Island living is never better than at the height of summer. We round up a handful of the best things to do in the Mediterranean paradise that is Cyprus in summer.
1 Get wet!
When the temperature rises to 35 degrees, pack the sunscreen, the kids and a hat, and make a day of it at one of a number of popular water parks. Waterworld in Ayaia Napa and Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark in Kato Paphos are two of the best, and come with aqua slides, wave pools, pools for swimming, and thrilling water rides. There are kids’ play zones and a variety of facilities to make them perfect for the whole family.
2 Eat watermelon
The ultimate summer fruit is called karpouzi in Standard Greek and pattiha in the Cypriot dialect. Enjoy it the Cypriot way: crisp slices paired with locally made halloumi cheese. There is even a watermelon festival in Akaki in the Nicosia region on 29 July where you can indulge properly.
3 Head for the beach
Botticelli’s famous painting The Birth of Venus (as the Romans called the goddess of love Aphrodite) shows her posed on a clamshell on the beach… and according to legend it was at Petro tou Romiou, or Aphrodite’s Beach in Paphos, where the most beautiful of the Greek goddesses chose to rise from the sea. It certainly is one of the most spectacular beaches in Cyprus, with vivid turquoise water and rock formations that make for brilliant holiday pics. For a more typical coastal resort day, along a wide sandy beach and crystal-clear waters, with water activities like parasailing and paddleboat rentals, take an excursion to Nissi Beach or Makronissos Beach.
4 Take a hike
It is cooler in the mountains, so if you want to escape soaring temperatures, why not hike the Venetian Bridges nature trail in the mountains of Paphos. Walking under a cool canopy of trees in the lush green forest you will come upon three beautiful medieval bridges on what used to be a commercial route used by camel caravans during the Middle Ages to transport ore from the mining towns to the port of Paphos for export. Tzelefos Bridge is the biggest one on the island and easily accessible by road. About 2km further along the trail is Elia (Olive) Bridge, and if you carry on you will get to the last of the three, Roudias Bridge. A forest picnic will complete the day.
5 Retail therapy
If all the sun and outdoor activities have tired you out, head for cover and a spot of retail therapy in one of the great malls in the capital of Nicosia. At both Mall of Engomi and The Mall of Cyprus you will find a multitude of local and global brands to entice you in a lifestyle environment that creates ultimate convenience, and well-designed modern food courts with great meal options.
