The capital
Nicosia sits inland on the Mesaoria plain, inside sixteenth century Venetian walls shaped like a star. It is the last divided capital in Europe: you can walk from the Greek Cypriot south across the Ledra Street crossing into the Turkish Cypriot north and back in an afternoon. Come for the Cyprus Museum, old town cafés and a side of the island most beach visitors never see.
The south coast cities
Limassol is the island's busiest, most cosmopolitan city, with a long seafront promenade, a smart marina, a castle in a lively old town and the ancient sites of Kourion and Amathus close by. It is also the gateway to the wine villages on the southern slopes of Troodos. Larnaca is calmer and closer to the main airport, with its palm-lined Finikoudes promenade, the Church of Saint Lazarus, a salt lake where flamingos winter and easy beaches.
The west
Paphos is a UNESCO listed town where the Roman mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings sit a short walk from the harbour. Beyond it lie Aphrodite's Rock, the beaches of Coral Bay, the sea caves near Peyia and the wild Akamas Peninsula, home to the Blue Lagoon and turtle nesting beaches at Lara.
The mountains
The Troodos Mountains rise to nearly two thousand metres at Mount Olympos. Pine forests, UNESCO listed painted churches, Kykkos Monastery, waterfalls and stone villages such as Kakopetria, Omodos and Lofou make a cool contrast to the coast, and in winter there is often snow.
The east coast beaches
Ayia Napa and Protaras, east of Larnaca, have the whitest sand and clearest water on the island: Nissi Beach, Fig Tree Bay, Konnos Bay and the sea cliffs of Cape Greco National Forest Park. Ayia Napa is famous for nightlife in summer, while Protaras suits families. Both are easy day trips from Larnaca.
How to combine them
For a week, split your stay between Paphos and Limassol or Larnaca, with day trips to Nicosia and Troodos. With ten days or more, add a night or two in the mountains and a few beach days in the east. Use the places to visit list and the free trip planner to shape your route.