DK Travel : Cyprus

Cyprus packs a remarkable array of sights and attractions into such a small space: museums and archaeological sites that span more than five millennia of history, throbbing beach resorts, medieval fortresses, age-old temples standing on empty hillsides, cool mountain forests and pretty valleys chequered with vineyards, grain fields and olive groves all complete the landscape. On an island where one can swim and ski all in the same day, this is truly a holiday paradise with something for everyone.

Petra Gialias

This is a shallow dive set around large offshore boulders. Surrounding these rocks the sea bed attracts huge shoals of smaller fish, as well as the occasional octopus or larger fish such as grouper and barracuda.
Petra tou Romiou

Legend claims that Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty, was born from the sea-foam on this pebbly bay, which is dominated by rugged limestone crags rising from the sea. Other myths say these boulders were hurled at the ships of Saracen corsairs by Digenis Akritas, the paladin of the Byzantine frontier.
Phoebe Mosaic Workshop, Lania

Specializing in colourful mosaics, both copies of famous ancient works and modern originals. They can arrange for larger items to be shipped to home.
Pierides Foundation Museum, Larnaka

The oldest private museum on the island, with an eclectic collection of Roman and Byzantine treasures, as well as examples of local island crafts and traditional costumes (see Pierides Foundation Museum, Larnaka).
Pierides Foundation Museum, Larnaka

The Pierides Museum was founded by a wealthy collector and philanthropist, and displays as its most colourful and interesting exhibits village costumes and old-fashioned tools and farm implements that, astonishingly, only ceased to be in everyday use as recently as a decade ago. There’s also a huge collection of delicate Roman glass and some fine old embroidery, lace and silver jewellery. In addition, this well laid-out collection features some fascinating ancient relics, most notably the famous “Howling Man”, a 5,000-year-old terracotta figure. Red-and-black bowls and vases and terracotta figures excavated from archaeological sites all over Cyprus have found a home here, as well as a collection of medieval maps, weapons and armour. The Pierides Foundation also sponsors Larnaca’s fossil museum (see Pierides Foundation Museum, Larnaka).
Pierides Foundation Museum, Larnaka

Founded by a 19th-century philanthropist to rescue Cyprus’s vanishing heritage, this collection includes remarkable ancient idols and early 20thcentury traditional costumes (see Pierides Foundation Museum, Larnaka).
Pissouri

A hilltop location above a beach lapped by clear blue water makes Pissouri one of the most sought-after addresses on the south coast for expats. A great combination of peace and quiet, choice of places to eat and drink, and low-key nightlife.
Pissouri

Pissouri is another great beach on Cyprus’s southern coast and is popular with families, water-skiers and windsurfers. There are plenty of places to eat and drink along the beach and at Pissouri village inland (see Pissouri Bay).
Pissouri Bay

Clear blue water, clean sand and pebbles, sun-loungers and umbrellas to rent, and a good choice of watersports.
Pitoresk Holiday Village, Kyrenia

A bungalow resort spread out around a garden filled with singing birds. Accommodation is in self-catering duplexes or studio apartments and there’s a large pool.

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