Anyone been to Cyprus?

[fork me]

I have been there many times and was considering buying a bar there in 1995 but was diagnosed with mouth cancer so we aborted the move. We re going there on Saturday but a warning to people is that it has got a lot more expensive as a holiday destination since it joined the Euro. In a recent shopping survey in a Sunday newspaper it showed a shopping basket in this country as costing about £79 the cheapest in Europe was Spain at £57 and the dearest Cyprus at £98 so if considering going self catering take this into account.

It doesn't HAVE to be that expensive though. That was probably an Orphanides shopping basket (which explains why they went bust!). Lidl and Carreforre both have a big presence on the island now which has brought some prices down, and if you make the tiny effort of going to the Saturday morning market, instead of the supermarket fruit and veg are STUPIDLY cheap. (Potatoes 30c a kilo, tomatoes 20c a kilo, soft fruits ridiculously chea in season etc etc etc).

Orphanides were a complete rip off, they sold Iceland frozen food with stickers on it saying "genuine British imported food" as if that was a good thing - importing the cheapest British food possible. There'd be 99p emblazoned across the box and a tiny proce tag saying €5.99 over the top! Alpha Sigma in Limassol (just round the corner from your old restaurant) sell Waitrose frozen food for half the price Orphanides sold Iceland stuff. Like I say it depends where you go.

Beer prices have fallen recently as well, you can expect to pay €3 a pint for Keo and Carlsberg in the tourist area now and eating out is comparable to the UK. Petrol and car hire prices are cheaper than the UK, as are taxis, buses and Intercity buses. With Travel Express, you can now even get from Larnaca Airport to Limassol (door to door anywhere in Limassol) for €12.50 a head.

 

[Cypriot-Seagull]

Where to start? Well I moved here in 1999 having been born and raised in Hove. I will be the first to put my hand up and admit that many things have changed over the last 14 years and a lot of things for the worse. However Cyprus really is one of those places which grows on you hence why we have so many regular tourists and expats. Everything is geared towards the British you will feel like you are at home.
Limassol - has roughly the population of Brighton but spread over twice the size it has everthing you would expect from city this size.
There are more restaurants and bars per head than any other city in Europe with loads of 5 star hotels. Le Meridien being the most family orientated. Sure there are a lot of Russians around but as Fork me mentioned it just adds to the atmosphere. Beaches are a little dissapointing but head a little west of Limassol to Episkopi and there is a gem of a beach called the courium which as the name suggests also has a 2500 year old amphitheatre. Did I mention that Limassol is also the sunniest city in the EU! Renting villas although not that popular is probably the best option if you like your freedom. A lot of hotels offer all inclusive deals now but I suggest you don't as you will miss out on so much of what Limassol has to offer. Renting a car is a must in Cyprus being such a small island it would be a shame to stay in just one place. Troodos mountain range is only a 45 min drive from Limassol where you will experience amazing views (there's also a waterfull) with loads of bendy roads to get to the main square which is such a pleasure to drive.

Paphos - a smallish port city with again a very British feel about the place where thousands of expats live. Fantastic hotels offer from the basic stuff to the amazing Anasa resort which has 6stars and of course Aphrodite hills resort which has huge family orientated villa complex and an amazing 2 full size golf courses. Beaches are ok but head up north from Paphos to the Latchi area and you will find crystal clear water albeit with pepple. Paphos (town centre) has recently gainned a reputation of a second Ayia Napa with it's strip of bars and clubs which get very livley. Pahos has it's own international airport and has slightly lower temperatures than the rest of the island but don't be fooled as humidity levels are high in July and August making it almost tropical hence why it has its's second name of banana country.

Larnaca - although not officially a tourist city has a very cosmopolitan feel about the place with everything being in close reach. A lot British Cypriots live here and this helps create a buzz. Finikouzes is a strip of bars/restaurants with a sandy beach which is basically the main touristy area but overspills with locals on weekends. Makenzy beach has been revamped recently and offers a nice beach with very trendy restaurants etc. However you might find that you may be limited to the these areas if you stay here as I mentioned Larnaca is not really geared towards the tourist.

Ayia Napa/Protaras - about 30 mins from Larnaca Ayia Napa needs no introduction really with it's reputation from the british media but has changed in the last few years sure it still has the lagerlouts and the party/club culture but efforts have been made to bring more families to the region. Stay away from the town centre appartments if you want to sleep at night! Hotels like Adams offer a good family experience and has the famous nissi bay beach on it's doorstep. The water park is must visit! A 100% touristy town! A 20 min drive takes you Protaras which is also 100% geared toward the tourist but with a very much more calm and relaxed feel without the youngsters of Napa. Pure family territory with nice beaches / hotels and holiday type events to fill your time.

Nicosia - the capital city which apart from some amazing museums is not intended to cater for the tourist. Having said that though many head there as a daytrip as there is an amazing cafe society style culture in every street corner and has some huge shopping areas if thats your thing. With no beaches to cool you down temperatures average 40c everyday in July/August so avoid if you like breathing!

This is just a general view (mine) of the main places to stay there are obviously many villages which can offer a great holiday experience. Despite the recent media attention around Cyprus about the economy nothing has changed that I have noticed before the bailouts. Every other car is a Merc or Bmw 90% of houses are detached with 35% with thier own pool. Prices are relative to any other tourist country/island in the EU everybody speaks English. I would never move back to Brighton but that may also have something to do with the fact that I am Cypriot and have my family here. I wish B&HA would move to Cyprus and my life would be complete!

If you want more specific info a particular hotel you are thinking of booking I would be more than happy to give you my opinion either way you will enjoy your stay here.

 

[Superphil]

Good call Cypriot Seagull, I'd agree with pretty much all of what you've said thare. I'm off to Larnaca (Oroklini actually) on Sunday for 2 weeks, my brother lives there. We'll be spending a couple of days in the mountains and also going to visit some friends in Kyrenia for a couple of days too.

To the OP, avoid Ayia Napa & central Paphos, but the rest is pretty spot on for family, some friends of ours rented a villa at Aphroditie Hills last year, private pool, amazing views, top quality place. Deffo hire a car wherever you stay, and if you can, and take a look at Troodos, and the Roman ruins dotted around the country, and if you can handle the heat, the museum in Nicosia, and the city, is amazing. Local food is great, the menus look like they are the same stuff everywhere, but each has their own specialties, don't be afraid to try everything, some of the best kebabs are to be had from street vendors, but avoid the spicey dark sausages they do in meze meals, they're horrible!

 

[Stat Brother]

No.

 

[seagul]

Latchi near paphos went there last october and it was lovely.

 

[knocky1]

Turkish Army has been there. Liked it so much they never went home.

 

[SpidersLegs]

Thanks for all your advice everyone. Will have a look at all the places mentioned. Cyprus here we come!

 

[The Modfather]

Thanks for the advice so far. We are looking for somewhere that is not too busy but still a little bit lively with good bars & restaurants and maybe 1 or 2 clubs for my son & his girlfriend to visit. Need a good place for my younger son to enjoy also.

Sounds like Paphos would be ideal for you.

 

[fork me]

Sounds like Paphos would be ideal for you.

2 years ago maybe, but Pafos has gone way downhill recently.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Lovely people, but IMHO many parts of Cyprus have been spoilt (often by Brits)

Places such as Protaras (fig tree bay) were once beautiful quiet fishing villages, yet now have drive through McDonalds etc. pathos was wonderful, but now far too commercialised or me. Families with young kids may love it.

To be fair Brighton was once a quiet fishing village, things change.

 

[BensGrandad]

It doesn't HAVE to be that expensive though. That was probably an Orphanides shopping basket (which explains why they went bust!). Lidl and Carreforre both have a big presence on the island now which has brought some prices down, and if you make the tiny effort of going to the Saturday morning market, instead of the supermarket fruit and veg are STUPIDLY cheap. (Potatoes 30c a kilo, tomatoes 20c a kilo, soft fruits ridiculously chea in season etc etc etc).

Orphanides were a complete rip off, they sold Iceland frozen food with stickers on it saying "genuine British imported food" as if that was a good thing - importing the cheapest British food possible. There'd be 99p emblazoned across the box and a tiny proce tag saying €5.99 over the top! Alpha Sigma in Limassol (just round the corner from your old restaurant) sell Waitrose frozen food for half the price Orphanides sold Iceland stuff. Like I say it depends where you go.

Beer prices have fallen recently as well, you can expect to pay €3 a pint for Keo and Carlsberg in the tourist area now and eating out is comparable to the UK. Petrol and car hire prices are cheaper than the UK, as are taxis, buses and Intercity buses. With Travel Express, you can now even get from Larnaca Airport to Limassol (door to door anywhere in Limassol) for €12.50 a head.

How do the prices in the Saturday market, is that the flea market going out to the motorway or the one in the old town near what was the bus station, compare to th one at the fish market.. We are coming out on Saturday night and will be staying in Gladstones, Pentadromos, so a walk to the fish market will be easy.

 

[El Presidente]

It's hardly overrun. I live in Limassol, and yes, there are a lot of Russians here, but the main thing I notice as a result is more cute young women walking round not wearing much - hardly a negative effect!

I lecture in Cyprus, and yes, the young East European women are different looking to the locals. What's more EHACG too with the Russkies!

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Went to protarus last year with friends. Great weather, nice places to eat if you look around - an amazing one above the Pizza Hut. Funny to watch chavs go in there and buy pricey crap food when they did an amazing mezze which would have fed us for about a week for €11.

Did a jeep tour which was great fun, but not for the faint hearted. Also did a catamaran which was brilliant. Just don't mention the Turks.

 

[Mo Gosfield]

Liam Bridcutt has just returned from Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus ( same hotel as Rio Ferdinand )....how do I know....cos a friend of mine saw them there.

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

sing along pubs, hypnotists looking for mugs in the bars,time share touts, yeah Brits abroad, been to Paphos and protaras
regards
DR

 

[BensGrandad]

sing along pubs, hypnotists looking for mugs in the bars,time share touts, yeah Brits abroad, been to Paphos and protaras
regards
DR

On about 12 - 15 visits to Cyprus I have never been accosted by time share salesmen lets hope I haven't spoken to soon.