Cyprus europe in january: 9 Reasons to Visit Cyprus in January

9 Reasons to Visit Cyprus in January

Cyprus is one of the best holiday destinations in the Mediterranean.

In 2017, it was visited by 3,600,000 tourists.

The island offers thousands of years of history, ancient excavations, historical monuments, natural wonders and irresistible beaches, not to mention the authentic tastes and flavors of the amazing local cuisine.

The only problem is that the island, with its 9,251 km², is too small to accept such a huge number of visitors, especially considering that almost all arrivals happen during the period between the late April and early November.

More from Cyprus:

• 17 Best Things to Do in Larnaca (Cyprus)
• 10 Best Places to Visit in Cyprus (and Why?)
• Cyprus vs Crete (18 Proven Tips)

Therefore, if you want to get to know this jewel of the Eastern Mediterranean and to enjoy its beauties undisturbed, the idea of ​​visiting it in the heat of winter probably is not that bad.

1. Less Crowded

Finikoudes Promenade – Larnaca

As we just mentioned above, the “Aphrodite Island” is full of people during the summer months.

This makes it a bit difficult to fully enjoy its countless beauties.

If you choose to travel in January, however, you will able to see this piece of paradise in its quietest and most peaceful side, which is a great opportunity to enjoy the numerous museums, churches and monuments under the open sky without being disturbed.

2. Pleasant Weather

Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa

Although the temperatures are far from what we normally imagine when we talk about summer, January will pleasantly surprise us.

Although the sky is often covered with clouds and precipitations are quite common, the temperature throughout the day is usually around 17 – 18 degrees.

Thermometers show about 8 degrees at night and you will need a jacket.

However, at noon you could walk around even in a t-shirt, especially in sunny weather.

3. Beach and Sea

Larnaca Beach

Although it is a bit cold for the beach, even in January there is a small chance of getting on a warm day where you can swim in the sea.

This is especially true if you arrive from a place where the temperature is normally much lower at this time of the year.

The sun and pleasant temperatures can will make the cinnamon and golden beaches of Cyprus even more irresistible, though many of the locals wear their warmest winter clothes.

The seawater is about 17 degrees even at the height of winter, so if you get a really warm and sunny windless day, you’ll be able to dip into the sea for at least a few minutes.

4. Prices

Agia Napa, Monastery

If you are looking for lower prices in restaurants, hotels and cafes, January is the best time of year for you.

During the winter season some of the places are temporarily closed, but most of them still remain opened.

As they work with fewer customers, they often reduce the prices by 40% or 50% compared to summer.

5. Skiing

Beautiful Nature

Thick snow covers the higher parts of the Troodos Mountains in January.

This makes it possible for ski lovers to take advantage of their favorite sport.

Although the snow cover is not guaranteed and the ski slopes are not like in Switzerland, Austria, Norway or Bulgaria, it is still exciting to enjoy the snow when the temperatures reach 20 degrees along the coast.

6. Shopping

Street in Larnaca

As it is a popular tourist destination, Cyprus is traditionally a bit more expensive than the average for Europe.

After most of the tourists leave the island at the end of autumn, however, prices usually decline and some goods, including many different types of clothing, could be found at prices about 50% cheaper than in summer.

7. Epiphany

Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca

As in other European countries, January is a month of celebrations here.

One of the greatest events is Epiphany.

It is celebrated on January 6th all around the island, including in all coastal towns and villages.

The priests throw a cross in the sea, and the locals wash fruits and vegetables in the sea water, believing that this will bring a rich and healthy harvest.

8. Green

Larnaca Salt Lake

If you want to see Cyprus really green, you should visit it during the winter months and January is a good choice.

After the long months of dry and hot summer, winter brings spring temperatures and rainfall.

This is why the island is emerald green and is a wonderful time of the year for long walk in the wild.

9. Less Harmful Sun

Pleasant Weather

You should always use a high SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreen when going outside, including if you visit Cyprus in winter.

Do not forget that sun is dangerous even in this part of the year.

However, the chance to burn after a long day outside is definitely smallest in January.

This is why this month is a good choice if you want to walk around for hours, visiting museums and sights of interest.

More from Cyprus:

• 17 Best Things to Do in Larnaca (Cyprus)
• 10 Best Places to Visit in Cyprus (and Why?)
• Cyprus vs Crete (18 Proven Tips)

Winter in Cyprus – What’s it like to visit Cyprus off-season?

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Last Updated on October 21, 2019 by

Table of Contents

• Winter In Cyprus: What It’s Like
  • 1. Warm and Mild Weather
  • 2. Hotels and Restaurants Stay Open
  • 3. Less Tourist Crowds
  • 4. Many Things to Do in Cyprus During Winter
• Best Things to Do During Winter in Cyprus:
  • Explore its capital city, Nicosia
  • Retrace history at the Kourion Archaeological Site
  • Go hiking in the Troödos Mountains
  • Wander through the cute rural villages
  • Take a Road Trip around Cyprus

Winter In Cyprus: What It’s Like

When planning our recent trip to Cyprus, we were a bit hesitant about traveling in winter. We knew winter in Cyprus would be warmer than elsewhere in Europe, but we weren’t quite sure if it would be the best time to visit. Would it be cold and gloomy? Or would restaurants and hotels be closed for the season?

As it turned out, we didn’t have anything to worry about. The weather was marvelous – it was always sunny and we even had t-shirt weather one day. It didn’t feel like low season anywhere since locals were still out and about, living life as normal. In fact, I loved the absence of the summer crowd and holidaymakers. Here’s why we think winter may just be the best time to visit Cyprus!

1. Warm and Mild Weather

Cyprus actually has the warmest winters in the Mediterranean part of the European Union, with average temperatures of 22–23 °C during the day and 12–14 °C at night. The temperature in the open sea hovers around 16° or 17° C in winter, which is really not too bad in comparison to elsewhere in Europe. During our trip, we even saw people swimming in the sea!

Even in winter, you’ll sure to get some sun as Cyprus receives more than 340 days of sunshine a year. Days are short though, with an average of 6-8 hours of sunlight per day from December to February.

2. Hotels and Restaurants Stay Open

Some hotels and restaurants do close in winter as there are not enough tourists around to stay open profitably. But there are enough places open everywhere in Cyprus for you to have a good time.

In cities like Nicosia and Larnaca, you’ll find locals all out and about even in the midst of winter. The popular tourist towns like Limassol and Paphos still have a great atmosphere and definitely feel less touristy than usual. It’s even warm enough to eat al fresco, under the sun.

We stayed at several different hotels in Cyprus and most had moderate occupancy at the time of our visit in December:

• Alexander the Great Beach Hotel — This hotel in Paphos stays open all year round and has an excellent location right on the beach. It’s also within walking distance from restaurants, supermarkets and shops. You can easily explore Paphos City from here and it’s definitely a family-friendly hotel.
• Sentido Cypria Bay — We stayed here on our last night and really liked the hotel’s stylish interior and kids club. It’s really affordable as well and the location in the city made it convenient to explore on foot.
• Elias Beach Hotel — This luxury hotel in Limassol is also fantastic and has a great sea view. Perfect for families who are looking for kids-friendly amenities and proximity to the town and nearby restaurants. It stays open in December but closes from the beginning of January to end of February each winter.
• Ambelikos Traditional Agrohotel — If you’re heading to Troodos Mountains like we did, I highly recommend staying at this rustic yet comfortable stone-walled guesthouse. It’s historical and full of character, surrounded by vineyards and grapevines.

3. Less Tourist Crowds

This is one of the main reasons why we love winter in Cyprus. From December to February, you won’t find the usual tourist crowds as you would in summer.  According to the Cyprus tourism market report, the number of tourist arrivals in Cyprus drop from around 350,000 in summer to 50,000 per month in winter.

Every June to August, certain beach towns like Limassol can get packed with rowdy and boozy holidaymakers who are just out to party. In winter, you won’t find such tourists around and instead you’ll find more travelers who are keen on getting active or exploring the cultural and historical aspects of the country.

4. Many Things to Do in Cyprus During Winter

That’s the thing: Cyprus is so much more than just a beach destination. It is multilayered, not only in its history, but also its rich traditions, cuisine and landscape that few other countries can rival.

Regardless of the time of the year, you’ll find plenty to things to see and experience beyond the beaches: from exploring impressive archaeological ruins to hiking its hundreds of trails and wandering through its mountain villages and feasting on some of the best cuisines in the world.

Best Things to Do During Winter in Cyprus:

Of all the experiences we had, here are some of our favorite things to do in winter on Cyprus:

Explore its capital city, Nicosia

Nicosia (Lefkosia) is known as the last divided capital city of the world as its southern half belongs to the Republic of Cyprus (with an internationally acknowledged government) and the other half is still occupied by the Turkish army today.

The Green Line divides these two halves but you can cross from one side to the other easily via the Ledra Street pedestrianized crossing (remember to bring your passport!) The southern half is such an intriguing city with a mishmash of Greek orthodox churches and Muslim mosques, taverns and tea houses, markets and baths.

Retrace history at the Kourion Archaeological Site

Digging into the island’s past is one of the most interesting things to do in Cyprus. There are plenty of archaeological sites on Cyprus, but the most spectacular one (in my opinion) is the Kourion Archaeological Site. Originally built in the 2nd century B.C., it’s been immaculately preserved.

Famed for its magnificent amphitheatre, Kourion is also home to beautiful mosaic tiles, colonnades and baths. We found it comparable to the magnificent ancient sites in Greece and Turkey, and highly recommend a visit for any history buff.

Go hiking in the Troödos Mountains

Away from the touristically developed beach towns, Cyprus brims with empty hiking trails and challenging biking paths further inland. The Troödos Mountains are one of the best regions to pull your hiking boots on. We chose to hike the Kaledonia Nature Trail, an easy 3-km gradual uphill hike through pine forests, running streams and ending at the Kaledonia waterfalls.

There are many other hiking trails to choose from in this area, with many recommending the Asinou–Agios Theodoros trail. It begins at the Byzantine-frescoed Panagia Forviotissa church.

Wander through the cute rural villages

One of the best ways to get to a feel for rural Cyprus is to spend time in one of the island’s snoozy villages. They seem to exist in a cobblestoned time-warp where life slows down to snail’s pace. Our favorite has to be Omodos, a village steeped in tradition and the traditional bread rings, arkatena.

We recommend visiting the famous George’s Bakery to try some of the freshest arkatena along with homemade zivania liquor. Then having an authentic Cypriot lunch at the popular Katoi Restaurant (our favorite restaurant on this trip!).

Take a Road Trip around Cyprus

By far the best thing to do during winter in Cyprus is to rent a car and drive all around the island. We really enjoyed many of the scenic drives on the island, especially the route between Limassol and Troodos. It twists, dips and climbs through up to the Troodos Mountains and you’re guaranteed some spectacular landscapes. Another impressive scenic drive is from Paphos to Petra tou Romiou – also known as Aphrodite’s Rock.

The road and beach can get busy in peak season but it’s perfect in winter. You can easily rent a car for less than 50 euros a day. It’s relatively easy to drive there with English road signs, smooth roads and an efficient road network. Note that traffic in Cyprus is left-hand traffic, but it is usually easy to get used to once you are in traffic.

Disclosure: Part of this trip was organized by Visit Cyprus. As always, all opinions expressed are our own. 

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Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 140 countries across 7 continents. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Her work has appeared in many major publications including BBC Travel, CNN and LonelyPlanet.com. Read more about her here and get more life updates from her on her Facebook and Instagram.

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On January 6, Cyprus will celebrate Epiphany

Thursday 5 January 2023 is the last working day in Cyprus before the long weekend. On Friday, January 6, Epiphany will be celebrated on the island. Other names for this holiday are Epiphany, Epiphany, Fota.

TRADITIONS

Festive services are held in cathedrals and churches on January 6th. Then solemn processions go to the sea (in Nicosia – to the Athalassa reservoir). White doves are launched into the sky. Priests throw crosses into the sea, and young people jump into the cold January water, trying to find them on the seabed as quickly as possible. nine0007

LONG WEEKEND

A long weekend is when a holiday falls on the beginning or end of the working week. The next long weekend is January 6th, 7th and 8th. Many Cypriots use these days to travel abroad (for example, to Greece), rent a hotel in another city on the island, or go to a country house or visit relatives / friends overnight.

STORES SCHEDULE

January 6 is a public holiday and a day off. Banks, government offices, supermarkets and most shops will be closed. Bakeries and kiosks will continue to work. Shops in shopping centers will be closed, while cafes, restaurants and entertainment centers will be open. nine0007

• According to the labor legislation of the country, work on this day must be paid at a double rate of .

PHARMACIES ON DUTY

On January 6, duty pharmacies will work in Cyprus (usually three or four for the whole city). The nearest open pharmacy can be found in the app https://night-pharmacy.2gis.com by selecting the date and city.

WEATHER JANUARY 6

Weather forecasters promise a sunny day. The air on the coast will warm up to +22 degrees, in the interior of the island – up to +20, in the Troodos mountains – up to +9. Snow has not fallen on the peaks yet, and the ski season has not yet started. The next snowfall is expected on January 12. However, the snow will most likely not be enough to start skiing.

• The water temperature in the sea off the southern coast of Cyprus is about + 20 degrees .

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