Local tips for Cyprus
Money, language, plugs, SIM cards and church etiquette for the Republic of Cyprus, with the source named wherever a rule or a figure is involved.
Money & Currency
The Republic of Cyprus uses the euro (EUR, €), introduced on 1 January 2008. The Deputy Ministry of Tourism says major credit cards are widely accepted, particularly in towns and tourist areas, names Visa and Mastercard as the most accepted and says contactless payment is widely used. It is still worth carrying some cash for small tavernas, village shops, and rural stops.
Do
- Withdraw euros at ATMs in public areas or inside a bank, as Canada's travel advice recommends
- Carry small notes and coins for tavernas, kiosks, and village stalls
- When a terminal offers a choice, pay in euros and let your own bank do the conversion
- Expect Visa and Mastercard to be the most widely accepted cards
Avoid
- Don't assume small vendors take cards: keep some cash
- Don't rely on one card: bring a backup
- Don't forget to tell your bank you are travelling
- Don't enter your PIN without checking the card reader and covering the keypad: Canada's travel advice warns of card and ATM fraud
Tipping Culture
| Service | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | Check the bill for a service charge first. Where there is none, a tip for good service is welcome but not obligatory. |
| Hotel housekeeping | A small cash tip left in the room is a courtesy, not a rule |
| Taxi drivers | Not expected, but rounding up the fare is appreciated |
| Tour guides | At your discretion after a good tour; small euro notes are handy |
| Hotel staff | Small change for a porter is a courtesy |
| Boat and dive crew | At your discretion after a good trip |
Language
Greek is the everyday language in the south, and along with Turkish it is an official language of the Republic. The Deputy Ministry of Tourism says English is widely spoken, and that French, German and Russian are also spoken within the tourism industry. Widely is not the same as by everyone, so a few words of Greek are worth learning.
Greek Words You May Hear
Internet & Connectivity
Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafes and restaurants, and visitors with an EU mobile plan can normally use it in Cyprus under EU roaming rules.
Local SIM Card
Cyta, Epic and PrimeTel are mobile networks in the Republic of Cyprus that sell prepaid SIMs. Take your passport to the shop in case ID is asked for, and compare the data bundles before you buy.
eSIM
Providers such as Airalo and Holafly sell eSIM data plans for Cyprus that you install before you fly. Prices change, so compare the cost per gigabyte with your own network's roaming rate.
WiFi
Common in hotels, cafes and restaurants, though not guaranteed. Expect weaker connections in the Troodos mountains and remote areas, and ask your accommodation about speed if you need to work.
Food & Dining
Dishes to Know
- Halloumi (the semi-hard Cypriot cheese, grilled or fried)
- Souvla & sheftalia (chunks of meat slow-grilled over charcoal, and herby pork sausages)
- Kleftiko (lamb slow-baked for hours until it falls off the bone)
- Meze (a long parade of small hot and cold plates, the classic way to eat)
- Loukoumades (warm honey-soaked dough balls for dessert)
Dining Tips
- Order a full meze to share: the Deputy Ministry of Tourism's price list put a tavern meze with a beer or cold drink at an average of €28 in March 2025
- Head to a village taverna in the Troodos foothills or a wine village for home-style cooking
- Try Commandaria, the sweet dessert wine made in Cyprus since antiquity
- The local lager is KEO, brewed in Limassol; the same price list gives €3.50 to €5.50 for a glass of beer
- Finish with a small glass of zivania, the traditional Cypriot grape spirit
Weather & What to Pack
Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, and around 300 sunny days a year. The Deputy Ministry of Tourism describes April and May as pleasantly warm, June to August as the warmest months, and September and October as warm days with cool October evenings. Its 2022 travel planner gives average sea temperatures from 17°C in February and March to 28°C in August (2011 to 2020 averages). The weather page has the month-by-month figures.
Hot, Dry Summer (Jun to Sep)
The peak beach season, hot and dry with very little rain. Warm sea, long days and busier resorts, so book ahead and plan midday breaks out of the heat. The UK Foreign Office warns of a high risk of wildfires, particularly from April to October.
Mild, Wetter Winter (Nov to Mar)
Mild days, cooler evenings, and most of the year's rain, often as short showers. A green, quieter time for hiking and sightseeing. The Cyprus Ski Club gives January to March as the usual ski season on Troodos.
Packing Essentials
Lightweight clothing, swimwear, high-factor sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes for archaeological sites and the Akamas trails, and a warmer layer for cooler winter evenings and the Troodos heights. Cyprus uses Type G sockets, the UK-style plug with three rectangular pins, so UK visitors need no adapter, while travellers from the US, mainland Europe, and elsewhere should bring one. The 2026 Cyprus EU Presidency guide gives the supply as 230 V, and Limassol's tourism guidance quotes 240 volts at 50 Hz, so check the voltage rating on your appliance.
Culture & Etiquette
Greetings matter (a friendly “kalimera” or “kalispera” goes a long way, even in shops)
Hospitality is central (philoxenia, the love of guests, runs deep, and you may be offered a coffee or a sweet)
Sundays and holidays (the Deputy Ministry of Tourism says many resort shops and supermarkets open on Sundays, typically from around 11:00, while some other shops close)
A layered heritage (Greek, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman, and British influences all shape island life)
Dress code (casual is fine; cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches and monasteries)
Coffee culture (a slow Cypriot coffee in a village kafeneio is a daily ritual, not a quick takeaway)
Ask before photographing locals, especially in villages and at religious sites
Celebrations (Limassol Carnival before Lent, and the Limassol Wine Festival, which ran from 26 September to 4 October in 2026)
Next: choose a base and a beach
Compare the bases in the south of Cyprus, then browse the beaches by region and type.