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: 2026-10-05
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 10.716689
AAVE 0.006195
ADA 4.193133
AED 4.107144
AFN 72.124996
AKT 1.411687
ALGO 8.540019
ALL 91.432623
AMD 405.129838
AMP 1,767.547063
ANG 2.013618
AOA 1,026.184185
APE 6.666280
APT 1.414881
AR 0.249927
ARB 5.562765
ARS 1,713.558082
ATOM 0.642150
ATS 13.760300
AUD 1.612034
AVAX 0.102675
AWG 2.001848
AXS 0.853785
AZM 9,506.143510
AZN 1.901229
BAKE 4,657.009958
BAM 1.955830
BAT 10.888341
BBD 2.236702
BCH 0.003513
BDT 137.524417
BEF 40.339900
BGN 1.955830
BHD 0.420500
BIF 3,370.596007
BMD 1.118351
BNB 0.001415
BND 1.433591
BOB 13.394371
BRL 5.838865
BSD 1.118351
BSV 0.055945
BSW 2,692.196847
BTC 0.000013
BTCB 15.779982
BTG 1.690470
BTN 107.857669
BTT 2,986,438.293298
BUSD 1.115741
BWP 15.445980
BYN 3.361268
BYR 21,888.448241
BZD 2.250892
CAD 1.597536
CAKE 0.447756
CDF 2,585.065236
CELO 10.634771
CFX 20.739642
CHF 0.928271
CHZ 66.913355
CLP 1,095.805620
CNH 7.504962
CNY 7.498685
COMP 0.044611
COP 3,668.633536
CRC 512.313311
CRO 16.380217
CRV 2.920317
CSPR 433.831992
CUC 1.116758
CUP 26.781283
CVE 110.270000
CVX 0.480139
CYP 0.585274
CZK 24.427415
DAI 1.116955
DASH 0.018779
DCR 0.060688
DEM 1.955830
DFI 1,690.437002
DJF 199.433697
DKK 7.474046
DOGE 11.736926
DOP 66.942633
DOT 0.921640
DYDX 7.726001
DZD 149.513894
EEK 15.646640
EGLD 0.250402
EGP 58.875767
ENJ 33.455704
EOS 11.597993
ERN 16.775265
ESP 166.386000
ETB 182.584597
ETC 0.124766
ETH 0.000413
EURC 0.998152
FEI 1.116794
FIL 1.066157
FIM 5.945730
FJD 2.520626
FKP 0.846645
FLOW 35.366072
FLR 154.814788
FRAX 1.126750
FRF 6.559570
FTT 4.374043
GALA 450.964172
GBP 0.846645
GEL 2.902565
GGP 0.846645
GHC 131,118.303233
GHS 13.111830
GIP 0.846645
GMD 82.837782
GMX 0.133363
GNF 9,843.195338
GNO 0.009256
GRD 340.750000
GRT 37.364613
GT 0.100761
GTQ 8.545799
GUSD 1.118883
GYD 233.766907
HBAR 10.840850
HKD 8.775334
HNL 30.095591
HNT 1.946686
HOT 2,497.771041
HRK 7.534500
HT 30.969037
HTG 146.341550
HUF 368.722470
ICP 0.343605
IDR 20,064.789025
IEP 0.787564
ILS 3.413023
IMP 0.846645
IMX 6.155015
INJ 0.147883
INR 107.857669
IQD 1,464.189229
IRR 1,950,461.194231
ISK 137.186841
ITL 1,936.270000
JEP 0.846645
JMD 176.904871
JOD 0.792911
JPY 176.783772
KAS 26.188209
KAVA 16.236521
KCS 0.149235
KDA 120.351931
KES 144.033878
KGS 97.805615
KHR 4,534.159251
KLAY 29.657263
KMF 491.967750
KNC 7.946349
KPW 1,005.082162
KRW 1,505.947201
KSM 0.216975
KWD 0.345466
KYD 0.927998
KZT 501.581157
LAK 25,206.193348
LBP 100,255.986202
LDO 2.398507
LEO 0.125191
LINK 0.079348
LKR 369.596274
LRC 106.282452
LRD 192.048172
LSL 18.714990
LTC 0.015970
LTL 3.452800
LUF 40.339900
LUNA 22.038647
LUNC 21,263.726001
LVL 0.702800
LYD 7.156972
MAD 11.025710
MANA 11.008864
MBX 37.578927
MDL 19.966841
MGA 4,983.731116
MGF 24,918.655582
MINA 6.985527
MKD 61.245028
MKR 0.000508
MMK 2,347.683970
MNT 4,025.174006
MOP 9.038594
MRO 449.134322
MRU 44.913432
MTL 0.429300
MUR 54.181048
MVR 17.289190
MWK 1,937.822140
MXN 20.385706
MXV 2.313413
MYR 4.571840
MZM 71,387.282107
MZN 71.387282
NAD 18.714990
NEAR 0.229327
NEO 0.439238
NEXO 1.300413
NFT 4,652,680.921770
NGN 1,484.186632
NIO 41.089455
NLG 2.203710
NOK 10.807919
NPR 172.653164
NZD 2.000444
OKB 0.008970
OMR 0.430320
ONE 7.649904
OP 8.538552
ORDI 0.247791
PAB 1.118351
PAXG 0.000270
PEN 3.870044
PEPE 254,691.279240
PGK 5.023502
PHP 70.167354
PI 12.874739
PKR 309.664113
PLN 4.387800
POL 10.300702
PTE 200.482000
PYG 6,529.511283
QAR 4.070798
QNT 0.004484
QTUM 1.138689
ROL 53,442.340852
RON 5.344234
RPL 0.586039
RSD 116.845922
RUB 93.785099
RUNE 1.431213
RVN 468.925516
RWF 1,651.985584
SAND 15.319711
SAR 4.193816
SBD 9.023667
SCR 15.945433
SDD 67,128.979894
SDG 671.289799
SEK 11.278751
SGD 1.433591
SHIB 189,483.745157
SHP 0.846645
SIT 239.640000
SKK 30.1260
SLE 25.772508
SLL 25,772.507633
SNX 4.447338
SOL 0.009269
SOS 637.324120
SPL 0.186392
SRD 42.291419
SRG 42,291.418817
SSP 6,388.682590
STD 24,710.092826
STN 24.710093
STX 2.833940
SUI 0.918317
SVC 9.785571
SYP 14,520.082122
SZL 18.714990
THB 37.675381
THETA 4.938643
TJS 10.297467
TMM 19,571.071207
TMT 3.914214
TND 3.344174
TOP 2.687501
TRL 54,977,692.756548
TRX 3.333290
TRY 54.977693
TTD 7.578355
TUSD 1.117203
TVD 1.612034
TWD 35.567085
TWT 1.968648
TZS 2,943.340803
UAH 50.294792
UGX 4,460.558641
UNI 0.124155
USD 1.118351
USDC 1.116839
USDD 1.117321
USDP 1.118920
USDT 1.117116
UYU 45.041246
UZS 13,170.899335
VAL 1,936.270000
VEB 96,972,004,106.1163
VED 969.720041
VEF 96,972,004.106116
VES 969.720041
VET 128.660065
VND 29,092.685846
VUV 134.692447
WAVES 3.717087
WEMIX 5.724719
WOO 82.920725
WST 3.102503
XAF 655.957000
XAG 0.018364
XAU 0.000271
XAUT 0.000270
XBT 0.000013
XCD 3.026703
XCG 2.013618
XCH 0.710119
XDC 33.992788
XDR 0.825945
XEC 137,662.026900
XEM 1,955.985830
XLM 5.019391
XMR 0.002076
XOF 655.957000
XPD 0.000956
XPF 119.331742
XPT 0.000654
XRP 0.742663
XTZ 3.404846
YER 264.369878
ZAR 18.714990
ZEC 0.000849
ZIL 312.086960
ZMK 21,963.655411
ZMW 21.963655
ZWD 404.731237
ZWG 29.934191
ZWL 74,797.287852

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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.