Guide to Cyprus in Russian. Everything about holidays in Cyprus: reviews, tips, guide. Southern Cyprus and TRNC

Many will remember how several years ago Channel One regularly aired the “Cyprus in your heart” advertisement. Footage from beautiful girl in an airy dress on the seashore abruptly gave way to the ruins of ancient Greek buildings, then to a luxurious spa area and again to the beach. How not to pay attention to such attractive views? The ad worked. And now Cyprus is one of the most popular destinations among Russian tourists. This year alone, the country took fourth place in the ranking of the online travel agency OZON.travel.

The territory of the island is historically divided into two parts. In the south is the Republic of Cyprus, and in the north is Turkey. Turkish part does not attract tourists as much due to the turbulent situation and the lack of such rich history like in the south. Therefore, our guide will be dedicated specifically to the Republic of Cyprus.

What to visit

Like Cyprus, it is full of various myths and wonders. If you want to experience the culture Ancient world, go to ancient churches or the remains of cities.

Archaeological Park Kato Paphos

Museum under open air, the main part of which is excavations ancient city Nea Paphos receives hundreds of interested tourists every day. In addition to the excavations, on the territory there is a House of Mosaics, where images of Theseus, Achilles and other heroes of the Iliad are displayed. Here you can ride charming donkeys, which are the symbol of Cyprus. Local residents offer this service in almost all places where tourists appear, and, by the way, they earn quite a bit of money from those for whom this is truly exotic.

Kato Pafo is on the list World Heritage UNESCO.

Petra tou Romiou

The second name of this place is Aphrodite's Rock. It was here, according to legend, that the goddess of love emerged from the sea foam. You are unlikely to be able to swim, since the sea in the vicinity of the rock is quite dangerous, but tourists appreciate this place for the abundance of traditional taverns overlooking the birthplace of Aphrodite.

Lefkara village

Almost every Travel Company invites you to visit a traditional Cypriot village. This is quite interesting, because despite the fact that there are few real locals left in this village, and everything has long been converted for tourists, here you can see how the life and life of those who still run their own households and are a little isolated from tourist cities work.

The excursion program usually includes a visit to shrines, namely: the Church of the Holy Cross, where a piece of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord is kept, the Museum of Folk Crafts, lunch or dinner and a walk through the charming streets of the village. Believe me, sometimes you can learn more interesting things while walking around the city than while visiting museums.

Lefkara, like Kato Pafo, belongs to UNESCO.

Nissi Beach

As for the beaches of Cyprus, they are all beautiful, so there is no point in going to the other end of the island for one day at sea.

If you decide to stay in the city of Ayia Nana, famous throughout the world for its long bar street, where the music does not stop from early evening until late morning, then Nissi beach will be the most convenient for you. You can get there from the center in 10 minutes and for 10 euros by taxi. In addition to the azure hue of the water, which creates the illusion of being in the Maldives, vacationers highlight the island, located ten meters from the main beach. There you can lay down a towel and enjoy sunbathing at a short distance from the main stream of people. There is also a cliff here that you can jump from.

Advice: if you have never done this or are prone to panic, then it is better to refrain. Located directly above the rock big stones, which you can easily hit if you don’t push off enough.

How to get around the island

The island itself is quite small, its length is only 225 kilometers, so you can travel around it far and wide. To do this yourself, rent a car. But be aware that Cyprus is a former British colony, so, like in the UK, you drive on the left.

The cost of renting a car for a day is 20-30 euros.

If a car is too commonplace for you, take a scooter, an ATV, or even the most popular look transport – . Sometimes renting a buggy can cost you 100 euros, but considering that this is the average cost of a one-day excursion, it is not that expensive.

We strongly recommend renting one of Vehicle, because, as experience shows, the most interesting and fascinating places are not touristic at all, so finding them on foot will be quite difficult. Moving around east coast islands, you can visit Cape Greco National Forest Park, Konnos Beach and find many benches right next to the cliff where you can take a break and enjoy the blue of the Mediterranean Sea.

What to eat

Make it a rule when visiting countries located by the sea to try local seafood. This is not only useful, but also interesting, because even the most banal shrimp dish, for example, in every country, and even in every city, has its own interpretation.

To try local cuisine, visit a small tavern. Just a small one, because most often they work in such establishments local residents, who definitely know a lot about traditional Cypriot cuisine, and are not aimed at attracting tourists.

Having found such a restaurant, be sure to try the meze (sometimes meat and fish), the national kebab - souvlaki, moussaka, baklava and local vodka - zivania.

If you want delicious seafood with a modern twist, be sure to visit Ocean Basket in Ayia Napa. You definitely won't leave hungry.

Where to stay

In Cyprus, as in most European resorts, it is rare to find an all-inclusive service, especially in Ayia Napa. Small three-star hotels of the same type are more popular here. We can safely recommend one of them to you.

River Rock

The youth hotel was built in Napa exactly in the middle between bar street and the beach, which makes its location almost ideal, because you can walk no more than five to seven minutes from there to there. The hotel consists of two buildings. Each one has a swimming pool and a bar with refreshing drinks. In the main building there is a restaurant where you can try European and traditional dishes. This hotel is becoming an undoubted favorite for hookah lovers, because, despite the large number of young people and all kinds of clubs and restaurants, it is very difficult to find a good hookah.

The hotel rooms are similar to those in any other hotels: light design, bright accents, panoramic windows and balconies. But when booking a room in another similar hotel, you need to understand that you may be unlucky and have to live in a different place modern conditions. Apparently, travel agencies or hotel owners profit dishonestly from this, because they often ask to pay extra for room improvements, although this is not stated anywhere. There is no such risk at River Rock since the entire hotel is brand new. The reception desk is open 24 hours a day, which is important because, unfortunately, being in a foreign country, anything can happen.

What to bring

Olives

It's no secret that the first thing Cyprus is proud of is olives. Therefore, bring these fruits and oils from them to yourself and your loved ones. There are several types of them sold in stores: some are intended to be added to food, others solely for flavor. It’s better to check with store employees or look for ones that have a tag in Russian. And since the island has already “Russified”, there are many of them there, so you won’t get lost.

Pay attention to cosmetic products containing olive oil. Face and body creams will perfectly moisturize and restore your skin from dryness, because, whatever one may say, the sun and salty water do not have a positive effect on the condition of our skin.

Spices

Cyprus is also famous for its abundance of spices, so if you want to give your dishes a unique taste, be sure to bring yourself a couple. On store shelves you will find many different sets, including gift sets. Even if you've never used them in cooking and don't know what you can mix them with, don't be alarmed, usually each type comes with an insert with detailed information about the origin of the product and a recommendation where it can be added.

Beverages

Due to the close proximity to Greece, both territorially and culturally, Metaxa is sold on every corner in Cyprus - a strong alcoholic drink, a mixture of brandy and wine, which all tourists love so much. You can try it in any restaurant, so if you like it, be sure to bring it home. This is a wonderful gift. And if you are worried about being overweight on the flight home, you can buy it at Duty Free, he's definitely there.

In Cyprus, many locals are involved in winemaking, so please yourself and your loved ones with a bottle of good wine. The most common varieties are: red - Mavro, Maratheftiko and Carignan and white - Xinesteri, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscat.

We hope your holiday in warm Cyprus will be a little better thanks to our tips!

Hurray - the live edition has arrived, smelling so deliciously of printing ink! "Cyprus Dictionary" is the first guidebook in the history of the island, originally published in Russian, in the original and unique dictionary format. 300 pages, even more articles, many author's photographs - all this in high-quality colorful execution.

The project of a guide to Cyprus, which was prepared for several years, found material embodiment thanks to the help of the site you are on now - "Turister.ru", whose administration happily picked up the idea of ​​​​cooperation. Meet the first book from the "Tourist Library"!

So that you can imagine what awaits you inside, I will give an example of one of the articles:

AmbelopeyLya Αμπελοπούλια

A clear embodiment of the expression “the forbidden fruit is sweet.” Actually, in Cyprus, this is the name given to cute birds from the order of passerines - black-headed warblers that migrate through the island, and at the same time, Ambelopoulia is a delicious food that is strictly prohibited by law. Despite the ban, issued as early as 1974, the dish is considered a traditional delicacy, comparable in importance and significance, perhaps, to frog legs for the French, and is extremely popular among the inhabitants of the island. Represents a portion of several small songbirds (not necessarily the warblers mentioned, variations are possible). Every year in Cyprus, about 2.5 million birds of various species, including rare and endangered ones, are killed by poachers. From time immemorial, birds have been caught in snares or on sticks coated with syrup, to which the legs of whole flocks of birds perch on them stick.


Adherence to tradition sometimes leads to political scandals. In the fall of 2015, the legislator, the one who makes laws, must strictly abide by them, a member of the Cypriot parliament from the ruling party published on Twitter a photograph of a large dish with ambelopoula. Under the photo there was an optimistic caption: “Soon in our restaurants! Happy Holidays!". This message caused a storm of indignation, and comrades in the political party issued a special statement, distancing themselves from their colleague’s demarche and declaring that “everyone is responsible for their own actions.” However, it is no secret to anyone that the majority of righteously indignant government officials are ready to fight this phenomenon only in words, and, most likely, they have simply not yet been caught eating these birds.

You will never find mention of Ambelopoulia in any menu, and the places where it can be served are known only to a certain circle of “initiates”. The likelihood that you (a foreigner) will be offered to try this dish somewhere is almost zero. The cost of one portion of ambelopulia can reach up to 200 €, and one bird weighing 15-20 grams costs 10 euros on the black market. So Ambelopulya, in addition to everything else, is also a serious criminal business that brings in huge income. To avoid punishment, captures are often carried out within the UK (see below). Akrotiri and Dhekelia).

Of course, they are struggling with this business. The police are trying to track down the places where Ambelopulya is offered, and the “just say no” campaign is being addressed to the common people, recommending the rejection of the barbaric tradition.

Price guide to Cyprus with delivery by Russian Post 19.95 € (1459 rubles). If you need urgent delivery, you can pay another 999 rubles and receive the book in three days. The cost of the book in Cyprus is 25 €, with free delivery by courier within 1 day.

How to pay from Russia:

Option 1 (the simplest):
Place money on Megafon phone number +7 925 504 85 25 (Moscow) in any way, including through a terminal. This is the simplest and most effective option. At the same time, you need to send a message to this number - from whom we received the money (full name), so that we do not get confused, and the delivery address with index.

Do you want your holiday in Cyprus to turn into unforgettable event? I will really help you do this: I will take you to rare and even places unknown to most guides, I will show the island as few people see it and few people can show it to you. As the author of the first guide to this country in Russian in the history of Cyprus (see my blog via the link in the left menu), I am familiar with the most hidden corners of this island.

Also note multi-day tours with accommodation - together with excursions it is incredibly cheap!

If suddenly I don’t pick up the phone, then perhaps I have an excursion, in this case, please send an SMS and I will call you back as soon as I can, well, well in the best possible way Contact me is email.

Important: when traveling in Cyprus, a country with left-hand traffic, especially mountain roads, you must choose a professional driver with safe and emergency driving skills who is responsible for ensuring the health of you and your children. As an experienced driver who has driven more than a million kilometers without an accident, I can guarantee that you and your children will be in complete safety on Cypriot roads.

Excursions around Cyprus are possible from any city where you live: Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca, Ayia Napa, Protaras, Paralimni, Nicosia, Polis, Kyrenia and Famagusta.

ATTENTION: FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, PAYMENT IN RUBLES, as well as in any other currency, is POSSIBLE national currency(for example hryvnia), bank cards VISA, Mastercard, Yandex electronic money, QIWI, WM, PayPal and many other methods.

Specializations:

group excursions, individual excursions, meeting at the airport, transfer, ticket booking, car rental, written translation

Useful information about Cyprus for tourists

General information about the country

English language is the second official language and will be widely used in circulation. Knowledge and use of French and German are increasing.

Visa and official organizations in Cyprus and Russia
Russian citizens require a Cyprus visa to visit Cyprus, which can be applied for at the Consulate of the Republic of Cyprus in Russia. Entry is possible with Schengen visas.
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Banks open to serve the public from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Some banks in tourist areas open after lunch.

Currency and traveler's checks
Since 2008, the official currency in Cyprus is the euro. There are no restrictions on the import of cheques, traveler's checks and other financial documents.

Electrical voltage: 230 volts.

Three-pin sockets with grounding.
Medicines

All types of medicines and medical supplies are available in pharmacies throughout Cyprus. Vaccinations:

not required. Telephone: Essentially Cyprus automatic international telephone communication with 206 countries of the world. mobile connection

available almost anywhere on the island.
Antique items

It is prohibited to lift archaeological treasures from the bottom of the sea or remove them from the territory of Cyprus without special permission from the competent authorities.
Religious features

Visitors to Cyprus must respect religious traditions. Visiting monasteries and churches in shorts and low-cut clothing is prohibited. January 1 and 6; March 25; April 1; May 1; August 15; October 1 and 28; December 25 and 26. The dates of the other 4 public holidays vary each year: Green Monday (50 days before Greek Orthodox Easter), Friday and Monday of Easter and the Great Flood.

Store opening hours
WITH May to September: 08.00-13.00 16.00-19.00
from October to April: 08.00-13.00 14.30-18.00
Shops are closed on Sundays and on Wednesdays and Saturdays after lunch.

Climate: moderate with big amount sunny days throughout the year.
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be careful when swimming on the west coast of Cyprus, for example, on Agios Georgios beach near the village of Peyia (near Paphos).
Sea near west coast Cyprus is known for its strong underwater currents.

How to get to Cyprus

Two international airport in Larnaca and Paphos.

Two sea ​​ports in Limassol and Larnaca.

Two yacht harbors: in Larnaca under the management of K.O.T. and private in Limassol.

30 direct flights connect Cyprus with most countries in Europe and the Middle East, which guarantees air connectivity with the whole world.

 

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