We are thinking of going to Cyprus after visiting Turkey next April/May. Has anyone been? Thoughts on where to go and what to do there? If you have been did you enjoy it? I haven't been able to find anyone who has actually spent any time in Cyprus. I would love to hear your experience.
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
891 posts
Cyprus is a divided Island with Turkey occupying one part of the Island (the North) and the other part (The South) being an independent republic, a member of the British Commonwealth, a member of the EU, and with strong cultural ties to Greece. Note that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not recognized by any other country except Turkey. The two sides are separated by a buffer zone operated by the UN and you can cross only at border posts. Having said all that, “Greek” Cyprus is a popular holiday destination and home to many expatriate British. “Turkish” Cyprus has opened up recently to tourism but does not have the same tourist infrastructure as the South.
I had hoped to visit Cyprus but tensions between the two sides over oil drilling and then Covid put paid to that idea.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
5581 posts
60 Minutes just had a feature this past weekend on Cyprus. Looks beautiful. Also, looked like a place that I'd be very cautious about visiting.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
Its been over 15 years since we visited. We flew into Nicosia from Israel and drove a bit in the Southern area and visited some of the churches and a beach or two. Crossed the "Green Line" into Northern Cyprus and visited Famagusta and one other area. At the end of our visit, we again crossed into Northern Cyprus and flew out of Ercan to IST and then home. It has been so long that my memory is a little fuzzy now but we really enjoyed our visit
Posted by
Portsmouth
5264 posts
Also, looked like a place that I'd be very cautious about visiting.
Why? Cyprus has around 4 million tourists a year, it's a very safe place to visit.
Posted by
North Florida
106 posts
Yes we went to Cyprus about 5 years ago. I didn't know what to expect at first and was nervous about going, but found it to be ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
My son and his wife had been there for 2 months and they drove us to gorgeous areas that were so DESERTED from tourists and yet were so reminiscent of wonderful Greek, Italian cultural areas that you would think you were in a movie set from "My Big Fat Wedding" or "Mama Mia". We wandered into Mosques dripping with gold, salt flats, mosaic ruins on the cliffs of the ocean, ancient temples, small wineries in people homes....etc. Never once did we stand in line to pay a fee to get in, everything was open and free, we simply made a small donation if there was even a place to do that.
We NEVER felt unsafe. The best total immersion experience I have ever had. We stayed in a 500 year old home with grape vines hanging low around us. I will say though, that we had a car and stayed away from the major ports. Driving around was very easy.