Cyprus: what to choose Limassol or Paphos. Paphos or Larnaca which is better? What kind of entertainment are there?

For many Russian tourists have long become home. Guests from the east managed to try a variety of hotels and vacation spots located on the very shore or in the depths of the island, in major cities and modest villages. Now it’s easy for them to answer the question, which is better, or. Let’s try to figure out what is behind the famous Cypriot resorts, what level of recreation they offer, and how they will delight new guests who have reached the blessed shores of Cyprus.

Larnaca or Paphos – where are the coolest beaches?

Since Larnaca is not considered one of the iconic resorts of Cyprus, you can’t expect any special impressions from its beaches. On the other hand, many of them have the so-called Blue Flags, which indicates the cleanliness of the beach areas and the sea, thoughtfulness, and organization of a safe holiday for tourists.

All places are equipped, even those that are located at some distance from the center of resort life. Holidays by the sea are free; you can use your own umbrellas and sun loungers or rent them for a nominal fee. What is important is that the territory is not so large, especially in comparison with other Cypriot resorts, but there are beaches aimed at different categories of vacationers: Finikoudes - children's beach; "Yanates" - for snorkeling enthusiasts; "Pharos" - for the quiet family vacation; “Mackenzie” is for active, fun-loving youth.

Everyone can choose a beach in Larnaca and its surroundings that suits their interests. In the list of Cypriot cities, Paphos does not have enough stars in the sky, but it is not trailing behind, it is a typical resort, with all the appropriate attributes of a good, quality holiday. The hotel range is represented by hotels, hotels, complexes with different levels of star rating.

The beaches of Paphos are sandy and rocky; in some places the shores are rocky, making it difficult to enter the sea. Coral Bay is home to one of the most... best beaches resort, the second beach adored by tourists is located in Lara Bay. It is also different in that there is a nature reserve nearby, the main inhabitants of which are green sea turtles.

Diving in the resorts of Cyprus

Larnaca, by Cypriot standards, is considered a relatively small resort, but on its territory you can find 7 diving training centers and schools. The purpose of most of them is to show tourists the main underwater treasure, the Zenobia, a cargo ferry that was sunk more than 40 years ago. Over the decades, the ship has turned into a beautiful artificial reef, which has become a home for hundreds of inhabitants of the seabed and representatives of underwater fauna.

Diving to admire the ferry is not for beginners, as it is quite difficult. But, if you try, you can go through several levels of training, get certificates and still see a fantastic underwater spectacle.

In terms of diving, Paphos is in no way inferior to Larnaca; there are a sufficient number of various dive centers where training underwater diving comes from scratch. Those with little experience can take courses and receive certificates at the next level. In addition to training, local divers offer many points for mastering theory in practice; not far from the coast you can find many beautiful and interesting underwater places.

Shopping in Cyprus resorts

Larnaca, which is small in size, has prepared excellent shopping for its guests; there are several streets intended for shopping for souvenirs, gifts, fashionable clothes, and jewelry. Popular souvenirs – ceramic dishes self made, silver items, designer, but not very expensive. In the neighboring village of Lefkara live skilled craftswomen who weave exquisite linen lace, although such beauty costs a lot of money.

Souvenirs in Paphos are, in principle, the same as in all other resorts in Cyprus. Among edible, delicious gifts for relatives, tourists prefer to buy olive oil, olives themselves, Cypriot wines, including the island’s brand – Commandaria dessert wine. Among the “inedible” souvenirs, one can note models of ships and sailing ships, dolls in national Cypriot clothes, silver and lace. The most “authentic” gift is called the figurine of the beautiful goddess Aphrodite, since it appeared from the foam of the sea off the coast of Paphos.

The most primitive comparison of two Cypriot resorts allows you to see common features and differences.

Larnaca will be chosen by those tourists who:

you need a quiet rest, away from people;
they are not too picky about the color of the sand, but they are scrupulous about its purity;
dream of seeing the main underwater site of Cyprus and love diving;
love silver jewelry and handmade items.

The famous Cypriot resort of Paphos is suitable for travelers who:

dream of a classic quality holiday;
they love unusual beach landscapes and are not afraid to swim near the rocks;
ready to learn diving skills and explore depths of the sea;
They are not going to leave the island without delicious souvenirs and a bottle of dessert wine.

For the first time, travelers usually face the choice of a resort that is suitable for them. If the problem of this choice is close to you, this article is just for you. The most popular are and. However, there is a significant difference between them, and it would be a shame to make the wrong choice. So let's try to figure out what is better - chic Paphos or modest Larnaca?

Climate

As for the air and water temperature, despite the fact that Larnaca is located at east coast, and Paphos is in the west, the temperatures in them practically do not differ. The only thing is that it’s not so hot in Paphos.

Advantages and features of Paphos and Larnaca

This luxury resort for people who are not burdened with family responsibilities and the need to save money. Concentrated here great amount offers for lovers of active recreation. SPA treatments, horseback riding, diving and snorkeling, excursions and entertainment activities- everything is at your disposal. In addition, Paphos considers very interesting attractions of the island their home, such as, archaeological park Kato Paphos, the monastery of Chrysoroyatissa and the famous rock of Aphrodite. So for an inquisitive mind, Pathos will be the best solution.

Disadvantages of resorts

Taking into account only the shortcomings of these resorts, it is worth noting Pathos’ lack of preparation for the arrival of young travelers. There is absolutely no entertainment for children in the city, and in general, relaxing in Paphos with a child will not be very convenient.

One of the disadvantages of Larnaca is its undeveloped entertainment infrastructure. Young and energetic people here will most likely become bored after just a few days of constant lying in the sun and swimming in the warm sea. By the way, about the sea. In Paphos, according to tourists, the water is much cleaner than in Larnaca.

conclusions

For budget tourists, for families with children or pensioners, or simply for those who like to spend their whole vacation being lazy under the scorching sun the best option there will be Larnaca. are also considered one of the best in Cyprus, so if you are not strapped for finances, enjoy leisure and all kinds of crowded events, go here and don’t hesitate - this resort is definitely for you. As for accommodation, there are enough hotels to suit every budget and taste.

But other than that, as the well-known song says, think for yourself, decide for yourself what exactly you expect from this vacation, and what you would like to avoid. In any case, all resorts in Cyprus are full of pleasant surprises, so you certainly can’t go wrong.

Good day!

I returned from another trip and am happy to share my impressions. I thought for a long time about how to structure my review, because in 7 days of vacation I saw almost the entire island. I decided to write one, but very detailed review.

I hope I can convey at least a little of the euphoria in which I myself arrive.

Happy reading!

LET'S GET STARTED

Travel date from 06/09/2017 to 06/16/2017.

Places to visit- Nicosia, Protaras, Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Limassol, the birthplace of Aphrodite, Paphos (Latchi).

Main place of residence- Limassol.

Average air temperature- 39 C. But it also happened higher.

Sea- Mediterranean

9.06.2017 our (me and my husband) plane landed at the airport in Larnaca and it was from that moment that our adventures began. We lived in our friend's house. He met us and took us to his home in Limassol. Therefore, I can’t say anything about Larnaca. The only thing we could see was the airport. Nice, clean and smelling duty free.

DAY 1 Limassol

The city is very modern. This is especially noticeable compared to other cities on the island. Here you can find skyscrapers. And if I understood correctly, then the main money of the island is concentrated there. Here you can find office work, provided you know English or Greek.

Our home for these 7 days was located not far from the Oval office building, which was still under construction.

Some photos of Limassol.

DAY 2 - 3 Protaras, Ayia Napa

The next day we received a shock dose of impressions. The day was busy, but believe me, you don’t feel tired at all in Cyprus, because there is such beauty all around, and you can sleep well at home.

Road through the streets of Ayia Napa

The first beach we visited was the beach in the village of Protaras. The water is perfectly clean, the bottom is sandy. There are no papers, bottles, etc. Although it is very interesting, since the beaches are all municipal, which means that public utilities work well.

Nissi Beach - the beach in Ayia Napa is considered the most popular place in Cyprus. Here, already at 10 am, there is nowhere for an apple to fall and it is difficult to find a parking space. By the way, Cypriots all drive cars. If you meet a pedestrian in the city, it will definitely be a tourist =) Therefore, parking is often a problematic issue.

It is on Nissi Beach that young people have fun. There are many bars and discos on the shore. There is plenty of entertainment for every budget.

Even that day we went on a boat ride.

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At lunchtime you can have a snack in one of the taverns. Prices differ by a couple of euros.

This is a portion for one. Dorado fish, fries and stewed vegetables 8 euros. A very tasty, filling and healthy lunch.

DAY 4 Nicosia

My husband once lived and worked in this city and he wanted to show me this city. Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus, but to my surprise the city is much simpler than Limassol. Maybe because it is non-tourist? But Nicosia also has its own history and peculiarity. Now I will take you through the streets of the old city.

This is a Cypriot woman in national costume.

This is what the mail looks like

Prices in Nicosia are more expensive than in Limassol markets.

There are many brand stores in the city. I was very impressed perfect road, and all over the island.

Here's another surprise. Where the traffic lights are located there is such a button, if a person needs to cross, he simply presses the green button and WAIT is displayed on the display (sorry not visible in the photo) and soon the green color turns on.

Tangerines grow along the roads, but don’t rush to try them. They are terribly bitter =)

And this is public transport.

A little more beauty of the city.

This time we dined on gyros. Very tasty stuff. I RECOMMEND!

Gyros - dish Greek cuisine, similar to Turkish doner or Arabic shawarma. The difference is that the gyros with meat and sauce come with French fries.

Pork is wrapped in pita (like we sell shawarma, this kind of meat), vegetables, sauce and fries. I can’t say it’s healthy, but it’s incredibly tasty =). Gyros in Nicosia cost 4.5 euros each.

DAY 5 Limassol

Walking along the beach of Limassol (apparently we were already spoiled by its beauty), we were not impressed at all. Some kind of gray sand, and the beach is not very good. And our friend decided to prove that in Limassol there is still beautiful beach and it's called Ladyz Miles.

It is located near the British military base. Tourists most likely don’t go there, but the locals love it. Now I’ll show you a photo and everything will become clear.

There was NO ONE on the beach in the morning =) We sunbathed there for half a day and during all this time a maximum of 5 people came.

Here the water is crystal clear, the bottom is sandy and very shallow. Turtles often nest on this beach, so if a person interferes with it or offends it, then the fine is 14 thousand euros!

DAY 6 Birthplace of Aphrodite, Paphos (Latchi)

On the way to Paphos we stopped at historical Museum(I don’t remember exactly what it’s called). Excavations were carried out there and the life of the ancient Greeks was found.

Cyprus is a beautiful country that is popular among travelers. It offers a lot of different resorts that can satisfy the wishes of any tourist. Many are interested in the most popular of them, so the question arises: what is better - Limassol or Larnaca, and where to relax?

Price

In translation, Limassol means “Middle City”, which indicates its central location in relation to the most significant attractions. By visiting this resort, tourists have the opportunity to see the most beautiful and important places in the country.

Various tourists meet here, including young people, families and fashionable people. This is explained by the fact that the resort is not very expensive, but it cannot be called the cheapest either.

Larnaca is a very old resort town in the country. It was here that archaeologists found human traces that are more than 600 years old. Nowadays, the city lives and develops thanks to tourism. It is suitable for budget holiday, so families who do not have very high incomes, students, as well as elderly people can come here. What can't be said about Paphos - another resort town, which also attracts travelers.

If you are wondering which is better - Limassol, Paphos or Larnaca, then it all depends on your financial situation.

Pathos is designed for wealthy people. Most of them are British and Germans. The resort is absolutely not suitable for families with children, because there are few hotels here that can offer accommodation for children.

City beaches

When trying to figure out which is better - Limassol or Larnaca, you should talk about their beaches. You won't be bored in both cities. Lovers of silence and more have a relaxing holiday prefer the beaches of Limassol. Most of them are sandy, they have a gentle slope, and the infrastructure is well developed. Therefore, you can come here with children.

The most popular beach is Lady's Miles, on the shores of which there are hotels, restaurants and rental shops. In addition, here you can use the services of instructors who teach aerobics for both adults and children.

The disadvantage of the beach is the large flow of people.

Larnaca is also not inferior to Limassol in terms of quality and quantity of beaches. The most popular here is Mackenzie Beach, which gives tourists the opportunity to watch planes land.

Since both resorts are famous for their good beach infrastructure, let’s look at what they have in common:

Accessibility - the beaches of both cities are located in the main tourist areas, so getting to them is not difficult and does not take long. This can be done using public transport.
Comfortable - you can rent everything you need at rental shops. You can also have a delicious meal in one of the restaurants or cafeterias.
Night life— regardless of the time of year, discos and clubs are always open on the country’s beaches, which often organize interesting concerts and themed parties.

Both Larnaca and Limassol have abandoned beaches covered with rocky pebbles. They are quite difficult to get to, but they are still very popular among tourists who value privacy.

Safety

As for safety, Larnaca has a fairly calm and cozy atmosphere. The main thing is not to neglect personal safety measures, in which case you have nothing to fear. It is recommended to put all valuables and documents in a safe. On the beach, you should carefully monitor your belongings. There is no need to leave bags or wallets in a visible place in the car.

In Limassol, strict but fair police officers carefully monitor order. Here tourists can be completely calm, because cases of theft are very rare.

What kind of entertainment are there?

If we talk about entertainment in Limassol or Larnaca, which is better to choose, it is difficult to say, because everything depends on the desires of the tourist.

Since Limassol is a resort that has no age restrictions, there is entertainment for everyone here. Young audiences are encouraged to visit water parks, which offer a variety of different rides and extreme slides. Older travelers prefer spas, swimming pools, and wellness centers. In the city you can go horseback riding or different types sports With the arrival of summer, Limassol becomes the center of many festivals.

Larnaca's main entertainment centers around the beautiful, calm promenade. Here a tourist can take a walk, admiring the exotic trees and seascapes. There are many on the embankment interesting restaurants, as well as taverns, which are made in ethnic style.

Near Limassol there are ruins of ancient cities, such as Kourion and Amathus. The tourist has the opportunity to see how people lived in ancient times, as well as get acquainted with Greek legends.

There are also monuments that date back to a later time. For example, the citadel, which was built in the 14th century. In the past there was a Byzantine castle with a chapel here. It was here that one of the most important events in world history took place - the marriage of Richard the Lionheart to Berengaria, who became Queen of England.

Larnaca is famous for its ancient historical monuments. Here you can visit the ruins of the first Christian churches and other ancient Greek sanctuaries. There is the church of Panagia Angeloktisti, which is associated with a legend that the builders of this temple were angels. Inside there is an image of the Mother of God.

If we talk about which is better - Larnaca or Limassol in winter, then preference should be given to the first option. Larnaca has salt lakes, which with the arrival of winter are visited by beautiful flamingos.

Limassol or Larnaca - which is better?

By comparing resorts and reviewing them, you can draw conclusions that will help you make a decision.

Limassol is suitable for those who:

Loves sightseeing.
Prefers beaches with a gentle slope.
Fascinated by myths Ancient Greece.
Loves to have fun.

Larnaca should be preferred by those who:

Loves comfort for a small price.
Prefers to take promenades along the embankment.
Interested in churches and temples.

Now you can understand for yourself which is better - Limassol or Larnaca.

These two resorts deserve your attention. Each of them has interesting places and quality service. Now you know where to relax in Larnaca or Limassol, all you have to do is make a choice.

Cyprus has firmly occupied its tourism niche and is not going to give up its position to anyone. On the contrary, every year the resorts become more beautiful and well-groomed, and the leisure and entertainment industry is developing. Tourists have a problem, or some other resort. How to choose the right city for your vacation? You need to compare it according to several parameters, for example, the price of accommodation, entertainment, interesting places and, of course, most importantly, beaches.

Limassol or Larnaca – where is vacation more expensive?

The name Limassol translates quite simply - “Middle City”, it really occupies a central position in relation to important attractions. Therefore, while relaxing at this resort, you can have time to see all the best and most beautiful. In Limassol you can meet a variety of tourists - a fashionable crowd, young people trying to save money on their vacation, parents with children. Therefore, we can say that the resort (like the name) is at the level of average prices on the island; it is not the most expensive, but a holiday here cannot be called cheap either.

Larnaca is one of the oldest in Cyprus; archaeological research has found traces of human habitation that are more than 600 years old. Today the city lives off tourists, and the prices for holidays here are very affordable, which allows families with low incomes, students, and elderly people living off their pensions to have a good time.

Beaches of Limassol and Larnaca

Limassol beaches are very convenient and comfortable, which is why they are loved by both young tourists and older travelers. Most beaches are covered with sand, some are pebbly. The descent into the water is gentle, which only adds to the pleasure of those taking sea baths. The infrastructure is developed, although coastline not as wide as on other beaches in Cyprus. There is an opportunity to do water aerobics, ride various swimming equipment, play and play sports.

The beach areas in Larnaca are quite large, well-equipped, many of them are awarded Blue flags, which means you don’t have to worry about cleanliness and safety. Minus local beaches– the color of the sand is grayish, it doesn’t look very nice in photographs. But you can find areas with accompanying infrastructure for coastal recreation for children (Phinikoudes beach), active youth (Mackenzie), and families (Pharos).

Entertainment

Since tourists of all age categories relax in Limassol, this means that the resort has entertainment for all tastes. Water parks with a full range of extreme slides and attractions are suitable for young audiences. Respectable tourists choose spas, health centers, and heated water pools. At this resort you can practice various sports, even go horseback riding. IN summer time The city hosts many festivals that leave an unforgettable experience.

Larnaca's main attractions are centered around beautiful embankment– these are walks in the shade of exotic trees, stunning seascapes, many restaurants or taverns in ethnic style.

Not far from Limassol are located ancient cities(or rather, ruins) Amathus and Kourion, so you can see how ancient people lived and hear many legends from the history of Greece. One of them says that the beautiful Ariadne was in Amathus, who taught Theseus how to defeat the Minotaur and get out of the labyrinth.

Monuments of later times have been preserved in Limassol, including a citadel built in the 14th century. Previously, a Byzantine castle with a chapel stood on this site, where an important event for world history took place - Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria, who was destined to become the Queen of England.

Larnaca carefully preserves its historical monuments, many of them date back more than one century. Remnants can be found here ancient city, and there are ruins of both ancient Greek sanctuaries and the first Christian churches. The church of Panayia Angeloktisti dates back to the reign of Byzantium; a beautiful legend is associated with it that this temple was built by angels. The main rarity is kept inside the church - an image of the Mother of God dating back to the 4th century.

A comparison of two Cypriot resorts allows us to draw the following conclusions about each of them and about the tourists who choose them.

Travelers coming to Limassol are:

they want to go everywhere and see everything;
love good beaches with silicon sand and gentle slope;
prefer resorts with big amount entertainment;
know ancient Greek myths and dream of following in the footsteps of their heroes.

Larnaca is chosen by tourists who:

would like to relax in comfort, but relatively inexpensively;
do not pay attention to the color of the sand on the beach;
cannot live without a promenade along the embankment;
want to get to know the ancient temples and churches of Cyprus better.

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