
Take a trip up to the Troodos Mountains, where you’ll find surprisingly green and forested land and Kykkos, Cyprus’s main monastery.
Explore Lefkosia, the largest town on Cyprus, with enough historical sites and museums to fill a day, plus good shopping. If you take your passports, you can cross the border into the Turkish part of town in North Cyprus.
In the east of the island, visit Curium, with the best amphitheatre on the island – the Magic Dancing Show will amaze younger kids.
Head for the camel park at Mazdos, just outside Larnaca, or the donkey sanctuary in Viouni Village just outside Limassol.
Go roaming in search beautiful and interesting inland villages that will show you a bit of the real Cyprus – once there, have a wander then sit in the shade of a veranda to watch the world, and your children, go by.
And make sure you visit the Baths of Aphrodite, a pretty spot where the goddess used to take to the waters.
Where to Stay
Cyprus is an extremely popular destination for family holidays, especially with Brits and Germans, and the south coast is highly developed. Paphos and the west coast are not developed to quite to the same extent. Top of the pile are the chic but child-friendly Anassa and its sister the Almyra. See our feature on a First Break with Baby at the Almyra.
Also worth checking out are the Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills and the Coral Beach Hotel and Resort, or see the right-hand column of this page for more deals and recommendations.
Self-catering options include family-friendly villas with pools from partners Meon Villas, some with sea views, or see also James Villas or Villa Select.
