Cyprus is an island of diversity, characterised by Mediterranean beauty and cultural contrasts. A fascinating melting pot that combines European and oriental influences.
Cyprus is an island of diversity, characterised by Mediterranean beauty and cultural contrasts. A fascinating melting pot that combines European and oriental influences.

Cyprus - Orient meets Occident

Published: 14 November 2024, 14:00

In Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean, azure-blue waters and Mediterranean beauty meet rich history and culture. The island combines the rich history of Europe, from ancient Greece to the Roman Empire, with the legacy of the Ottoman Empire. While the Venetian fortresses and Greek temples in the south reflect the European past, the Ottoman mosques, fortifications and bazaars in the north show the oriental influence. Cyprus also offers endless beaches with crystal-clear water, unspoilt nature such as the Troodos Mountains and a wonderful culinary variety ranging from meze to baklava. This mixture makes Cyprus unique - an island where you can experience the full diversity of the history and nature of the Mediterranean firsthand.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: + one hour
  • Population: 1.1 million
  • Official language: Greek and Turkish
  • Currency: Euro (EUR) in the Greek Cypriot south and Turkish Lira (TRY) in the Turkish Cypriot north

Ten highlights of Cyprus

Aerial view of a city in the evening light. Numerous historic buildings with tiled roofs, houses and several churches as well as a mosque with two minarets are visible in the background. A mountain range can be seen in the background, glowing red in the evening light.
The capital Nicosia in the north of the island is the only divided capital in Europe and combines Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot culture. © Evgeni/stock.adobe.com
On the right is a golden pebble beach on which a large rock is placed. On the left of the picture, you can see the turquoise blue water with several boulders jutting out of it. The blue sky is dotted with small clouds.
Petra tou Romiou is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love. According to legend, anyone who swims in the bay will be blessed with eternal beauty. © santosha57/stock.adobe.com
Archaeological site with numerous ruins of buildings, columns and a temple with several columns in the background. Several trees are visible behind them and the sea can be seen on the horizon.
The ruins of Kourion are one of the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus. The centrepiece is the Roman-Greek amphitheatre from the 2nd century BC. © dudlajzov/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view of a small harbour, enclosed to the open sea, in which numerous small, colourful boats are moored. A small boat leaves the harbour. Multi-storey houses rise behind the harbourfront. A long stretch of coastline can be seen behind the houses.
The historic harbour town of Kyrenia is nestled between the Kyrenia Mountains and the coast in the north of Cyprus. © Vladimir Sazonov/stock.adobe.com
View through masonry to a historic, ruin-like castle complex standing on a hill. A path leads from the foreground towards the castle. Trees and shrubs grow in terraces on the back of the hill. Below the mountain, a sprawling town on a coastline and the sea can be seen.
The medieval castle of St Hilarion sits majestically on a rock above Kyrenia. © fazeful/stock.adobe.com
View of a large, sand-coloured building that is a mixture of a Gothic cathedral and a mosque. A minaret rises on the left side of the building and fragments of church towers can be seen in the centre. The building stands in a town and is surrounded by numerous lower houses. There is a palm tree in the left foreground and the sea is visible in the background.
The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque is an embodiment of cultural change. Built as a cathedral in the 14th century, it was converted into a mosque in the 16th century. © kirill_makarov/stock.adobe.com
View from the inside of a ruin through two arched gateways, connected by a massive columned ruin, to the sky glowing in the evening, against which a few trees stand out. The ruin is open at the top and provides a view of the sky.
Another important archaeological site is Kato Paphos in the south-west of Cyprus. The historical ruins date back to the Greco-Roman heritage of Cyprus. © vadim.nefedov/stock.adobe.com
View of a sand-coloured cliff jutting out into the turquoise-blue sea. A section of the cliff leads from the right like a bridge over the sea, on which the silhouette of a woman can be recognised.
A spectacular cliff formation in the middle of turquoise waters is the Bridge of Love in the south-east of the island. It is said to bring happiness to couples in love. © oleg_p_100/stock.adobe.com
View over trees and bushes illuminated by the sun to a mountain range in the background. The blue sky is slightly cloudy.
The Troodos Mountains in the centre of the island offer historic mountain villages and many rewarding hiking trails. The highest peak, Mount Olympos, lies at 1,952 metres. © Kristof/stock.adobe.com
Turquoise-coloured, sunlit bay with waves rolling in. On the left is a small stretch of beach where the waves break, with the green coastal landscape rising behind it.
The Blue Lagoon, a bay on the Akamas Peninsula in the northwest, is perfect for diving and snorkelling with a visibility of up to 30 metres. © satura_/stock.adobe.com

Cyprus from BER

Flugzeug kurz vor dem Aufsetzen auf die Start- und Landebahn

easyJet

Piktogramm Info-i

Larnaca Airport (LCA)

Flugzeug kurz vor dem Aufsetzen auf die Start- und Landebahn

Ryanair

Piktogramm Info-i

Paphos Airport (PFO)

Five travel tips for ...

1. Breathtaking: wild nature, rocky bays and the Blue Lagoon on the Akamas Peninsula

2. Natural idyll: white sand, clear water and shady pine forests at Konnos Bay

3. Family paradise: Calm waters and golden sand at Fig Tree Bay

4. The perfect wave: Windsurfing and surfing at Kourion Beach

5. Picturesquely rugged: limestone cliffs and deep blue sea at Cape Greco

1. Kleftiko - lamb slow-cooked in a clay oven with herbs

2. Macaronia tou Fournou - Cypriot form of lasagne

3. Fasolada - flavoured bean soup with vegetables and herbs

4. Souvla - spicy marinated, grilled meat skewers made from pork or lamb

5. Loukoumades - deep-fried dough balls coated with honey and cinnamon

1. Kourion - the ancient Greek-Roman city, known for its amphitheatre and well-preserved mosaic floors

2. Kyrenia Castle – an impressive medieval fortress with great views

3. Kykkos Monastery – an important Byzantine monastery in the Troodos Mountains

4. Salamis - well-preserved ruins of an ancient city with baths and a theatre

5. Paphos Archaeological Park - the most important archaeological site in Cyprus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Picture Source title:
© gatsi/stock.adobe.com

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