Cyprus

Kourion is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in Cyprus, perched high on a steep cliff overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean. This ancient city-kingdom features well-preserved Roman villas with intricate floor mosaics, early Christian basilicas, and a magnificent Greco-Roman theater that has been fully restored.

Kato Paphos Archaeological Park is a massive open-air museum housing ruins that date from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. The park is world-famous for its spectacular, well-preserved Roman villas featuring intricate floor mosaics that depict colorful scenes from Greek mythology.

Located in the northern sector of the old city, Buyuk Han is a magnificent, fully restored sixteenth-century Ottoman caravanserai. This grand stone fortress features a central courtyard with a small mosque, surrounded by two levels of beautiful arched galleries that now house local craft shops, cafes, and art studios.

The Church of Saint Lazarus is a magnificent late ninth-century Byzantine stone church built over the second tomb of Lazarus of Bethany. According to Christian tradition, Lazarus came to Cyprus after his resurrection by Jesus and served as the first bishop of Kition. The church features an exquisite, gold-gilded iconostasis and ancient stone architecture.

The Cyprus Museum is the oldest and largest archaeological museum on the island, housing an invaluable collection of artifacts tracing the history of Cyprus from the Neolithic Age to the early Byzantine period. The museum showcases beautifully preserved pottery, grand statues, and jewelry discovered across the island.

Limassol Marina is a luxurious waterfront development that blends modern apartments, yacht berths, and stylish shopping areas with historic stone warehouses. It serves as the social hub of the city, where visitors can walk along the docks to admire superyachts and enjoy dining directly over the water.

The Tombs of the Kings is a dramatic, rock-cut necropolis dating back to the fourth century BC. Despite the grand name, no royalty was actually buried here; instead, the site served as the final resting place for high-ranking administrative officials and aristocrats, featuring monumental underground chambers supported by solid Doric columns.

Ledra Street is the main pedestrian shopping artery of old Nicosia, lined with historic facades, modern shops, and lively outdoor cafes. The street ends abruptly at the UN buffer zone, where a pedestrian checkpoint allows visitors to cross between the southern Republic of Cyprus and the northern Turkish Cypriot sector.

Petra tou Romiou, also known as Aphrodite's Rock, is an iconic sea stack rising dramatically from the coastal waters. According to ancient Greek mythology, this beautiful geological formation is the exact spot where the goddess of love, Aphrodite, rose from the sea foam.

Larnaca Salt Lake is a beautiful complex of four salt lakes that serves as one of the most important wetlands in Cyprus. During the winter months, the lake fills with water and becomes a haven for thousands of migrating pink flamingos and other water birds. In the summer, the water evaporates, leaving a shimmering crust of pure white salt.

Located in the heart of the old town, Limassol Castle is a sturdy medieval fortress built over a Christian basilica. The castle has a rich history, serving as the legendary site where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre in 1191. Today, it houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum.

Finikoudes is Larnaca's premier sandy beach and seaside promenade, famous for its grand rows of towering palm trees planted in the early twentieth century. The area features a wide, sandy beach with calm, shallow waters, bordered by a lively pedestrian path filled with cafes, international restaurants, and shops.