Cyprus is the kind of place where you can have breakfast by the beach, spend the afternoon driving through mountain villages, and end the day at a harbor lined with old fortresses and fishing boats.
It’s also the kind of place where Google Maps will confidently tell you a mountain drive takes 45 minutes when what it really means is 45 minutes of curves, switchbacks, and wondering whether the rental car company is going to notice what you’re doing to their brakes.
That’s part of the appeal, though. Cyprus road trips are less about checking famous landmarks off a list and more about the constant shift in scenery and atmosphere as you move around the island. One stretch of coastline feels heavily Greek, another distinctly Turkish, and inland villages can feel completely removed from the busy resort areas.
With a week, you’ll have enough time to see ancient ruins, beaches, mountain scenery, and some of the island’s more traditional towns without turning the entire trip into a marathon drive. This itinerary follows a practical loop around Cyprus, with stops that are actually worth pulling over for along the way.
How to get to Cyprus
Airport. Southern Cyprus has two international airports: Larnaca International Airport (LCA) and Paphos International Airport (PFO). Most travelers fly into Larnaca, which is the larger airport and usually has more flight and rental car options.
Visas. The Republic of Cyprus allows most U.S., Canadian, British, Australian, and EU passport holders to stay for up to 90 days without a visa.
Northern Cyprus is administered separately, so entry requirements may differ. If your road trip includes crossing into the north, check the current Turkish e visa requirements before traveling.
Where to stay in Cyprus
Because Cyprus is relatively small, you don’t have to unpack every night unless you want to. This itinerary uses four overnight bases to keep the driving manageable while still letting you see different parts of the island.
Suggested overnight stops:
- Limassol — 2 nights
- Paphos — 2 nights
- Girne (Kyrenia) — 1 night
- Nicosia — 1 night
If you prefer beaches and nightlife, you could easily spend more time around Paphos or Ayia Napa. If mountain villages and hiking are more your thing, consider adding an extra night in the Troodos region instead.
Getting around Cyprus
If you really want to see the country properly, a Cyprus road trip is the only way to go. Distances are relatively short, but many of the best places — especially mountain villages, coastal viewpoints, and smaller archaeological sites — are a pain to reach by bus.
You don’t necessarily need a large vehicle here, either. In fact, the island is full of narrow village streets and winding mountain roads, and smaller cars are often easier to navigate and park. If you’re still deciding what type of rental makes sense for this kind of trip, we've also covered choosing a car for a European road trip.
Cypriots drive on the left, so don't be caught off guard at roundabouts and smaller intersections. Most people adjust quickly, though traffic outside the larger cities is generally pretty manageable.
If you don’t fancy driving while you're here, there are other ways to get around Cyprus — although they may require more time and planning.
- Public buses. Cyprus relies heavily on buses outside the major cities. They’re inexpensive, but routes and schedules can be limiting in smaller towns and rural areas.
- Taxis and rideshares. Fine for short distances, airport transfers, or nights out, but costs add up quickly for longer trips around the island.
- Guided tours. You can browse guided tours and day trips around Cyprus if you’d rather not mess with navigation, parking, or border crossings into Northern Cyprus. Most tours include historical context you’d otherwise miss.
If you enjoy having restaurant recommendations, historical background, and offline maps handy while traveling, it’s worth bringing along a good Cyprus travel guide as well.
One week Cyprus itinerary
With a week on this Mediterranean island, you can get to most of the best places to see in Cyprus. Most people agree that this is just the right amount of time for visiting the top attractions of the sunny destination.
Planning a road trip around Cyprus may be intimidating if you’ve never visited the island. We’ve laid out the perfect itinerary for adventuring around the cities, visiting iconic historical sites, and venturing to charming restaurants. And of course, you'll also be indulging in lots of delicious Turkish and Greek food!
Our 7-day road trip includes wonderful Cyprus points of interest to visit, as well as a logical way to do this.
Day 1 – Arrive Limassol (South Cyprus)
On your first day, you’ll likely be picking up your rental car at the Cyprus airport, so all today's sightseeing happens on the way to your hotel. That will leave you time to unpack and spend the rest of the day as you wish.
Prepare to see a magical village and get the chance to spend some time on one of the dreamiest Cyprus beaches.
Village of Lefkara
On the highway towards Limassol, take the turnoff for Lefkara. While there are many Cyprus cities to visit, you don’t often have the chance to visit quaint villages like this.
Pano Lefkara is an enchanting old village tucked among the mountains, and its maze of cobbled streets, timeworn houses, and shops will take you back in time.
But the town's heritage is deeper than its stonework. Lefkara is renowned for its traditional lace and silversmithing, still made the same way they have been for centuries. Amid the lace and silver shops, women sit outside their houses and chat while making lace, while friendly craftsmen beckon you to show off the glittering silverware they have created.
ⓘ TIP: Lefkara lace is included on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Choirokoitia
Choirokoitia is a UNESCO world heritage site near Cyprus' southern coast. The Neolithic settlement offers an insight of living conditions in the region during prehistoric times.
Here you can see how they actually lived in the past. Five Neolithic buildings have been built using the same methods and materials, each containing replicas of household objects found during excavations. To top it off, the archaeologists have landscaped the area with native plants that have grown on the island since Neolithic times.
Limassol
Limassol, or Lemeso, is a quaint and colorful town that features gorgeous food stalls and plenty of spots for people-watching.
Wander around the Old Town, then head to the beach for a walk along a paved path lined with colorful beach stalls. Rent a thatched beach umbrella if you’re in the mood for relaxing in the warmth, or watch the dancers on the beach.
Stay in Limassol (2 nights)
Day 2 – Troodos mountains & Mount Olympus
Ready to marvel at something that's truly magnificent? This morning's drive will take you to the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus. It's just a short, one-hour journey from Limassol.
Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus is the highest point in Cyprus. Perfect for anyone who likes to hike, climb, mountain bike or embark on a gentle stroll.
If you’re not up for the physical side of it, there are some fantastic lookout points to enjoy—not to mention the scenic drive along the way!
Caledonia Waterfalls
The Caledonia Waterfalls are located in the village of Platres and just a short drive from Mount Olympus. A 1.8-mile (3 km) walk will lead you to one of the highest waterfalls in the region. The Caledonia Waterfalls trail runs through a lush valley and crosses streams and is guaranteed to be a rich experience. Don’t worry about the climb. It can be done at your own pace, and there are chances to take breaks along the way.
Timios Stavros
On your way back to Limassol, stop at Pelendri to visit Timios Stavrou (Holy Cross), one of the 10 Painted Churches in the Troodos Region. It was designated a world heritage site due to its exquisite wall murals that date from the 14th century. They are a unique blend of Byzantine Orthodox and Venetian Catholic styles and can be found nowhere else.
ⓘ TIP: In the wintertime, the region is full of numerous ski resorts that are perfect for a cold weather adventure.
Day 3 – Kourion
From Limassol, it’s a 20-minute drive to reach the ancient Kourion ruins. These ruins are the most impressive on the island and were once home to the most important city kingdoms.
At the site, you’ll have the opportunity to see the latest excavations and many significant finds. Consider partaking in a tour of the area. The tour is a total of 8 hours and includes wine tasting, a visit to Omodos village, and a personal guide for the ruins.
If you’re not joining a tour, then start your exploration at the amphitheater that shows off the incredible architecture and mosaic floors. From here, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the valley below.
Aphrodite's Rock
Next, it's time to head to Paphos (Pafos), which was the legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. She emerged from the seafoam there, stepping upon a rock that has come to be known as Aphrodite's Rock.
The rock is located offshore, about 20 minutes before you get to town. It's a popular tourist destination, partially because of a local myth, which says that anyone who swims around the Aphrodite Rock will be blessed with eternal beauty.
Shame it's not true.
Stay in Paphos (2 nights)
Day 4 – Paphos
Once you've had enough of the mountains and a taste of the inland, it's time to explore more of the coastline. From Limassol, meander through the roads that reveal breathtaking views before getting to Paphos.
One thing is for sure: you’ll be eating and drinking well in this popular tourist destination.
Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos
Paphos has been inhabited since neolithic times. The oldest relics can be found at Paphos' Archaeological Park, which is situated close to the harbor. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and costs just €4.50 for entry.
There are several important things to see here, including a collection of different mosaics devoted to telling the stories of the Greek gods. Another is the monumental Tombs of the Kings site. The underground tombs are carved out of solid rock and date to the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
If you like ruins, you can easily spend hours exploring the site.
Beach break
After a couple of days of exploring, treat yourself to an afternoon spent lounging at the beach. Paphos boasts 31 miles of coastline and 27 separate beaches, and the most popular ones are Cape Drepanon and Paphos Town beach.
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Day 5 – Scenic coastal drive + Kyrenia (Girne)
Get your passports out, because you’ll be crossing borders today, as Kyrenia is a seaside town in Turkish Northern Cyprus.
Driving on the northwest side of the island will take you along the coast, where you'll get beautiful views of the ocean. The actual trip will only take two hours.
Baths of Aphrodite
Stop to stretch your legs along the way with a stop at the Baths of Aphrodite, one of the sites on the Aphrodite Cultural Route. According to mythology, the goddess fell in love with Adonis here, when he stopped to quench his thirst while hunting.
While you’re there, take a walk along the Trails of Aphrodite. These elevated paths offer spectacular views of the coastline below.
Old Town Kyrenia
Now known as Girne, the ancient old town of Kyrenia blends the old and the new, with trendy cafes and bars popping up in ancient buildings. This is an atmospheric place, with countless wandering alleyways that invite a wander.
Kyrenia Castle
One place you must visit is Kyrenia Castle, first mentioned in 1191 B.C. and remodeled a number of times. Now a 16th-century Venetian castle, you enter the fortress via a stone bridge over a moat. There you'll find two small museums that are worth exploring, as well as a dark and ominous dungeon and a chapel.
Part of the visit to the castle includes walking along the harbor’s promenade. The view is particularly beautiful.
Stay in Girne
ⓘ TIP: If your Cyprus road trip itinerary is longer than 7 days, include a stop at Saint Hilarion Castle on your way back to Nicosia. The castle sits 700 meters above sea level, just off the main road that takes you to Nicosia from Kyrenia. You'll get impressive views of the city and the Mediterranean.
Day 6 – Explore the capital, Nicosia
Think of a trip to Nicosia as being a very lively history lesson. This is the only divided capital in the world, with half in south Cyprus and half in north Cyprus.
Start your time in Cyprus by getting to know the unique culture, friendly people, and opulent French-Gothic and Ottoman-style architecture of the buildings of the old town.
Given that this trip is going to include a lot of driving, use this time to explore the city on foot. Walk around the narrow alleyways and stop at some of the quirky coffee shops, admire the wall art, and venture into some local craft stores.
Ledra Street
While you're exploring Nicosia on foot, be sure to include Ledra Street. Nicosia's prime shopping street. Enjoy a few stores and a bite to eat, then head to the Shacolas Tower, which has a beautiful observation deck that overlooks the city.
Interesting fact: Ledra Street serves as one of 6 border crossings between the southern (Greek) and northern (Turkish) parts of Cyprus.
Leventis Museum
A visit to the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia is a great thing to add to your itinerary, because of the rich history of the country. A walk around the museum takes you through the history of Nicosia and Cyprus and reveals its fascinating past.
Food tour
Cyprus is renowned for its tasty, traditional food. With so many opportunities for wonderful dining, consider booking a food tour to get a deeper insight into Cypriot cuisine.
Few experiences can match indulging in an array of local dishes and treats with an experienced guide, while soaking in your tour leader’s knowledge of the Cyprus food culture.
Stay in Nicosia
Day 7 – Ayia Napa and fly out
Your final stop on this 7-day road trip is Ayia Napa, on the tip of Cyprus' southeast coast. Ayia Napa has a reputation for being a particularly lovely vacation spot. The resort town is popular among European travelers, who love to visit Ayia Napa for its vibey beaches, busy tavernas, and energizing beach activities.
There are, of course, many Cyprus things to do that don’t involve the beach, such as visiting the town's central square. It is full of bars and clubs and a Venetian-era landmark known as Ayia Napa Monastery. Lying partially underground, the monastery is worth visiting, as it was cut into the rock and surrounded by a high wall.
Cape Greco National Forest Park
For those looking to avoid the crowds and beach, Cape Greco National Park offers scenic walks through the forest, cycling paths (with bikes available to rent), and picnic spots with ocean views.
After ending your time in Ayia Napa, you can either fly out, stay in Ayia Napa overnight, or journey back to Nicosia to spend your last night in the vibrant city.
Final thoughts for your trip to Cyprus
As small as the island is, it appears that there is an endless array of adventures and exploration opportunities to be had on the island. Fit for travelers of all mindsets, Cyprus is a place for history lovers, thrill-seekers, beach babies, and foodies.
A week allows you to see all parts of the region and discover the history that makes Cyprus such a unique place to visit.
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