These are the 15 most important attractions in Cyprus

Sun, beaches, and fascinating stories: Cyprus lies between Greece and Turkey and offers not only a great vacation but also many tales. We present the 15 most important attractions in Cyprus.

The density of experiences in Cyprus is high. This is partly due to its perfect location in the Mediterranean with numerous hours of sunshine and paradisiacal beaches, but also due to its impressive history, both then and now.

The island nation is divided: In the north, mostly Turkish populations live, in the south Greek Cypriots. Therefore, the attractions are diverse and range from Christian Orthodox churches to mosques, Roman ruins, and medieval structures. We take you to the most important sights in Cyprus.

On the southern coast of Cyprus, about ten kilometers from Paphos, legend has it that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love, rose from the sea. A rock formation looms over a long pebbled beach, appearing to gaze over the water: the alleged birthplace of the 'foam-born' goddess. Many couples in love come here, as it is said: Whoever swims around the rock three times is ensured eternal love.

However, there is also a less romantic legend surrounding the rock. It is also called 'Petra tou Romiou', which translates to 'Rock of the Greek'. Allegedly, the Arab-Byzantine local hero Basil threw the rock into the sea to fend off an attack by Saracens. No matter which story is true: the beach with its extraordinary rock formation is worth seeing-especially at sunset.

At the easternmost point of the Republic of Cyprus, a spectacular cape draws numerous visitors. Where the Cape Greco National Forest Park extends over 385 hectares east of Agia Napa and southeast of Protaras, the coast is particularly impressive: the crystal-clear sea meets massive limestone cliffs here.

Numerous underwater caves are hidden beneath the cliffs, which can be explored by boat ride or diving. Many tourists come for the hiking and biking trails, which circle the rugged Cape Greco. Often, stairs lead directly to hidden beaches. Notable stops include the whitewashed chapel of Agioi Anargyroi and the rock bridge Kamara tou Koraka.

On the southwest coast of Cyprus lies one of the most fascinating archaeological sites of the island nation. The ancient city of Kourion began with a small settlement in the 13th century. Kourion rose under the Romans and Ptolemies and was at its peak the hub of about 20,000 people.

In the 1930s, the excavations of Kourion began. What was uncovered here offers a fantastic insight into the life of the ancient Roman settlers on Cyprus. The highlight of the site is the amphitheater, which in ancient times housed over 3000 people. Today, concerts and theatrical performances are regularly held. Equally worth seeing are the 'House of Eustolios' with its artistic mosaic floors, several private houses, and the impressive nymphaeum with its rock blocks.

On the north coast of Cyprus, three castles rise high. The best-preserved fortress is St. Hilarion Castle, constructed 732 meters high on a visible limestone peak. The castle's name was first mentioned in 1191 and can be traced back to a hermit who once found refuge here for many years.

St. Hilarion once housed a monastery, later expanded by the Byzantines into a fortified castle. The Lusignan royal family ultimately used the fortress as a summer residence and refuge. Today, you can explore the three levels of the castle complex on a walking tour. The upper castle has now decayed, but the view is unique: you can see far across the Mediterranean and the north coast.

The island nation of Cyprus is divided, which is evident in its largest city. Nicosia is the capital of the Republic of Cyprus, and the northern part of the city is also the capital of the internationally unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. While the southern part of Nicosia is very modern, an oriental flair blows through the northern districts.

Impressive are the Venetian fortress walls, spanning over five kilometers and enclosing the entire old town of Nicosia. In the Archbishop's Palace, built in 1961 on the occasion of independence from Britain, you can view a significant collection of icons. A highlight is the Selimiye Mosque with its massive central dome and 71-meter-high minarets: Originally built as a cathedral, the 13th-century architecture has served as a mosque for over 400 years-and today it is also part of UNESCO's world heritage.

Nicosia is the largest city in Cyprus, but Larnaca on the southern coast is the oldest. Once, the city kingdom of Kition was one of the most significant ancient city kingdoms, and its capital was the namesake city in the northern urban area of today's Larnaca. The Phoenicians later founded a kingdom, followed by the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Venetians, and Ottomans.

Today, around 51,000 people live in the third-largest city of Cyprus, which is also one of the most important tourist centers on the island. Due to its long and diverse history, there are ancient, Christian, and Byzantine attractions. Highlights include the historical Kition, the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque, St. Lazarus Church, the district museum, and the Pierides Museum. For a stroll, head to the palm-lined waterfront promenade Foinikoudes, with numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops. The beaches of Larnaca, stretching along the 25-kilometer-long coast, are fantastic.

Paphos on the southwest coast of Cyprus became well-known in 2017 when the harbor city was the European Capital of Culture. Today, many come to admire the treasures of Paphos, as the city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.

Paphos consists of three main parts: Kato Paphos with its world-famous mosaics, Kouklia with the Temple of Aphrodite, and the necropolis with the Tombs of the Kings. These three sites together make up ancient Paphos, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. A highlight in the truest sense of the word is the Paphos Castle, which towers over the harbor. Built by the Byzantines in the 13th century, the fortification is now known as a backdrop for the open-air cultural festival. Visiting the Archaeological Museum and Byzantine Museum is also exciting.

The Tombs of the Kings in Paphos are part of the archaeological park of Kato Pafos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus. Because the richest inhabitants of the Ptolemies once wanted to take their property into the afterlife, they built themselves magnificent mausoleums. These were used for burials until about the fourth century AD.

The massive underground tombs were carved from the rock and date back to the third century BC. Today, visitors descend into crypts and walk through a courtyard and an atrium with columns. A marked circular path leads to the most interesting eight tombs.

Near the port of the city of Paphos, one can embark on a journey through time when visiting the fenced archaeological site of the ancient city of Paphos. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1980, the archaeological park is an absolute highlight and includes attractions and monuments from the fourth century BC to the Middle Ages.

Once, Nicocles, the last king of Palaipafos, relocated the city from its then-location to its current place near the harbor. About a third of the ancient city has been excavated. A tour begins at the visitor center, offering general information and showcasing individual finds from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. Highlights of the park are the Houses of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion, and Orpheus with their floor mosaics.

Once just a small fishing village, Limassol on the southern coast of Cyprus is now the second-largest city on the island and, due to its magnificent beaches, a well-visited and extremely important place for tourism. Limassol is located on Akrotiri Bay and more southerly than any other city in the European Union. On vacation, however, not only the beaches attract visitors but also the city itself.

In addition to the port and old town, Limassol Castle is the most important attraction. The castle was constructed in the 13th century to protect the city from pirate attacks. Between 1790 and 1940, the structure was used as a prison, and today houses a medieval museum. From the castle roof, you have a great view. A maritime flair prevails at the marina, which was redesigned in 2014. It offers space for up to one thousand yachts, boats, and ships. For a stroll, continue directly to the popular Molos Promenade.

Just 14 kilometers from Limassol, you'll find another portion of the Middle Ages: at the edge of the village of Kolossi stands the medieval stronghold of Kolossi, presumably constructed by Frankish troops in the 13th century. Kolossi long held significant strategic importance for managing southern Cyprus and also served as a storage depot for sugar, one of the island's most important export goods in the Middle Ages.

Today, the tower keep and the former sugar mill, along with parts of the surrounding walls, remain from the castle. Ingeniously, as you cross the small drawbridge, you can view the 'Welcome' hole, which once served to pour boiling oil on intruders.

Also in the de facto regime of Northern Cyprus, a castle awaits curious guests with its history. The harbor fortress of Kyrenia was constructed from the seventh century in the once very significant ancient harbor. Picturesquely located by the harbor, the colossal fortress complex with its meter-thick walls looms over the city.

A special highlight is exhibited directly inside the fortress: the best-preserved ancient ship in the Levantine Sea is in the Shipwreck Museum. The ship from Kyrenia sank around 300 BC but was only discovered in 1965. Onboard were, among other things, 400 amphoras filled with wine and oil, as well as millstones and almonds.

Halfway from Larnaca to Limassol lies another piece of Cyprus's history. The archaeological excavation site of Choirokoitia is one of the most important and best-preserved prehistoric settlements in the entire Mediterranean region. The settlement belongs to the aceramic Neolithic period and was inhabited from the seventh to the fourth millennium BC, by 300 to 1000 inhabitants.

On-site, you get a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of Cyprus's early inhabitants. You can see residential buildings constructed using only original materials and traditional methods, as well as replicas of household items commonplace at the time.

Near the harbor city of Famagusta in Northern Cyprus, you can visit the remains of ancient Salamis. The archaeological excavations of Salamis are known worldwide. According to legend, Salamis was founded by Teucer, a hero of the Trojan War, in 1200 BC and retained its status as the most important city in Cyprus for over a millennium.

At that time, over 100,000 people lived in Salamis. Today, only a portion of the ruins is accessible, dating from late Roman and Byzantine times and uncovered since the 1950s. Particularly impressive are the theater, once seating 15,000 spectators, a gymnasium with marble columns, and the remains of bathhouses and latrines.

A narrow and winding road leads to the most powerful monastery of the island nation, located in the western part of the island in the mountain region of the Marathasa Valley, built at over 1140 meters altitude. The Kykkos Monastery is a popular pilgrimage site because it houses a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary.

The icon, encased in gold and silver, is set in a frame made of tortoiseshell and mother of pearl, which is always covered. However, you can visit the monastery corridors with their intricate mosaics and frescoes, several magnificently designed buildings, the Church of the Virgin Mary with its ornate altar, or the monastery courtyard. Attention: There is a strict dress code in Kykkos. Men must wear long pants, and women at least knee-length skirts or pants.

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