Costs

For the Mediterranean, Cyprus is relatively cheap but never underestimate the hikes to tourists. As it’s an island, not everything is local and imported items are noticeable more expensive so eating and drinking local produce is a good way to keep the costs down. Cheap accommodation can be found through Airbnb with the cheapest we’ve seen being as little as €16 per night. The north of Cyprus is considerably cheaper than the south, as you use Turkish Lira rather than Euros, which allows your money to go a lot further.

Getting around

In the south, getting around is easy and cheap with public transport. Whether you’re travelling inner city or from city to city, there are loads of routes all costing on average €1.30. In the north, driving is your best bet and hiring a car can be cheap too. Do note that you will need third-party insurance (extra to your renter’s insurance). If you cross the border, arranging in advance is available from some renters or can be purchased at the border. Insurance packages are available from one day up to twelve months (make sure you keep it on you as you’re likely to get stopped and checked if in a car hired from the south). Also be aware of the speed cameras, which are heavily used along the highways in the north and if caught speeding, you’ll be fined when crossing the border again – no payment results in your passport being confiscated so be careful!

The local language

If you head to north Cyprus, the language most commonly found will be standard Turkish with its southerly neighbours opting for modern Greek. English is found throughout the island and very common throughout the south. However, it reduces the further north you go, with the peninsular being the hardest area to find locals understanding English.

A torn island
The Cyprus dispute involves the Turkish and Greek inhabitants of the island, which are both governing the split sovereign state. An impending peace treaty is likely to occur, but for now a UN buffer divides the island. Crossing via border checkpoints is relatively easy and simply requires your passport.

Beaches littered with treasures

Cyprus is an island that requires a keen eye to really appreciate its hidden treasures. Just an example of some of the things you may have missed are the capsized MS Zenobia diving site, Buffavento castle tucked in the Kyrenia mountain range, the holy monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats near Akrotiri, the shipwreck of Edro III just off the sea caves near Paphos, and the ancient sex curse of Cyprus in the ancient kingdom Amathus. Exploring Cyprus’s endless coastlines will surely hold many quirky or historic finds both above and below the surface!