General Information

POPULATION

Approx. 1.250.000, the greater part of which is concentrated in the island’s main cities.

Included: Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Other Minorities (Maronites, Armenians and Roman Catholics), Foreign Residents

GOVERNMENT AND REGIME 

Cyprus is an Independent Sovereign Republic with a Presidential system of government. It is a Member of European Union since 2004

CAPITAL                                                            Nicosia

CURRENCY                                                        Euro

LANGUAGES                                                     Greek is the main language, English is widely spoken. Other European languages are often spoken

RELIGION                                                           The majority of the population is Christian Orthodox

TIME DIFFERENCE                                           GMT +2 hrs (CET +1 hr)

ELECTRICITY CURRENT                                  220 / 240 volts, sockets are usually 3-pin square (UK-type)

TELEPHONE COUNTRY CODE                       + 357

CUISINE 

One of the main attractions of Cyprus is the cuisine, so you have to try the delicious local dishes of the island. Since antiquity, the Cypriots have produced all the ingredients needed for their daily diet. They have traditionally raised goats and sheep, hence the popularity of Cypriot cheese products like halloumi and anari.

The Mediterranean climate, in combination with the soil variations between the valleys and mountainous regions, allows the island to produce a large variety of agricultural products. Tasty fruit, full of natural colours and taste is still grown here in abundance including juicy watermelons, melons, dark red cherries, strawberries, citrus fruit, pomegranates, grapes and bananas.

A myriad of olive groves produce extra virgin olive oil which, in combination with freshly- cut herbs are used to flavour foods, salads and virtually every traditional Cypriot dish.

It is a cuisine that you can get to know very easily, just by visiting one of the hundreds of tavernas on the island - just ask for meze! It is a seemingly endless succession of different dishes brought to the table to be shared by all - it begins with freshly-cut salad, a variety of dips such as tahini, taramas and tzatziki to whet your appetite and prepare you for grilled halloumi cheese, sausage and lountza (smoked pork loin), tender lamb chops, kebab, and sheftalia (spicy sausages) accompanied by freshly-fried potatoes.

A local favourite is the kleftiko – lamb sealed in an earthenware container and slow-cooked in a wood-fired oven until it’s practically falling off the bone.

Enjoy your meal with a glass of two of local red or white wine: many Cypriot and Greek wines have been winning international awards in the last few years.

For dessert choose between the hot crunchy galatoboureko, loukoumades (deep fried dumplings or honey balls) as well as the Greek syrupy staples kataifi and baklava.

Finally sweeten up your palate with a sip or two of the world-famous local dessert wine Commandaria, made only in Cyprus since the 12th Century AD.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Travelling to Cyprus is very easy. The documentation required varies, depending on your nationality. A valid passport is required for a stay of up to 90 days for all bonafide tourists except citizens of European Union countries, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway who may enter Cyprus with their national identity card provided it bears a photo. Some non-EU third country nationals require a visa.

 Further detailed information can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  

If required, A.L. Mantovani & Sons DMC can provide you with all necessary documentation for your visa application (letter of confirmation and hotel confirmation for the participant requiring visa, etc.)

POINTS OF ENTRY

The legal ports of entry into the Republic of Cyprus are the airports of Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO) and the ports of Larnaca, Limassol, Latsi and Paphos as well as St Raphael Marina and Limassol Marina.

Please contact us for a list of airlines currently flying to Cyprus 

HEALTH CARE

Medical treatment and assistance in Cyprus is offered free of charge to international tourists in cases of emergency at the Accident and Emergency Department of Government Hospitals and Health Institutions. EU citizens must produce an E111 form issued by their country's health care authorities. Holiday makers can also use their health insurance towards their medical expenses, provided the policy covers the length of their stay on the island.

In case you need more detailed information please let us know and we would be more than happy to provide you with more details.

SAFETY IN CYPRUS

Cyprus has an excellent reputation for being a safe and friendly place.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers - starting in mid-May and lasting until mid-October - and quite mild winters with some rainy intervals from November to end March. Spring and autumn are effectively short intervals in between, characterized by smooth weather.

With almost year-round sunshine, daylight length ranges from 9.8 hours in December to 14.5 hours in June.

Average temperatures in Celsius & weather conditions in coastal areas for the following mid-month periods:

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Variable Holidays (changing dates each year): Green Monday, Greek Orthodox Easter weekend, Pentecost

We will be happy to advise the exact dates each year upon request

DISTANCES FROM AIRPORTS TO MAIN TOWNS

Main towns & distances

Our cities are big enough to offer modern infrastructure, small enough to make transportation quick and easy. Add to that, a population that is hospitable by nature and tradition...

 Distance between main towns (via motorway)