Discover Cyprus in Depth

Welcome to choose our Cyprus private tour to discover this island country on the Mediterranean Sea! Today, our local guide and driver will wait for you at Larnaca International Airport ahead of your arrival. After picking you up, we will transfer you to Limassol and check into the hotel we select for you. As you may need some rest to get over the jet lag, we will not arrange sightseeing activities during the rest time of the day. If you feel fine, you may stroll around on your own.

Helpful Information for You:
1. Book the Flight to Larnaca Airport: One island, two states, and two nationalities - that is Cyprus! It is divided into the Northern Turkish and the Southern Greek sections. Visitors who travel throughout Cyprus should follow the Green Line Regulation for border crossing. The EU, UK, US, Australian, and New Zealand visitors can enter Cyprus visa-free, but only EU and UK citizens are free to travel on the whole island of Cyprus regardless of their port of entry. Visitors from other countries holding visas of the Republic of Cyprus (south) or Schengen visas arriving from Ercan Airport in North Cyprus are not allowed to pass the Green Line to the south part. So we recommend you land at Larnaca International Airport to ensure your trip can proceed smoothly. If you have any problems, our travel consultant is glad to provide more information to help.

2. Plug Converter: British Standard plugs are widely used in Cyprus. Very few places apply European Standard plugs, so please bring a plug converter.

3. SIM Card & eSIM Card: We recommend you purchase an eSIM Card if your phone model supports it, as it does not need to be physically installed or removed. You can purchase an Airalo Cyprus eSIM card for $4.50 for 1GB of data. Physical SIM Card is another choice if your phone model does not support an eSIM Card. Among the local operators in Cyprus, Cytamobilede is the best value, with 20GB of data for €9.99. If you want to use the local network as soon as you arrive, you can buy it online in advance or at the airport after landing. If you are not in a hurry to use it, we recommend you buy one at business offices or convenience stores in the downtown, which is cheaper than at the airport.
➤Phone models that support eSIM Card: iPhone、Samsung、Google Pixel, and so on. For more details, please check your phone's official website.

Free Time Suggestions:
Limassol Castle is a 5-minute drive from the hotel. There is a museum housed in the castle, which contains many medieval relics. Nestled in Limassol Marina, it offers a panoramic view of the harbor from its battlement. The museum only offers Greek commentaries, and the WIFI signal is terrible. So, you may need a translator device and internet ready in advance. The ticket costs €4.50 per person. The operating hours of Limassol Castle are from 9:00 to 17:00. If it's too late to visit the castle, Limassol Marina nearby is a good place to spend leisure time, where you can see the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea and many yachts docked at this Miami-style harbor.

Accommodation: Pefkos City Hotel, Limassol (3 stars) or similar

Today's escorted visit will begin from Aphrodite's Rock. Except for the legend of goddess Aphrodite, aka Venus, there is another little-known story about Aphrodite's Rock. It is said that during the Byzantine period, Digenes Akritas, a Greek warrior, rolled a rock from the mountain to prevent an Arab invasion. Later, people named it "Petra tou Romiou", another name for Aphrodite's Rock, meaning Greek Stone.

Then, we will head to Edro III Shipwreck which is one of the few shipwrecks that can be seen from the shore. It’s tilted at an angle of 11 to 12 degrees and will probably sink entirely in a few years. You can stand on the shore close to the shipwreck to capture the bulky frame of it at a low angle, or stand far enough to take a silhouette backlighting with the whole shipwreck in view. Following the rocky shore to the north from the shipwreck, you will arrive at Sea Caves, which look like mosaic artworks set into the shoreline.
➤Tip: You may need to climb on the rocks from the shipwreck to the Sea Caves, so we recommend you wear comfortable sneakers or trekking shoes.

Later, we will drive to the Baths of Aphrodite in a rock cave where she met her lover, Adonis. Then, head to the fishing village of Latchi to experience the local life.

★ 2-hour Boat Cruise on Blue Lagoon
Ready for the Mediterranean Sea breeze? We will take a 2-hour boat cruise on Blue Lagoon, being served with fresh fruits and local wine. Since there are often cruise ships here, seeing marine life may be difficult. But if you are lucky enough, you may see some small sea fish and turtles.
➤Tip: Please be aware that boats may not operate in autumn and winter and at all other times when the weather conditions are not good. In this case, it is not worth driving there to only visit the Baths of Aphrodite. Instead, we will arrange for you to visit the Paphos Archaeological Park and the Tombs of the Kings.

After the cruise, we will transfer you back to Limassol.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Pefkos City Hotel, Limassol (3 stars) or similar

★ Wine Tasting in Troodos Mountains
Want to indulge in the mellow aroma of red wine? Today, we will drive for about an hour to visit one of the selected wineries in the Troodos Mountains. Standing on the terrace, you can see vast stretched vineyards around the winery. Commandaria, known as "the wine of kings and the king of wines", is a must-taste. As the national wine, it is loved by connoisseurs all over the world.
➤ Tip: If you want to take some wine home, please check the entry policies of your country in advance to determine the types and quantities of alcohol allowed to be brought and to declare customs as required to avoid unnecessary taxes or fines.

Then we will continue our journey through the Troodos Mountains to a beautiful village – Omodos. Here, you will see many villagers wearing Evil Eye or hanging it on their houses. The locals believe that wearing this glass, blue eye-shaped amulet will ward off bad luck. Our guide will lead you to the Monastery of the Holy Cross (Timios Stavros), one of the oldest monasteries in Cyprus, standing at the center of the village. It was built in the shape of Greek letter Π with many arches. There is a small museum in the monastery where you can find many icons and Church utensils. 
After leaving Omodos, you will visit a UNESCO World Heritage site - Church of Saint Nicholas of the Roof, whose walls and roof inside are decorated with delicate religious art paintings. The last stop will be the Kakopetria Village. Walking through the charming narrow streets and feeling the peace and tranquility in the village, you will get relaxed. Also, the pine forests stretching across the Karkotis Valley and the village boast a picturesque landscape for you. If time permits, the Linos Museum is also an interesting place to visit, as it shows the history and production of olive oil, bread, and wine. In addition, Spoon Sweet, a traditional dessert of the Kakopetria Village, is not to be missed. It is typically made from seasonal fruits, vegetables, or flowers, such as papayas, oranges, walnuts, and roses. People usually serve it with ice water, sometimes with coffee as well. After leaving the village, we will drive you to the hotel in Nicosia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Castelli Hotel Nicosia (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we will drive 30 minutes to the Kyrenia Mountain Range north of Nicosia. Here we will visit the Saint Hilarion Castle. It is actually a monastery and is said to be the inspiration for the castle in the Walt Disney film "Snow White". Standing on the hilltop, you will have a bird's eye view of the surrounding countryside. Then, we will move on to the Bellapais Monastery, a 13th-century French Gothic-style monastery on the hill. Lawrence Durrell (1912-1990), a contemporary British novelist, once wrote Bitter Lemons of Cyprus here, which secured this monastery's fame. You can try your luck to find the bitter lemon trees in the book.
➤ Tips:
1. Bellapais Monastery is in the mountain area, so bringing mosquito repellent with you is advisable.
2. If you visit here in summer, remember to bring sun protective gear.

After lunch, we will drive to Kyrenia town center. You will visit the Kyrenia Castle, which recorded the history of Cyprus from the Roman to the Venetian period. On the west side of the castle is the infamous dungeon where Joanna L'Aleman, the pregnant mistress of King Peter I, was tortured. In addition, a Greek merchant ship that sank in 300 B.C. is preserved in the shipwreck museum housed here. After visiting the castle, you can take a leisure walk in the Kyrenia Harbour to trace the ancient history of this town and immerse yourself in a relaxing atmosphere. At last, we will transfer to the hotel in Nicosia.

Recommended Restaurant for Dinner: To Anamma Traditional Restaurant
It is a garden restaurant mainly serving Greek food, only a six-minute walk from the hotel. It costs €15-25 per person. You can try moussaka here, a popular Greek traditional food. It tastes similar to Italian lasagna but replaces layers of pasta with potatoes, eggplants, and beef paste, with shredded cheese and Bechamel sauce on the top. The baked moussaka has a golden crust and is always served with salad.
➤ Tips:
1. There are cats in the restaurant, so if you are allergic to cat hair, you'd better not have dinner here.
2. Both credit card and cash payment in euros are accepted.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Castelli Hotel Nicosia (3 stars) or similar

Today, we will leave Nicosia and head to Famagusta. In about one hour, we will arrive at the Saint Barnabas Monastery, built to commemorate the patron saint of Cyprus, Saint Barnabas. It is said that he was stoned to death and buried in a secret tomb. Four hundred years later, one of the archbishops of Cyprus found it following his dream and dedicated the Bible in the tomb to the monarch who was so pleased and built this monastery. A mural inside the abbey depicts this story. 
➤ Tip: Outside the monastery, vendors sell nuts and dried fruits, which are usually more expensive than usual, so you are advised to refrain from buying them.

Then, we will visit the Ancient Ruins of Salamis, where you will see the largest Roman amphitheater in Cyprus, which can hold around 15,000 people. Unlike other Roman amphitheaters, it doesn't face the sea but inland, and instead of building at the mountain foot, it individually stands in the middle of the ruins. In addition, you can also see other remains like the gymnasium and agora discovered here. Thereafter, we will proceed to the majestic medieval St. Nicolas Cathedral, built in Gothic style, which was remolded to be a mosque and renamed the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque during the Ottoman period. Then our guide will accompany you for a walk around the old city of Famagusta, where historical sites from different eras remain, as well as scattered modern restaurants and cafes. The last stop today will be the ghost town of Varosha. The political issues have made it a no man's land since 1974. After that, we will transfer you to the hotel in Larnaca.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Leonardo Boutique Hotel Larnaca (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel to start the sightseeing at the famous seafront - Finikoudes Beach. It will be a life-long memory to walk among the palm trees on the flat and wide beach while admiring the blue Mediterranean Sea. Next, we will go to the Larnaca Medieval Castle, located at the end of the Foinikoudes promenade. Many rooms inside display relics such as ceramics, metalware, guns, helmets, and swords excavated from the Kition Archaeological Site and Hala Sultan Tekke. There is a tower on the southeast side of the castle where you can catch the stunning view of Finikoudes Beach and the promenade.

In the afternoon, we will come to Lefkara Village, which is famous for its lace-making and silverwork. You will have the opportunity to see their hand-making skills and get close to their unique way of life. Following the village's path, you will meet the Church of the Holy Cross built in Byzantine style, where you can light one candle for blessing if you want. After the village visit, we will discover the ancient remains of the Neolithic Settlement of Choirokoitia, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cylindrical houses consisted of stone walls and flat roofs are made of twigs, reeds, and mud, where you can see farming tools made of animal bones, wooden trays, and stone statues. Afterward, we will drive you back to the hotel.

Recommended Restaurant for Dinner: Ithaki Garden Restaurant
This restaurant is a four-minute walk from the hotel. It costs €15-20 per person. The most popular food here is stifado, Greek beef stew. The chef braises beef with red onions, carrots, and other garnishes. The cooked stifado is intensely flavorful with goat cheese.
➤ Tips:
1. You can pay with a Mastercard. Cash in euros is also acceptable.
2. The owner's cat serves here, so if you can't accept it patrolling under the table while you eat, it is not the right place for you to dine.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Leonardo Boutique Hotel Larnaca (4 stars) or similar

This will be your last day in Cyprus. Please inform us of your departure flight schedule in advance so we can transfer you to Larnaca International Airport on time. You should know that you can only leave from Ercan Airport if you plan to visit Turkey next. If you are interested in a tour combining more countries like Turkey, Egypt, or Greece, feel free to contact us and we will work out the best plan for you.

➤ Notice:
Typically, you need to check in three hours in advance. However, since the Larnaca Airport enhances security measures, you'd better arrive at the terminal one more hour in advance.

Free Time Suggestion:
Larnaca Salt Lake is a good choice if you depart late today. Flamingoes migrate here every year from December to March. You can hike or ride along the lake, where you may pick up the feathers of these beautiful pink birds. There is a mosque, Hala Sultan Tekke, on the west side of the lake, which looks solemn with white walls, green windows, staircases, and maroon carpets. You can see the salt lake from its prayer room.
➤ Tips:
1. If you want to see the flamingo at a closer distance, you may need to walk along the muddy lakeshore, so we recommend you avoid wearing new or expensive shoes. Sandals or old shoes are fine. 
2. Avoid wearing shorts, tanks, and slippers when entering Hala Sutan Tekke. It does not matter if you do not have appropriate clothes; robes are provided at the mosque’s entrance.

Meal: Breakfast