11 Best Things to Do in Cyprus Other than Lie on the Beach

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The divided island of Cyprus is a hotspot for both party seekers and sun worshippers alike. And it’s easy to see why. Not only does Cyprus boast one of Europe’s best party destinations, Ayia Napa, but it also enjoys over 300 days of sunshine each year, making this gorgeous island the perfect vacation spot no matter when you decide to visit.

But there’s more to Cyprus than meets the eye. So, if lying on the beach and partying till dawn aren’t your vices of choice, you’ll find there are plenty of things to do in Cyprus to keep you busy and entertained year-round, no matter what you are interested in.

Are you a history buff? No problem – visit the Tomb of the Kings. Nature lover? Check out Lara Bay Turtle Conservation Station. Addicted to hiking? Check out the Troodos Mountains!

While I love to relax on a beautiful beach, I also love exploring a new destination and uncovering local hidden gems, so when we travelled to Cyprus, I made sure to research the best things to do in Cyprus away from the tourist resorts.

So, without further ado, here are 11 awesome things to do in Cyprus other than lie on the beach.

11 Fantastic Things to Do in Cyprus

1. Day Trip into the Troodos Mountains

The natural beauty of Cyprus doesn’t end with the coastline, even though most tourists don’t bother to explore beyond that. Head inland and you’ll be overwhelmed by the stunning beauty of the vast Troodos Mountain range.

We were fortunate enough to visit Cyprus after an exceptionally wet winter, which meant the whole island was a lot greener than usual. The landscape was stunning, and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Troodos Mountains by car.

It might surprise you to learn that there is a ski resort in the Troodos Mountains (open from January through March), located on Mount Olympus.

Driving up into the mountains and stopping at the various viewpoints, even during summer, is a great thing to do in Cyprus.

I recommend you hire a car to really explore the area. I use Discover Cars to easily compare prices between various car rental companies.

If you don’t fancy hiring a car, you can take day tours to the Troodos Mountains with various tour companies that will take you to monasteries, jeep tours and wineries.

2. Visit the Rustic Village, Omodos

While in the Troodos Mountains, don’t forget to visit the pretty, rustic village of Omodos. Nestled into the hillside, Omodos is a popular stop for tourists. Nevertheless, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Take a seat at one of the restaurants in the main square and enjoy a traditional sheftalia kebab, wander the gorgeous streets, chat with the locals, and tour the monastery.

If you decide to visit the monastery, make sure you’re respectful by covering your shoulders and legs if you’re wearing shorts.

Also, don’t forget to try the local fortified sweet wine, known as commandaria. As you wander the pretty streets, you’ll spot locals selling bottles of homemade commandaria on their doorsteps for between €2-5. Pick up a bottle to enjoy later and support the local community.

Explore Omodos and other mountain villages with this tour.

3. Visit the Divided Capital of Nicosia

Sadly, in 1974, Cyprus suffered a devastating civil war that tore the country in two, dividing the island right through the middle into two separate states.

In the south, you’ll find the Greek Republic of Southern Cyprus, and in the north, you’ll find the unrecognised state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The ‘green line’, as the border is known, runs right through the centre of the capital city, Nicosia, making this the only divided capital city in the world.

There are several points at which you can cross the border from one state to another, with the most famous one being the Ledra Palace Border Crossing, which allows for both pedestrians and vehicles. I used the Ledra Street border crossing, which can only be crossed on foot.

It was really interesting to cross the ‘dead zone’, which spans just a couple of hundred yards, to enter the TRNC. I only stayed in the TRNC for three hours, but I enjoyed wandering around, visiting the Selimiye Camii mosque and meeting the friendly locals.

I found the buildings were much more historic and well-preserved on the Turkish side of Nicosia. I enjoyed a great Shish Kofte Kebab at a lovely restaurant in a quiet square.

If you’re interested in exploring the history of Nicosia a little more, take a guided tour of the “buffer zone”.

4. Hike to the Waterfalls from Pano Platres

If you’re a keen hiker, pay a visit to the waterfall hike starting from Pano Platres in the Troodos Mountains. We visited the Millomeris Waterfalls, which are just a short jaunt from the road.

I wouldn’t recommend travelling to the Troodos Mountains just for these waterfalls, but if you’re in the area and looking to get out into nature, it was worth the detour.

The Millomeris Waterfalls are located just a short five-minute walk from the car park, so it’s a great choice if you don’t want to hike too far or are short on time.

If you have more time, you can take the 3km trail from Platres village to Caledonia Waterfalls, which is a relatively easy hike with steep sections along the way.

For more information on hiking routes in the Troodos Mountains, check out these Troodos Trails.

5. Visit Lara Bay Turtle Conservation Station

As part of being a responsible traveller, I always make an effort to support ethical practices and organisations, especially when it comes to animal tourism.

Sometimes this means you have to dig a little deeper and research the attractions you plan on visiting to make sure they are what they say they are. It’s so important not to be ignorant!

Before our trip to Cyprus, I did some research on the Lara Bay Turtle Conservation Station near Paphos to make sure their ‘conservationist’ claims fit the bill.

The unspoiled Lara Bay is a haven for Green and Loggerhead Turtles. Conservationists work tirelessly to protect the turtle eggs laid on the beach, to boost turtle populations, with steel cages and wardens to protect the eggs from predators.

If you want to see turtles arriving at the beach to lay their eggs, visit between May and August. The road to Lara Bay is quite rugged, so if you’re taking your hire car, drive slowly, or preferably take a jeep tour or hire a 4×4. Or you can hike the 10-mile round trip from Agios Georgios, which is a very beautiful trail.

6. Visit Aphrodite’s Rock

According to ancient Greek legend, Cyprus is honoured as the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. Also known as Aphrodite’s Rock, Petra tou Romiou is the place where Aphrodite was allegedly born out of the sea foam.

Whether you’re interested in Greek Mythology or not, this place is a must-visit for its natural beauty, although the sea is typically too rough to swim in.

7. Visit the Tombs of the Kings

If you’re a history lover, one of the best places to visit in Cyprus is the large, well-preserved archaeological site, the Tombs of the Kings. The site is home to an immense number of majestic underground tombs dating back to the 4th century B.C., which were used as burial sites for high-ranking government officials.

Just a short 2km north of Paphos Harbour, this 2400-year-old necropolis is an easy day trip from Paphos. There is a small entrance fee of €2.50.

8. Go Snorkelling in Protaras

Recommended by a friend whose family are from Cyprus, Protaras is a hotspot for snorkelling and scuba diving. Head to the popular Fig Tree Bay, iconic Cape Greco or beautiful Green Bay for crystal clear Mediterranean waters, gorgeous coastline and the chance to see fish, the occasional octopus or turtle and even underwater statues if you swim out far enough.

If you’ve never tried scuba diving before, you can book an introductory scuba lesson at the beautiful Blue Bay.

9. Explore the Akamas Peninsula National Park

Located on the west coast of Cyprus, the Akamas Peninsula National Park delivers a diverse offering when it comes to natural sights. Take a boat trip or jeep safari to the spectacular Blue Lagoon, hailed as one of the most beautiful places in Cyprus, hike one of the three nature trails (the Adonis Trail, the Aphrodite Trail, and the Smigies Trail) or marvel at the impressive Avakas Gorge.

If you don’t have your own transport or are nervous about exploring without a guide, there are plenty of bus and boat tours to the Akamas Peninsula Area.

10. Visit One of the Many Castles

Due to its unique location, Cyprus has a rich Medieval history, meaning there are dozens of well-preserved medieval castles and fortresses to be explored.

Perched on cliff sides and watching over harbours and ports in Southern Cyprus, you’ll find structures such as Kolossi Castle, Larnaka Kalesi, Paphos Castle and Limassol Castle.

Venturing into Northern occupied Cyprus, Buffavento Castle, Kyrenia Castle, Saint Hilarion Castle, Othello Castle and Kantara Castle are all must-see attractions.

11. Book a Wellness Retreat

Sometimes, all you need is a relaxing break in the sun. If you’ve had a rough year or simply want to kick back and relax, book a retreat in Cyprus and enjoy relaxation in beautiful surroundings with wall-to-wall sunshine. Here are a few I recommend:

5 Day Nature & Heritage and Culinary Retreat in Paphos with daily morning practices including yoga, qigong, and awakening rituals for energy and longevity, sound healing sessions, meditation lessons and mindfulness workshops, visits to hidden gems, mountain taverns, vineyards, and traditional sites.

8-Day Yoga Retreat in Tochni, Larnaca – A fun-filled week with something to suit everyone, enjoy Hatha yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and a little Nidra, physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation with a team of professional yoga teachers. Relax and unwind in the comfort of a tastefully restored traditional village house far away from mass tourism.

5-Day Mindful Luxury Yoga Holiday in Protaras with daily personalised Qigong, massage sessions, meditation sessions, group yoga and a visit to Aphrodite’s Rock. Includes vegetarian cuisine and airport transfers with 4-night accommodation.

How to Get Around in Cyprus

I highly recommend hiring a car. With a rental car, you’ll be able to explore rural areas such as the Troodos Mountains on your own schedule. I use Discover Cars to easily compare prices across various rental companies.

If you don’t want to hire a car, Cyprus has a public transport network between the capital, some villages and large resorts such as Larnaca and Paphos. You can find out more information about public transport in Cyprus on the official website.

Another alternative is to book day trips and tours from your resort. I recommend booking tours on Get Your Guide and Viator.

Is Cyprus Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Cyprus is a gorgeous island with an incredible amount of history, beautiful nature, gorgeous beaches, interesting culture and pretty towns and villages. Cyprus is so much more than parties in Ayia Napa!

You’ll really see the beauty of Cyprus when you escape the resorts and head inland to the towns, villages and beautiful countryside. It’s really worth exploring to see the real Cyprus.

Got questions about things to do in Cyprus. You can contact me via the contact form. I’d love to hear from you!