This is a guest post from Rob Melau
Even though I had heard many fascinating stories about Cyprus, the political developments on the divided island always kind of put me off and kept me from strapping on my backpack and just seeing for myself what the country was all about. At some point, however, I had a change of heart and decided to put aside my preconceptions which were potentially clouding reality.
Just to give you a quick lowdown on Cyprus … it lies at the crossroads of three continents and has been ruled by plenty of empires and nations which all left their mark on the island. The crusaders built numerous castles; the Arabs refined the local cuisine and introduced exotic dishes like ‘Meze’ ….whereas the Brits caused the Cypriots to drive on the left! Not to mention the Turks who ended up dividing the country!
Cyprus castle
For some inexplicable reason (or maybe out of sheer naivety) Cyprus has always had a Greek connotation for me so the Turkish part in the north didn’t exactly grab my fancy. I consequently headed for the Greek south of the island … no offense to all the Turkish Cypriots though! Being a money-conscious backpacker I decided to skimp on accommodation and then splash out on my travels around the island.
I flew in to the capital city, Nicosia and stayed at a cheap but admittedly slightly skanky guesthouse not far from the city centre. While there are certainly many things to explore, you should definitely check out the bustling oriental bazaar which is within spitting distance of the city walls. However, if you’re used to endless haggling over prices from previous travelling in the Arabic world then you may have to break that habit. The traders are fairly laid-back and the ambiance is pleasantly tranquil and relaxed, so you’ll have plenty of time to dilly-dally, not needing to worry about driving hard bargains. Besides, quaint villages surrounding the capital city boast an endless number of historic sites, only few of which can be squeezed into anyone’s itinerary (it should suffice to include two villages).
Boats in Cyprus
Getting around Cyprus is fairly straightforward if you have enough dosh to rent a car. As a backpacker that’s obviously not the case and public transport usually does the trick. Even though hitch-hiking is not common practice in Cyprus….. it’s still worth a shot! Cypriots are extremely friendly and hospitable, especially in the rural areas. Don’t forget to keep to the left-hand side of the road though!
Next up on my journey was Paphos on the south coast.
Paphos used to be a sedate fishing village in the 80s and then evolved into one of the island’s tourism hotspots. It’s safe to say that the city which is supposedly the birthplace of Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love and beauty) offers visitors almost more than they can handle. While the beaches aren’t exactly striking, the city’s cultural attractions certainly make up for it. The Archaeological Park with its mosaics and ruins of Roman villas as well as the tombs of former kings are definitely worth a peek. The promenade and harbour are a bit too touristy and over-commercialized for my liking. If you want to dodge the hordes of tourists you should head to the upper part of the town where the locals roam the streets. Here you can find local markets, cosy cafés and quirky taverns.
One of the many views of Cyprus
As far as eating out in Cyprus is concerned, prices vary widely. Make sure you avoid all those built up areas and touristy places and try to figure out where the locals go … that’s usually where you get the best deals and value for money. Due to all the different cultural influences over the past centuries, the Cypriot cuisine is very diverse and boasts plenty of exciting dishes that will stimulate your adventurous taste buds. Don’t miss out on the local ‘meze’ and ‘souvlaki’!
It turned out one week was nowhere near enough to see all that Cyprus has to offer. You should probably give it two weeks to make the most of it. For more information visit MyDestination.com/Cyprus.
Author Bio: Rob Melau
Rob decided to study tourism management to combine his professional career with his passion for travel. He lived in England and France for a while and is already on the lookout for the next adventure somewhere in Asia or South America. He enjoys writing, sports and any type of outdoor activity.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Rob, do you think Cyprus is a good choice for budget travelers? Since you’ve been to the place, what is the average amount you spent each day? Thanks :)
I’ve not been to the place (this is a guest post) but I imagine it’s not too bad, maybe expensive to get too, but ok once you are there.
I never realize how much they over charge travelers when you compare it to what locals pay. It is a great idea to usually find where the locals eat instead of going to the tourists places.
Yes, its usually better food too.