Europe · Southern Europe

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus

Flag of Cyprus
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+02:00
🏛️ Capital
Nicosia
👥 Population
1,442,614
📐 Area
9,251 km²
💱 Currency
euro (€)
🗣️ Languages
Greek, Turkish
📞 Calling Code
+357
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+02:00
🌐 Region
Europe / Southern Europe

About Cyprus

Cyprus is the Mediterranean's third-largest island and one of its most storied destinations, where ancient mythology, millennia of civilization, and modern resort life converge beneath an almost perpetually blue sky. According to legend, this is the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love — and standing at the rock-strewn shoreline of Petra tou Romiou where she supposedly rose from the sea foam, it's easy to understand why ancient Greeks chose this luminous, flower-scented island for their goddess. From Paphos in the southwest to the Troodos Mountains in the center to the walled old city of Nicosia, Cyprus packs extraordinary variety into a relatively compact landmass.

The island's complex history has left a layered cultural landscape unlike anywhere else in Europe. Crusader castles crown mountain peaks, Byzantine monasteries shelter priceless mosaics, and Venetian walls encircle the divided capital of Nicosia — the world's last divided capital city, split since 1974 between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-controlled north. This political reality makes for a genuinely unique travel experience: crossing the Green Line is straightforward for most nationalities, allowing you to explore two very different worlds within a single day's journey.

Beyond history and politics, Cyprus delivers exceptional Mediterranean pleasures. The beaches of Ayia Napa and Protaras shimmer with turquoise water and fine sand, the Troodos Mountains offer cool hiking trails through pine forests and traditional villages, and the vineyards of the Commandaria region produce one of the world's oldest wines still in production. Warm hospitality — expressed through generous home cooking and an unhurried pace of life — makes every visit feel like an extended invitation into Cypriot family life.

History & Background

Cyprus has been inhabited for at least 10,000 years, making it one of the ancient world's most continuously occupied territories. Copper was mined here as early as 3900 BCE — the very name "copper" derives from the Latin "cuprum," itself from "Kypros" (Cyprus). The island attracted successive waves of Mycenaean Greek settlers, Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, and Persians before becoming part of Alexander the Great's empire in 333 BCE. Roman rule brought prosperity and the magnificent mosaics now preserved at the Paphos Archaeological Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The medieval period shaped Cyprus profoundly: the Crusader king Richard I of England conquered it in 1191 during the Third Crusade, briefly making it his possession before selling it to the Knights Templar. The Lusignan dynasty ruled for three centuries, building the castles that still crown mountain passes today. Venetian rule followed until the Ottomans conquered Cyprus in 1571, ushering in three centuries of Ottoman control. British colonization began in 1878, and Cyprus gained independence in 1960. The traumatic events of 1974 — a Greek nationalist coup followed by Turkish military intervention — divided the island, a situation that persists to this day.

Culture & People

Cyprus straddles two worlds geographically and culturally: Greek Cypriot culture dominates the south, while Turkish Cypriot traditions prevail in the north. In the Republic of Cyprus, Greek Orthodox Christianity is the dominant faith and shapes the rhythm of daily life, from the ringing of church bells at dawn to name-day celebrations that are often bigger events than birthdays. The Cypriot character is famously warm and hospitable — the concept of "philoxenia" (love of strangers) runs deep, and it's common to be invited for coffee or a meal by people you've just met.

Folk traditions remain vibrant: the Carnival celebrations of Limassol, the colorful Anthestiria flower festival, and the wine festivals of September draw locals and visitors alike. Music, dance, and embroidery (particularly the distinctive lefkaritika lace of Lefkara village) are living artforms rather than tourist attractions. The island's division has created parallel cultural streams, with Turkish Cypriots maintaining distinct Ottoman and Anatolian traditions in cuisine, music, and architecture. Despite political tensions at the governmental level, ordinary Cypriots on both sides of the divide often express a desire for reconciliation and shared identity.

Food & Cuisine

Cypriot cuisine is a celebration of the Mediterranean table, built on fresh vegetables, olive oil, grilled meats, and dairy products made from sheep's and goat's milk. The most iconic experience is the meze — not a single dish but a sprawling procession of small plates that can include hummus, tzatziki, taramosalata, stuffed vine leaves (koupepia), grilled halloumi, fried calamari, souvlaki, sheftalia (herb-infused sausages), and a dozen more dishes arriving in waves over the course of two or three hours. Halloumi, the squeaky semi-hard cheese that grills without melting, originated here and remains one of Cyprus's most beloved exports.

Kleftiko — slow-roasted lamb sealed in a clay pot with herbs and lemon — is the quintessential Sunday dish, tender and fragrant after hours of cooking. Fresh seafood features prominently in coastal restaurants: grilled sea bass, octopus, and red mullet are staples. For dessert, look for loukoumades (honey-drenched fried dough balls), baklava, and the uniquely Cypriot glyka tou koutaliou — preserved whole fruits in heavy syrup served with cold water. Commandaria wine, produced in the Troodos foothills since ancient times, is a rich amber dessert wine worth seeking out.

Top Attractions

  • Paphos Archaeological Park — A UNESCO World Heritage Site containing extraordinary Roman mosaics, ancient tombs, and the remains of Paphos Castle right at the harbor edge.
  • Troodos Mountains and Kykkos Monastery — Cool forested highlands dotted with UNESCO-listed Byzantine churches and the magnificent 11th-century Kykkos Monastery, one of the richest in the Greek Orthodox world.
  • Nicosia (Lefkosia) Old City — Wander the last divided capital in the world, exploring the Venetian walls, the Cyprus Museum (outstanding ancient artifacts), and cross the Green Line for coffee in the Turkish quarter.
  • Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock) — The legendary birthplace of Aphrodite — a striking sea stack rising from luminous turquoise water on the southwest coast, especially beautiful at sunset.
  • Kourion Archaeological Site — A clifftop Greco-Roman city with a spectacularly preserved theater, House of Eustolios mosaics, and sweeping views over the Episkopi Bay.
  • Cape Greco National Forest Park — A dramatic headland of sea caves, sea arches, and crystal-clear water near Ayia Napa, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and coastal hiking.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Crossing the Green Line into North Cyprus is straightforward at designated checkpoints — bring your passport and check current crossing regulations, as they occasionally change.
  • Driving is on the left in Cyprus (a British legacy), which surprises many visitors; car hire is the best way to reach mountain villages and remote beaches.
  • Summers are extremely hot — schedule archaeological site visits for early morning or late afternoon and carry plenty of water.
  • Bargaining is not the norm in shops or restaurants, but it's acceptable when renting accommodation directly from owners, particularly outside peak season.
  • The euro is used in the Republic of Cyprus; the Turkish lira is used in the north — carry some of each if you plan to cross.
  • Many village tavernas close for a long lunch break (around 14:00–17:00); plan meals around local rhythms rather than expecting constant availability.
  • Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, and Ayia Napa all have distinct characters — spread your stay across at least two areas to experience the island's full range.

Visa Overview

The Republic of Cyprus is a European Union member state. EU and EEA citizens can enter with a national ID card and stay indefinitely. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Travelers entering North Cyprus (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) via a port or airport there first may face complications entering the Republic of Cyprus afterward — it is safest to enter via Larnaca or Paphos airports and cross overland. Always check the latest requirements with the Cyprus High Commission or embassy in your home country.

Getting Around

Cyprus has no rail network, so a rental car is by far the most convenient way to get around the island, especially for reaching mountain villages, remote beaches, and archaeological sites. Traffic drives on the left. Intercity buses connect the main towns (Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos) reliably and affordably, but services to villages can be infrequent. Taxis are metered in cities and reliable. Limassol and Paphos are connected by a well-maintained motorway. For North Cyprus, minibuses (dolmuş) and taxis are the main transport options.

Safety Notes

Cyprus is one of the safest countries in Europe for travelers, with very low levels of violent crime. The main hazards are traffic-related — the roads can be fast and driving standards variable, so exercise caution especially on mountain roads. Swimming at beaches without lifeguards can be risky during rough weather. The political situation between the Republic and North Cyprus is stable, and crossing is safe and routine for most nationalities. Petty theft is uncommon but possible in crowded tourist areas — standard travel precautions suffice.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Cyprus.

euro (EUR) €
Updated: 2026-07-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 15.949281
AAVE 0.012938
ADA 6.090330
AED 4.198644
AFN 72.687638
AGIX 14.653548
AKT 1.822806
ALGO 12.771407
ALL 93.715249
AMD 420.687823
AMP 2,563.140894
ANG 2.061699
AOA 1,049.968938
APE 8.155490
APT 1.828050
AR 0.572736
ARB 14.293563
ARS 1,706.397805
ATOM 0.723000
ATS 13.760300
AUD 1.650375
AVAX 0.165594
AWG 2.046446
AXS 1.132201
AZM 9,717.759386
AZN 1.943552
BAKE 1,521.521968
BAM 1.955830
BAT 12.981393
BBD 2.286532
BCH 0.004737
BDT 140.934392
BEF 40.339900
BGN 1.955830
BHD 0.429868
BIF 3,403.510590
BMD 1.143266
BNB 0.001956
BND 1.477679
BOB 7.919585
BRL 5.908495
BSD 1.143266
BSV 0.077435
BSW 3,415.845850
BTC 0.000018
BTCB 21.573515
BTG 3.962033
BTN 108.924484
BTT 4,310,778.202359
BUSD 1.142293
BWP 15.430353
BYN 3.319956
BYR 22,410.177604
BZD 2.302612
CAD 1.624558
CAKE 0.789485
CDF 2,637.792313
CELO 17.016964
CFX 25.554029
CHF 0.919689
CHZ 63.326984
CLP 1,053.176301
CNH 7.764348
CNY 7.761272
COMP 0.068216
COP 3,821.401247
CRC 520.971136
CRO 19.127055
CRV 5.347923
CSPR 588.668145
CUC 1.143376
CUP 30.299475
CVE 110.2700
CVX 0.950574
CYP 0.585274
CZK 24.186247
DAI 1.143807
DASH 0.032500
DCR 0.102993
DEM 1.955830
DFI 1,376.082887
DJF 203.607530
DKK 7.474915
DOGE 14.794151
DOP 67.757151
DOT 1.310575
DYDX 8.656942
DZD 152.047465
EEK 15.646640
EGLD 0.413647
EGP 56.159478
ENJ 39.503862
EOS 15.783994
ERN 17.148990
ESP 166.3860
ETB 182.871710
ETC 0.160971
ETH 0.000643
EURC 1.000728
FEI 1.143672
FIL 1.447925
FIM 5.945730
FJD 2.567212
FKP 0.856850
FLOW 40.795582
FLR 164.477041
FRAX 1.155714
FRF 6.559570
FTT 4.799680
GALA 499.043181
GBP 0.856850
GEL 3.002840
GGP 0.856850
GHC 129,886.186361
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GMD 84.309381
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HNT 4.770791
HOT 3,168.153681
HRK 7.534500
HT 31.909137
HTG 149.647394
HUF 353.603071
ICP 0.518628
IDR 20,570.209465
IEP 0.787564
ILS 3.433987
IMP 0.856850
IMX 8.274737
INJ 0.234012
INR 108.924484
IQD 1,499.043340
IRR 1,573,228.768594
ISK 144.001544
ITL 1,936.270000
JEP 0.856850
JMD 181.119145
JOD 0.810576
JPY 185.037303
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KAVA 25.338993
KCS 0.158357
KDA 196.152856
KES 147.813810
KGS 99.994876
KHR 4,584.303728
KMF 491.967750
KNC 10.256361
KPW 1,029.039168
KRW 1,752.466471
KSM 0.324446
KWD 0.354755
KYD 0.951107
KZT 540.471024
LAK 25,848.153325
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LEO 0.122148
LINK 0.143176
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LRC 93.050064
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LSL 18.582404
LTC 0.025327
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LUNC 18,621.432255
LVL 0.702800
LYD 7.333327
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MANA 16.430289
MBX 45.458621
MDL 20.122768
MGA 4,851.480259
MGF 24,257.401295
MINA 24.115095
MKD 61.601743
MKR 0.000798
MMK 2,400.088668
MNT 4,097.623598
MOP 9.235681
MRO 456.586497
MRU 45.658650
MTL 0.429300
MUR 53.741133
MVR 17.674192
MWK 1,983.150655
MXN 19.983511
MXV 2.265944
MYR 4.661391
MZM 73,016.400614
MZN 73.016401
NAD 18.582404
NEAR 0.573792
NEO 0.577989
NEXO 1.486114
NFT 4,313,881.267151
NGN 1,566.593611
NIO 42.084613
NLG 2.203710
NOK 11.245652
NPR 174.360867
NZD 2.009463
OKB 0.014333
OMR 0.440020
ONE 914.672172
OP 10.634304
ORDI 0.352191
PAB 1.143266
PAXG 0.000275
PEN 3.893144
PEPE 419,153.813525
PGK 5.029557
PHP 70.325608
PI 10.106348
PKR 318.067727
PLN 4.292661
POL 15.545695
PTE 200.482000
PYG 6,954.060930
QAR 4.161488
QNT 0.017075
QTUM 1.608321
ROL 52,260.095818
RON 5.226010
RPL 0.564664
RSD 117.291974
RUB 88.097412
RUNE 2.764439
RVN 299.982382
RWF 1,675.880331
SAND 22.914164
SAR 4.287247
SBD 9.251377
SCR 16.337036
SDD 68,623.992676
SDG 686.239927
SEK 11.035756
SGD 1.477679
SHIB 261,122.105549
SHP 0.856850
SIT 239.640000
SKK 30.1260
SLE 26.112138
SLL 26,112.137915
SNX 4.992721
SOL 0.014169
SOS 652.851438
SPL 0.190544
SRD 43.037810
SRG 43,037.810297
SSP 5,429.582653
STD 24,681.801703
STN 24.681802
STX 6.685931
SUI 1.530284
SVC 10.003577
SYP 126.379793
SZL 18.582404
THB 38.002477
THETA 8.149578
TJS 10.597256
TMM 20,059.689343
TMT 4.011938
TND 3.370278
TOP 2.753336
TRL 53,522,506.924889
TRX 3.481290
TRY 53.522507
TTD 7.746755
TUSD 1.145661
TVD 1.650375
TWD 36.687679
TWT 3.325665
TZS 3,004.055907
UAH 50.950323
UGX 4,178.083222
UNI 0.361742
USD 1.143266
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USDP 1.146724
USDT 1.144500
UYU 46.015386
UZS 13,682.375462
VAL 1,936.270000
VEB 73,676,464,017.7850
VED 736.699046
VEF 73,669,904.620052
VES 736.699046
VET 242.347559
VND 30,068.135851
VUV 137.411341
WAVES 4.302368
WEMIX 4.415912
WOO 96.554813
WST 3.162059
XAF 655.957000
XAG 0.018516
XAU 0.000275
XAUT 0.000275
XBT 0.000018
XCD 3.094677
XCG 2.061699
XCH 0.725428
XDC 40.687825
XDR 0.843258
XEC 215,226.956128
XEM 2,670.609044
XLM 5.726679
XMR 0.003533
XOF 655.957000
XPD 0.000900
XPF 119.331742
XPT 0.000698
XRP 0.998686
XTZ 4.594649
YER 270.946532
ZAR 18.582404
ZEC 0.002510
ZIL 370.612584
ZMK 20,978.141068
ZMW 20.978141
ZWD 413.747954
ZWG 30.666484
ZWL 76,627.085634

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Cities in Cyprus 87
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Acheritou Achna Ag. Epifanios Soleas Agia Anna Agia Eirini Lefkosia Agia Marina Xyliatou Agia Varvara Agioi Vavatsinias Agios Amvrosios Lemesou Agios Epifanios Agios Georgios Agios Georgios Lemesou Agios Ioannis Agios Theodoros Larn Agios Thomas Aglangia Ammadies Ampelikou Anafotida Angolemi Apliki Oreinis Arsos Lemesou Engomi Fyllia Hlorakas Kalo Chorio Larnacas Kalo Chorio Lefkas Katokopia Kosi Lefka Lefkosia Limassol Livadia Lefkosias Mandria Lemesou Margo Masari Menogeia Nicosia Paphos Pergamos Petra Polystypos Prastio Avdimou Pyrga Larnacas Vasa Koilaniou Xerovounos Αγία Νάπα Άγιος Αθανάσιος Άγιος Δομέτιος Αγιος Ιωάννης Αγρού Αγιος Κωνσταντίνος Αθηένου Αραδίππου Βάσα Κελλακίου Γέρι Γερμασόγεια Γεροσκήπου Δάλι Δερύνεια Δήμος Δρομολαξιάς-Μενεού Δρομολαξιά Έμπα Επισκοπή Κάτω Πολεμίδια Κίτι Κοινότητα Παλαιόμυλου Κοινότητα Τρεις Ελιές Κοινότητα Φοινιού Λακατάμεια Λάρνακα Λατσιά Λεμεσός Λευκωσία - Lefkoşa Μέσα Γειτονιά Ξυλοφάγου Ορόκλινη Πάνω Λεύκαρα Παραλίμνι Πάφος Πέγεια Πόλις Πρωταράς Στρόβολος Τραχώνι Τσέρι Ύψωνας Χλώρακας

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Cyprus needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Cyprus?
The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia.
What currency does Cyprus use?
Cyprus uses the euro (€) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Cyprus?
The official language(s) of Cyprus include Greek, Turkish.
What is the population of Cyprus?
Cyprus has a population of approximately 1,442,614 people.
What region is Cyprus in?
Cyprus is located in Europe, specifically in the Southern Europe subregion.
What is the international calling code for Cyprus?
The international dialing code for Cyprus is +357.
What time zones does Cyprus observe?
Cyprus observes the following time zone(s): UTC+02:00.
What is the current time in Cyprus?
The local time in Cyprus is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Cyprus?
Cyprus covers a total area of 9,251 km².
How many states or provinces does Cyprus have?
Cyprus is divided into 7 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Cyprus in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Cyprus in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Cyprus?
Visa requirements for citizens of Cyprus vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.