Read on to find out which city is the best bet for you. Known for its seaside promenade and charming old town area, Larnaca is also a popular place for holidaymakers to base themselves when looking for a relaxing escape to Cyprus. The convenience of being close to the highest-traffic airport is honestly quite a compelling reason that a visitor might choose to stay in Larnaca over Paphos or Limassol. Being the third-largest city after Nicosia and Limassol , it is also well-connected to most places on the island.
You can easily get from Nicosia , Limassol, or Paphos to Larnaca via bus and via car, it will only take about 90 minutes from Paphos the farthest destination at the longest. The centre of Larnaca, the pleasant seaside promenade, and the city beach are all within a few hundred metres of each other and it is also easier to walk to the numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout the city as well.
Larnaca is more concentrated in one area than Paphos and has a more manageable, small-town feel than Limassol. Larnaca is also located close to the popular resort town of Ayia Napa, making it a great place to stay if you want to be closer to a proper Cypriot city while still enjoying the resort beaches and tourist amenities of Ayia Napa.
This makes Larnaca not an ideal place for visitors who are looking for an active holiday packed with sightseeing and history. In fact, the majority of Larnaca sightseeing can be done in the span of a few hours, making this place far more suited for a relaxed beach holiday rather than an activity-packed getaway. Some of the top things to do in Larnaca include strolling along the seaside promenade, visiting the Larnaca salt lake and taking in the Hala Sultan Tekke and maybe the migratory flamingoes if the season permits!
All in all, however, a visit to Larnaca is all about chilling out on the beach, swimming in the warm Mediterranean, and working on your tan. If this is your goal when visiting Cyprus, then I would recommend planning to base yourself in Larnaca rather than Paphos or Limassol. Private Rental — Larnaca, along with Paphos or Limassol, has a number of private holiday rental options that are a great alternative to traditional accommodation for holidaymakers such as this comfortable 2-bedroom flat that is centrally located!
Click here to browse the best private rentals in Larnaca! Mikes Kanarium City Hotel — An excellent option for travellers on a mid-range budget, this centrally-located hotel has a number of clean and comfortable rooms that are perfect for both families and couples. Situated within easy walking distance between the beach and city centre, there is also breakfast included in the room rate.
Click here to check their availability. Les Palmiers Beach Boutique Hotel — This chic and romantic boutique hotel is the perfect place to base yourself for a plush holiday in Larnaca. Located directly on the beach, there are some great rooms available, comfortable amenities, and a fantastic breakfast included in the nightly rate. Click here to find other hotels in Larnaca. As one of the European Capitals of Culture along with Aarhus, Denmark , Paphos is located on the southwestern side of Cyprus and is one of the most popular places to visit on the island.
As a hub for Ryanair and other budget airlines, Paphos is affordable connected to numerous different European destinations making it very easy to reach from virtually anywhere on the continent, and some places further afield, as well. Once in the city, it is served by a limited bus system that could be adequate should you only want to get around Paphos itself, however, it is difficult to explore anything in the vicinity using only public transit.
That is why I would say that Paphos is best visited if you have your own car, as most places of interest are far from each other and it can be tiring and inefficient to rely on the bus to get around.
Even if you do have a rental car and we recommend using RentalCars. As one of the most popular tourist areas in Cyprus, there are numerous things to do in Paphos and it is arguably the best place to base yourself if you want the best of everything that this island nation has to offer. As the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite and an important city dating back thousands of years it is said to have been established by Greeks returning from the Trojan war , there are countless archaeological sites in Paphos that are sure to make history buff swoon.
There are numerous beautiful natural sites near Paphos, as well. If you like to hike, head to Akamas Peninsula National Park for a coastal walk on the Aphrodite trail.
There are also a number of lovely beaches with few crowds here, as well. There are also a lot of easy day trips from Paphos that you could take that number in visiting mountain villages, lush forests, historic monasteries, or locally-run wineries. All in all, if you want to pepper your beach time with countless fun activities, then I would certainly recommend visiting Paphos over Larnaca or Limassol.
The sand and shingle beach is metres long, and 90 metres wide with the tide out. A selection of water-sports is available including wind-surfing, water-skiing, and paragliding. As with the village, Pissouri Beach has managed to keep much of the commercialisation at bay, with the exception of a couple of all-inclusive complexes at either end. There are a few beach shacks and bars, toilets and showers along the front, and lifeguards are on duty through high season.
The beach is also well equipped for disabled visitors. If either Pissouri Village, or Pissouri Beach sound like your favourite place to stay in Cyprus, a selection of all-inclusive hotels, private lets, and tour operator hotels and apartments are available.
If you decide to stay at the beach, try to have at least one evening spent in the village. See also: Where to stay in Athens , where to stay in Istanbul , where to stay in Malta , where to stay in Crete.
Situated in the north of Cyprus, and under Turkish Cypriot control, the pretty harbour town of Kyrenia has been an increasingly popular tourist destination since the dust settled after the Turkish invasion of With the picturesque harbour to the fore, and the Kyrenia Mountain Range to the rear, the town is a favourite with visiting photographers.
Stroll round the old harbour, and the narrow streets of the old town. Old town areas have been meticulously refurbished to blend with the original architecture, and you will find many old stores and turrets occupied by artisan traders selling craft goods to fill your suitcase. In the Venetian tower , close to the castle and now a veritable market, you can buy anything from a Turkish carpet to lace and good luck charms.
Of course, Kyrenia Castle is a must-tour. It has stood sentinel over the harbour and town for over years virtually unchanged, while its history dates back to the Roman era. Around the harbour and town area you will find shops, bars, and restaurants. The Turkish lira is the official currency of north Cyprus although everyone will accept the euro and other currencies. A hire car is a good option as well, if you really want to find out what north Cyprus is all about.
Drive along the coast and visit the many pristine beache s. Drive inland, to the local villages. Esentepe village is very traditional with a large percentage of original buildings. For the nature lovers, around Ozankoy village you will find some rarer species of plant life including orchids. Look around St.
Hilarion Castle on the edge of the village of Karmi overlooking Kyrenia and its harbour; and drive up to Lapta town to explore the freshwater springs. Evenings tend to be pleasant relaxed affairs, where you can dine in your hotel, or enjoy a meal dining al fresco at a table around the harbour.
If you fancy a stay in Cyprus north of the border, Kyrenia is an excellent choice and has a good selection of all types and levels of accommodation. Lying on the south-eastern coast of the island, Protaras is one of the favourite resorts of regular return-visitors to Cyprus. Apartment and hotel blocks stretch along the front, overlooking the long, wide, beautiful sandy beach of Fig Tree Bay and its crystal-clear waters. Plenty of sunbeds and parasols are spread along the beach, and it has an excellent selection of all water-sports.
Stroll the long pedestrianised promenade at the rear of the beach, and stop off for a little light refreshment at one of the many bars. If you like to get out and about, there are numerous other equally attractive beaches and coves to be visited along the Protaras coast. Take one of the many popular coastal walks, or hire a boat. If you want a little time away from the busy main beach, look out for the easily missed pathway to quiet, attractive Sirena Bay on your walk.
The large Ocean Aquarium will keep the kids happy for an hour or two, and many of the hotels have play parks and clubs for the youngsters. Night times, as you would expect from a purpose-built resort, offer an excellent range of international restaurants and eateries from burger joints to haute-cuisine. Local restaurants also offer traditional Cypriot menus for all tastes.
Similar to Spanish tapas dishes, it is a number of small tasting plates of different dishes, and a great way to begin a new gastronomic adventure. To round the evening off you can find bars to suit all tastes, from quiet and romantic, to busy and lively. Protaras is one of the most popular resorts where to stay in Cyprus, and has accommodation from budget studios to 5-star all-inclusive spa hotels with all the trimmings. On the south-east coast, around 8km east of Protaras sits one of the party capitals of Europe, and one of the busiest Cyprus resorts through the summer months.
That said, Ayia Napa, has some beautiful beaches and coastline. From a small, insignificant fishing village in the s, the resort now stretches over 15km along the coast and attracts young visitors from the UK and across Europe. Encompassed within the area are mini resorts such as Ayia Thekla, 8km from Ayia Napa centre, it specialises in private villas to let.
A little further along is Potamos Liopetriou. A small fishing village with tiny sandy coves and rocky beaches, old Neolithic tombs, and a Wednesday market. Six-kilometres from the centre of town is Macronissos, home to a selection of self-catering apartments and mid-range hotels. A couple of beaches of note are sandy Nissa Beach , 4km from the centre, with plenty of water-sports, bars, beach shacks, and DJs on the beach. And Sandy Bay, a little more sheltered and a little quieter than Nissa Beach.
But only a little. As you would expect from a party resort, both day and night there are beach parties, pool parties, cocktail parties, boat parties, foam parties, and every other kind of party you can think of. All have a similar theme of copious amounts of alcohol and loud music of various genres.
Quad bikes are popular with the younger set who want to get away for a few hours, but car and scooter hire is also available. Ayia Napa is one of the best party areas to stay in Cyprus, and has a good selection of basic self-catering studios, one-bed apartments, and hotels and villas to suit all budgets.
Situated on the west coast of the island, The Akamas National Park is an area of over square kilometres of unspoilt natural parkland. The coastal area of the park also has some of the most amazing natural sandy bays and beaches you will find on the island. Although there are plenty of hiking and cycling trails available to explore this beautiful area, booking an organised tour is well worth the cost. Two-hundred square kilometres is a lot of ground to cover, and your tour guide will know all the best areas to head for the best views, and where to go if your particular interests are flora or fauna.
Book now. There are 2 ways to get from Paphos to Protaras by bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Drive Drive from Paphos to Protaras.
Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. Paphos to Protaras by bus The bus journey time between Paphos and Protaras is around 3h 10m and covers a distance of around km. Explore all travel options Bus route information Average bus time:. Fastest bus time:. Bus distance:. Buses per week:. Cheapest price:. Carbon emissions:. First and last buses First bus departs at:. Last bus departs at:. Buses departing Saturday, November 13, Intercity Buses.
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