I’d always thought you needed to hop on a 6+ hour flight from the UK for a winter dose of Vitamin D, but I was wrong! Cyprus has one of the warmer winters in Europe with temperatures averaging around 16-18ºC from December to March, making it a perfect winter sun holiday destination.
Getting to Cyprus
Flights from London Stansted Airport to Paphos International Airport (PFO) take around 4hrs 30mins. We visited as part of a package holiday to Cyprus with Jet2Holidays which meant flights, accommodation, transfers and 22kg luggage were included and all I had to worry about was getting to the airport on time – such a hassle free way to travel! Paphos airport is only 15km from the city centre so the transfer to our hotel, located on the Kato Paphos waterfront was quick and easy.
Where to Stay
We spent five nights at the Constantinou Bros Athena Royal Beach Hotel, a four-star adults only beachfront hotel with a trio of swimming pools. The hotel is in a great location for exploring and offers free parking – it’s just a 10 minute drive to one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paphos – the Tomb of the Kings.
I found the room and hotel decor a little dated, although everywhere was very clean and the service was exceptional. My personal highlight of our stay was the breakfast buffet – I’ve never seen so much choice. It had everything from traditional Cypriot delicacies, to a cooked breakfast station, doughnuts and even champagne if you wanted it!
Food & Drink
While some restaurants do close over the winter months due to a lack of tourists, there are plenty of bars and restaurants in Paphos that remain open and are well worth a visit. If you’re looking to sample local food, then I can’t recommend trying a traditional Cypriot meze enough – just make sure you’re hungry as there’s a lot of it! Here are my top two recommendations from our time in Cyprus…
Konia Taverna
Konia is only a short drive from Paphos and this traditional Taverna is well worth paying a visit. We went for dinner on Saturday night and were treated to the most amazing atmosphere with live music and traditional Cypriot dancing. The food was reasonably priced at €22 for a meze and the portions are huge! I have to say though, it was not just quantity, the quality of the food was incredible too! Everything was cooked to perfection and the dishes just kept on coming. Just when we thought surely that was it, out came another dish – or two! Despite it being out of season the restaurant was packed so I’d definitely recommend booking a table here in advance.
Minthis Golf Club
Set among ancient olive groves and overlooking an unspoiled panorama of rolling countryside, Minthis Golf Club offers everything you expect from a luxury resort. We visited for lunch and I was blown away by the food. The chefs make use of the natural bounty at Minthis, using honey and olives from the resort’s beehives and groves and hand-picked fruits and nuts from local orchards. We sampled a meze of modern mediterranean dishes and it was easily my favourite meal from our entire trip – I’m still dreaming about the grilled octopus.
10 things to do in Cyprus in Winter:
Visit the Edro III Shipwreck
There’s something fascinating about shipwrecks and the story they silently hold to themselves. The Edro III was traveling from Limassol to Rhodes in 2011 when it ran aground in stormy seas. Local authorities were hesitant to remove the ship from the rocks because the coastline here is a protected natural park where turtles nest and native plants thrive, so to this day it remains stranded and is a popular free tourist attraction.
Hike the Akamas Peninsula
Starting near the Bath of Aphrodite, the Adonis Nature Trail is a circular 7.5km loop (3 hour walk) with incredible views of the coastline. Peak summer in Cyprus can be quite limiting for those wanting an active holiday but we had the perfect hiking conditions during our trip in February with 17ºC sunshine.
There’s a seafood restaurant, The Baths of Aphrodite restaurant, at the end of the trail with panoramic views of the ocean.
Explore the Tomb of the Kings
The Tomb of the Kings form part of the Archeological park of Kato Pafos and have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1980. The underground tombs are carved out of solid rock and date back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Despite the name, no royalty is thought to have been buried here. Instead it’s the resting place of aristocrats and high ranking officials – the grandeur of the tombs gave the locality its name. Tickets are only €2.50 and the site is open all year round. I’d allow several hours to explore the site and make sure you pack comfy shoes as the ground can be uneven in places.
Book a Wine Tasting
If, like me, you’re partial to a wine or two, I’d recommend heading to the west of the island where most of Cyprus’s vineyards are located. We took a tour of Vasilikon Winery – one of the first local wineries on the island. There’s a quaint museum full of antique tools and a restaurant for lunch and wine tastings.
Visit ‘The Place’
The Place is a community art space and local craft centre in Old Town Paphos offering visitors a chance to discover Cypriot craftspeople at work, take part in creative workshops, taste traditional produce and shop handmade artisan gifts. If you’re exploring the Old Town, be sure to pop-in. The centre is open everyday from 9.30-2pm, except Sundays.
Take an off-road Jeep Safari
This was one of my favourite activities we did in Cyprus and it’s a great way to explore more of the Island. Our guide Panicos took us off-roading in his iconic Jeep Defender, he was extremely knowledgeable and knew all the best spots for photo opportunities. You can book a bespoke guided tour here.
Learn how Halloumi is made
I’m not sure I can ever look at the Halloumi we get in UK supermarkets the same way again. It just doesn’t compare to the real thing. We visited Eleni’s Farm, a small family halloumi producer nestled in the village of Skarinou. It was fascinating to see the cheese being made by hand in the traditional way and even better that we got to sample the freshly made Halloumi (and a shot of local spirit Zivania which was…strong).
Visit Episkopi Environmental Centre
The traditional village of Episkopi is built on the western slope of the Ezousa valley and is rich in flora and fauna. Its environmental centre aims to protect the local area and contribute towards sustainable development. We were given a quick tour by MaryBeth who’s enthusiasm was contagious! There’s plenty for all ages here; a short film, museum, botanical gardens and a walking trail. If you’re lucky you might spot rare falcons in the area too!
See Aphrodite’s Birthplace ‘Petra tou Romiou’
Cyprus is well known for its stunning beaches and ancient legends. On the southwest coast of the island, between Paphos and Limassol, an unusual rock formation juts out into the ocean forming a heart shaped silhouette. Legend has it the goddess Aphrodite was born here. The pebble beach is a popular swimming spot with locals and has amazing views of the rugged coastline.
Visit Fyti Weaving Museum
The quaint hilltop village of Fyti is renowned for its unique style of weaving dating back to medieval times. Mother and daughter duo, Irene and Diamant, are passionate about preserving the craft and run the Fyti Weaving Museum, which is free to enter all year round. It’s small with a lot of charm, showcasing interesting artifacts, photos and there’s a shop across the road selling a range of woven souvenirs.
Whilst it’s only a 25 minute drive from the hubbub of Paphos, the village feels like stepping back in time to authentic, rural Cyprus. We didn’t bump into any other tourists during our visit.
From ancient ruins, to mountain hikes, mouthwatering cuisine and charming villages tucked away in the hills. Whether you’re craving relaxation or adventure, Cyprus’s mild winters offer the perfect escape from the winter blues. Click here to browse Flights to Paphos with Jet2 – they currently fly to Cyprus from 10 UK airports with prices starting from as little as £59 in April.
Have you ever been to Cyprus? Let me know in the comments where your favourite destination is for some Winter Sun.
Disclaimer: My time in Paphos was hosted by Jet2.com and Visit Cyprus but as always all opinions are my own.