The third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, the island of Cyprus is divided into two distinct political states: the southern, larger portion of the island, inhabited mostly by those of Greek descent is known as the Republic of Cyprus. In the southern part of the island, the main language is Greek, with Turkish a close second, and the main religion is Greek Orthodox. The northern portion of the island is the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a republic recognized only by Turkey, where the main language is Turkish and the main religion is Muslim. From the point of view of the casual holidaymaker uninterested in the political divisions of Cyprus, it's nice to know that both parts of Cyprus have great holiday destinations, but the biggest resort areas lie in the south.
Ayia Napa
A resort area in southeastern Cyprus, Ayia Napa has a number of beaches, where waterskiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, and canoeing are all very popular. The government has taken care to keep its beaches beautiful and clean, and not long ago all the beaches of Ayia Napa were awarded with the EU's blue flag for the level of cleanliness and professional facilities. Nissi Beach is a popular one with young people, and is very busy in the summer time, whereas Harbour Beach caters more towards families and is more relaxed. Landa Beach is even quieter, and is one of the few beaches sometimes used by the locals.
Ayia Napa has a reputation for being one of Europe's biggest 'party capitals', not unlike Ibiza. The Square in the centre of the town is saturated with nightclubs, restaurants, and shops. From reggae to UK Grime DJs, clubs compete to bring world-class DJs to the area, and the clubs have become known as a place where underground House music breaks through into the mainstream.
Protaras
Protaras is another big resort areas in Cyprus, also located in the southeastern corner of the island near the town of Paralimni, not far from Ayia Napa. With sandy beaches and waters the color of the sky, Protaras is a near-perfect Mediterranean holiday destination. The best-known beach in the area is Fig Tree Bay, where tourists flock to sunbathe and enjoy the refreshing fruit cocktails. Like Ayia Napa, the town of Protaras itself is filled with shops that cater to tourists, and the restaurants offer fresh seafood that no one can turn down.
Other Things to Do and See in Cyprus
If resort areas aren't your thing, Cyprus is an island with a long history and lively cities that are certainly worth exploring. Ancient ruins from the days when Greece ruled supreme in the European world are scattered throughout the island, especially near the city of Limassol. Outside Limassol, you can find the remains of a Greek theatre and a temple to Apollo.
But on the island of Cyprus, history is more complex than just ancient Greece. In fact, Cyprus has been inhabited since at least 10,000 BC, when humans first arrived and started to settle the island. The Neolithic village of Khirokitia is a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates to 6,800 BC.
Much later, during the Middle Ages, Cyprus became a part of the Byzantine Empire. Unfortunately, no architecture survives from this era of Cyprus's history, as the Levant people (from what is today Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and Jordan), began raiding Cyprus in 649 AD. However, what does remain in Cyprus is evidence of the later influence of the Ottoman Empire, which took Cyprus over in 1570. The fusion of Greek and Turkish culture still dominates Cyprus today, and even if this fusion can be sometimes uneasy, the results in Cypriot food, art, and culture makes Cyprus a fascinating and fun place to visit for any tourist.
