Why Cyprus for a Honeymoon
The short answer is variety without long drives. The whole Republic of Cyprus is a few hours across by car, yet it covers Roman ruins, Crusader castles, Byzantine churches painted inside like picture books, pine forests above 6,000 feet and a coastline of coves and sea caves.
The romance here is old. Paphos was a center of Aphrodite's cult for centuries. Petra tou Romiou, the sea stack said to be her birthplace, is one of the most photographed spots on the island at sunset. Limassol has its own love story: Richard the Lionheart is said to have married Berengaria of Navarre in its castle in 1191.
Cyprus is also easy. English is spoken almost everywhere, the roads are good and the island has a long track record of hosting visitors from Britain. Food is generous and relaxed. A full meze can run to twenty small plates and lasts most of an evening, which is about the right pace for a honeymoon.
Best Time to Visit
Cyprus has one of the longest beach seasons in Europe. The coast sees almost no rain from May to September. Sea temperatures climb from about 68°F in May to around 80°F in August.
The sweet spots are May into June and late September through October. Daytime highs sit in the upper 70s to mid 80s°F, the sea is warm and hotels are calmer than in midsummer. October is especially good, since the water has had all summer to warm up.
July and August are hot and sticky, often in the 90s°F on the coast around Limassol and Larnaca, with heavy European family crowds. If you go then, plan sightseeing for early morning and spend afternoons in the water or up in the Troodos, where it is noticeably cooler.
Winter, December to February, is green and quiet, with highs in the low 60s°F and most of the year's rain. It suits food, hiking and ancient sites more than beaches. The high Troodos can get snow early in the year.
Where to Go
Most couples base themselves in one or two places and take day trips. We cover three in depth.
- Paphos: the west coast town with the UNESCO-listed mosaics, Aphrodite's Rock to the east and the wild Akamas Peninsula to the north. The most romantic base on the island.
- Limassol: the liveliest city, with a modern marina, a walkable old town, beach hotels to the east and ancient Kourion to the west.
- Troodos Mountains: stone villages, painted churches, wineries and cool forest trails. Best for two or three nights rather than a day trip.
Other places worth a look include Nicosia, the last divided capital in Europe, where you can walk across the Green Line on Ledra Street with your passport. Ayia Napa and Protaras in the southeast have the island's whitest sand and clearest water around Cape Greco, though Ayia Napa's clubs make it better for a day of swimming than a romantic stay. The lace-making village of Lefkara makes an easy stop between Larnaca and Limassol.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
This route lands in Larnaca and loops west. Flip it if your connection serves Paphos.
- Day 1: Arrive in Larnaca and drive about 45 minutes to Limassol. Dinner by the marina.
- Day 2: Limassol old town and castle in the morning, beach in the afternoon.
- Day 3: Kourion's clifftop theater and Kolossi Castle, then a Commandaria tasting in the hills behind.
- Day 4: Drive up to the Troodos. Afternoon in Omodos or Platres.
- Day 5: Painted churches and a forest walk to Caledonia Falls. Dinner in a village taverna.
- Day 6: Kykkos Monastery, then down through the wine villages to Paphos.
- Day 7: Paphos Archaeological Park and the Tombs of the Kings.
- Day 8: Boat from Latchi to the Blue Lagoon on the Akamas coast.
- Day 9: Swim at Petra tou Romiou in the morning and come back for sunset.
- Day 10: Fly out of Paphos, or drive about 90 minutes back to Larnaca.
Budget and Costs
Cyprus is cheaper than the Greek islands at their peak and noticeably cheaper than the Amalfi Coast, though the top resorts price like anywhere in Europe. All figures below are approximate and move with season and exchange rates.
Comfortable four-star coastal hotels often run around $150 to $300 a night for two in shoulder season. Five-star resorts in Paphos and Limassol commonly run $350 to $800 or more in summer. Agrotourism guesthouses in the Troodos villages can cost well under $150.
Food is good value. A full meze for two with local wine might cost $60 to $100, while fine dining in Limassol can run several times that. Rental cars are inexpensive outside July and August. You will want one, since buses between towns are fine but rural service is thin.
A reasonable mid-range honeymoon budget, excluding flights, could land around $300 to $500 a day for two. Flights from the US with one connection vary widely by season and departure city.
Getting There and Around
No airline flies nonstop from the United States to Cyprus, so expect one connection. Common routings go through Athens on Aegean, through London, or through Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna or Zurich. Larnaca is the main airport and has the most connections. Paphos is smaller but sits right where many couples want to stay.
Book your flights into Larnaca or Paphos. Skip cheap routings into Ercan in the north, which can cause problems if you later want to cross into the south.
Once there, rent a car. Highways link Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos. The drive from Larnaca to Paphos takes about an hour and a half. Remember to drive on the left. Intercity buses connect the main towns and are cheap, but they will not get you to mountain villages or remote beaches on any useful schedule. Insurance bought in the south does not cover the north, so buy separate cover at the checkpoint if you cross.
Culture and Etiquette
Greek Cypriots are warm and hospitable. It is normal for a taverna owner to bring a plate of fruit or a small glass of zivania at the end of a meal. Accept it gracefully.
The island has been divided since 1974. The south is the Republic of Cyprus. The north is administered by Turkish Cypriots and recognized only by Turkey. Crossing at official checkpoints with your passport is routine. Many visitors enjoy a day in Kyrenia or north Nicosia. Still, politics here are personal for many families, so listen more than you opine.
Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries; Kykkos and the painted churches will turn you away in beachwear. Sunday is a family day and some rural businesses close. Service is often included in restaurant bills. Where it is not, leaving 5 to 10 percent is appreciated. Dinner starts later than in the US, often around 8:30 or 9 p.m. in summer.
Food and Wine
Cypriot food sits between Greece and the Middle East. Halloumi is the national cheese, eaten grilled or fried and often paired with watermelon in summer. Souvla is large chunks of pork or lamb slow-roasted on a long skewer over charcoal. Sheftalia are herby sausages wrapped in caul fat. Kleftiko is lamb baked for hours in a sealed clay oven until it falls apart.
Ordering a meze is the best way to try everything. Tell the server you want meze for two and let the plates arrive in waves: dips, salads, then grilled meats or fish.
Winemaking here goes back thousands of years. Commandaria, a sweet amber dessert wine from villages on the southern Troodos slopes, claims to be one of the oldest named wines still made. Look for whites from the native Xynisteri grape and reds from Maratheftiko. Zivania is the clear grape spirit served icy cold after dinner. Sip it slowly.
Quick tips
- Cyprus drives on the left, like the UK, so ask for an automatic if you are not used to shifting with your left hand.
- Book flights into Larnaca or Paphos rather than Ercan in the north, which can complicate travel into the south.
- Outlets are the UK-style three-pin Type G, so pack the right adapter.
