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Cyprus - Places to see and things to do.

A favourite tourist destination, the Republic of Cyprus is situated on an island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey. As a member of the European Union since 2004, today Cyprus can be entered with just an ID Card, and doesn't require visas from travellers coming from Europe and North America. The official currency in the country is the Euro, while the official languages used are Greek and Turkish, though English is also widely understood thanks to the great number of foreigners living in the country for many years now.

The main airport in Cyprus is Larnaca International Airport and the main carrier in the country is Cyprus Airways. The country is connected by air to almost all major European capitals and larger cities. Ferryboats are sometimes used to connect the island to Greece, Israel and Egypt, especially during the summer tourist season.

Regular ferry service is available from Turkey to the northern end of the island. In the years before Cyprus entered the European Union, any evidence that a person had entered Northern Cyprus resulted in denial to enter the Greek part of the island. When the country entered the European Union, this changed and travellers from EU countries can go freely to both parts. However, travellers that aren't from the European Union should enter the island at one of the legal entry points, such as Astromerits, Agios Dometios, Pergamos and Ledra Palace. A common way to travel in Cyprus is by car or shared taxi, as public transportation is quite poor. Renting a car is very easy, but can turn out to be quite expensive. It's important to know that driving on the island is done like in Britain, on the left side of the road. The drivers, however, can be quite rude and aggressive, which is why foreigners driving in Cyprus should be quite careful.

Cyprus is comprised of six administrative regions and has four main cities which will be presented here, namely Nicosia (the divided capital), Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos. The country is rich is archaeological sites and historical monuments dating back to the New Stone Age, the Roman Empire and onwards. Cyprus also has a breathtaking and very long coastline which attracts many tourists, as well as the 3,000-meter-high Trodos Mountains, which provide lovely walking paths during the summer and ski slopes during the winter.

The capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, is centrally located on the island and the last divided capital in the world, with guard towers and barbed wire cutting it in two. Due to the city's separation, Nicosia International Airport remains closed, with the airport in Larnaca, set 40 km away from Nicosia, offering flights to and from major European cities. The city of Nicosia is the administrative and financial centre of the country, with a population of approximately 250,000 residents, several universities and many embassies. The cosmopolitan spirit of Cyprus can be felt at its tourist sites, beaches and vibrant nightclubs. Most of Nicosia's sights are located around the Old Town, where most of the museums and churches are, along with many pleasant cafes and gardens. Nicosia is surrounded by beautiful and well-preserved Venetian walls that date back to the epoch when Cyprus was under Venetian sovereignty. Among the main tourist sites in Cyprus, there's Hamam Omerye, which is a nicely restored 14th-Century building with small domes and a church that was later converted into a mosque. Destroyed by Ottoman troops, Hamam Omerye was restored in 2003 and is now again a pleasant place for relaxation and revitalizing of the spirit. Among the museums that should be visited in Nicosia are the Cyprus Archaeological Museum and the Byzantine Museum, and if you're an art lover, a good place to check out is the Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre, which features a Modern Art gallery and a lovely Mediterranean restaurant. Another interesting place to visit is the Ledra Observatory Museum, which is a tall building from which can be seen the partition of the island. The sites for exhibitions and performances are centered around Famagusta Gate and the Nicosia Municipal Theatre.

Larnaca is the second city we'll feature here. Considered the first settlement in Cyprus, it was inhabited 6,000 years ago, and today's Larnaca has a beautiful Old Town with restaurants and hotels along the beach, and a New Quarter as well. The city is walking-friendly, with an amazing promenade very appealing for taking strolls after dinner. While in Larnaca, tourists should pay a visit to the Church of St. Lazarus, which is believed to have been built around the tomb of Lazarus, brother of Mary. Other places to be seen are the Larnaca Salt Lake with its pink flamingos and the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque, which is supposedly built around the tomb of the foster mother of Mohammed. The city attracts many divers as well, due to the Zenobia wreck, a ferry that sunk on its first voyage only several hundred meters from the harbor.

Limassol is the second-biggest city in Cyprus and the main seaport in the country, which has turned into a major tourist destination. It can be accessed via the Larnaca and Paphos International Airports, each 70 kilometers away from the town. The city is easy to explore, with taxis and special Green Buses. Renting a car, bicycle or scooter is easy, but the hot weather should be kept in mind. When in Limassol, tourists usually visit the ancient cities of Curium and Amathus, plus Limassol Castle. The neighborhood of Galatex has many pubs and nightclubs. A lovely place for evening walks in the city is the wooden promenade along the sea. What's more, every September a wine festival is organized in Limassol. The last settlement to be presented in this article is Paphos, a small town located between the Troodos Mountains and the coast. According to legends and myths, Paphos is believed to be goddess Aphrodite's birthplace. Today, Paphos is comprised of two parts, the upper one where the trade centre is, and the lower one where the main archaeological sites are situated. The town can be accessed via a small airport that usually serves only charter flights. It's easy and pleasant to explore on foot, though this isn't advisable in the hot summer days. The main tourist destinations in town are the Paphos Archeological Park, which has a collection of sites, and the Tombs of the Kings. Paphos also offers the Odeon, a classic Greek amphitheatre where musical performances are organized, as well as the Aphrodite Water Park.

The last settlement to be presented in this article is Paphos, a small town located between the Troodos Mountains and the coast. According to legends and myths, Paphos is believed to be goddess Aphrodite's birthplace. Today, Paphos is comprised of two parts, the upper one where the trade centre is, and the lower one where the main archaeological sites are situated. The town can be accessed via a small airport that usually serves only charter flights. It's easy and pleasant to explore on foot, though this isn't advisable in the hot summer days. The main tourist destinations in town are the Paphos Archeological Park, which has a collection of sites, and the Tombs of the Kings. Paphos also offers the Odeon, a classic Greek amphitheatre where musical performances are organized, as well as the Aphrodite Water Park.