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Family Holidays: Cyprus family holidays
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Why
Because if it was good enough for Aphrodite, chances are you and your family will fall in love with it too. Yes it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Med (the Southern Greek side is a little more developed than its northern Turkish neighbour) but it can be more than just a beach holiday. There’s history (Cyprus was the Spaghetti Junction of Crusader times), beautiful scenery, great walks – amazing food – all the Greek classics (humous, taramasalata, kebabs etc) and more olives than you can shake a cocktail stick at. Cyprus also boasts a great mix of family friendly accommodation – from luxury that’s fit for the Gods to plate-smashing economy. Crime is very low, cars drive on the left and it's a great place to consider for spring and autumn sun. Note, finally, that some resorts are highly developed and a few others have yet to earn a reputation for being family friendly.
- Top left: Beach
- Top right: Kourion, Limassol
- Bottom left: Winter in the Troodos Mountains
- Bottom right: Chrysopolitissa church, Paphos
When
Since Cyprus is in the Southern Med you can visit much earlier or later in the year and enjoy reasonably guaranteed decent weather. Think carefully about your schedule while on holiday if you are travelling with young children during the heat of summer - it can get very hot.
How
Cyprus has two international airports - Larnaca (South East) and Paphos in the South West of the island. Both are served by scheduled and charter airlines from numerous British airports and flights take about four and a half hours, with Cyprus two hours ahead. British Airways fly regularly to both Larnaca and Paphos, as do many other airlines such as, Cyprus Airlines, Thomsonfly and Monarch, and our preferred airline XL Airways. Check flight deals with Expedia. Once there you can either easily rent a car (and drive it on the left) or your holiday may include a transfer to the hotel or resort. Check deals from our car hire page.
Stay
Cyprus is an extremely popular holiday destination, in particular for Brits and Germans. In some areas along the coast you'll find a high concentration of hotels and fast food. Avoid Limassol and the South, with the exception perhaps of the Le Meridien hotel, if you prefer fewer crowds. Paphos and the West is also developed, but not quite to the same extent. Highly regarded properties, albeit on the more expensive side, include the Anassa and the Almyra Hotel. Many more luxury holidays can be found from partners Thomson at both Paphos and Larnaca. Alternatively you can avoid crowds at Coral Beach Hotel and Resort, bordering the Akamas National Park. Self catering options include our fabulous family friendly villas with pools from partners Meon Villas, some with panoramic sea views, including, Villa Demetra, Amalthia Villas, and Villa Eliza. Browse villas in Cyprus from James Villas or take a look at our selection of luxury villas from partners Villas Select.
Do
Nothing.
Or everything.
Cyprus is perfect whether you’ve got hyperactive kids who want to be
in the pool all day with their new-found mates from the hotel kids club.
Or book-ish types who want to explore the island’s history.
Or indeed both.
So you can sit by the pool with the Da Vinci code or find out where some of the story happened.
Plus nowadays as North and South start to mix, you can nip over the border and
discover the delights of the Turkish side – well worth a visit –
see our guide to North Cyprus.
A trip to Nicosia is a must – still a divided city but fascinating nevertheless.
Latchi boat trips - 2 trips leave the harbour at 10am, both with opportunities to swim by in the sea by remote beaches or bays with caves.
Go diving - There are Padi dive centres at Latchi and Paphos. (Paphos dives are usually to wrecks whereas in Latchi there is a reef.)
Akamas National Park - There are several suggested walks, the most popular being The Aphrodite trail and the The Adonis trail. These are approx 7.5km in length and take around 3 hours, but shorter ones area also possible.
The Baths of Aphrodite - According to legend these baths are where Aphrodite took her beauty baths in a pool of a natural grotto shaded by a fig tree. In ancient times people believed that visiting the baths and bathing in their waters would aid their fertility. The Fontana Amorosa ( Fountain of Love) is also nearby.
The ancient town of Paphos is a Unesco World Heritage Site. You'll find really well preserved 12th century Byzantine frescoes and a lovely harbour. The Paphos bird park is well worth a visit, with owl and parrot shows, snack bar, face-painting and a children's farm with goats, rabbits, chickens and donkeys etc. There is even a resident crocodile!
Aphrodite Waterpark - Nestling amidst 3500sqm of landscaped grounds, a sea-fronted waterpark near Paphos.
If you are set to explore the island, a good start is to hire a car, (find the best deal from our car hire page). We suggest you plump for an off-road(ish) variety, as some roads in the north are a bit rugged.
Eat
Choose between Greek classics and McDonalds. Or just about anything in between.
Barbecues are very popular in Cyprus. Souvla is mainly pieces of skewered Lamb or Chicken, grilled on charcoal grill and are most delicious, or try the Shiftalies; (small barbequed sausages). Meze is is certainly one of the most famous Cypriot delicacies and consists of a variety of small portions of different foods served all together or coming along at intervals, usually in huge amounts. It could take quite a long time, and that is kind of the point...you can relax and watch the world go by, so don't expect to eat and run. Yemista is another must try dish. These are basically stuffed vegetables of all kinds and can be served hot or cold. The most famous being stuffed vine leaves, known as Koupepia.
Don't miss the fish straight from the med to your plate! There are lots of delicious fish dishes to discover, grilled or fried, salty or sour, spicy or plain. In lots of restaurants there will be no menu, so the waiter will tell you the catch of the day and how it will be prepared.
Cost
You can pick up accommodation inclusive package deals to Cyprus for less than £200 or you can spend well over a grand per adult. Because there is so much holiday accommodation you should be able to secure great deals if you are able to travel outside the school holidays.
Travel reading
Cyprus (Lonely Planet Country Guide)
by Vesna Maric
Complete, practical country guide for independent travellers. Dedicated chapter to activities on the island.
The Cyprus Conspiracy: America, Espionage and the Turkish Invasion
by Brendan O'Malley and Ian Craig
Veteran journalists reveal 'absolute dynamite' secrets about Cyprus' North and South divide.
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Ready to go
Anassa Hotel, Cyprus
from £858*
5 star hotel overlooking a beautiful beach, a selection of water sports and a yacht for guests.
* per adult (£571) per child in low season (jan-feb)for 7nts based on 2 adults and 2 children(under 12yrs), with flights, transfers and breakfast.
Coral Beach Hotel and Resort, Cyprus
from £485*
A 5* hotel in an idyllic location on the Akamas National Park with hotel run children’s club and children’s pool.
* from £485 per person for 7 nights, including flights and transfers, based on 2 adults sharing a twin room or a Coral Beach Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Hotel Amathus Beach, Cyprus
from £590*
A modern spacious and elegant 5* hotel with magnificent gardens, panoramic views and a secluded sandy beach.
* from £590 per person, for 7 nights, on a B&B basis including flights and transfers.
Almyra Hotel, Cyprus
from £595*
A contemporary seaside resort with a key focus on children, views of the bay
* from £595 per adult for 7 nights in a garden view room, including breakfast, flights, and private transfers.
Le Meridien Limassol Resort, Cyprus
from £789*
Luxurious family hotel with great facilities and activities for all.
* from £795 per person, includes flights, transfers and breakfast.
Z & X Holiday Villas
Z & X Villa Holidays, Cyprus
from £850*
Villas with the magic of rural Cyprus, spectacular countryside, wildlife, markets, traditional crafts & pretty villages
* from £850 to £1400 for a typical private villa with pool per week
Villa Demetra, Cyprus
from £2,793*
Sleeps 8. Impressive villa offering panoramic views across sea and countryside
* from £2793 based on 4 adults and 4 children sharing a villa for seven nights including flights from and car hire.
Amalthia Villas, Cyprus
from £2,319*
Each villa sleeps 6. Complex of 14 villas with superb facilities
* from £2319 based on 2 adults and 4 children sharing a villa for 7 nights including flights and car hire.
Villa Eliza, Cyprus
from £949*
Sleeps 8. Panoramic sea views and a sizeable swimming pool, short distance from Latchi.
* from £949 for 7 nights villa rental only.