Cyprus 365
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Cyprus 365
The little things that make a big difference. Insider knowledge from people who know Cyprus best.
Cyprus uses the euro (EUR, €) and has been in the eurozone since 2008. Card payments are widely accepted, but it is worth carrying some cash for small tavernas, village shops, and rural stops. Prices are always quoted in euros, never US dollars.
| Service | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | A service charge of around 10% is sometimes added. If not, leaving 5 to 10% for good service is appreciated. |
| Hotel housekeeping | €1 to 2 per day, left in the room |
| Taxi drivers | Not expected, but rounding up the fare is appreciated |
| Tour guides | €5 to 10 per person for a half or full day tour |
| Hotel staff | €1 to 2 for a porter, pool attendant, and so on |
| Boat and dive crew | A few euros per person after a good trip |
Greek is the everyday language in the south, and along with Turkish it is an official language of the Republic. English is very widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, so visitors get by easily. A few words of Greek always earn a warm smile.
Staying connected in Cyprus is easy, most hotels and restaurants have free WiFi, and mobile data is widely available.
Pick up a Cyta, Epic, or PrimeTel prepaid SIM at the airport or in town for a tourist data bundle. Bring your passport to register it. EU roaming applies for EU visitors.
Services like Airalo and Holafly offer eSIMs, activate before you land. Starting at around €5.
Free WiFi at most hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Speed varies, generally good in the towns and coastal resorts, patchier in the Troodos mountains and remote areas.
Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, and around 300 sunny days a year. There are no hurricanes or tropical storms. Summer highs often reach the mid-30s°C (mid-90s°F), while winters are mild at around 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F) on the coast, with snow on the Troodos peaks. The sea is warm enough for swimming from roughly May to November.
The peak beach season, hot and reliably sunny with very little rain. Warm sea, long days, and busier resorts, so book ahead and plan midday breaks out of the heat.
Mild days, cooler evenings, and most of the year's rain, often as short showers. A green, quieter time for hiking and sightseeing, with snow and skiing up in the Troodos mountains.
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 (UK three-pin) sockets at 230V / 50Hz, so UK visitors need no adapter, while travelers from the US, mainland Europe, and elsewhere should bring one.
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)
Relaxed pace (life runs slowly, especially over a long lunch, so build in some flexibility)
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 wine and village festivals through the year are highlights)
Start exploring the best destinations and beaches in Cyprus.