yprus basks under brilliant blue skies for up to 340 days a year, but the sunshine is only the beginning. It’s the third largest island in the Mediterranean and is a heady mix of European and Middle Eastern influences, a legacy of centuries at the crossroads between east and west.
Book a break to Cyprus with British Airways Holidays and you can dip your toes in warm Mediterranean waters, ramble through pine-covered hills, feast on lavish spreads of houmous, halloumi and ofto kleftiko (roast lamb with Cyprus herbs) and discover more history than you can shake an archaeologist’s trowel at.
This is the Med you’ve always imagined, down to the caster-sugar sands and scent of wild thyme on the breeze. To make the most of your trip, here are the top places to explore.
Travel back in time in historic Paphos
Six must-see sights of Cyprus
Family fun-filled Paphos is marinated in history. Within strolling distance of Paphos harbour, you can view mosaic-filled Greco-Roman mansions at Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, climb the ramparts of an Ottoman castle, walk among the ornate tombs of ancient kings and visit the ruined basilica marking the spot where the apostle Paul converted Roman Cyprus to Christianity.
Find space and silence in the Akamas Peninsula
The beautiful Akamas Peninsula boasts crystal-blue coves and secret beaches
/ Getty ImagesFor a break from the beach resort bustle, follow the backroads from Latchi or Peyia to the serene, peaceful Akamas Peninsula. On this empty isthmus, walking trails and rough dirt roads lead to rocky gorges, crystal-blue coves and secret beaches where green and loggerhead turtles nest from June to September. For maximum serenity, follow the bumpy track from the Baths of Aphrodite – the natural spring where Adonis fell for the Goddess of Love – to the remote and lovely Blue Lagoon.
Benefits of booking with British Airways Holidays
- Book now, pay later with deposits from £60 per person, and pay off the balance in as many instalments as you like. Balance is due four weeks before travel for short-haul trips
- When you travel with British Airways you’ll notice extra safety measures throughout your journey. There are also enhanced hotel and car-hire safety measures to ensure you can enjoy your holiday safely
- A dedicated 24-hour, seven-days-a-week holiday helpline for any issues while you’re away. And if your plans change or the unexpected happens, British Airways Holidays will prioritise getting you home as soon as possible
- ATOL protection for all holidays – meaning your money is safe and you can rest assured you won’t be stranded abroad
Take in the views from ancient Kourion
The island has so many intriguing ancient ruins to explore
/ Getty Images/iStockphotoAfter millennia at the epicentre of Mediterranean empire building, Cyprus overflows with ancient ruins, but few sites can rival Kourion for sheer drama. The time-tumbled remains of this sprawling Greco-Roman city crown a rocky outcrop to the west of Limassol, complete with early Christian mosaics, Roman baths and a reconstructed amphitheatre gazing down over a long sand-and-pebble beach. Nearby, you can drop in on Petra tou Romiou, legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, and the windsurfing hub of Pissouri Beach.
Find a different Cyprus in the Troodos Mountains
Discover a different side of Cyprus in the Troodos mountain range
/ Getty Images/EyeEmThe beaches grab the headlines, but the soul of Cyprus lies in the perfumed hills around the 1,952-metre Mount Olympus. Walking trails through the Troodos mountain range lead to rustic tavernas, mural-filled Byzantine churches and pine-covered outcrops that provide a home to scops owls, Bonelli’s eagles and Cyprus’s last wild mouflon. Approach the mountains from Limassol to visit the ancient wine-making villages around Omodos – this region has been producing full-bodied reds since at least 4000 BC.
Feast on Cypriot cuisine in Limassol
Sumptuous seafood meze dishes are always on the menu
/ British Airways HolidaysCyprus’s second city spills along a sandy bay between Larnaca and Paphos, on the doorstep of some of the island’s most historic sites. Downtown, it’s the tavernas and restaurants in the lanes surrounding the stocky Ottoman castle that warrant attention. As well as lavish meze spreads, seek out eastern-influenced Cypriot dishes such as stifado (beef stewed with cinnamon and onions) and afelia (pork slow-cooked with red wine and coriander).
More reasons to choose a holiday from British Airways Holidays
There are all kinds of advantages to booking
• A generous baggage allowance of 23kg per person is included – so there are no extra costs to add on
• Quality accommodation options to suit every budget, from 3* to 5*, there’s something for everyone
• Extensive flights from the British Airways network: so you’ll be able to find a flight that suits your schedule
• British Airways flies to centrally located airports so can be sure of good transport links to your final destination
• Upgrade to British Airways Club Europe – to experience an extra level of service and style, you can upgrade your travel plans to fly British Airways Club Europe. You’ll enjoy dedicated check-in desks and priority booking, a larger baggage allowance, access to private lounges, and complimentary food and drink options onboard
Make a splash in Ayia Napa and Protaras
Sea caves near Ayia Napa offer a calm contrast to the vibrant nightlife
/ British Airways HolidaysLounging on blond sand bays in the far southeast of the island, the twin resorts of Ayia Napa and Protaras are where sunseekers come to unwind on the fabulous beaches, enjoying delicious cuisine in the many restaurants and taking in the museums. Those looking for something different can try out jet skiing, paragliding and scuba diving in warm turquoise waters – dramatic shipwrecks and eroded marine caverns await in Cape Greco National Park.
All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your 2023 Cyprus holiday now with a low deposit at ba.com/cyprus