With plenty of sunshine all year round, Cyprus is a great place to visit during the winter months, with the added benefit of no crowds! The ideal time in winter to travel to Cyprus is between October and November, although the heart of the summer sun gone, there are still plenty of sunbathing opportunities to be had. The overall climate is very pleasant for getting out and about and exploring the island.  

Many of the island’s hotels are dotted around Paphos and Limassol. These resorts are certainly where you will find the action. With that said, there are also quieter resorts as well as a well worth visit to the hidden gem, Pissouri Beach. The beach area has in fact developed considerably since the beginning of the 1980s from a jetty with one small taverna, into what it is today. The resort has managed to retain a Cypriot atmosphere and here is where the local Cypriots visit on Sundays to mingle with visitors who are enjoying the beach and the bay. The beach here is clean, safe, partly sandy and partly shingle, calm waters, excellent for swimming as well as a number of water sports activities available throughout the summer. Around three miles west of Pissouri sits the world-famous Aphrodite’s Rock.  

For those with a passion to explore ancient ruins, will be spoilt for choice in Cyprus. One of the most significant archaeological sites of the island are the renowned “Tombs of the Kings”, forming part of the Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos. Since 1980, it has also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The monumental underground tombs are carved out of solid rock, dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods.  

Rather than the kings, it is actually high-ranking officials and royalty who were buried here. The phenomenal size and richness of the tombs gave the locality its grand name. With some elaborately decorated with Doric pillars, it is well worth a visit. To really do it justice, we recommended you all a morning or an afternoon to ensure you don’t miss anything vital! During the summer peak, it will be incredibly hot so definitely one to may be save for a visit to Cyprus during the spring or autumn.  

The Kourion, an archaeological site not too far from Paphos, includes very impressive mosaic floors. The “House of Eustolios” is a modest sized private villa and its remains consist of four panels of stunning 5th century mosaic floors in the central room and a bathing complex, situated on the higher level. A roof structure also allows visitors to enjoy the site all year round and to explore its remains. Besides the “House of Eustolios”, there are additionally impressive mosaic floors found in the “House of Achilles” and the “House of the Gladiators”. The villas are in fact named after the scenes that are illustrated on the mosaics.  

How many of you know that Cyprus is famous for its wine? One of the best ways to enjoy this gorgeous rural countryside is by exploring a selection of wine routes. Driving is relatively easy on the island as they also drive on the left-hand side. Such routes include Kolossi Castle, originally built during the 13th century and rebuilt in the 15th century in its present form.  

Following the fall of Acre in 1291, Kolossi Castle served as the Grand Commandery of Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. During the 14th century, it then came under the domain of the Knights Templar.  

The knights produced and exported a sweet wine during their stay in Cyprus, now known as the “vin de Commanderie”. Commandaria wine today is one of the island’s traditional wines and one of the oldest named wines in the world, having had the same name for eight centuries. Commandaria wine is similar to a dessert wine and often best served chilled.  

It is also worth venturing into the Troodos Mountains, particularly during the summer as they are an escape into the cool heart of the island. Resembling an amphitheatre, the high village of Platres is exceptionally unique with the lower part of the village having one altitude and the upper part having another, separating it into Pano (upper) and Kato (lower) Platres. It is an unusually popular holiday destination, offering accommodation in quaint hotels. Besides its nature trails, Platres is also home to Caledonia, one of the highest waterfalls in Cyprus. Believed to be named by English or Scottish visitors in 1878, the village is also filled with charming old buildings as well as a winery in Kato Platres. 

Scattered all over the Troodos Mountains are beautifully painted churches with many of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Although they are not especially striking from the outside and nothing like the domed cathedrals you will find on the coast or in Greece, they actually look more like a barn than a church or chapel. The true wonder only becomes evident once you get inside. Every inch is covered with paintings such as icons of haloed saints and saintly kings, tales of Jesus, illustrated as a kind of pious comic book for the illiterate and scenes from the lives and deaths of impassive martyrs. Make sure you can try and take a look at a few whilst you are driving around.  

With so much to see and do, it is well worth considering visiting Cyprus outside of the summer season where you can truly discover all this Mediterranean island has to offer.  

Here are some more winter sun options for consideration:

For those wanting a more of a chilled-out kind of break, take a visit to the beaches in the Cape Verde islands as these islands are the idyllic place to be.  

How about a wander around La Palma? It is pretty hard to beat the National Park of Caldera de Taburiente with its dramatic volcanic landscape, pine woods and banana groves, located in the lesser-known Canary Island of La Palma.  

With an expanding network of quiet roads, it means cycling in the Atlas Mountains is becoming increasingly easy where you can explore this sensational region of Morocco by bike.  

During the winter months, there are very few destinations that can match Lanzarote. With reliably warm weather, plenty of good quality family accommodations and private villas, Lanzarote is a top winter sun destination.  

How about Antiguan hillside hideaway? The peak season in the Caribbean is February so make sure you book your flights sooner rather than later. Easter prices are similar, and airfares might be slightly cheaper.  

There are few European cities that enough a winter climate as warm as sunny in Seville. Have you thought about a boutique hotel stay in Seville where you can explore fascinating historical sights, exquisite cuisine and a lively contemporary culture? 

Whatever takes your fancy for a winter sun getaway, contact us today and we can get you booked in!