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: 2026-08-20
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 13.498135
AAVE 0.012207
ADA 6.274808
AED 4.289988
AFN 76.455547
AGIX 20.529179
AKT 2.272266
ALGO 14.189848
ALL 92.685141
AMD 424.027941
AMP 3,045.105625
ANG 2.092390
AOA 1,072.800048
APE 9.083432
APT 2.088233
AR 0.628490
ARB 13.355611
ARS 1,748.796683
ATOM 0.782760
ATS 13.760300
AUD 1.643352
AVAX 0.172446
AWG 2.090968
AXS 1.295990
AZM 9,928.939944
AZN 1.985788
BAKE 1,679.319615
BAM 1.955830
BAT 18.681877
BBD 2.336277
BCH 0.005530
BDT 142.135736
BEF 40.339900
BGN 1.955830
BHD 0.439220
BIF 3,474.425125
BMD 1.168138
BNB 0.001869
BND 1.485327
BOB 13.417154
BRL 6.049165
BSD 1.168138
BSV 0.072958
BSW 3,223.258550
BTC 0.000017
BTCB 19.735463
BTG 2.662160
BTN 111.698989
BTT 4,293,633.870463
BUSD 1.167363
BWP 15.712392
BYN 3.531873
BYR 22,892.119768
BZD 2.346397
CAD 1.612335
CAKE 0.724865
CDF 2,677.850523
CELO 18.665735
CFX 26.670481
CHF 0.932977
CHZ 91.379841
CLP 1,076.533162
CNH 7.856221
CNY 7.856620
COMP 0.063387
COP 3,566.077193
CRC 525.908198
CRO 23.443031
CRV 4.477219
CSPR 437.376052
CUC 1.167965
CUP 30.951080
CVE 110.2700
CVX 0.722160
CYP 0.585274
CZK 24.169588
DAI 1.167995
DASH 0.036762
DCR 0.098876
DEM 1.955830
DFI 1,173.949573
DJF 207.474605
DKK 7.475781
DOGE 15.559342
DOP 68.222254
DOT 1.475899
DYDX 10.619105
DZD 155.028351
EEK 15.646640
EGLD 0.411187
EGP 59.168004
ENJ 46.163995
EOS 17.699426
ERN 17.522076
ESP 166.3860
ETB 189.840962
ETC 0.177060
ETH 0.000517
EURC 1.007090
FEI 1.166659
FIL 1.735227
FIM 5.945730
FJD 2.570325
FKP 0.858509
FLOW 40.402035
FLR 181.679512
FRAX 1.178113
FRF 6.559570
FTT 5.628028
GALA 810.679960
GBP 0.858509
GEL 3.043474
GGP 0.858509
GHC 129,258.080826
GHS 12.925808
GIP 0.858509
GMD 86.563737
GMX 0.171685
GNF 10,251.220328
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GRD 340.750000
GRT 83.486314
GT 0.167849
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GUSD 1.170061
GYD 242.978961
HBAR 16.482536
HKD 9.160613
HNL 31.229263
HNT 6.739420
HOT 3,459.133937
HRK 7.534500
HT 10.285845
HTG 151.930830
HUF 363.912152
ICP 0.503691
IDR 20,795.129467
IEP 0.787564
ILS 3.479186
IMP 0.858509
IMX 11.165802
INJ 0.251490
INR 111.698989
IQD 1,521.432984
IRR 1,605,485.093482
ISK 142.210760
ITL 1,936.270000
JEP 0.858509
JMD 183.506639
JOD 0.828210
JPY 184.981804
KAS 43.807615
KAVA 28.379937
KCS 0.160141
KDA 248.775858
KES 151.206276
KGS 102.263782
KHR 4,704.545984
KLAY 47.524124
KMF 491.967750
KNC 11.038440
KPW 1,051.169108
KRW 1,627.923719
KSM 0.379386
KWD 0.360072
KYD 0.970366
KZT 538.830177
LAK 26,188.725142
LBP 104,412.210169
LDO 3.447439
LEO 0.125630
LINK 0.111452
LKR 384.367548
LRC 146.833407
LRD 211.504891
LSL 18.807871
LTC 0.024865
LTL 3.452800
LUF 40.339900
LUNA 26.419400
LUNC 23,121.482124
LVL 0.702800
LYD 7.391687
MAD 10.810712
MANA 17.424385
MBX 56.487447
MDL 20.024216
MGA 5,003.343056
MGF 25,016.715279
MINA 27.334818
MKD 61.674485
MKR 0.000804
MMK 2,452.453344
MNT 4,202.281258
MOP 9.435431
MRO 465.248150
MRU 46.524815
MTL 0.429300
MUR 54.867428
MVR 18.057908
MWK 2,016.268235
MXN 19.797147
MXV 2.259844
MYR 4.722522
MZM 74,543.965010
MZN 74.543965
NAD 18.807871
NEAR 0.670043
NEO 0.641778
NEXO 1.564265
NFT 4,147,709.312915
NGN 1,573.132375
NIO 42.861444
NLG 2.203710
NOK 10.896422
NPR 178.802157
NZD 1.965174
OKB 0.011409
OMR 0.449610
ONE 1,619.106291
OP 13.152159
ORDI 0.317301
PAB 1.168138
PAXG 0.000261
PEN 3.914147
PEPE 403,253.666827
PGK 5.244348
PHP 71.979185
PI 12.998716
PKR 322.928610
PLN 4.318860
POL 14.310295
PTE 200.482000
PYG 6,989.685768
QAR 4.252024
QNT 0.019769
QTUM 1.618321
ROL 52,463.807106
RON 5.246381
RPL 0.751167
RSD 117.347658
RUB 98.112485
RUNE 2.738814
RVN 448.100204
RWF 1,712.919923
SAND 28.281148
SAR 4.380519
SBD 9.345534
SCR 16.944618
SDD 70,107.285017
SDG 701.072850
SEK 11.024123
SGD 1.485327
SHIB 246,536.287597
SHP 0.858509
SIT 239.640000
SKK 30.1260
SLE 26.764891
SLL 26,764.891300
SNX 5.698820
SOL 0.013769
SOS 662.486214
SPL 0.194690
SRD 44.162051
SRG 44,162.051242
SSP 6,622.133568
STD 24,659.830261
STN 24.659830
STX 8.955080
SUI 1.655196
SVC 10.221211
SYP 15,185.884647
SZL 18.807871
THB 38.354550
THETA 7.772011
TJS 10.714711
TMM 20,438.152755
TMT 4.087631
TND 3.385351
TOP 2.782662
TRL 56,017,507.438721
TRX 3.497140
TRY 56.017507
TTD 7.896346
TUSD 1.169893
TVD 1.643352
TWD 37.189827
TWT 2.920863
TZS 3,091.766548
UAH 52.172341
UGX 4,340.252567
UNI 0.319007
USD 1.168138
USDC 1.167877
USDD 1.168659
USDP 1.169374
USDT 1.168573
UYU 46.737715
UZS 13,720.168830
VAL 1,936.270000
VEB 90,679,061,617.2383
VED 904.759628
VEF 90,475,962.821118
VES 904.759628
VET 240.660059
VND 30,514.748068
VUV 138.166522
WAVES 5.923568
WEMIX 6.035916
WOO 105.900228
WST 3.145984
XAF 655.957000
XAG 0.017462
XAU 0.000260
XAUT 0.000261
XBT 0.000017
XCD 3.162080
XCG 2.092390
XCH 0.824540
XDC 41.993825
XDR 0.853050
XEC 166,599.965148
XEM 2,495.030510
XLM 6.801196
XMR 0.002735
XOF 655.957000
XPD 0.000879
XPF 119.331742
XPT 0.000648
XRP 1.052739
XTZ 5.362280
YER 276.931742
ZAR 18.807871
ZEC 0.002081
ZIL 480.563218
ZMK 21,882.679521
ZMW 21.882680
ZWD 422.749282
ZWG 31.154616
ZWL 77,846.793734

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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.