Cyprus Holidays

Holidays in Cyprus don't need much of a sell. Sizzling sun, top-notch beaches, swanky resorts, and delicious eats everywhere you turn - it's been one of the UK's favourite destinations for decades, and once you've been, it's not hard to see why.

Highlights of your Holidays to Cyprus 2026 and 2027

• Beaches and mountains in one day - go from sunbathing on golden sands to hiking through pine forests in the Troodos Mountains, all before dinner. Cyprus packs a lot into a small island.

• Food that'll ruin you for home - meze platters that never end, freshly made halloumi straight from the dairy to the grill, souvlaki on every corner, and loukoumades dripping in honey for afters. Loosen the belt.

• Same plugs, same side of the road - Cyprus uses UK and Irish three-pin sockets and drives on the left. One less thing to worry about, one less adapter to pack, one more reason to enjoy your visit.

• 5,000 years of wine - Cyprus has been producing wine longer than almost anywhere on earth. Commandaria, made in the Troodos foothills, is one of the world's oldest named wines and still tastes gorgeous.

• History you can actually touch - UNESCO-listed Tombs of the Kings, Aphrodite's Rock, painted Byzantine churches, and a divided capital city you can walk across in five minutes. Not your average beach holiday.

• A season that runs to November - Cyprus in October still averages 28°C with a sea still warmer than the Atlantic gets at home in peak summer.

Making the most of your holiday in Cyprus...

"The best version of Cyprus is the one you find when you get off the resort strip and start driving, and I'd make that the first piece of advice I'd give anyone booking here. Fikardou, a UNESCO-listed village tucked into the Troodos foothills, is a medieval time capsule of stone houses and wooden balconies that has barely changed in centuries, and almost nobody visits it. The Akamas Peninsula on the western tip is the island's last truly wild coastline, with Lara Beach sitting inside a protected nature reserve where loggerhead turtles nest between May and September, completely free of sunbeds. Drive up into the Troodos Mountains and the island changes entirely - pine forests, Byzantine monasteries, and the Caledonian Waterfalls, all within an hour of the coast. For divers, the Zenobia wreck off Larnaca is consistently rated one of the best wreck dive sites in the world, a Swedish ferry that sank in 1980 and now rests on its side in forty metres of clear Mediterranean water. Hire a car if you can; Cyprus is small, but its best bits are scattered, and the resort bus won't take you to any of them. Browse our Cyprus holidays and see what's waiting beyond the beach."

Rob Brooks - On the Beach holiday expert

Good to know for your Cyprus Holidays

• ☀️ Weather: July and August run at about 33°C with almost no rain, and September is barely behind at 31°C. October still averages 28°C, November 23°C, and the sea holds its heat well.

• 💶 Money: a sit-down lunch runs €12 to €18, a beer €3 to €5, a coffee €2 to €3, and a meze for two €30 to €40. Cards work almost everywhere. There is no tourist tax.

• 🎉 Fun Fact - Cyprus is the mythological birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. You can visit the exact rock (Petra tou Romiou) where she supposedly emerged from the sea, and the plug sockets are the same three-pin type used in the UK and Ireland, so you won't need an adapter.

Local lingo

Want to impress the locals? Or maybe just ask for more wine? Here are the essentials:

• Kalimera, kah-lee-MEH-rah, Good morning

• Efharisto, ef-hah-ree-STOH (Ευχαριστώ), Thank you

• Parakalo, pah-rah-kah-LOH (Παρακαλώ), Please and you're welcome

• Yamas, YAH-mas (Γεια μας), Cheers, glass raised

• Pou einai i paralia?, poo EE-neh ee pah-rah-LEE-ah, Where's the beach?

• Halloumi sti schara, parakalo, hah-LOO-mee stee SKHA-rah pah-rah-kah-LOH (Χαλλούμι στη σχάρα, παρακαλώ), Grilled halloumi, please, which is how it should arrive

• Ena potiri Kouma­ndaria, EH-nah poh-TEE-ree koo-man-dah-REE-ah (Ένα ποτήρι Κουμανδαρία), A glass of Commandaria, for after dinner

• Ton logariasmo, parakalo, ton loh-ghar-yaz-MOH pah-rah-kah-LOH (Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ), The bill, please

A holiday to Cyprus is perfect for you if...

• You want a beach holiday in Europe, in October, or November.

• You would rather not think about adapters, driving on the other side of the road, or a language barrier.

• You want a pine forest, a mountain village and a monastery within an hour of your sunbed.

• You are booking for a family and the phrase "seven pools and a lazy river" settles the argument.

• You like the idea of eating fifteen small plates instead of choosing one main course.

Where to Stay on your Cyprus holidays

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Where should families stay in Cyprus?

Protaras was built with families in mind: wide pram-friendly pavements, a strip of ice cream shops and mini golf, and a concentration of all-inclusive resorts with big waterparks. Fig Tree Bay has some of the shallowest, calmest water in the Mediterranean, and the Magic Dancing Waters show is a reliable win.

Coral Bay is the quieter family pick: a sandy horseshoe of a beach, clear shallow water, lifeguards, and Paphos a short bus ride down the coast for the days you want more than the pool.

💑 Where should couples stay in Cyprus?

Paphos is the one. Cyprus Paphos holidays get you UNESCO ruins, a harbour that faces the sunset, the island's best adults-only hotels and a waterfront taverna at the end of it. Sophisticated without the city pace.

Limassol suits couples who want some buzz with it: a marina, wine bars, a long seafront promenade and the Troodos vineyards half an hour inland.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Where should groups stay in Cyprus?

Ayia Napa is still the heavyweight. Cyprus Ayia Napa holidays run on Nissi Beach by day and the Strip by night, both walkable, and there are plenty of hotels set up for larger bookings.

Where should you stay to see the rest of the island?

Larnaca is the underrated base. You land there, so the transfer is minutes rather than an hour, Mackenzie Beach runs right along the edge of town, and the Zenobia wreck sits just offshore. Handy for the salt lake, the flamingos in winter and the drive up into the villages.

What are the best beaches in Cyprus?

Beaches and Cyprus holidays go hand-in-hand... it's just science. Holiday science, that is. We know no other kind. From the most stunning little bays where it's nothing but soft sand and the swoosh of the ocean, to lively party spots with all the daiquiri-fuelled dancing you could wish for, here are some of the best beaches in Cyprus to check out during your stay:

• Nissi Beach - the go-to beach in Ayia Napa, with soft sands, shallow waters, a bunch of watersports, and a delicious little beach café. Just be sure to get in early if this place tickles your pickle, because the sunbeds fill up fast. We warned you.

• Fig Tree Bay - a family fave in Protaras, with calm waters perfect for a cheeky swim or snorkel, paragliding and kayaking opportunities, and a rocky viewpoint for the best sunset views

• Coral Bay - a popular swim spot with sunbeds and parasols to rent, lifeguards on duty, a café for drinks and snacks, and handy facilities like showers and loos

• Mackenzie Beach - a wide strip of beach right near Larnaca Airport (great for all you plane-spotters), with shallow water ideal for the kids, tons of beachfront restaurants, and a breezy promenade lined with shops

• Konnos Bay - decked out with the softest, lightest sands, clear, calm waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling, watersports, and a kiosk café (with the best views, might we add), plus handy facilities like changing rooms and public loos

• Lara Bay - an absolute stunner of a beach - a bit off-the-beaten-track, known for its turtle conservation efforts and lush scenery

All Inclusive Holidays in Cyprus

All inclusive holidays to Cyprus are one of the strongest offers in the Mediterranean - and the island earns that reputation. The resort quality here is genuinely top-tier: multiple pools, dine-around restaurant concepts, premium drinks packages, and kids' clubs that run proper programmes rather than token activities.

Whether you want an all-inclusive Cyprus holiday in Ayia Napa for the buzz or Paphos for a more relaxed pace, there's a resort that fits. Most Cyprus all-inclusive resorts go well beyond the basics, and the best ones - Olympic Lagoon, Adams Beach, Cali by Louis Hotels - are proper five-star operations that make the all-inclusive price look like an absolute steal.

What are the best all-inclusive hotels in Cyprus for families?

• Olympic Lagoon Resort Ayia Napa - seven themed pools, a lazy river, waterslides, a proper kids' club with a separate teens zone, and seven restaurants so nobody eats the same meal twice. The all-inclusive package here includes everything down to the ice cream stand.

• Adams Beach Hotel - five-star on Nissi Avenue with direct beach access, multiple pools including waterslides, a kids' club, and a spa for when the grown-ups need a timeout. The all-inclusive covers restaurants, bars and poolside snacks.

What are the best all-inclusive hotels in Cyprus for couples?

• Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos - six restaurants including a menu crafted by a Michelin-starred chef, daily mini-fridge restocks, and a quieter Paphos setting that suits couples looking for the full experience without the party pace.

• Cali Resort and Spa by Louis Hotels - adults-only, premium all-inclusive in Coral Bay with a Fiki Japanese Fusion restaurant, a 47-metre infinity pool, and the kind of quiet that makes you forget there is a world outside the resort.

🏨 Top Hotels for your Cyprus Holidays 2026 and 2027

Sure, the beaches are the main event, but there are some proper top hotels in Cyprus to take a trip from standard to swanky in a jiffy. Whether you're after a cheap holiday to Cyrpus, or a luxury retreat, an all inclusive holiday to Cyprus, a big ol' family-friendly resort, or even just a last-minute break anywhere you can get - there's something for everyone around here. Our advice? Give these a go:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Which are the best family hotels in Cyprus?

• Olympic Lagoon Resort Ayia Napa is a five-star all-inclusive with seven themed pools including a lazy river and waterslides, a kids' club with qualified staff, a teens zone and seven restaurants on a dine-around basis. There is a dedicated adults-only section too, so parents can get an evening off. Near Landa and Nissi beaches.

• Corallia Beach is a solid family pick in Coral Bay with an outdoor pool, a kids' section, a games centre, tennis courts and a buffet restaurant. Walking distance to calm, shallow water, and good value for the Paphos area.

• Atlantica Sungarden Beach sits halfway between Ayia Napa's nightlife and the sandy beaches, with two pools, a health club and a choice of restaurants. Works for families who want the beach and the town without being in the middle of the party.

💑 Which are the best hotels in Cyprus for couples?

• Grecian Park Hotel is a five-star perched on the edge of Cape Greco national park near Protaras, with sea views, a Japanese restaurant, an Italian one and a spa. Five minutes from both Ayia Napa and Protaras and it feels a world away from both.

• Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Beach Hotel & Spa is adults only and on the beach in Paphos, which is the combination most couples are actually looking for. Spa, quiet pools, and the harbour a short walk along the front.

• Cavo Maris Beach is a beachside hotel near Protaras with roomy suites, sea views, a pool and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere. A good mid-range pick away from the party resorts.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Which are the best hotels in Cyprus for groups?

• Pavlo Napa Hotel is a family-run all-inclusive on the beachfront in Ayia Napa with a pool, a bar and a walk to the Strip. Informal, central, and easy to book a block of rooms in.

• Atlantica Panthea Resort is the bigger option, close to the town and the beach, with pools, restaurants and enough space that a group of ten is not on top of each other.

✨ Which are the best luxury hotels in Cyprus?

• Azia Resort and Spa is the standout: an award-winning spa, an adults-only pool with hydro-massage jets, six restaurants including a tree-deck one, and a seafront position in Paphos that gets the sunsets. Three pools, one of them an adults-only infinity.

• Grecian Bay Hotel sits on what is often called the most beautiful sandy beach on the island, ten minutes' walk from Ayia Napa village, with several restaurants and a choice of bungalows or suites.

💰 Which are the best-value hotels in Cyprus?

• Avlida has a pool that winds through the whole resort, a beach ten minutes away, a lounge bar with live music and a kids' club. Good value in the Paphos area without giving anything up.

• Anastasia Beach Hotel is the Protaras equivalent: straightforward, close to the sand, and priced well below the resorts either side of it.

👉 Cyprus hotels, all of them

Cheap Holidays to Cyprus

Cyprus punches well above its weight on the value front. The Euro keeps spending money simple, and once you are there, eating and drinking costs less than most western Mediterranean islands. A sit-down lunch for two rarely tops €30, local wine is excellent and affordable, and public buses between the main resort towns cost a couple of euros. The trick is matching your resort to your budget: Protaras and Coral Bay tend to be slightly gentler on the wallet than Paphos town or Ayia Napa's beachfront strip.

Booking outside the school holidays makes the biggest difference to your overall spend. May, June and October all deliver genuine beach weather at a fraction of July and August prices, and self-catering apartments mean you can mix eating out with cooking in whenever you fancy.

What are the cheapest family hotels in Cyprus?

• Livas Hotel Apartments - a proper family base in Protaras with self-catering apartments, a pool, and Fig Tree Bay within walking distance. The apartment setup keeps food costs down and gives families room to spread out.

• Queens Bay Hotel - sitting right on Coral Bay with a pool, restaurant and bar, this four-star keeps costs reasonable without scrimping on location. The beach is steps away, and Paphos town is a short bus ride along the coast.

What are the cheapest hotels in Cyprus for couples?

• Petrosana Apartments - a budget-friendly base in Ayia Napa that puts you within striking distance of Nissi Beach and the nightlife strip without the premium price tag. Self-catering means you set your own pace.

• Avlida - a pool that winds through the resort, a ten-minute stroll to the beach, and live music in the lounge most evenings. Paphos on a budget without feeling like you have compromised.

Last Minute Holidays to Cyprus

Cyprus is one of the easier destinations to pull together at short notice. Two international airports (Larnaca and Paphos) mean double the flight availability, and with multiple airlines running routes from UK and Ireland airports throughout the year, last-minute seat availability tends to hold up better than on single-airport islands. The island's compact size means wherever you land, your resort is rarely more than an hour or two away, so a late flight swap between airports is no drama.

The best windows for last-minute Cyprus deals tend to fall in the shoulder months. May, June, September and October all deliver proper beach weather (25-30°C) with fewer families competing for rooms during term time. That said, Cyprus holds its heat well into November, and even early April can surprise with temperatures in the low twenties, which makes the booking window wider than most Mediterranean destinations. If you are flexible on resort, Protaras and Paphos tend to have stronger last-minute availability than Ayia Napa, where peak-season rooms get snapped up earlier.

When booking last minute, all-inclusive packages can work in your favour. Hotels looking to fill remaining rooms often discount the all-inclusive rate more aggressively than room-only, which means you can end up with a premium experience for a mid-range price. Check both Larnaca and Paphos airports when searching, as flights into one may be significantly cheaper than the other on any given week. And pack light on expectations for specific room types: sea-view upgrades and ground-floor family rooms go first, so flexibility on room category is what makes a last-minute Cyprus trip work best for any budget.

Cyprus Holidays 2026 and 2027 Travel Guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What is there to do in Cyprus with the family?

• WaterWorld near Ayia Napa is an ancient-Greece-themed waterpark with slides, a wave pool and a lazy river, and its own claim is Europe's number one themed waterpark. A guaranteed full day.

• Lara Bay on the west coast is a protected turtle nesting beach, quieter and wilder than the resort beaches, and one of the last green turtle sites in the Mediterranean. A brilliant day out for families who want something other than the pool.

• The Tombs of the Kings in Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage site with tombs carved down into solid rock. Children find it genuinely exciting to walk into, and entry is €2.50.

• The Protaras strip is lined with ice cream shops, family restaurants and mini golf, with Fig Tree Bay right there for the afternoon. The whole area is safe and walkable.

💑 What is there to do in Cyprus for couples?

• Petra tou Romiou, Aphrodite's Rock, near Pissouri is the mythological birthplace of the goddess of love. Go at sunset. Local legend says swimming around the rock three times brings eternal youth and beauty, which is worth a try.

• The Troodos Mountains are Cyprus's wine country. Book a vineyard tour out of Limassol and taste Commandaria, generally reckoned the oldest named wine still made anywhere.

• Emira Pottery in Larnaca runs hands-on pottery sessions for two, and you keep what you make.

• Meze is the couples' dinner here: a procession of small plates from halloumi and dips through to grilled meats, fresh fish and loukoumades. Order one to share and give the evening to it.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 What is there to do in Cyprus for groups?

• Ayia Napa's nightlife runs May to October with clubs open until dawn, and the Strip is walkable end to end.

• Nissi Beach is the daytime headquarters: turquoise water, watersports, foam parties and beach bars with DJs. Get there early for a sunbed.

• Boat parties leave Ayia Napa harbour with DJs, drinks and swimming stops at the sea caves and the Blue Lagoon.

• Pissouri Beach holds a Blue Flag and does sailing, diving and jet skis, which is the more active version of a group day out.

What is there to do in Cyprus at the last minute?

Cyprus is a year-round favourite with a high volume of flights and resorts, which makes it a reliable choice for a spontaneous escape. We work with a wide range of partners, so we can often surface late-availability places that are properly good value.

• Two airports. Larnaca and Paphos both take flights from across the UK & Ireland. If one is thin for your dates, the other often opens up a whole different set of hotels.

• All-inclusive goes further late. Hotels filling remaining rooms discount the all-inclusive rate harder than room only, so a late booking can land you a better hotel than you planned on.

• The season keeps going. October and early November still deliver beach weather here, and that is when the premium beachfront places have availability they do not have in August.

Where can you stay in Cyprus?

• Protaras is the top family base on the island. Fig Tree Bay has calm, shallow water perfect for little ones, there are laid-back restaurants along the strip, and it's close enough to Ayia Napa for a day trip without being in the middle of the party scene. Loads of all-inclusive options here too.

• Coral Bay is the other great family pick. Quiet and calm with crystal-clear water, a gorgeous sandy beach and easy access to Paphos for sightseeing and restaurants. A properly relaxed pace.

• Paphos is the romantic pick. Ancient ruins, upscale restaurants, Aphrodite's Rock and some of Cyprus's best boutique hotels. The harbour area is gorgeous for evening strolls, and the western coast gets the best sunsets on the island.

• Limassol suits couples who like a bit of city buzz. A lively marina, wine bars, great restaurants and a long beachfront promenade. More sophisticated than the eastern resorts and a good base for wine tours in the Troodos foothills.

• Ayia Napa is the obvious group pick. Legendary nightlife with clubs, beach bars and boat parties running from May through October. Nissi Beach during the day, the strip at night. Cyprus's answer to Ibiza.

• Nissi Beach specifically is where the daytime action is - turquoise shallows, watersports and beach parties that roll from afternoon into evening. Most of the group-friendly hotels are within walking distance.

More Destinations

• Greece - Over 200 islands to pick from, each with its own character. Rhodes for medieval old towns and all-day sunshine, Crete for mountains and gorges, Kos for family-friendly beaches, Santorini for the caldera views, Corfu for green hills and Venetian architecture.

• Turkey - Similar climate to Cyprus with longer beaches and seriously good value. Antalya is the big all-inclusive hub, Bodrum is the boujee pick, and Dalaman covers the Turquoise Coast.

• Malta - A tiny island with a massive personality. Limestone cities, Blue Lagoon boat trips, 7,000 years of history, and English is an official language, so zero language barrier.

• Croatia - Walled cities, island-hopping vibes, Game of Thrones filming locations, and some of the cleanest water in the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik is the headline, but Split and the islands are just as good.

• Egypt - If you want guaranteed year-round heat and world-class diving, Sharm El Sheikh delivers. The Red Sea coral is something else entirely.