Cyprus in December-February

Cyprus’s temperate winter weather offers relief from the perils of the typical winter experience. Temperatures generally hover between 60 and 70 degrees during the day and dip into the 50s at night.

Eager to spend your vacation outdoors? Winter is the perfect time to take advantage of all of the hiking, biking, and even skiing that Cyprus has to offer. The predominately green Troödos mountain range can sport snow-capped peaks this time of year, making it a surprising yet suitable home to four different ski resorts.

While this is the off-season and some hotels and restaurants will close down, there is no shortage of activities for travelers visiting in winter. Enjoy a marzipan Christmas cake from a local bakery or gaze upon the grand firework displays announcing “Kali Khronia!” (Happy New Year!). The dip in tourism will ensure you experience a pure, bona-fide glimpse into Cypriot life.

Holidays & Events

• December 31: New Year’s Eve
• Mid May-Mid June: Ramadan
• Lemesos Carnival: A festival held in the days leading up to lent, similar to Mardi Gras.
• Green Monday: The first day of Lent, celebrated outdoors with a vegetarian picnic of fasting foods.

Must See

Turkish baths were brought to Cyprus by the sultan Murad II in 1444 and remain a completely unique experience for travelers visiting Cyprus today. The cleansing ritual consists of relaxing in a room flowing with hot, dry air for a period of time before rinsing with cold water. The bather then receives a full-body wash and a massage before heading to a cool room to decompress and reflect. Turkish baths are a melting pot of Cypriot culture, drawing locals and tourists alike to detox and revitalize.

Once you’ve treated yourself, consider a peaceful, sunset horse-back ride in Paphos across a quiet country trail that leads to the sea. Enjoy wintertime comfort food like Avgolemoni (egg and lemon soup) or savory souvla (barbecued meat on a skewer). Partake in a wine tour along the lush and picturesque Diarizos River. No matter what you choose, it’s easy to find your place during a slow-paced winter in Cyprus.

Cyprus in February-March

There’s no better time to visit Cyprus then in the spring. Temperatures average in the mid-60s through March and rise to the mid-70s by May, keeping the climate agreeable throughout the season. The highest temperatures are accompanied by a dry (as opposed to humid) heat, making even the hottest spring days comfortable.

When Lent has come to an end, don’t miss out on the Easter festivities. The poppies and golden daises begin to bloom, the streets smell of traditional Cypriot baked goods, and the air buzzes with excitement. People attend church services leading up to a great feast of souvla, cakes, desserts, beverages made with local spirits, and more.

April marks the start of tourist season, and with it local restaurants, hotels, and shops open their doors. With spring also comes races like the Logicom Cyprus Marathon through scenic Paphos and the Opap Lemesos Marathon along the Lemesos coastline. For travelers who prefer walking, why not walk the white-sand shorelines of Nissi beach or the historic Paphos Old Town, home to the temple of Aphrodite?

Holidays & Events

• Easter: Parades and festivities take place from mid-March to mid-April.
• Cyprus Walking Festival: From March to May, nature lovers unite to explore the many beautiful hiking trails of Cyprus.
• Bellapais Music Festival: An international celebration of music takes place from mid-April to mid-June.

Must See

If you visit during Easter, you may notice there aren’t many people on the streets. That’s because locals and tourists alike head in droves to the Greek Orthodox Churches. Easter is the most important Cypriot religious celebration of the year. The week leading up to Holy Sunday is characterized by Masses, baking Flaounes (crust with cheese, eggs, raisins, and mint filling), decorations, churchyard bonfires, midnight candle-lit services, parades, and more. You must see it with your own eyes to comprehend the magnitude of the Easter celebration.

When the festivities come to a close, consider visiting the Paphos Archaeological Park to explore what’s thought of as the most important historical site in Cyprus. Gaze upon relics left behind from the medieval era all the way back to prehistoric times. Most ruins date back the Roman period, and travelers can explore five ancient houses within the park built to commemorate Greek gods and goddesses.

Cyprus in June-August

During the summer months, things literally and figuratively heat up in Cyprus. It’s one of the warmest destinations in the Mediterranean, with June temperatures averaging around 80 degrees and August temperatures hovering between 85 and 90 degrees. With the dry warmth also comes 11 hours of sunlight, extending your days for easy-paced leisure.

Summer is easily the most active time of year for tourism in Cyprus, giving you the opportunity to meet travelers from all over the world. The striking beaches such as Aiya Napa, Protaras, and Paphos are full of sunbathers, avid swimmers, and of course, octopus hunters. Restaurants stay open, giving you your pick of authentic Cypriot cuisine.

Countless festivals celebrating everything from agriculture to art to occur during these months. Early June brings the Kataklysmos Water Festival, a waterfront celebration including live performances, street food, and folklore programs. During the Feggaros Festival in early August, people gather for three days to see local and international musicians play folk, blues, and rock n’ roll. Wherever you visit, you’re sure to find yourself in the midst of a lively summer celebration.

Holidays & Events

• Kataklysmos Festival: An animated waterfront celebration on the day after the feast of the Holy Trinity (early summer).
• Shakespeare at Curium: An annual production of a Shakespeare play at the Kourion Archaeological Site in June.
• Last week of June-first week of July: International Famagusta Art and Culture Festival
• July 1-31: International Festival of Greek Drama
• July 1-31: Larnaka Festival (music and performing arts)
• Mehmetçik Grape Festival: Event in early August celebrating the economic and cultural significance of grapes.

Must See

Cyprus has no shortage of mystifying beaches. However, nothing quite compares to the experience you’ll have at the untouched Lara Bay Beach. This beach is atypical in that it can only be reached by 4x4 vehicle and lounging and sunbathing is not allowed. Why? Because this deserted strip is one of few remaining homes to loggerhead and green turtle nests. Only the most adventurous of travelers who leave the hustle and bustle of town behind for the day will be lucky enough to spot these creatures in their natural habitat. There is an open-air restaurant in the area, but bringing ample food and water with you on your journey is recommended. 

Antarctica in October-November

Antarctica at the beginning of October is in pristine condition as a fresh blanket of snow covers the continent and smooth layers of ice coat the water. This icy landscape remains frozen through October due to the bitter cold temperatures that the continent is still experiencing—temperatures in the middle of the continent can dip to as low as -60 degrees. Because the ice off Antarctica's coasts and along its waterways is set and strong, it's still difficult for ships to break through and travel to the region. Ships typically start making their way to Antarctica at the end of October when a slight warm-up occurs and the ice is easier for the ships to break through. 

The end of October and beginning of November are great times to visit Antarctica when the snow is still fairly fresh and wildlife starts to make its way back to the ice continent. There are plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities at the end of October and throughout November as it's breeding season for Adélie penguins, Chinstrap penguins, and elephant seals.  

Holidays & Events

• Kataklysmos Festival: An animated waterfront celebration on the day after the feast of the Holy Trinity (early summer).
• Shakespeare at Curium: An annual production of a Shakespeare play at the Kourion Archaeological Site in June.
• Last week of June-first week of July: International Famagusta Art and Culture Festival
• July 1-31: International Festival of Greek Drama
• July 1-31: Larnaka Festival (music and performing arts)
• Mehmetçik Grape Festival: Event in early August celebrating the economic and cultural significance of grapes.

Must See

Cyprus has no shortage of mystifying beaches. However, nothing quite compares to the experience you’ll have at the untouched Lara Bay Beach. This beach is atypical in that it can only be reached by 4x4 vehicle and lounging and sunbathing is not allowed. Why? Because this deserted strip is one of few remaining homes to loggerhead and green turtle nests. Only the most adventurous of travelers who leave the hustle and bustle of town behind for the day will be lucky enough to spot these creatures in their natural habitat. There is an open-air restaurant in the area, but bringing ample food and water with you on your journey is recommended.