With its beautiful beaches, picture perfect scenery and wide range of activities on offer, the legendary island of Cyprus is an island that will keep the whole family entertained. The third largest island in the Mediterrean, situated near Turkey, Syria and Lebanon and long covetted by both Turkey and Greece, Cyrpus has an amazing mix of cultural influences from Africa, Asia and Europe.
Whether you choose to spend your days relaxing and soaking up the sun or exploring the cultural delights that the island has to offer, you won’t be disappointed as Cyprus offers plenty of distractions to delight every member of the family. Many locations in Cyprus have been well and truly ‘discovered’ offerring a very comfortably family vacation if you like tourist destinations, however there are still plenty of off the beaten path beaches and villages to be found.
Discover Cyprus’ History
Situated on the south west of Aphrodite’s island, Paphos is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to Cyprus’ esteemed cultural treasures, making this excursion a must for anybody wanting to soak up some of the island’s rich history.
The world famous Tomb of the Kings is situated in this region and dates back to the turn of the 4th century. Despite its name, the tombs are not the final resting place of royalty, but instead house the last remains of around 100 aristocrats. Made and carved from solid rock, these tombs are an impressive piece of architecture and an important piece of local history.
Visiting the various sites at Paphos and the Tomb of the Kings are a fantastic and educational outing with children but they can be very hot. Opening hours are long so go before 11am or after 4pm when it’s cooler. Take hats, water and snacks.
For those interested in mythology, Paphos is also home to the Baths of Aphrodite. According to legend, the Greek Goddess of Love used to bathe here. This is also said to be the spot where she met her famous lover, Adonis.
Just above the baths, lovers of the outdoors shouldn’t miss the Aphrodite Trail, which follows the mythical route taken by Aphrodite and Adonis. Make sure to equip yourself with enough water for the whole family so that you can comfortably soak up the unforgettable spectacular views across the blue lagoons, even in warmer weather.
Visit the beach
Sitting amidst the azure waters of the Mediterrean, if there’s one thing Cyrpus excells at it’s stunning beaches and coastlines. From wide sandy expanses to rocky coves, from touristy stretches where you can enjoy every family friendly activity you can imagine to deserted beaches, Cyprus has them all.
Phinikoudes Beach in the heart of Lanarca is one of the island’s most popular beaches and is ideal for any family. Awarded a Blue Flag rating, the beach is a 500 metre-long stretch of fine grey sand and is situated close to many cafes, bars and restaurants. Phinikoudes beach is perfect for a lazy day of topping up your tan or dipping your toes in the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea which is usually calm, making it perfect for parents and kids to splash and stay safe. For the more active members of the family, there are numerous water sports on offer including jet skiing, snorkelling, and paddle boating.
Ride a camel
The Camel Park at Mazotos provides a fun experience for the whole family. Here, you can learn how to mount and ride a camel, as well as having the chance to help the keepers out at feeding time. There is also the opportunity to see other farm animals in the parks ‘Noah’s Ark’. For a little extra on your entry fee, you can also have the pleasure of using the park’s spectacular pool and taking full advantage of the poolside waiter service.
Make a splash at the water park
For the kids (and parents too!), WaterWorld Water Park in Ayia Napa is home to Europe’s biggest themed water park. Based on Greek mythology, the park boasts over fifteen slides and attractions. From twisty slides and vertical drop rides for the brave and daring to lazy rivers and bubble pools for those who’d rather chill out, WaterWorld Water Park is ideal for all ages and is a great way to cool down from the island’s hot climate.
